My husband has hypothyroidsim. He complained of a sore throat and fatigue before it was diagnosed. He was to the point where he was falling asleep around 7 PM every night. Once he was diagnosed and medicated all is fine! Make the appointment to get tested. If it is hypothyroidism, you'll be amazed by the improvement once it is stabilized with meds.

Hi Palimpsest,
Both my son (he was diagnosed as a teenager) and myself (female) have Hashimoto's (autoimmune thyroid). My son was diagnosed in Maryland by an MD/PhD. When he was diagnosed that specialist (endocrinologist) stated that either my husband or I had to have this because autoimmune disorders are hereditary. And his guess was that I also had it. My son and I also have a HCTD.

My son received a quick diagnose because he had a TSH level that was quite a bit above the normal range. I have abnormal Hashimotos, meaning my TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, etc are all within the normal range. However I had/have so many symptoms (as you have stated, dry scaly skin, extreme fatigue, brain fog, etc.) except I am very thin so most doctors fail to diagnose......Same story with my connective tissue disorder..... Anyway the best test (in my opinion) is the Thyroid Peroxidase, TPO, Antibodies Test.

Both my son and I take synthroid. It makes things a little better but it wasn't the magic pill I hoped for. Also my parents have been diagnosed with different autoimmune disorders recently (Celiac, diabetes, RA). I was also told by that Maryland Endocrinologist, if you have been diagnosed with one autoimmune disorder, you have lots more that have not been diagnosed.

Best wishes.

Coming out of lurkdom to recommend this website for a wealth of information.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/

I have a son with Down syndrome which has a high incidence of thyroid problems, so I try to stay on top of this. I've found this website very helpful.
Judy

If you wait until you are *sure* that something is wrong, it may be too late. I have no idea what hypothyroidism is, but I am proof of the stupidity of ignoring symptoms.
Please, make a Dr's appointment!!

For all the answers, google Mary Shoman + thyroid. They even give you a test there. I have it and diagnosed myself. Been on Levoxyl for 15 years now and I feel great. For a year I felt like you Pal so, grab the bull by the horn, get tested. Know that many of the labs and dr.s have not changed the values of TSH (total serum hormone) norms. The norms now are between one and three. You'll find out all that info on Mary's site. It's excellent. That's how I learned about it. Make sure you have a TOTAL serum count done including Free3 and Free4, otherwise, if they do the simple one they may not pick up on the different levels and any problems. Good luck, hope you feel better.

I also have Hashimoto's and I'm on both Levoxyl and Cytomel, for the t3 and t4. My last test revealed my levels were off, so we might be increasing my dosage (again). I hope so since I've been feeling off, myself.

Getting hypothyroidism treated is a godsend. I felt like a completely different person once they got me levelled off.

You said: "I would almost rather be Sure there is something the matter with me before I take time off and schedule an appointment for an exam and lab work."

What's the big deal? You take an hour out of your life and go to the doctor and get some blood drawn. If doing that would help diagnose the problem so that you could get on the correct meds if needed....6 weeks from now you'll be telling us how you have more energy than you've had in years, you've stopped eating everything in sight, and work has gotten easier and more enjoyable now that you can think and concentrate more easily. I take one little thyroid pill every morning and my life is 100x better than before I was diagnosed!

There's no down side! (Well, the doctor's office co-pay...and the needle...) Getting off yer bum and making an appointment is going to make you feel MUCH better already since you're probably already mad at yourself for procrastinating. Believe me, I can procrastinate with the best of them, and I know procrastination is simply fear of an unknown outcome. Ahhh, just call the doctor and make an appointment. On the way back to work after the doctor's office, you can stop at that little antique store and buy yourself a goodie as a reward. Go on now.

I have been taking Levoxyl for 10 years or so and do not feel that it helps me in any way. There were times in the past that I stopped taking it for long periods, with no difference. I have read some of the sites mentioned here, ones that suggest that the natural Armour thyroid is better than the synthetic. My doctor thinks that's a bunch of junk and that my levels are fine as she's upped my dose to what I think is the max.

Has anyone tried Armour?

I should find another doctor but I just don't have the energy.

folkvictorian, you made me laugh. Yes, palimpsest, just do it!

Another hypothyroid here. I get tested annually to keep an eye on my levels. I learned that there's a connection between hypoT and cholesterol. When your thyroid isn't working right it doesn't filter the lipids effectively so low thyroid often = high cholesterol. Once you get the T fixed the cholesterol level should lower itself naturally.

