Hi All, Im back again and finally saw a new primary care physician. I havn't been to one in almost 3 years. Almost gave up hope with the traditional western medicine. As some of you already know Im am quite certain I have a low thyroid problem and probably have for years. I jst can't take it anymore! No energy, lack of concerntration, poor memory, hair falling out (although thank God you can't notice it), depression, no sex drive, cold all the time and early morning basal temps (under the armpit) of 96.3- 97.5. Well I saw a new Dr. who may have palpated every square inch of my body and seemingly did a fairly thorough physical but I once again fely SO misinderstood. She seemed dingy and started to tell me she thinks maybe I have a "chemical imbalance"! I was SO ticked! Come on, they have had me on anti depressants for 14 yrs! And only because I have been chelating and following Cutlers protocol for the last year have I for once been able to slowly decrease the medication by 62%. Soon I belive it will be 100%. But Im not depressed! If anything Im friggin so PO'd that noone understands and all they want to do is pump me with more drugs when its evident theres more here than what meets the eye! The week before I went to urgent care and they took my blood
and now this new Dr. commented on the results: They were as follows:My TSH is 1.14, (normal is 0.350 to 5.50)
T4 is 7.1 (normal is between 4.5 and 12.0)
T3 uptake is 36 (normal is between 24 and 39)
Free Thyroxine Index is 2.6 (normal is between 1.2 and 4.9)

And it also says on my lab report that I insited I get a copy of says: "Adult TSH concentrations below 5.5 does not rule out the presence of subclinical hypothyroidism".
The DR., looked at these findings and said "everything appears normal". You know those words we hear over and over again that makes us think we are crazy!

Well I'm no expert but I am certainly starting to really educate myself now. Someone told me before that low thyroid isn't always detectable on blood tests ESPECIALLY if you have merc poison cuz it messes up the hypothalmus! I also know I get overheated real easy too. My husband teases me sometimes and says that I'm comfortable as long as the temperature is between 69 and 70 degrees. 71 and Im too hot and 68 Im too cold! So this new Dr proceeds to take more blood and did a battery of tests (I hadn't eaten so they did fasting tests) cholesterol and other stuff. She told me to come back next friday to discuss the results. My fear is this. She'll say :"everything is fine , all tests came back negative but we think your depressed and heres some prozac". Lord help me! I can't go there anymore! THATS NOT IT!

So I suppose my qusetion is this. Doesn't my T3 seem kinda low (or high)? And isn't there a way to check to see if you really have a low thyroid in spite of "normal results"?
Should I insist on being referred to and endocrinologist or else?
Will the endo think Im crazy too? Or is there something different that the endo specialist can do? I just pray for someone to lead me to the right person. I know someone CAN help me! I appreciate your feedback and guidance you guys! Thank you! Diane

PS. She also said I don't have a goiter so its not a thyroid poblem. You mean to tell me everyone with a thyroid problem has a goiter?

Hi Diane, I'm sorry to hear this but not surprised. I don't tend to bother with most doctors and these tests because they do not seem to show the real picture of what is actually going on. They seem instead to give a very superficial result.

I do not know enough about this issue, but I do know that I had testing by my doctor (who is also alternative) and it did show low thyroid. No goiter for me though, just cold, very tired, and dry hair. I would call it an unnatural kind of exhaustion. But not something that occured straight away, which is why I didn't know what the problem was.

Had I been given the ordinary tests, nothing would have shown up I'm sure, because nothing ever does, even though I'm very ill everyday.

Did you try the recommendations given on your other post about this? E.g. extra iodine, other nutrients that also support thyroid and adrenals? Diet etc? If so, have they been helpful to you?

I cannot take antidepressants, they cause too many side effects and I do not know what else they do, being a chemical. I hope that you will be able to wean yourself off them completely and maybe with more chelation you will. THe only thing that helped me with this depression was diet and the cutler protocol. Even the diet alone did alot for me at that time, but when I was in the dumping stage of mercury? Diet wasn't enough, I had to get help to chelate it and Andy's was the ticket. But I still suffered anyway, as one does when they are detoxing.

Anyway, just wanted to ask whether you have been trying what was suggested on the other thread and interested to hear if it helped or not (if you've done it). I hope someone else can better answer your other questions in more depth regarding thyroid levels etc.

Chart your daily temperature according to www.drrind.com.

As for your results:
TSH is 1.14, (normal is 0.350 to 5.50)
T4 is 7.1 (normal is between 4.5 and 12.0)
T3 uptake is 36 (normal is between 24 and 39)
Free Thyroxine Index is 2.6 (normal is between 1.2 and 4.9)

TSH is LOW normal, was the blood drawn first thing in the morning. TSH is supposed to be highest first thing in the AM. If the doctor took it in the afternoon you might have been closer to the .350.
Is the T4 free? And did you get a Reverse T3?

Allow me to suggest a wonderful informative book - Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Mark Starr, MD ..It gives a complete history and explanation as to the faults concerning diagnosing by test results alone without considering a patient's symptoms and much much more. You can find this book online under the retail price of $19.99 ..
Good Luck
D

I can second this. This book is excellent, and lays the problem of the 'epidemic' of type 2 hypothyroidism firmly with environmental toxins, mercury included. The author himself was mercury toxic, and underwent 2 years 'aggressive chelation' to get better. He talks about all sorts of symptoms you would not guess are linked to hypothyroidism. It is a very good read.:)

Nicola

Thank you so much for that book suggestion!

ohh, I like book recommendations....that looks good, i will get that one. thank you.

You are very welcome - <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rainbow.gif" alt="" />

Diane:

Go to this website, I think you'll find some answers there. There are two FREE e-books on thyroid (patient and doctor). I am in the same boat as you and am now pursuing T3 therapy by Dr. Denis Wilson. They have physicians listed on the site who practice the therapy. I suggest you read the books FIRST so you have the right questions to ask because as in all practices, some are doing it and really know what they are doing and some are doing it on the side.

http://www.wilsonssyndrome.com/index.html

Also, check out the other Dr. Wilson's website that helps you understand how the adrenals and thyroid work together. It is critical that you find someone who understands BOTH.

www.adrenalfatigue.org.

Thanks for web site recommendation Glancina, I'll check it out! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Diane