5 Thyroid Tests to Ask Your Doctor About

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Do you feel like something might be wrong with your thyroid, but your thyroid blood work says you’re fine? If your doctor only ordered the TSH test, you might need more information to know what is really going on.

woman getting thyroid ultrasound

More and more, people are being diagnosed with thyroid issues, but some people have thyroid issues without knowing it. It’s important to know what’s wrong with you so you can know what to do.

To that end, it’s crucial to know what thyroid blood work to have your doctor order so you can get the medical care that you need.

Thyroid disease is rampant these days and since the thyroid is affected and is affected by many things, including the food you eat and your adrenal glands, it’s important to get informed about this important gland as much as possible.

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My Struggle with Thyroid Disease

I’ve struggled with hypothyroidism for years. I started noticing severe fatigue, dry skin, weight gain, and joint pain when I was just 22 years old.

I wasn’t old enough to be feeling that bad. I went to the doctor on a few occasions and described my symptoms telling her I just didn’t feel well.

She blew me off and told me I was perfectly healthy.

Long story short, I was able to begrudgingly get my doctor to run a TSH test. (This is the standard test pretty much all doctors run to test thyroid function. I didn’t have any idea what it was at that point.)

Two days later I received a call.

Low thyroid levels.  Supposedly I had hypothyroidism.
The plan? Start synthroid (that was the first problem, but more on that later).

I started my meds and waited 6 weeks.

I still felt bad.

We tweaked my meds. Waited 6 more weeks.

I still felt bad.

Round and round we went until my search for information (and a new doctor) began.

(Before we get started, I want to let you know that I am not a doctor or any sort of medical professional. All of this information I have gleaned from my own research and should not be used for any sort of diagnostic purposes. Use common sense, do your own research, and talk to your doctor before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or exercise routine.)

TSH: Just the Beginning of the Story

In this search for information, I’ve learned that the standard TSH test that most doctors rely upon for both diagnosis and treatment does not give a complete picture of what is going on with your thyroid.

You see, TSH, which stands for thyroid stimulating hormone, is actually a test of what the pituitary gland is doing.

That’s right, it isn’t even testing any of your thyroid hormones.

In theory, when your body does not have enough thyroid hormone, your pituitary gland should be releasing TSH to signal to your thyroid that you need to make more (sort of like a wake up call for your thyroid). Those with elevated TSH levels should theoretically have low thyroid levels and those with low TSH levels should have enough (or too much) thyroid.

So, what’s the problem? It seems pretty cut and dry, right?

Wrong.

There are many many reasons why doctors should not diagnose or treat a thyroid patient based on TSH levels.

Some people simply have a malfunctioning pituitary gland and this is why it is not producing TSH. Unfortunately, it is beyond the scope of this post to go into all of the reasons as to why TSH is not an effective marker.

You can read countless stories of hypothyroid patients who were not diagnosed for years and years because of doctors who simply tested TSH, didn’t consider other symptoms, and didn’t do further testing.

In theory, the TSH test tells a lot.

But, in reality it might not be all that you need.

woman getting thyroid ultrasound and stethoscope for thyroid blood work post

What Thyroid Blood Work Do You Need?

So, if TSH isn’t the best lab test for diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders, what is?

First, I want to confirm—in case you haven’t already guessed—there is no test that can substitute for a doctor who will listen to how you feel.

You need to be seeing a doctor who will listen to you and will place great value in your symptoms when diagnosing and treating you.

Below are the tests that might be essential for anyone who is struggling with thyroid problems or believes they may be struggling with thyroid problems.

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Thyroid Blood Work Checklist

Following is a list of blood tests that you can ask your doctor to run. This list of thyroid blood tests will give your doctor and you more perspective of what exactly is going on with your body, and hopefully will put you on the road to better health.

Free T4

T4 and T3 are the two main thyroid hormones. But, T4 is the less active hormone. Your body converts much of your T4 into the more active T3 inside the cells of your body. With the T4 (and T3) test you can check both free and total levels.

You might want to ask your doctor to check your free levels. Why might this be important? Because free T4 is the T4 that is not bound to proteins in your blood. If you know that number, you will know the amount of T4 that is available to be used and converted to T3.

