Your thyroid gland is in the front of your neck, as shown in this photo. This is the gland that regulates your metabolism by controlling the rate at which the body converts oxygen and calories into energy. In fact, the metabolic rate of every cell in your body is regulated by thyroid hormones, primarily T3.
Thyroid hormones are produced by the Thyroid gland and travel through the blood to get to the cells. They don’t have any effect until they reach the cells. Once there, they enter and activate the “power plant”, called mitochondria, and produce energy. If the cells aren’t getting the proper amount of hormone, then metabolism is low, and your body can’t convert nutrients from the food you eat and doesn’t function like it should.
Low thyroid hormones, or Hypothyroidism is a relatively common condition, moreso in women, but also in men. Thyroid levels can change as we age, especially when entering perimenopause and menopause, but can also occur at any age. Low thyroid symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Weight gain with difficulty taking it off
- Foggy thinking
- Lower body temperature with cold hands and feet
- Constipation
- Mood swings
- Joint and muscle aches
- Hair falling out
- Anxiety and/or panic attacks
- Irregular menstrual cycle
Have you already seen a doctor because you’ve been having low thyroid symptoms? And have they tested your thyroid and told you that your thyroid levels are “normal”? We see many patients who have been told that there is nothing wrong with them, yet they’re still symptomatic. Unfortunately, this is all too common, and the problem lies not with YOU (as your doctors might suggest), but with inadequate testing and improper reading of the results.
It is considered standard practice by many physicians to check only your TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level, and possibly your T4 levels. IF they see a problem with your TSH, only then may they order more testing. If the TSH levels come back “normal,” then they often assume that everything is fine. Even if a wider panel is run, a patient can still be in normal range and yet still have low thyroid symptoms. This can be extremely frustrating to be told that nothing is wrong with you, but yet you still feel bad.
What is commonly considered the “normal range” is quite antiquated; the average range was created by a study of 1000 people, and is just that, a range. Lab ranges were originally designed to identify a disease in process for the physician. These values are decades old, and our bodies, needs, and lifestyles have changed greatly since then. Unfortunately, by the time one falls outside the “expected range,” your symptoms might be quite severe. The standardized range for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone is 0.4 to 4.0. A patient can have a result of 2.0, and is considered to be normal per the standardized results, however, this result can also be a precursor for Hypothyroidism, and if symptoms are already present, then the condition may need to go ahead and be treated.
Even if someone does have a test result out of normal range, and begins treatment, they still may not feel better. The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is to prescribe a synthetic form of T4. The body’s job is to convert T4 into T3 (think of T3 being the gas pedal that drives the cells). Often times, the body is unable to convert T4 into T3, so while there is plenty of TSH floating around in the blood, it’s not getting into the cells. Without testing free T3, the doctor has NO WAY of knowing if the body is converting T4 to T3.
It is also possible to develop antibodies that attack the thyroid gland, called Hashimoto’s Disease, and this can be another factor causing low thyroid symptoms with “normal” test results.
All of these factors are why it is so important for you to get a COMPLETE thyroid panel that includes:
- TSH – Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
- T3 – free
- T3- total
- T4 – free
- T4 – total
- Thyroid Antibody Test
- These are technical terms for the lay person, however, just know that several conditions with your thyroid will not be apparent without ALL of these hormones being tested.
Lastly, if you have been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, it is extremely common for a doctor to prescribe a synthetic thyroid medication. Levothyroxine is the most common synthetic ingredient, and can be found in such medications as Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, and Levothroid. It is important to note that manmade Thyroxine (T4) is an INACTIVE hormone. Synthetic thyroid medications can cause your levels of TSH to show normal, but the medication may not be getting into your cells, so you are still symptomatic.
Bioidentical thyroid medications are made up of a natural desiccated thyroid. They are marketed under a few different names such as Armour Thyroid and Naturethroid. These medications include T4, as well as triiodothyronine, which are ACTIVE forms of T3. They also include other thyroid hormones such as T1 and T2. Patients who switch from synthetic forms of medication to bioidentical often report feeling better. And there is another option, which is a compounded bioidentical thyroid replacement consisting largely of T3.
Our practitioners here at Renewed Vitality of Dallas are experts in treating disorders of the thyroid and low thyroid symptoms, along with other hormonal imbalances, which affect overall health. We have a functional medicine approach and look for root causes rather than just treating symptoms.
