Blood Drug Testing

Can I have a thyroid problem if blood tests are negative? fatigue & night sweats!!?

I am a 34 year old female and have had several doctors comment on my large thyroid over the years. I had a blood test done for thyroid problems a year ago. I'm not sure what the exact tests were, but the doctor said my thyroid levels are normal. I've had extreme fatigue and nasty night sweats (almost every night) for about 2 years now. Also, I have a hard time taking off weight and tend to gain easily. I've already had an HIV test done and it was negative. I doubt it's early menopause since my cycles are normal. Can I have a thyroid problem that blood tests didn't detect? Doctor gave me a referral for a thyroid ultrasound, but it's going to be expensive since my insurance isn't very good. I don't want to have an ultrasound done if the blood test already ruled out a thyroid problem. Any suggestions? What doctor specializes in this? Is it an endocrinologist? I feel so low on energy and getting deppressed. I don't want to continue to see my family physician since she probably isn't fully aware of thyroid issues.

Public Comments

1. Typically, a blood test is enough to diagnose hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism and a thyroid ultrasound would not be able to determine how the thyroid is functioning anyway, so it doesn't seem like you're being evaluated for those. So in essence yes there could still be an abnormality with your thyroid that would not be detected on a blood test, for example a goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).
2. Yes, you can have a thyroid problem with normal blood tests. This is because most doctors only do a TSH and TSH changes throughout the day. That is why its important to test first thing in the morning only when having a TSH. Another problem with the TSH is the range. AACE changed the range to 0.3 to 3.0 a few years back, but Quest still lists the range at 0.3 to 5,5. If your doctor doesn't know about AACE's recommendations he/she will tell you a TSH of 5.0 is normal, when it isn't normal. Aome doctors state that heart changes begin with a TSH over 2.0. If I were you I'd find out what my TSH number was. If it was an afternoo test, it is worthless. Better thyroid tests to have along with the morning TSH are the free t4 and free t3. I know about this stuff because my first TSH came back at 2,6 and I was told it was normal. In under a year my symptoms got severe and another thyroid test was run. This time it was 6.8 and I got diagnosed. Was I hypothyroid at the 2.6? I believe so. Yes, an endocrinologist is a doctor who treats thyroid conditions. I have seen both endocrinologists and regular doctors for my hypothyroidism. Because I wanted to use Armour, I had to go back to a family doctor because the endo wouldn't use it.