How do I tell if I am Hypothyroid?
I was diagnosed in 2005 and I made lots of changes to my diet and lifestyle. I think I became a lot healthier, fitter and stronger. I used to get colds, the flu often. But for the most part I seem to have become much more resistant to sickness. I've not had a flu or fever sufficient to warrant checking my temperature or seeing a doctor for more than two years. So two weeks ago, when I felt ill with a sore throat on a Sunday as my wife was recovering from strep throat, I thought it might be prudent to see the doctor.
Well, come monday the doctor concluded it was just a virus, but announced that my temperature was 97.X deg F. I though that an odd "fever" and just packed it in the back of my mind. Then, I had a regular quarterly appointment with my doctor this monday, my temperature was 97.4 deg F. Historically, I've always run a bit high, my temperature during the day is normally 99-99.5 deg F. So I asked him about it and whether I might have a thyroid problem. You all see where this is going.
So I checked at home with my old thermometer, yup, I'm running in the 97s. So I bought a new thermometer and started what has become known as the "Barnes Basal Temperature Test." My first oral reading this morning, 95.4 deg F. This is not good. But perhaps being hypothyroid would explain some things. Even I have to admit I am feeling fatigued. I sometimes go to bed at 9pm and I am taking 4-5 days to recover from exercise. Perhaps that is why my cholesterol is high. Perhaps that is why my HbA1c is always higher than my meter suggests (see this)?
So my plan is to continue recording my morning temperatures. My doctor usually calls me with results from my tests and I'm going to inform him of the results and ask him to look into whether I have hypothyroidism.
What do you think I should have him test for? Clearly more than TSH, Free T3 and T4?
What are your experiences getting proper diagnosis and treatment of your thyroid condition?
Do you think my GP who is only a 2nd year resident can steer me through this (he will have staff help)?
And what about Hashimoto's and Grave's?
Well, come monday the doctor concluded it was just a virus, but announced that my temperature was 97.X deg F. I though that an odd "fever" and just packed it in the back of my mind. Then, I had a regular quarterly appointment with my doctor this monday, my temperature was 97.4 deg F. Historically, I've always run a bit high, my temperature during the day is normally 99-99.5 deg F. So I asked him about it and whether I might have a thyroid problem. You all see where this is going.
So I checked at home with my old thermometer, yup, I'm running in the 97s. So I bought a new thermometer and started what has become known as the "Barnes Basal Temperature Test." My first oral reading this morning, 95.4 deg F. This is not good. But perhaps being hypothyroid would explain some things. Even I have to admit I am feeling fatigued. I sometimes go to bed at 9pm and I am taking 4-5 days to recover from exercise. Perhaps that is why my cholesterol is high. Perhaps that is why my HbA1c is always higher than my meter suggests (see this)?
So my plan is to continue recording my morning temperatures. My doctor usually calls me with results from my tests and I'm going to inform him of the results and ask him to look into whether I have hypothyroidism.
What do you think I should have him test for? Clearly more than TSH, Free T3 and T4?
What are your experiences getting proper diagnosis and treatment of your thyroid condition?
Do you think my GP who is only a 2nd year resident can steer me through this (he will have staff help)?
And what about Hashimoto's and Grave's?
Tags: Barnes, body temperature, hypothyroidism, t3, t4, thyroid, tsh
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by LiL MaMa on -
I have hashimotos thyroid since I was a child. When my thyroid is low my temp runs in the 97s as well. I might add that I had high cholesterol at the young age of 18 come to find out it was caused by my low thyroid. I would def recommend you get a full panel thyroid tests T3, T4, TSH, cortisol levels, and be checked for thyroid antibodies. I was on t4 supplementation for a long time making the mistake of letting my family dr take care of my hypothyroid needs. Once I got in with a endo he watches my thyroid much more closely and I am also now on T3 supplementation-cytomel which is a huuuge part of helping with the hypothyroid symptoms that you suffer with.