Free T3

This is the more active form of the thyroid hormone. If you don’t have enough of this you’re going to feel lousy. This is what should, in my opinion, be considered the gold-standard of thyroid function! Free T3 is primarily responsible for increasing your metabolism.

Anti-Thyroid Antibodies

The tests you specifically want to ask for here are TPO and TgAb. These tests will tell you if your body may be attacking your thyroid. The reason that doesn’t sound so good is because it isn’t good. If these levels are elevated, chances are you have Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Hashimoto’s is a type of autoimmune thyroid disease, meaning your immune system is mounting an attack against your thyroid.

It is important to identify if your thyroid disorder is autoimmune in nature because if it is, there are a number of implications. One thing that’s important for individuals with autoimmune diseases is to be on a diet that is anti-inflammatory which often means at a minimum cutting out highly inflammatory foods like wheat and sugar. I know, total bummer. But nothing new from what you’ve read on this blog before?

Cholesterol Panel

Though not as important as the above tests, I believe a cholesterol panel is good to have when going in for your tests as well. Often times people who do not have optimal thyroid levels also have elevated cholesterol. Your body is not able to properly metabolize cholesterol without adequate thyroid hormone. If your levels are elevated, this is just another clue that will help you figure out what is going on.

Don’t worry too much about cholesterol levels until after you have your thyroid levels regulated. Figure out what your thyroid is doing and then check back to see what your cholesterol is doing. To get the most accurate idea of what is going on with your cholesterol be sure to request the NMR cholesterol panel.

Vitamin D

Though many people could benefit from other tests as well, the last test I believe is truly essential for anyone suspecting or treating thyroid disorders is Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hormone that plays an important role in your immune system function.
Many individuals who struggle with hypothyroidism also have low levels of D. It is particularly important that those with autoimmune diseases have optimal D levels. If you do have low D levels, it’s important to begin to work on this right away.

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What to Do About Thyroid Problems

If you have thyroid problems, after getting proper testing here are a few more suggestions for getting your health on track. Please, of course, review all of these (after the first one) with your physician prior to making any changes.

Find a good doctor

Find one who will not only complete the appropriate tests, but will also medicate you appropriately and listen to you. Some people suggest finding a doctor who is comfortable using natural desiccated thyroid hormones (as opposed to synthroid or levothyroxine).
The doctor should be determining medication based off of the above tests as well as how you feel.

Cut out gluten

You might wish to talk with your doctor about removing gluten from your diet. Gluten is highly implicated in autoimmune thyroid disease.
Some sources that that 90% of thyroid disorders are autoimmune in nature.

Optimize Vitamin D levels

It has been said that apparently you need to have good adrenal health before increasing vitamin D so please be careful and don’t self-prescribe. Vitamin D also can reduce Mg so you need to be careful about that as well.

Change Your Diet

Read this list of 5 Foods that Can Wreck Your Thyroid.
Are you eating any of those?

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Testing Options

You can have tests ordered by your physician, but there are also some other options. UltaLabs is one option and Everlywell is another. You can get 12% off at Everlywell by entering the code EVERLY in the shopping cart.

{From Adrienne: This is a seriously important post.  I have been doing a lot of digging into thyroid research recently, for reasons which I will share soon.  So many people have issues with their thyroid and they don’t know where to go or what to do. If you haven’t already, please stay tuned to make sure you get this information.  It’s crucial.  You can subscribe to my site by grabbing this Essential Oils free book here.

In the meantime, I would highly recommend the following books.  I am not saying this is the advice you should follow (i.e. this isn’t medical advice), but it is very very interesting and was very helpful to me.  

I Recommend
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Finding and Treating the Root Cause

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Finding and Treating the Root Cause

I've met the author of this book, Izabella Wentz, in person and while I never agree with everyone on everything, she really is a wealth of information. This book is a great thorough resource for those wanting to gain knowledge and action points to address Hashimoto's and start on the road to feeling better.

I Recommend
Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal

Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests Are Normal

Your thyroid labs are normal, but you still don't feel well? This book can help.

