Vicki (Napa, Ca) on 04/05/2016
Replied By Liz (Boston, Ma) on 04/05/2016
Some might say; "Get a new doctor! " but about 3 years ago, a co-worker had the same experience with her doctor. They won't do the additional testing unless your thyroid test came back outside of the normal range.
I'm glad this came up though, because it reminded me of something I meant to post weeks ago, but forgot. I wanted to ask those here on EC if I took a thyroid support supplement without having been 'officially' diagnosed with hypothyroidism, if it could harm me?
I have several hypo symptoms, most notably (or most bothersome, I should say) I'm always freezing! : If the temperature goes below 70, I have layers and layers of clothing and sweaters on.
My hair is thinner than it used to be too, but I always chalked that one up to getting older (I'm 58). My memory is dreadful--another symptom, I've read.
I've read some magnificent reviews of thyroid support type supplements and have been tempted to try them, but I wanted to run it by my EC family to see if this might do more harm than good. (Many of the reviewers also tested 'normal' but had great results with the supplement, but I'm extra-cautious and wanted to run it by you good folks first.)
Thanks so much, in advance!
Replied By Rsw (Oh) on 04/05/2016
After reading "Stop the Thyroid Madness" by Janie Bowthorpe (sp?), I realized my doctor was not ordering the proper tests, either. I found this site:
http://www.lifeextension.com/Vitamins-Supplements/Blood-Tests/Blood-Tests
and order my own tests. There is a Lab Corp in town that draws the blood, and the results are sent to me. I mail a copy to my doctor, and she is OK with this. You can join for $50, but you get a $50 credit towards any supplement or blood test, but I don't think they take insurance. If you want to see all the thyroid numbers, you could order it only once to show your doctor and see how it compares to the numbers in Janie's book. The TSH number alone is not a good indication of how your thyroid is functioning. If you show antibodies as in Hashimoto's, or Free T4 or Free T3 numbers that are outside the suggested values, it may be a way to justify having your doctor order the tests herself next time. It's nice to know you can take charge of your own health with this alternative. Best wishes.
Replied By Liz (Boston, Ma) on 04/06/2016
Hi Rsw,Thank you so much for your reply. I just checked out Life Extension's site. They have many thyroid tests to choose from. Would this one be sufficient: Thyroid Panel (TSH, T4, Free T4, Free T3)?
If not, and you could point me in the right direction in terms of which test I should order, that would be great and much appreciated! (The others are verrrry expensive...I wish they accepted insurance.)
Thank you, again!
Replied By Myway (Usa) on 04/06/2016
Good luck!
Myway :D
Replied By Liz (Boston, Ma) on 04/06/2016
Hi Myway,Thank you for your suggestion. I was excited to check out 'request a test' but when I did, I found that Massachusetts was not on their drop-down list of states where the testing is available. (Huh?! I live in Boston; a medical mecca, but they don't provide service here or anywhere in Mass?) Very odd; particularly where states like Alabama, etc. *were* on the list!
Back to the drawing board, I guess. Thank you for taking the time to reply though. :)
Replied By Helena (Toronto) on 04/06/2016
Can you post your results with normal range here?
Pretty often doctors only looking at the normal range... It is not right thing to do.
Many patients complain to their doctors of common hypothyroid symptoms yet because their TSH falls in the ‘normal' range, their thyroid is declared normal. Many traditional doctors rely strictly on the TSH range of 0.5 to 5.0 despite the patient's obvious symptoms.
Replied By Liz (Boston, Ma) on 04/06/2016
Thank you for your reply. The thyroid test, that was done at my request, by the way, took place about 3 years ago, so I don't recall what the exact number was.
All I remember, because it irritated me, was that my doctor saw "no need" to test me further, since my initial testing showed that I was within the normal range.
I have been *very* tempted to try a thyroid support supplement to see if it alleviates any of my symptoms (particularly the 'freezing to death if it's below 70 degrees and my poor memory), but I fear doing myself more harm than good, so I'm doing some more digging for info. Though, as I mentioned in my OP, there were many reviewers who said the thyroid support supplement helped them, despite their doctor telling them they were in the normal range as well.
Replied By Rsw (Oh) on 04/06/2016
The tests that you have listed are what you need, with the possible addition of the Thyroid Antiibody Panel, which will tell you if you have an autoimmune disease called Hashimotos. I would also call the Lab Corp that you will use to make sure they accept the Life Extension prescription for the bloodwork before you pay for it, in case MA is a state that does not. There is a Yahoo Thyroid Group that has trained volunteers who can interpret the results if you post them with the range numbers from your tests, and make recommendations if you join. They are very helpful and kind people, and it's free of charge. They may also be able to recommend a thyroid supplement until you get your results. I think TimH on Earth Clinic has recommended some supplements for thyroid, and maybe others, too. It does sound like you may in fact be hypothyroid, so hopefully you can get some answers soon. Take care!
Replied By Helena (Toronto) on 04/06/2016
So Doctor did not test your thyroid after this "normal" test? Even with the tests within normal range 3 years ago you can be way of the normal ranges now!!! Especially that you have Hypo symptoms.
I would advise you first do the necessary thyroid test ( at least Free T3, Free t$ and TSH) .
After that you ( or your Dr) can decide on thyroid supplements. But you should do the tests BEFORE starting the supplements.
Replied By Liz (Boston, Ma) on 04/07/2016
Helena,No, when my test came back within the normal range, that was that. When I asked for additional testing because of my symptoms, she said that my normal results didn't justify additional testing.
She chalks a lot of things up to "getting older". (More sensitive to cold, etc.) I'm 58 for goodness sake! I see people in their late 70's walking around in short sleeves in an air conditioned room, while I'm bundled up looking like I'm going out to shovel snow.
I've been with this doctor for 12 years and for the most part, I'm happy with her--just not on *this* particular issue.
I could all but guarantee you that if I asked her to do another thyroid test, she'd say; "Well, we just did one a couple of years ago and it came back normal and your symptoms are still the same, so..." :
Replied By Helena (Toronto) on 04/07/2016
Your doctor's attitude is really really strange!
I understand that he/she doesn't want to do the additional thyroid tests, but to test thyroid once in 3 years, this is total nonsense! Considering that you have all hypo symptoms this is unbelievable.
I know in US you can order tests through private labs. Maybe you should consider this possibility. You need as I said TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.
You will have the result the next day.
It will be your baseline result, and only after that you should start with supplements.
If the result will be out of normal range you can show it to the Dr, and I think she will be ordering the tests for you in the future through your insurance company.
Replied By Timh (Ky) on 04/08/2016
Maybe not correct, but it seems very likely that infections in the mouth/gums could easily find their way to the Thyroid and Thymus Glands. So one might try Swishing Colloidal Silver for possible infections followed by sipping and slowly swallowing Colloidal Silver.
Fluoride may also be a problem if one is not taking measures to minimize this toxin.
Lastly, supplement Raw Bovine Thyroid Glandular and Raw Bovine Pituitary to help rebuild these glands.
Replied By Betty (Centralia ) on 08/29/2018