Hormone question

[acarpediem]

Just looking for some guidance and knowledge on hormone levels. I am trying to figure out what's going on with me and I think it's hormone related. I didn't want to post on the getting knocked up board as I'm not trying to get pregnant.
Recently I had a whole blood work up and the only thing I see is vitamin d deficiency, high cholesterol and slightly elevated thyroid number but still under 4. Also, is it normal to have a low progesterone level after ovulation? Thanks for reading and any help greatly appreciated. I just want to feel normal again!

[acarpediem]

Feb 8, 2017 11:58:26 GMT -5 @clgsquared said:

you mention feeling normal, but what is it that is going on that prompted you to get bloodwork

I have been struggling with acne, constant fatigue, depression, anxiety, enlarged and breast tenderness, stomach problems and migraines. Many of these things have been going on for awhile and some the last 3 months. I'm not pregnant.

[ghostmonkey]

Progesterone has to be tested 6-8 days after ovulation. Anything outside of the range is irrelevant.

[joy]

TSH: There's debate among the field what an actual "normal" functioning thyroid number should be. Some say below 4, some say below 2. But, TSH is not a complete picture of what's going on. Your free T3 and free T4 are helpful to know, as well.  Example, if T4 is low and your TSH is at the higher end of normal - yeah, you might have thyroid that's working harder to get enough T4 in your body, which could be a sign of trouble ahead.  But, if your T4 is normal and your TSH is in the normal range, then some doctors are not quick to evaluate further (like my GP) while others might.  Thyroids are tricky buggers.

Progesterone: Eh, it's a very tricky to take anything away from progesterone numbers. Even when I had confirmed ovulation via ultrasound and my levels were checked seven days later, my reproductive endocrinologist treated the level as qualitative (yes, you ovulated!) rather than quantitative (this number seems too low). So, tread lightly with progesterone values.

[anakah]

+1 to @juliagulia, my thyroid numbers were actually within "normal" range but upon further testing my endocrinologist found that my level of "normal" needed to be refined more. I suggest seeing an endocrinologist if you suspect hormonal issues.

[kristhegirl]

I would second seeing an endocrinologist. They'll be more versed in how these hormone levels interact with each other and what further testing you might need or lifestyle changes you can try.

[acarpediem]

Feb 8, 2017 12:39:50 GMT -5 ghostmonkey said:

Progesterone has to be tested 6-8 days after ovulation. Anything outside of the range is irrelevant.

I was tested 5 days post ovulation and the number was 2.4.

[acarpediem]

Feb 8, 2017 12:45:38 GMT -5 @juliagulia said:

There is a lot of thought/theory that what the typical primary care doctor and labs regard as normal functioning thyroid levels are actually not. Same with Vitamin D levels. Also, the typical thyroid test is not a complete measure. If you are really concerned and still have symptoms I would recommend seeing an endocrinologist for further evaluation. They will often order different tests and treat based on a more narrow range of "normal".

What happened to me was that I was tested for Vitamin D and my number was the very bottom of the spectrum for the normal range, so it didn't flag. I was at 30. Well two years later when my symptoms were worse, I was tested again and at 18, well below normal. But some doctors believe under 40 needs treatment. So if I would have gotten treatment when I was at 30, I would have not suffered for 2 years.

I'm sorry you suffered so long. What kind of changes did you see when it was treated? My number was 15 so way below normal.

[cicimcstuffins]

I can't speak to the prog but I wanted to add that 'in range' and 'optimal' for thyroid levels are different things. You could have a TSH under 4 and still have low FT4 and FT3. When your body is hypothyroid it depletes your vitamin d (along with a a bunch of other symptoms).
I would go back and ask for your free t4 and free t3 as well as an iron panel if you didn't do that as well. Your symptoms sound like they could be thyroid related to me, and with the vitamin d I would want to check on that.
What kind of vitamin d did they put you on to supplement? I would look for D3 with K2 (not D2), and take it with your fattiest meal. When your vitamin D goes up you should feel a LOT better.
What kind of stomach problems? If your thyroid is slacking you would have low stomach acid and not be pooping as much.

[seadragon2013]

Feb 8, 2017 15:47:27 GMT -5 cicimcstuffins said:

I can't speak to the prog but I wanted to add that 'in range' and 'optimal' for thyroid levels are different things. You could have a TSH under 4 and still have low FT4 and FT3. When your body is hypothyroid it depletes your vitamin d (along with a a bunch of other symptoms).
I would go back and ask for your free t4 and free t3 as well as an iron panel if you didn't do that as well. Your symptoms sound like they could be thyroid related to me, and with the vitamin d I would want to check on that.
What kind of vitamin d did they put you on to supplement? I would look for D3 with K2 (not D2), and take it with your fattiest meal. When your vitamin D goes up you should feel a LOT better.
What kind of stomach problems? If your thyroid is slacking you would have low stomach acid and not be pooping as much.

All of this. My endo treats me if my TSH goes above 2.5 and I have symptoms very similar to what is described in the OP when it is above a 3. It took three years of feeling unwell before I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis because my TSH was not outside the normal lab range and my PCP wasn't running the free T3, T4, and antibody tests.

IRT sex hormones, are you feeling poorly at particular stages of your cycle? OP, I would start keeping a daily diary of symptoms to help you track this.

I'd ask for a referral to an endocrinologist (they are often hard to get into and a referral from your pcp can help), along with rule outs of alternative diagnoses like anemia and sleep apnea. I'm sorry you are feeling so poorly and I hope you can figure the issue out soon.

[weeklyplanner]

I'm hypothyroid and I feel my best when my TSH is around 1-1.5. Obviously there is more to it, but I'd definitely see an endocrinologist if possible to evaluate the thyroid and vit D issues. Hope you're feeling better soon!

[acarpediem]

Thank you everyone for your help and recommendations. I live in Paris, so I'm a bit happy to not be spending a fortune while pursuing all of these visits. I will be booking an appointment today and pray the wait isn't as long here.

[NariaDreaming]

Feb 8, 2017 16:33:02 GMT -5 weeklyplanner said:

I'm hypothyroid and I feel my best when my TSH is around 1-1.5. Obviously there is more to it, but I'd definitely see an endocrinologist if possible to evaluate the thyroid and vit D issues. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Same. I can definitely tell when my TSH creeps up over 2, or if they over correct and it's under .75.