 

Trisha Gilkerson is a homeschooling mom to four crazy boys. She blogs with her awesome hubby Luke at Intoxicated on Life where they talk about faith, homeschooling, and health. They’ve authored the Write Through the Bible curriculum and family Bible Studies and have recently released their first healthy living book – Weeding Out Wheat: A Simple Faith Based Guide

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172 Comments

  1. I have been taking synthetic thyroid hormone for almost 20 years. My TSH levels went from 4.85 when I started to between 1.5 and 1.75 after starting Synthroid. Lately most of the symptoms have returned as my TSH has started to climb 2.39 to 2.75 and today 3.5. My doctor does not ever adjust my dosage even though my symptoms worsen. My weight is up, fatigue, very low energy, cholesterol is way up, blood pressure in slightly up. what should I do?

    1. I’m sorry but I can’t medically advise. There are so many things that could be going on. I found for me that adrenal and toxin and liver work helped. Here’s more info: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/thyroid-disease-hashimotos-blood-test/

      Sometimes food allergies but I would personally try to get a good physician who will listen to you.

      This post might be of interest as well – the first good practitioner that I worked w/ wrote it: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/thyroid-disease-hypothyroid-what-causes-hypothyroidism/

  2. Fatigued and feeling generally unwell. Thyroid panel seems to be within range. Thyroid antibodies have decreased probably because I have been gluten free for a year. Would thyroid meds help? Ndt?

  3. I’ve only read 1/2 of your blog but I’ve read enough to know that the same thing happened to me after I had my 3rd child 27 years ago. I went to just about every endo in the area back then and came to the conclusion that most of them were quacks. One of them concluded because I had a goiter that I needed to have surgery and remove 2/3’s of my thyroid. Had it and within a few years the goiter grew back.. They said that I didn’t need meds because my thyroid was still putting out thyroid hormone. I quit going to any of them. I feel sure that most endocrinologist haven’t a clue how to diagnose thyroid disease. They are way to complacent using the the current thyroid test.

  4. I’ve been on Levothoroxine (sp?) for 5 years. Each year by Dr. orders the TSH. Past two years I have been within normal levels. I have a new doctor and she wants me to have TSH and the T4 labs. I private pay so am hesitant to have both if not completely necessary. What do you think?

    1. I’m sorry but I don’t know enough about thyroid labs. I need to do more reading on it. I personally think getting labs done every year is a good idea.

    2. You need more than just TSH and T4. A good Dr should be testing TSH, Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3 and all antibodies. Free T3 and Reverse T3 are two of the most important tests in mine and many others opinion. FT4, FT3 and RT3 are the only true way to know if you are converting T4 to T3 well or not and if the T3 is getting into your cells well or not.

  5. Would advice on this page be equally applicable to men? You introduce some pretty purposeful avenues of inquiry, and I assume it’s for both sexes, but don’t want to be presumptuous. Seems like great information.

  6. I just learned my 13 year old daughter has hypothyroidism. I have known for over a year something was not right, mother’s medical intuition, and finally they tested her T4, TSH, and all the other panels. The levels were very high and very low respectively. I was surprised the doctor did not recommend any dietary changes. We are going back to gluten free and completely organic. I just recently learned it isn’t just the wheat/gluten, it is the fact that the farmers spray the wheat with Roundup prior to harvesting so that the plant dies and releases the wheat seeds more easily. This chemical has already been proven to wreck havoc on our hormones and adrenals! I have always thought it was amazing that none of us had a reaction when we were in Rome and ate like the Romans, pasta, bread, etc, and lost weight. Our food system is a mess and our bodies are suffering.

    1. Hi there. I think it’s a mix b/c toxins, wheat changing, and our microbiomes changing. Just my hunch. You really were able to eat in Rome but not here? I’m looking at something to possibly help.

  7. I am 53 years old, and completely frustrated. In the last 3 years I brought to my doctors attention but never pushed it that my hair is falling out, not in clumps but it is everywhere! My fatigue level is really high, and I have gained 30# over the past 3-4 years. I am an avid runner, do strength training and eat right. Yet, I cant control the weight. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 29 and use a HRT patch. I went in for my yearly physical and I told her I have been experiencing hot flashes more and more. My comment to her was ” something is wrong. I dont feel right. I am tired, my hair is falling out, I am having hot flashes and my weight keeps going up”. Her reply was “well as we age things happen”. I decided to try and schedule an appointment with an Endo doctor. Which they called my doctor as a referral was needed. Back in to her I go to try to explain everything…again! She ran a panel and this is what my numbers are T3 total is 133. TSH 2.16. She said nothing is wrong. My Vitamin D level is 24.4 and that is the only thing she focused on. Said I might see a specialist for hormones. So I did. She put me on testim to see if it would help the hot flashes. She explained one of the side benefits of taking it would be weight loss. Wrong- 5 weeks and 9.5# increase I am completely frustrated. I want to cry. I have no idea where to go for help.

