It was a long time ago, but I read something over on the Health forum about a lady that had tested "normal" for 2 years...had all kinds of problems, before they realized that the "normal" they use..was NOT normal for HER!!

TSH results aren't the last word.

They're only reliable if they show you have a problem.

If your TSH looks normal & you're having "thyroid symptoms", get the more detailed test.

(can't remember what it's called-probably my low thyroid has slowed my brain down to "stall"!)

They look pretty normal to me and I'm very familiar with thyroid readings since I've been treated for 15 years. If you have any symptoms of thyroid problems then I'd ask for another reading and include the free t3 and free t4 in the blood work but, if you feel fine, then I'm sure your normal as the reading states. It's the same reading as mine AFTER I take the meds, Before the meds my tsh was 9. I'd love to get it lower but when they try I get side effects so here I am with an extra 15 pounds that won't budge, grrrrrrr. Google Mary Shoman thyroid and you'll find all the info you'll ever need on thyroid.

The new tsh standard is .3 to 3.0, but the doctor I saw earlier this week said he likes to see everyone at about 1. to 1.5. My tsh (on thyroid hormones) was .009., T4 was non-existant, T3 3 times normal (I am on T3 only). I don't get it because I still have a lot of hypothyroid symptoms although those labs make me look hyperthyroid. The doctor is switching me to the newly formulated Armour. Not looking forward to the next couple months... it always means dealing with the return of old symptoms while you are getting to the optimal dose.

I'd like to know how my antibodies are now. My labwork has always been normal except for the thyroid antibodies.

Some doctors might let you try a little thryoid hormone just based on symptoms.

I have no idea about your thyroid results (sorry), but I've been wondering how your joints are. Still painful? Forgive me if I've missed some posts!

My endocrinologist says the same as Lydia1959's - She likes to see TSH right around 1.

Alisande, I haven't been following your story. Are you seeing an endocrinologist, or are you having the tests done by your regular doctor? I'm always amazed at how my endocrinologist will say things like, "This reading looks normal, and it could *be* normal, but it could also be X and Y operating against each other ..." (That's usually with regard to my adrenal insufficiency, which seems to have more factors than the hypothyroidism, but the principle holds.)

If you're not seeing an endocrinologist, I'd think a consult would be worth it.

It looks like Joann has found a great endocrinologist... but usually endocrinologists are not the best (go to any thyroid message board and ask). I remember being so excited to finally see an endocrinologist before I was diagnosed with Hashimotos. He did the standard tsh, T4 and T3 and said my thyroid was fine even though I had given him a list of over 30 symptoms I had (most of which were symptoms of hypothyroidism). He was worried about the chronic daily headaches I was having, but couldn't see that all these things were related. (BTW The headaches went away as soon as I started thyroid meds.)

I was finally diagnosed by a Top Thyroid doctor (a regular MD) that I found through the Mary Shomon site.

I have been dealing with thyroid levels for 30 years and also feel I don't fit the normal ranges! Numerous T3 & T4 tests were in normal range but I still experience low energy.
On another issue my doctor would check glucose level (non-fasting) and it also would be within range all the while I complained of Low Blood Sugar symptoms. Finally a doctor performed a Glucose Tolerance Test at fasting. Blood was checked hourly over 5 hour period. Results was text book until the 4th hour when I crashed! Finally was diagnosied with Hypo-glycemic. Frequently endure episodes of Low Blood Sugar level and think I would do well to try Metformin. But current doctor only makes his decision accordingly to blood drawn at Non-fasting which reveal Normal Levels!
Glucose & Thyroid levels I feel one or the other is the culprit for Low Energy/Fatigue. But I can't get past the Norm Rule. Very Frustrating!!!

Tony, Metformin is a diabetes drug, used to control high blood sugar. But even if you found a drug for hypoglycemia (I'm sure they're out there!), most of the time the condition can be managed with diet. I've had hypoglycemia most of my life ("the" Dr. Atkins, who was my physician in NYC a long time ago, called my glucose tolerance test "a real clunker"). Two critical steps: First, give up sugar. Second, eat frequent small meals throughout the day, including protein whenever possible. Protein doesn't raise your blood sugar quickly, but it keeps it steady.

Alisande, I haven't been following your story. Are you seeing an endocrinologist, or are you having the tests done by your regular doctor?

I've been having trouble breathing for a year and a half, and none of the tests my doctor (an internist) ordered showed anything. I know low thyroid can do this, and in fact, it feels like the description of thyroid-related breathing problems that I've read: It feels like the muscles involved in breathing have become weak. I mentioned it to my doctor, along with the information that my mouth is sometimes dry, and he ordered the blood tests.

My thyroid is at risk for problems because of the radiation I had when I was six years old (to remove my adenoids).

I've been wondering how your joints are. Still painful? Forgive me if I've missed some posts!

Coral, I feel like I'm falling apart! (However, I remind myself that I've said the same thing at other times in my life, beginning when I was 43--which was 23 years ago.)

The knee pain came back on Tuesday, not nearly as bad, but bad enough to make me get out the ibuprofen again. It was preceded by the weird taste (like plastic) in my mouth that preceded the attack of joint pain just before Christmas. I don't know what to make of it, but I know my stomach isn't right, and hasn't been for some time. I saw a gastroenterologist (sp?) about a year ago. He was very nice and down to earth, but he kept telling me I looked good--so much better than most of his patients look. That's great, but it didn't help my symptoms.

The stomach symptoms have gotten worse, as has the breathing problem. But as we all know, anxiety can produce breathing problems, or make an existing problem worse. So maybe that's a factor. I really don't know.

Honestly, at this point feel like so many things are "off" that I'm reluctant to see any doctor because I know I'd sound like a hypochondriac for sure.