Hi Donnalynn. This is a very tricky subject, and it’s hard to know how to help you much. If your new doctor is the kind who will listen and work with you to find the answers to your symptoms, you will probably do well. If not, nothing you say to him will probably help.
You might ask this doctor straight out if he is willing to work with you to find a TSH and replacment hormone that are right for you. It wouldn’t hurt to ask about trying replacement hormone with both T4 and T3. If you have little thyroid tissue left, you aren’t getting any of the T3 your own thyroid made, and some people never do feel well without it (I’m one of them). If this doctor isn’t responsive, don’t waste your time. It can be rather hard to find a doctor who will work with you, but it’s worth the effort.
If my math is right, you are only in your early thirties, but since it is possible to have problems with female hormones even at your age, you might ask about having those levels checked as well, especially since you’ve noticed your periods getting lighter and further apart. My understanding is that it’s usually the opposite with hypothyroidism, though anything is possible.
I was able to get total relief from all the symptoms you describe by taking Armour thyroid twice a day (to keep the T3 levels more even). Even so, my TSH has risen to around 2 and the old symptoms are all back. I see my endo the day after tomorrow, and he takes my symptoms seriously, so I know he’ll raise my Armour enough to make my TSH around 0.5 where I feel healthy.
I hope it goes well for you with the new doctor. Let us know!
Dianne W
NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator