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What Causes Sensitive Skin, Hair Loss And Fatigue In A Hypothyroid Patient?
Posted on
Mon, 19 Sep 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 19 Sep 2016
Answered on
Tue, 11 Oct 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : i've taken medicine for hypothyroidism since I was 23, currently 36 year old female. My doctor ordered a thyroid test which showed my thyroid antibodies to be very elevated. I've also had weird symptoms such as my throat feels funny, skin sensitivities, hair falling out, numbness and tingling, fatigue. TSH levels are normal. So, he recommended me to go to an endocrinologist, however the endo won't be able to see me until nearly December. Is that a normal time to wait? And if it is something like a thyroid cancer, isn't that really bad to wait so long to get it checked out and treated? I'm just wondering if I should try to get in with someone else sooner?
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If the TSH is normal, chances of your thyroid being regulated well are good.
Now thyroid cancer is a different matter where there is a lump in the thyroid which needs evaluation in the form of ultrasound and biopsy to start with.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your bothersome symptoms.
If the TSH is normal, chances of your thyroid being regulated well are good.
Now thyroid cancer is a different matter where there is a lump in the thyroid which needs evaluation in the form of ultrasound and biopsy to start with.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid)
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day Correct diagnosis and treatment requires the opportunity to examine the patient so you must see an endocrinologist in-person.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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