Linda,

My tsh, at its absolute worst, was only 12.66, and boy was I hypothyroid!  I
had pleurisy (inflammation of the sack around my heart/lung area), low body
temperature, low blood pressure, cold extremities, dry everything, fatigue,
body pains, mentall dullness, etc...  The initial diagnosis was Hashimoto's
Thyroiditis, once they saw the antithyroid antibodies in my system.  However,
because Synthroid didn't make me well right away, and because I was so very
sick, they assumed that my problems were caused by something else.  (I had
been traveling to China on business a few months prior, so I went through
every infectious disease test you can imagine.)

Guess what, after eight months of very slow improvements (coinsiding with
increased doses of T4 (Synthroid)), I'm pretty darn convinced that my
problems were all thyroid related.  After going through 6-7 doctors who were
not very helpful (Internists, Infectious Disease specialists, and even one
Endo.), I finally went to one of the best medical schools in the state and
got in with the head of Endocrinology.  He said that every symptom I was
experiencing could likely be from my thyroid!  (Duh!!!)

He subsequently increased my T4 and within three weeks I saw improvements,
however, I was still sick.  I stayed at that level for over three months, and
then asked to increase my dose one more time.  I am now taking .125 and think
there is a chance that I might be getting closer to normal.  It's way too
soon to tell for sure though.  By the way, my tests have said "normal" since
I was on .75!  My body is so unique.  For example, whenever I increase my
dose, I go through a combination of hypo symptoms coupled with heart
palpitations.  It seems that my body doesn't handle the changes well.  They
even had to start me on .25  and work me up slowly because I reacted so
violently.

From what I described above, you probably wouldn't guess it, but I just
turned 34 and have been quite athletic all my life.  I've gained 31 pounds,
but I don't look particularly fat, just a bit out of shape.  I'm too young to
feel like I'm 90!

Well,  I'm sure that this was more information than you wanted.  I hope it's
helpful.  It's great to have an outlet in which we can share our experiences.
 I wish you the best as you get to the root of your problems.

I generally don't give out advice, but lately I've felt compelled to do so.
 Please indulge me, and if it doesn't apply to you, feel free to disregard
it:

Don't forget that you know your body better than any doctor ever could.
 Never forget who you are.  Don't begin to think you're crazy, even if a
doctor decides you're "normal" but depressed and offers you Prozac or
pain-killers, etc..  Believe me, they often do that when they have no other
answers.  You can't imagine the number of drugs I've was offered during the
first four months of this problem.  I suppose if the doctor thinks that drugs
can make you feel happy or kill the pain, it will improve your life.  I
strongly believe in figuring out the cause of problems and addressing the
cause, not masking the symptoms.  Frankly, if I'd taken any or all of the
drugs I was offered, I can't imagine where I'd be today. Scary!!!

I don't mean to preach, I've just been so amazed at what patients are given
in the name of healing.  You need to be both smart and careful.

God bless,

Cherise