    1. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Can you find a more natural minded doctor like a functional medicine practitioner? Hope you can find someone to help.

  8. Dealing with Hashimito’s for over a decade. Yes, Vit D needs to be supplemented for most of us. My endo had me taking 2000 units a day. Colds were rare. Then I read somewhere that you needed K2 with it for it to assimilate properly. I found “Michael’s D3K2” online (Various sites incl Amazon) and began taking 5000 daily as I live in the often sunless Pacific Northwest. Endo doesn’t like the K2 part but my chiropractor (much more studied re: supplementation) says the K2 is what fixed up the calcific tendonitis in my shoulders! I haven’t had a cold in years! My endo did agree to let me try a 2 mo trial of NatureThroid last year. He was plwased and a bit surprised by the good results and I still take it. Though still battling with many symptoms (fatigue, weight, ankle edema) I do feel better than on synthetics. One thing to be aware of is my dr office told me that insurance companies will no longer pay for a D3 lab test. In the last year I have requested it twice and they will only do it if I agree to pay the approximately $80 out of pocket. Therefore, I have not been recently tested. If you are debilitatingly fatigued, ask for your ferritin levels to be checked. (Your other blood tests such as hematocrit and hemoglobin may look just fine, but they are your checking account and ferritin is your savings account. If you are sick your body draws upon your savings account and deposited in your checking account. So unless your ferritin is checked you don’t know that you are operating on a deficit of iron.) I had been taking prescription Prilosec for acid reflux. Apparently that messes with your body’s ability to assimilate iron from your food because of the way it interacts with B12. My endo checked my ferritin upon request. 10 or below is considered anemic – at one point mine was 3 and at another point it was five. I could hardly stand up and I would lay across the steering wheel and cry because I was so tired but I still had to get out of that car and go grocery shopping. Upon confirming that multiple ways of ingesting iron over the years had not helped me he sent me across the hall to the oncologist hematologist. He reviewed my most recent lab results and said he was satisfied that this low ferritin level was not because of cancer and he ordered an Iron Infusion. 3 hours in an infusion chair then two days of body pain as the iron molecules were breaking down to be assimilated into my system. But then I felt like a new woman for a month! Almost immediately after that I had surgery to repair a hiatal hernia and never took Prilosec again. Just sharing this information in case it will help someone else.

  9. Hi-

    I had my thyroid removed after finding follicular cancer. Long story and so frustrating resulting in three surgeries within 3 months. Anyway, I had my year ultrasound and blood work done yesterday and I am feeling disappointed because my levels are weird and I expected them to finally be normal. My medication dosage has changed like 5 times and each time my doctor lowers the dose I go through a couple weeks of re-experiencing all my hypothyroid symptoms.
    Basically my blood work says I am hyperthyroid now! My T4 is high, and my TSH is low. Ugh, I have no hyperthyroid symptoms though, I was finally feeling like myself again. I am now lowering my dose again.
    Also, one of my cancer markers got higher by a little from my last blood work 6 months back.
    I had cut gluten and while I am eating some sour dough bread I am trying to eliminate as much white processed flour and sugar as possible.
    I am curious if anyone has had this same strange blood work happen to them? I just don’t want to go back to feeling like one of Ursula’s lost should, exhausted and half awake all the time!
    Thanks!

    1. Everyone says that Norman parathyroid clinic at Tampa Gen. hospital in Florida is absolutely amazing because none of the endocrinologist even address the four hidden little parathyroids that may be just functioning or dead causing all our problems. Check out Norman Parathyroid Clinic and Dr. Norman on YouTube… There is an app to enter various blood work into that lets us know if we are a candidate to be seen there for parathyroid bloodless 20 minutes surgery! That could be why your levels are still strange ?

