Getting Diagnosed -- What Should I Ask For?
Getting the right tests is critical to getting the right diagnosis. I spent years suffering because I hadn’t been given the right tests to get the right diagnosis. It’s actually important to go to an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in endocrine diseases like thyroid conditions), as opposed to a family medical doctor. A family medical doctor certainly understands the basics of how the thyroid works, but an endocrinologist understands how thyroid function can relate to other bodily systems, the different things that are precursors to thyroid conditions, and more.
A typical family doctor will look at your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, sometimes in conjunction with Free T3 and Free T4. These are important tests to run to understand how the thyroid is functioning at any moment in time, but they don’t provide the whole picture. An endocrinologist will typically run a few more tests, and these can make all of the difference.
If you are concerned that you have a thyroid condition that is not being caught by your doctor, consider seeing an endocrinologist and/or asking for the following tests (in addition to the ones mentioned above):
- Thyroid Peridoxase Antibodies (TPO)
- Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGA)
- T4 Thyroxine
The presence of abnormal levels of thyroid antibodies in a system is an indication that the thyroid gland is under attack by the body’s immune system. This condition is called “Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis,” and is the leading cause of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).
Even if your thyroid function (TSH) is within normal range, you may be feeling the effects of a thyroid under attack (Hashimoto’s). Typically, an endocrinologist will prescribe thyroid medication if you have Hashimoto’s, even if your TSH appears to be normal. In my case, this made all of the difference.
After feeling tired, sick, bloated, in constant pain, and more for years, I finally saw an endocrinologist. I had full-bore Hashimoto’s, with antibody levels of greater than 900 (normal range is 0-20). Even though my TSH function was normal, my thyroid was under attack. My endocrinologist put me on the lowest dose of a T4 supplement, and within 3 days I felt like a different person – one with energy, optimism, and passion again.
So, the moral of the story is that, if you’re feeling awful and you suspect that low thyroid function may be the culprit, definitely push your doctor or your endocrinologist to run the tests mentioned above. It could make all of the difference in your life.
(Want to add more to these suggestions and experiences? Email mary@thyroidstory.com).
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