Are you being treated for low thyroid, but still suffering with thyroid symptoms? This is a surprisingly common occurrence in people with low thyroid conditions and it is extremely frustrating.
Many people with an underactive thyroid (or low thyroid) visit their doctor with complaints of symptoms such as weight gain, persistent fatigue, prolonged or heavy menstrual periods, depression or trouble sleeping. The doctor suspects an underactive thyroid and checks TSH levels, which confirm the patient's thyroid is indeed underactive or low.
Treatment is started and TSH tests continue to be used to check thyroid function. When "normal" levels of TSH are achieved through medication, it is assumed the thyroid is now fine and working properly. Follow up tests confirm TSH has been successfully brought under control.
Problems occur when despite the fact that your TSH is now under control and your thyroid is functioning "fine" you still have symptoms that brought you to the doctor in the first place. You still feel tired or depressed. You're still gaining weight and having trouble losing weight even with a good diet and exercise program. You're still missing a healthy sex drive. Whatever your low thyroid symptoms are...you are still having them!
You doctor insists your thyroid is functioning fine now, and may even suggest your symptoms are a "normal" part of the aging process. Women may even be told their symptoms may be related to the onset of menopause, even if they are years away from the cessation of menstrual periods.
What's going on? How can tests show your thyroid is "fine" based on your TSH levels when your low symptoms are still the same?
Symptoms of an low thyroid that persist even after "successful" treatment are a red flag that something is still going on underneath the surface. If you're still suffering from underactive thyroid symptoms even though you're being treated and told by you doctor your thyroid is fine, there's a high probability that something's been missed in your diagnosis.
The only way to discover what it is that's "missing" with your diagnosis is through reevaluation. Don't expect your low thyroid symptoms that are persisting to go away in time on their own. Make an appointment with a thyroid specialist for a complete and thorough reevaluation - one that goes beyond evaluating TSH levels and labeling them "normal" or "abnormal" as the only means of determining whether or not your treatment is successful. Only then will you be able to fix the real problems of your low thyroid symptoms and problems.
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