Can you have hypothyroidism but have normal ts4 levels?

Question

I was hyperthyroid for seven years I was treated with PTU and now my thyroid levels test in the normal range. However, I have hypothyroid symptoms now. My hair fell out, I gained 50 lbs. I suffer from the fatique and have dry skin and am tired all the time. sometimes I can feel my thyroid speed up and I am a bag of nerves but by the time I get to the doctor the episode is over again. I still have the insomnia. But my doctor will not remove my thyroid or refer me back to an endocrinologist because my t4 and t3 say normal uptake. Is it possible that my body feels hypo because i no longer am hyper and can still have my thyroid removed and put on synthroid based on my history and symptoms?

Answer 1

I don't think they would remove your thyroid, particularly if you have more hypothyroid symptoms than hyperthyroid symptoms. The fact that you're having both is worrisome. Generally when you display hyperthyroid symptoms, your heart rate speeds up unnaturally, so perhaps they could give you one of those take-home heart monitor things to track it (they gave my mom one once). They certainly aren't going to want to mess with any kind of medication if they don't know what they're dealing with.

As far as hypothyroidism goes, the scale is a guideline and "normal" levels really can differ from person to person. Most general practitioners go strictly by the scale, which can cause problems. I had hypothyroid symptoms for years, but my levels tested at the very bottom of the normal range, so several general practitioners ruled out hypothyroidism and tried treating me for depression instead.

I finally went to a good endocrinologist who let me know that the normal range is just that--a typical range. Different people have optimal levels within that range. So he put me on a low level of thyroid hormones--it moved my thyroid levels more into the middle of the normal range and the symptoms went away. Even better: no more antidepressants. For me, the bottom of the normal range was just too low.