Hypothyroid symptoms, but normal lab tests

Interesting article. Thank you for posting this information. I have been treated for Hoshimoto's for over a year now. My levels are well within the "normal" range (I am taking Levothyroxin), and I feel terrible. My endocrine doctor is confused as to what could be causing my symptoms (arthritic pain, muscle weakness, tired, dry mouth, anxiety, dry skin, extreme hair loss, sore throat, weak/hoarse voice, headaches, depression, shaky hands, mental fog, tingley hands/feet, cold body, nausea, fluttery heart, shortness of breath & feeling of lung congestion). I recently was tested for lupus, Lymes, anemia, arthritis, and a few others that I cannot recall. I am waiting for the doctor to call me with his idea on how we should move forward. I need a change because I can't live like this - its not living - it's barely existing. My family doesn't know what to do with me, they are quick to throw antidepressants down my throat. I'm for medication, I'm also aware of my body and that sometimes it's more than depression. Not being understood & feeling like no one "gets it" makes me feel depressed. Finding his site has helped me feel like I'm not alone. Finding an answer to my health issues feels overwhelming. I'm not a doctor, but am learning that I need to educate myself as much as possible. & research until I find some relief. I am 35 and I refuse to live my life this way. If anyone has suggestions as to what to read or where to research, I'd really appreciate it!
I'm gluten free, I take vitamins: calcium, D3, multi, biotin, c, Levothyroxin .05, nuvigil, estrodial, depakote, lunesta. I had a hysterectomy due to endometriosis, I have chronic severe migraines & I can't recall the medical term given, I have silent migraines, Hoshimoto's, & IBS)

Hi Barely Existing,

It sounds like you are still suffering from hypothyroidism even though your lab tests are "normal." The first thing I wondered when I read your post is if you have ever taken a natural thyroid product such as Armour or Naturethroid? There are a lot of people (I am one of them) who feels much better on ARmour than on Synthroid. Synthroid is a synthetic form of T4. ARmour or a "natural' thyroid product is a desiccated thyroid powder made from pig thyroid. It contains the other thyroid hormones, T1, T2, T3 and T4. You probably know that we convert T4 to T3 which is what our body uses. I have read that they aren't sure what role T1 and T2 provide. But a lot of people feel better when they use a natural thyroid product.

The problem is that a large number of doctors don't believe in it. So you might talk to your doctor and see if he would be willing to prescribe it for you.

There are lots of places that discuss it:

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Several books I can recommend are Living Well With Hypothyroidism by Mary Shomon,
Why do I still have Thyroid Symptoms When My Lab Tests are Normal by Datis Kharrazian, and Hope for Hashimoto's by Alexander Haskell. They all have websites. I'm reading Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr and next I'm going to read Overcoming Thyroid Disorders by Dr. David Brownstein. There is so much information that I would be happy to try and answer any questions you might have.

Some of the information in these books is based on the research done by Dr. Broda Barnes, Dr. Barnes believed that most of the heart disease in this country is caused by hypothyroidism. He treated the members in his study who showed signs of hypothyroidism with a natural thyroid medication. By the end of his study, only two-tenths of one percent of the participants were diagnosed with heart disease! Dr. Barnes believed that 40% to 50% of the population suffers from hypothyroidism at one level or another. Anyway it is interesting. I am also planning to read his book, Solved: The Riddle of Heart Attacks. Even though he wrote books about his findings, his work has pretty much been ignored by the mainstream medical community.

You are so right. You really have to educate yourself and be your own advocate. You know that something is wrong, don't give up until you get some answers. Your health is your responsibility. Good luck.