By the way, am I the only one here who wonders if all these thyroid problems are related in any way to the presence of endocrine disrupters that are in chemicals and plastics? There is a creeping increase in thyroid cancers, esp. amoung young people. I can't help but wonder if something in the environment or in food is contributing to thyroid problems in humans. They say BPA is a major endocrine system disrupter (the stuff in cans, plastic water bottles, on receipts and recently found on paper money!).

The problem about actually going myself is coverage. I am an attending in a teaching clinic and with no doctor on the premises 14 people cannot see patients. I can get coverage if I can get another Dr. to cover for me, which means I need to know in advance. I technically have compensated sick or personal days but I can't use them because I am there or I have to have someone covering for me.

I can take off from private practice, but then I have no income, and since patients are scheduled months in advance, they need to be rescheduled. Patients reschedule and cancel regularly but when the doctor does it to them, some people get furious. One of my practices is 25 miles from where I live so its a matter of taking 4 hours off for a single appointment in that practice. In the practice I am in in the city, I could take off but my physician is not in the practice that day.

I know those are excuses but its not like working in corporate and calling out or taking personal time. It really throws a lot of things out of balance. The First Phone call I made when my mother died was to try and get coverage for my next clinic.

Maureen - When DH was first diagnosed he was put on Armour and it worked wonderfully. Then we moved and his new doctor said it was "antiquated" and was surprised that someone as young as my husband was on it. There just so happened to be a shortage of the Armour during that time and it was really hard to get, so we were willing to try the synthetic. So he put him on the synthetic, and DH never felt right. We have since moved back to our original area, and DH is back to his original doctor, and he is back on Armour (no shortages anymore), and he is back to feeling great.

Palimpsest could go to a walk-in clinic in the evening or just get one of the Doctors you work with to write a Rx for some blood tests?

Also maybe at the same time they could write an Rx for some blood work to see if you have a clotting mutation(s) (Factor V Leiden, MTHFR, Factor II, Lupus SLE, etc). I have MTHFR mutations which caused my homocysteine levels to go high; now I take high doses of B vitamins to keep that level within normal limit. If you live in the Baltimore area, I know some really great doctors (Hematologist, Geneticist).

Texask, Is there a connection between clotting mutations and hypothyroidism? Just wondering why you would suggest those clotting mutation bloodtests? I'd be interested in knowing about hematologists in B'more, if you don't mind sharing. Thanks!

Dr. Michael B. Streiff (1830 E. Monument St., Suite 7300, Baltimore, MD 21205..... (410)614-0727)

MTHFR has been associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease, coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, and venous thrombosis. If you are a female there are pregnancy complications and increased risk of fetal open neural tube defects. Also link to Down Syndrome because abnormal folate and methyl metabolism can lead the DNA hypomethylation and abnormal chromosomal segregation.

I was thinking maybe Palimpsest could see if he had a clotting disorder since his Aunt died young.

Judithn, I have high cholesterol too. Since I have other issues due to my connection tissue disorder it seems my doctor get too caught up treating or trying to fix those. I actually think I have haemochromotosis ("Celtic Curse".... HFE gene). With that comes thyroid issues, diabetes, cholesterol, etc. I moved to Texas so all my great doctors are just too far away.

texask, I am Leiden Factor V, but as far as I know it's a relatively inconsequential clotting condition. About 5% - 8% of the population has it and doesn't know it. You just have to remember to move around on long trips, stay hydrated, and let the doctor know if you're having surgery or will be immobile for any length of time. I don't know anything about MTHFR and was curious if one condition predisposed you to the other condition. What made you decide to get tested for the MTHFR, if you don't mind my asking? I got tested for the Leiden because a family member had a DVT at a young age.

My Aunt had a massive stroke (Grandmother, other Aunts both sides family) and I needed major surgery. As it turned out my connective tissue disorder makes me a bleeder (MTHFR, a clotter) which seems to really scare surgeons. Anyways Rx Amicar in high doses for 2 weeks instead of blood thinners after surgery.

MTHFR mutations are very common. At least 44% of population has 1 mutation which doesn't seem to cause any problems. However, if you have 2 mutations there can be problems (affects about 10% of population).

Pal--I was hyperthyroid, drank the iodine nuclear cocktail and now am hypothyroid. You need to see a good endocrinologist. Go. You will feel SO much better (if that is what the problem is) that you will be irritated with yourself for waiting.

I know those symptoms....had 'em all and more. I was like a page out of the Merck Manual. You are too, Pal. Get the blood work done!

I am also a fan of Armour. I got "fired" by a doctor because of a skirmish over that stuff. he refused to continue prescribing it for me, even though I had been on it for years and HE had given it to me for a few months. I found a new doc...