For more information about becoming a new patient, CLICK HERE.
I was in thyroid medicine for several years. After my daughter was born they took me off of it. I could tell a major difference in how I felt. I was a lot more tired and unable to get around like I was used to! I had someone tell me once you are on it you aren’t supposed to quit talking it. Is this true? It sure would answer a lot of questions.
Hi Rhonda, I’m so sorry I missed your comment on our site. Generally it is true that most people stay on thyroid replacement. I would definitely recommend getting your thyroid levels checked newly and getting a 2nd opinion from a different doctor. If you are in the Dallas area, you are welcome to come to our clinic.
Hi. I have been feeling very fatigued. My body gets super hot. Hair loss. Eyebrows thinning. Weight gain. Nails brittle. For the past yr. Now I have a swollen neck and the worst neck pain, ear and jaw pain. My thyroid panels came back “normal” with a 0.4. I finally got an ultrasound today but my Dr is still insisting my thyroid is fine. I also have family history of hypothyroidism. I literally have no energy and I feel so tired. The muscle pain is horrible. Feet swell. Because my neck is swollen and I see it and feel it…. I’m stuck. My Dr actually asked me if I was on mental health meds. It’s horrible to be treated like this.
What should you do if you have thyroid problems but your tests are coming back normal? But have the thyroid symptoms what else could be wrong?
Hi Dena, thank you for reaching out to us. Our providers are thyroid specialists and we would be happy to help you. This is actually a common question. Many physicians look at labs and see that you are in the “normal” range, and therefore think that you do not need thyroid medication, even though you are having symptoms. Lab ranges can vary from lab to lab and are based on an “average” of what most people experience, however, as you are experiencing, not all physicians listen to your symptoms. At our clinic, we do take the time to listen to your symptoms and also run a FULL lab panel on your thyroid. The standard TSH test doesn’t tell the whole story, so we are able to provide you with answers that do tell you exactly what is going on. Additionally, we don’t always rely on the average labs; we complete an exam, listen to what is going on with you, and often find that by running a complete lab panel on all aspects of your thyroid to see what the problem actually is and prescribe medication so that you feel optimal. There are many things that don’t show up on the TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) that do show up on the complete panel. We also run other very comprehensive labs to see if there are other things going on with you. By doing this, we have helped many patients feel much better and get an overall view of their state of health. I encourage you to come in and let us help you figure out what is going on. Our providers are compassionate and look at the big picture. We look for the root causes of diseases rather than just treating symptoms. You can make an appointment by calling our new patient coordinator at 214-389-1234. Our mission is to help you feel great and live a life of vitality. We look forward to hearing from you!
Is it possible to have normal TSH (1.140) and and normal Free T3 (3.0) and normal Free T4 (1.2) and still feel “off”? I do have elevated anti-TPO (87) and elevated Thyroglubin Ab (91.5) – could these antibodies be making me feel “off” even though my thyroid function ranges are looking typical? I was told I likely have Hashimoto’s but not yet hypothyroidism, but I feel like I already have some of the symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Thank you!
This website is very helpful. My thyroid levels drop each time I have my blood drawn. Latest is 1.088, down from 1.3 at the last draw and the highest it has ever been since we started checking (starting in 2016) is 1.6. I have gained 30 pounds in the last year, am always tired, cold, etc. I also have Sicca syndrome.
I will be starting a conversation with my doctor about I can and should be doing to address this.
Hi my results show:
In Poland my results showed:
TSH 2.17 ulU/ml
FT3 3.70 pg/ml
FT4 0.92 ng/dl
In the UK I got my results and showed:
TSH 3.81 mU/l
Serum FT4 13.4 Pom/l
I have all the symptoms such as weight gain, massive hair loss, constant fatigue, joint pain, constipation, slow movements and thoughts, Brian fog etc. Do you think I might have something wrong with my thyroid?
I HAD aTT 22 yrs ago. I have been on synthroid 25mg for that long and have had no problem. Got shingles and 4 days later I had hyperthyroidism, symptoms. Had my TSH checked and it was .324. My normal range is between 1 and 2. I lower my dose and still have the same TSH. Just had another TSH level checked and even tho I lower the dose even more it’s still the same. What can be causing this. Thanks
Can you recommend a clinic like yours in South Dakota?
I was tested for everything thyroid related ever the antibody test but still am experiencing symptoms. I find new symptoms all the the time what do I do?