  10. I am almost 62 and started losing my hair about 2 months ago. So much – and I have had thick hair my whole life. At first I thought is was new brand of color my stylist was using. Well, yesterday I had blood work done and my TSH is 2.58. Also, RBC is 13.2 – range is 12 to 16.5. Hgb is 12.2 – range is11.5 – 15.0. I emailed my doc requesting T3,T4. Hopefully she’ll do it!!!
    About 10 years ago my RBC was 13. – my doc said normally he put people in hospital at this low number or transfused them. I went to an endocrinologist – turns out my iron was just low….as I hope that’s what it is now. I was told since I was about 20 that I needed to take iron. I poo-pooed it. I didn’t know what it meant – now I know that it also mean I do not have ENOUGH blood in my system. Any ideas what this is?
    Think good thoughts for me…..
    Hopefully not thyroid – altho it does run in my family – mom, 2 sisters, nephew.

    1. Hi there. Sorry you are having so many troubles. I am sorry but I don’t knwow what you mean. You are saying that they are telling you that you don’t have enough blood or not enough iron?

      Praying for you right now.

  11. I agree with them testing your T3 and T4 but are they looking at your Reverse T3? Have them run an entire thyroid panel including a RT3.

  12. For almost 9 years my thyroid levels have been all over the place like a proverbial roller coaster. I was evaluated by an endocrinologist in 2015 and ultimately, due to a goiter, I had my thyroid surgically removed in December 2015. My levels, as of 1-20-17 are still not under control. My TSH levels indicate that I’m severely hypoactive (my TSH is 83.02) and my new endocrinologist did a clinical evaluation and said that he thinks that my TSH number is “deceptive” and that going forward he thinks that running tests only on my T3 and T4 will be an adequate set of tests in which to adjust my Synthroid if/when it needs to be adjusted. He stated that the clinical evaluation did not give him any reason to believe that my TSH level is correct as I didn’t appear to be experiencing clinical symptoms that indicate that level of hypoactivity other than the extreme fatigue, excessive sleepiness and dramatic hair loss.
    Is he correct in stating that he can adequately treat me using only my T3 and T4 levels while dismissing the TSH levels or should I begin looking for a new endocrinologist after only 2 visits – he’s the endocrinologist I was referred to by my previous endocrinologist after I informed her that I was requesting a referral for a new endocrinologist because she seemed dismissive regarding my concerns and frustrations as it related to the fact that I was not getting any better under her care and due to her repeated insistence that I give things “more time” after I told her that the level of fatigue and sleepiness had significantly worsened after I had surgery to remove my thyroid. I have no problem with “firing” another physician if that’s what is necessary in order for me to get the best medical care that I can so that I can have the quality of life that I deserve because right now I’m not able to enjoy the little things in life like going to the movies with my boyfriend because I’m still dealing with excessive sleepiness, so staying awake while sitting still for the duration of a movie is very difficult.
    I appreciate any advice/assistance you can provide.

    1. Hello Linda. I’m really sorry for all you are going through. I don’t know what to advise b/c I am not a thyroid expert. This practitioner helped me through some of my issues and then I moved to another one. Perhaps reaching out to her would be a good starting point? She wrote this post: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/thyroid-disease-hypothyroid-what-causes-hypothyroidism/

      I know that liver work was very important for me and I think it still is.

    2. Hi Linda, I have the same thing that you do, and after dealing with this issue for six years, I looked at the ketogenic diet to help me with the tiredness. Search it out under nutritional ketosis.
      I have been doing it for 2 months, and I don’t feel tire, nor my mind is foggy and forgetful like it was before. Good luck to you!

  13. I’ve been searching for months for any help. My doctor says I’m hyperthyroid. I’ve have multiple blood test over the last 2 years, mainly TSH and Free T4 and my TSH never gets above 0.03. and T4 has been 1.96 (highest) and as low as 1.33. I’ve never had a symptom and I’ve refused to take any meds and also asked for an appointment with an endochrinologist which she did get me an appointment but we only have 1 in our area and couldn’t get an appointment until February 21st. My doctor is still constantly on my case to take the meds. Any ideas or thoughts on what other tests might help me figure this out.