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Permalink Reply by BMD on -
It's nice that you found an endo who will Rx Cytomel in addition to Synthroid. Finding such an endo seems more the exception than the rule. As you know from personal experience, the Synthoid-only approach doesn't work for all of us with hypothyroidism, yet it is the standard treatment.
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Permalink Reply by samsmom on
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That is what the doctor checked for my daughter & she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's. The cortisol level is actually checking for Addison's, I believe?? And they did that test with a 24-hour urine collection.
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Permalink Reply by Trisha01 on
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The cortisol test can also be done with blood draws. I'm not sure, what the deciding factor is, for determining which test to do. The 24 hr urine would be the easiest, I think, as the 2 blood draws are at different times of the day - on the same day. The two blood draws would be the hardest for me, as my doctor is an hour away. There is also one other test, which I had recently, that also is for Addisons, among a couple or so other things. I don't have my lab papers right in hand, and I don't remember the name of the test.
Trisha
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Permalink Reply by Libby on
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BSC, if it turns out that you do have Hashimoto's, you might want to consider natural thyroid meds instead of Synthroid. I switched to Armour a couple of years ago, and have much more energy. Armour is dessicated pig thyroid and contains T3 as well as T4.
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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on
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That is a good point. I have repeatedly seen recommendations to be careful about just treating T4 with Synthroid. It also seems that things are quite complicated with T4 converting to T3 and a number of feedback loops. What is really surprising to me is I also looked up the pricing. Armour is "dirt cheap." The synthetics are expensive. I am sure that does not affect doctors decisions on which medication to choose.
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Permalink Reply by Kelly WPA on -
Some doctors are more open to prescribing synthetic T4/T3 combination. The endo I went to last week said he was willing to do that but would not prescribe desiccated. I actually used Cytomel for years – that is the synthetic T3. It is also now available in generic form.
I use Erfa Thyroid, aka Canadian bacon or the Canadian version of Armour. I was given a script for Armour around when it was hard to find so sent off to Canada for it. Armour was reformulated and some people have trouble with the new formula – I forget what is in the filler but it can cause digestion problems. The pharmacy I use charges $7 for shipping and I pay $25 for the 30 mg & $26 for the 60 mg. That includes shipping & you get 100 pills. I only use 1 of the 30 mg per day so that lasts over 3 months. I use 2 of the 60 mg so not quite 2 months on that.
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Permalink Reply by BMD on
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The new kid on the block in desiccated porcine thyroid is NP Thyroid manufactured by Acella Pharmaceutical of Alpharetta, GA. From what I have read, many hypo patients are finding good results with it. Walgreens carries it as do many other pharmacies. It is a relatively inexpensive med.
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Permalink Reply by Donna H on -
You definitely need TSH, T3 and T4. All three numbers are relevant. Another way to check for Hashimotos is with an ultrasound. A Hashimoto's thyroid looks pretty moth eaten and enlarged. But the metabolic panel should reflect this too. Graves will pretty rapidly result in significant weight loss. Ask for a full lipid panel too. Better to check everything.
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Permalink Reply by Kelly WPA on
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My ultrasound came back normal even though my TPO was over 3000 and I felt like I was being choked to death.
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Permalink Reply by Brian (bsc) on
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So I checked my temperature again this morning. Exactly the same, 95.4 deg F. I'll keep checking, but that is enough for me. I sent a note to my doctor. I've asked him to help me figure out what is going on, suggesting that perhaps I have hypothyroidism and requesting an appointment. We shall see how this goes.
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Permalink Reply by Super_sally on -
Hi,
I think that TSH, FT3 and FT4, along with the antibodies are a very good starting point to evaluate if there is or isn't a thyroid problem. Of course a repeat lipid profile may be timely if it hasn't been done for a while.
Your resident can order all these stuff. No need to get an endo involved. Actually your resident and you can probably manage it even if you are found to be hypo, if he's open and eager.
Are your Vit D levels ok?
I've had hypothyroid for 12 years now and being a geek am pretty read up on it all.
ON being properly treated and managed all I can say is that you gotta be an educated patient and work hard to manage your own care - same as diabetes.
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