Some questions

[articshark]

Hi all- I have an enlarged thyroid. It is fairly noticeable if you are looking for it. My doc (ob/gyn) noticed it about 2-3 years ago during my yearly exams. He sent me off for blood testing. When I called in to get the results, they told me that my tests came back normal. I haven't been retested since. Now early last year, I put on 30-35 without any change in diet/exercise. My heart started having palpitations and arrythmia about the same time. It went away for about 5 months and has come back now. My blood pressure has increased slightly from normal as well.

The weight is not coming off no matter what I do. I have been doing Atkins again for about two months with one week of meat and eggs and one week of Fat. When I told my gyn about it at my last check up, he told me that as I am getting older, I am 39, that I just needed to eat less. I could have screamed in frustration.

So my questions are this, does this sound like my thyroid? If so, what kind? Does anyone else have the same symptoms? And would it be beneficial for me to order my own blood tests through Healthcheck USA? If I go see a doctor, which kind would be the best? Cardiologist, gen prac, endo?

Any feedback would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[popeye_w]

I'd ask to see the numbers, not just rely on the doctor telling you they're in range. the test that you'll probably get is a TSH test, and it should be below 3.

[Nancy LC]

Yeah, definitely get your thyroid checked and rechecked regularly if it is enlarged.

[Vivid Lily]

Hi = you sound exactly like me - for years they say you look like you have an enlarged thyroid but the numbers say I'm within normal range but they do nothing-I too have many other symptoms(I did a survey on line for hypothyroidism and it said I was at least 90% positive for it. Go figure!!!! Now where do we go. Suzy

[articshark]

Suzy- I found HealthCheck USA. I think that I am going to order more tests. I have a feeling that my last test only tested the TSH and not all the hormones to include the antibodies. I will also try to find a doctor that will listen to me. I am sure it will be a long a fairly depressing process.

[Vivid Lily]

Articshark! Hi - I went to a Endocrinologist - I had to insist on getting blood tests - From looking in different forums I figured out which tests to ask for - My #'s are - TSH 1.13
T4FREE 13.9
FREE T3 4.2
LH SERUM 18.3
FSH SERUM 17.9
ESTRADIOL 507
However - they say these numbers are within the norm. BUT I STILL HAVE SYMPTOMS !!!!!! So where do you go from there. I don't know!!! I went to health food store here in Ontario,Canada - I got iodine (kelp) in a bottle - said to put a couple of drops under tongue . I did this when I had bad symptoms (like throat feeling strange -like I was being chocked and many other symptoms. It really helped !!!! symptoms lessened. I also went to drug store and got liquid iodine and rubbed a big spot on my stomach. they say the quicker it disappears to more your body needs the iodine - Also another thing they recommended was to get a thermometer - put it under arm first thing in morning before you get up - do it for l0 min. 3 days in a row If your temerature is 97.8 or lower - Likely you have hypothyroidism - Between 97.8 - 98.2 Normal. Hoping all this will be of some help. Take care of yourself - I really understand what your going through. Suzy :wave:

[articshark]

Vivid Lily- thanks for your encouraging words. I went to the health food store and bought some thyroid support supplements with dessicated thyroid, thyrosine and iodine. Been taking it for about 4 days now. Nothing noticeable has happened but I am not so tired and sluggish. My thyroid feels smaller but looks about the same maybe a tad bit smaller. I have asked to be notified when the dessicated thyroid supplement that I wanted somes in. The one I bought was my second choice. I am fairly sure that an enlarged thyroid is not normal and that something is going on. Will keep plugging away.

[Annabel33]

An enlarged thyroid is not normal and it needs to be scanned to see what's going on.
If there are nodules on the thyroid or thyroid cancer present, then the results of tests can appear to be normal. I would seek help from a better endo. Also, problems with the pituitary can cause problems with the thyroid...
I would say your T3 is a little low ...
Your tests might be in the norm, but so ar a lot of people who are ill. One person's normal is another person's really ill...

Go back to the doc or find a good one.

You might be able to find some help on the forums here:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/