  14. I am not a doctor. But a woman who has gone from a very poor thyroid situation to a very controlled healthy woman.
    There are so many Factors involved and it is not over night.
    Stress. Clean diet up including toothpaste. NO chemicals. Lots of supplements. Clean liver. Tweek medicine regularly. FIND A DOCTOR who will listen to you and not only treat thyroid panel numbers but symptoms. I take 10K vitamin D daily. To get get Vit D levels and B12 levels up I did shots for awhile. You will never bring up those number drinking milk. It took me a couple of years to really feel good. Patience and persistence. KNOW your body and learn everything you can about thyroid.

  15. To the author of this article, are you taking the medication needed for hypothyroidism?

  16. I was not aware that my doctor was testing me for TSH, but come to find out mine was 20.14 – I was then tested for FT4, which was at .8 ng – did not seem to be a problem. Then I was also tested for Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantibody which is at 564. I just completed a full C3 through C7 cervical fusion with a metal plate – could this of damaged my thyroid at all? I am not starting on 50 mg of medication. Last year my vitamin D was nothing and started taking a supplement, which I am still taking. I had 3 surgeries last year and lost my job and then started a new job with many other stressful things happening in my life – could this all be a trigger.

    1. Hi Cynthia.

      I am not at all a thyroid expert, nor a physician, but my practitioners have told me that stress for sure affects the adrenals and thyroid. Sounds like you have been through a lot. My practitioners had me work on removing stressors — and it’s very hard. And things like toxins, foods that you are sensitive too, etc., are all stressors.

      I hope that is helpful.

      1. Thank you for responding — I hope my levels do come down alot when I have my blood work redone in 8 weeks.

  17. An ultrasound shows that I have an enlarged thyroid. My doctor thought that I may have hypothyroidism. He also ran a test for my TSH levels.

    The range is .45- 450 my TSH level was .538
    The ultra sound was multi nodular
    He said that I do not have hypothyroidism. He did not refer me to an endocrinologist but to a surgeon. As I read the posts, my T3, T4, TPO, or TgAB levels have not been tested? I want to respect the doctor’s advice but I’m thinking that I may need a second opinion about my treatment options.

    1. I am no doctor. I do follow a dr on fb. He states the tsh should be 1.0 or below. I do know from another dr the free t3 should be on the higher number. Vitamin d should be around 60.

      1. Blessings! What is the name of this dr? I have really low tsp and would love to hear her/his perspective on low tsp. Thanks!

  18. I felt fine and went to my Dr. for a totaly unrelated issue. My Dr. gave me the your 40 and need this blood test. He then told me that I have a thyroid problem – here is script for sinthroyd. After 6 weeks of feeling like crap he gave me another script. After another 6 weeks and feeling like crap another script. I never filled the last script. During this 12 weeks I started doing some research and talking to friends that have legit thyroid issues. Every thing I read and was told – more testing and research is needed. But my Dr. (who is no longer my dr.) told me that all that research was for nothing that he knows best. When you start to read about how everything in our bodies work together it was educational. I still have no new Dr. but I am trying to eat better and move (exercise) more to start. I still feel fine. My sister has been told by her Dr. that her thyroid is large by feel and has had many of the basic test – with her #’s coming back ok. My mother just recently was told that her #’s are off and was asked a bunch of questions (by her Dr- the same as my sister). Come to find out more blood test and my mom is low on Vit. D! She doesn’t drink enough milk- so now takes a vit D supplement and she is now ok.
    Lesson learned- if your dr. doesn’t want to listen to you or ask you a bunch of questions and you know something is wrong or off – find another Dr. and don’t take any pills until all possible tests are done.
    After all we are told that we know our bodies best and that we are our first dr. to say something is not right.

    1. I’m glad you are finding answers. The only thing I would add, and this isn’t medical advice, is that I have read in many places that vitamin D can drive Mg down so I take Mg with the D all the time. There is conflicting information out there about vitamin D. Hard to know what to believe. Take care.

    2. You can still have normal levels and still be hypo , if you didn’t go to him about your thyroid then he’s a quack . There’s six test you need for the thyroid FreeT4, FreeT3, RT3 ( reverse T3) TSH , and two others I can’t recall . But look up what thyroids do I need and links will pop up.

