Anybody know anything about thyroid issues?

Did they ever do a proper scan of his thyroid gland? The real worry is a possible tumor on it - though don't get spooked as that's probably not the case here, just the worst case scenario.

That can happen and it's normal. My husband and I both have thyroid problelms and mine pretty much stays the same with medication. His fluxuates all the time. When the doctor was trying to determine the correct dose for me, I had to go for blood tests every 3 months. I also had to record my body temperature EVERY single dang morning for about 9 months! I then had to remember to take the paper with me to the doctor for my check ups. (Low body temp is common with thyroid problems.)

Make sure that your husband is taking the meds first thing in the morning and then waiting an hour before eating or drinking much. Don't take any other medications or drink more than a small glass of milk, water, orange juice or the like. I take mine when I roll out of bed, do all my stuff to get ready, then take any additional meds and eat. If he takes any kind of vitamin that contains iron, be sure to take that at night as the iron can interfere with the thyroid pill.

One of the "bad" things about your thyroid not working properly is that it regulates a lot of the enzymes associated with high cholesterol and triglycerides which affect the heart. It also contributes to depression and a feeling of being tired all the time and being cold/hot when others aren't.

I wouldn't be overly concerned, but it is something to watch and know what's going on. Seems like the doctor is working to address the situation, so take a deep breath and relax. "Fixing" the problem will take several months as the medication is adjusted.

Did they just do the standard TSH? If so, ask if they can do a full thryoid panel. His TSH might be elevated because his free T3 is what's off. Synthroid, or Levothyroxine, is strictly T4 supplement.

I'm taking Armour Thyroid, which is a naturally dessicated thyroid hormone that includes both T4 and T3. Before that, I was taking Levothyroxine with a T3 supplement to help control mine. And you know what? Once my mom saw how well I was doing with both T4 and T3 medications, she started driving 1.5 hours to see my doctor for her thryoid...after 20 years of being told hers was OK, but feeling all the symptoms.

So, if they can rule out any issues such as tumors or goiters, and they still can't manage his thyroid, he might want to start researching another doctor or speak up to his about other treatment options.

No matter what, always talk it over with a qualified and licensed healthcare professional.

Hi, I had nearly all my thyroid removed in may, I had a tumour, luckily it was benign, nearly most of them are in thyroid so don't panic. They left enough of my thryoid to keep me going without medication but unfortunately in July the whole lot collapsed and I am now on thyroxin. I started of on 25mcg and I have to have blood tests every 6 weeks, I am currentlly on 125mcg and I think by the way I feel I may need one more dosage increase.
I am so happy now its being sorted as I was so ill when my levels were rubbish, my last TFT was 5.4 but the difference in how I feel is amazing. Its really important that you have the right balance. I really would not try to worry, I hate hospitals/doctors and medical stuff and only go to the doctors if really necessary but they have been fab with me on this. Hope all goes well with your dh I think they will just up his dosage and he will have to go for a blood test after a few weeks to make sure all is ok.xxx

Oh I know I was the same, asked my consultant so many paranoid questions he got really fed up reassuring me I thinkHas your dh got any swellin on his thyroid?x

Doctors shouldn't rely on TSH tests anymore because "thyroid stimulating hormone" is a completely different hormone than thyroid, and TSH tests don't reveal how much actual thyroid hormone is in one's blood. And if one hormone is out of whack, it throws off the balance of all the hormones, so the TSH is likely not working right, either.

As others have pointed out, he needs to be tested for free T-3 and free T-4 to get a more accurate idea of his thyroid levels.


Your husband needs an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid function (most endocrinologists get their bread 'n' butter from diabetes patients).


If there's swelling, it's at the base of the neck, right where the neck meets the torso (that's where the thyroid gland is), but many times there is no swelling at all.


A TSH level that swings from up to down to up and back again is a big symptom of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. My TSH used to swing from 2 to 19, and when it was 2 my (bad horrible) doctor would say, "You're fine" and when it was over 8, she'd panic and say "OMG!" All while on the same amount of thyroid meds, still with all the hypothyroid symptoms.

If your husband has Hashimoto's (there are tests for it), he will not get relief from symptoms until his TSH is around 0. He really needs a good doctor who knows this; most doctors will call you hyperthyroid with a TSH of 0 even if you have all the hypothyroid symptoms.

Here's a great website that you and your husband might want to read.

This is a chronic disease that isn't so bad, not that hard to try to live with.

LOL! Are you going to tell him what you're checking first or just surprise him? And if he tries to get away do you wrap him up in a blanket (towel would be too small after all)?

I hope you can find a good doctor to handle both, but if not maybe one will be able to recommend some who could help you manage your diabetes?