The moral of this story: "find a doctor who is willing to work with you to benchmark your test results based on how you are feeling!" Also, "find a clinic/provider who knows and understands the standard TSH levels"!

About 2 1/2 years ago I started not feeling good. It was a very gradual process, but in April of 98 when I went in for my annual physical I complained to my doctor how tired and run down I was. I also had many other symptoms...however, not knowing anything about hypo-thyroidism I didn't mention them. She did request lab work, my first test came back 5.01. When she called me she said the normal range was between 3.0 - 5.0...therefore she didn't think I should be on any medicine. She wanted to wait 3 months and them come back for another test.

My test in July came back at 5.05, so she put me on the lowest dose of Synthoid and requested another test in 3 months. In 3 months I didn't feel any different, my test came back as 4.98, therefore my doctor wanted me to wait another 3 months before changing my dosage.

In October my test result was 4.97, I was still feeling very bad--I had literally every symptom, however my doctor still thought my dosage should not be changed and wanted to wait another 3 months!

In April I went in for my next test, by this time I was sleeping 12-14 hours a day, every muscle in my body hurt terribly, my throat was constantly sore and hoarse, my hair was falling out, my skin was very white and flakey, my tongue would swell up so much I could hardly talk, I was cold to the bone and could not warm up, and I had gained over 20 pounds in the last 2 years! My test results came back as 5.02. My doctor FINALLY agreed to increase my dosage,and requested I come back in 3 months.

In July my health-care provider/insurance changed. When I went in for my July blood test I was still complaining of all the symptoms mentioned above....My test results came back as 4.05. My new doctor said the normal range was 1.0 - 2.0 (*#%--isn't something how 2 clinics right next door to each other can be so different!--my previous doctor told me the range was 3.0 - 5.0). My new doctor increased my dosage and in October I finally started feeling like a REAL person again! Last week my test results came back as 1.84 and I feel fantastic!!!

I cannot stress enough the importance of finding a provider who is up-to-date with this condition and is willing to work with you to benchmark your progress. I truely believe there is such a thing as being too conservative, my first doctor and/or clinic didn't believe my symptoms and looked only at my lab results. Also, this clinic was not keeping up-to-date on the last research in regards to TSH levels. If you are not getting any relief -- it is well worth going to a different doctor to get a second opinion, this may also involve going to a completely different health-care provider.

Cindy

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