      1. Lord I dislike auto , look up the blood test for the thyroid . Also you can google ” 300+ symptoms of hypothyroidism .

    3. I think this is happening to me as well, like Terri described. I went to my family doctor with a completely different issue that was really scaring me. Then – long story short hopefully – later that night I was waiting for my doc to e-mail me the name of the doctor we agreed I should see for my new issue. But there was no name there. Just a quick, maybe 2 line msg, saying “your TSH is yadda and now you must forever take this medication I have already called into your Pharmacy. You will need to take it every day for the rest of your life”

      WHAT??? No. I came to you with scared and in so much pain, and THIS is what I get? Why?

      I looked it up online, it was too late to call anyone, so I was up all night reading (and crying and feeling overwhelmed) about this, especially the medication. the name did not sound good, I always do the Heal With Food (I am 47 and have had a bit of Everything. And most of it healed or “resolved” with a change or addition to diet) – anyway, not loving the thought of another medicine, hello, I am allergic to Everything and now I have to take a thing that says “synth” at the beginning?

      My next problem/fear is that my resting heart rate for the past few years has been scary high. 150 bpm, I think from my last doc visit. And the side effects of this med are increased heart rate? My dad had a massive heart attack, his dad passed away so young from a heart issue and my doc said recently that I need to go see a Cardiologist. No way am I taking this, I am so scared!

      Crazy how the same people who tell us we are wrong, our research is wrong, are the same people who are overpaid to tell us we are Not Doctors and therefore, we know nothing! I am completely overwhelmed. My heart. My non-reproductive system. Now I have to take synthroid, even though it is clearly not safe for me? 🙁 I live daily with Fibromyalgia, have every day of adult life (25 years) I wake up every morning, eat a quick bite so my migraine meds will go easy on my tummy, then I take migraine and allergy meds. I have night meds as well.

      Synthroid has to be taken in the AM, on an empty stomach, & my acid reflux med is on the list of stuff to not take when taking the thyroid thing. But … I don’t have these symptoms of hypothyroid. I have almost photographic memory (which I need – my precious Mother’s is slipping away from her, she is a very young and newly 69). I have a thick head of waist length hair. My skin is dry because it is winter and I am inside with a family member who has the heat on 24/7. My muscles hurt if I over do it, but that has always been with me. Since I was freaking 22 and no one knew what Fibro or Chronic Fatigue were. There is mold in this house – when I leave which is rare, I don’t have migraines and allergy symptoms. Living elsewhere is not a possibility.

      What do I do? I am afraid to “challenge” my doc & not take these horrible sounding pills. Is this an urgent need, so we know? I hate this fear, and I am so sorry to dump this on strangers. But when I saw Terri’s post, I knew I was not alone, that this might be over-diagnosed and wondered if anyone has advice. I am so tapped out, I think my sweet kitty who is asleep on my leg has the right idea. 🙂 Except I think my leg fell asleep… God bless all of you, so much, I hate that anyone has to hurt.

      1. HI there. I can’t medically advise, but is there a reason you think you can’t take synthroid?

        You could always see another doctor.

        However mold is terrible and I would be very careful re: that. https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/symptoms-of-mold-exposure-black-mold-andrea-fabry/

        As for the acid reflux, perhaps you would find this post to be interesting: https://wholenewmom.com/health-concerns/rosesa-red-face-red-cheeks-redness-on-face-digestive-problems/

  19. If your tsh is abnormal your doctor should test for a full thyroid panel. This is protocol for where I live. Tsh is strictly a screen.

  20. Hi does this all apply if you have no thyroid. Mine was destroyed by radio iodine treatment in 1995. I cannot find one doctor in the UK who will listen to me. I’m menopausal too and I know both conditions almost bounce off the other. It’s hell. But no one in the medical profession wants to know. My doctor refuses to refer me to an endocrinologist as she doesn’t see the point. Does anyone know a doctor in the UK private or otherwise who knows and understands these matters. Would be so grateful for any info.

    1. Try to find a naturopathic doctor. They tend to look at the person as a whole, and take lifestyle into consideration instead of just do a test and call it good. I’m on my third (1st naturopathic) doctor. Keep looking til you find someone who listens.