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