Rachael, who is in her early 40’s, has not felt well for at least the last 6 years. In her words, ” I have been so cold sensitive. So cold that it has consumed my life. I cannot even drink cold liquid. The only thing that will get me warm is a steaming hot shower. I have to wear 5-6 layers of clothing. I also have hypoglycemia and have to eat every 2 hours otherwise I would be shaky. I have problem with memory – especially reading comprehension. My sleep is terrible in that I wake up 2- 3 times a night and it takes me a few hours to get back to sleep. Needless to say my energy is very low.” She also had constipation and elevated cholesterol.
It became obvious early on in the interview that she had the classical symptoms of hypothyroid. When I asked her if the other doctors she had been to every checked her thyroid levels and in particular her free T 3 levels. She said her level was 270 ( normal 230- 420) but because it was normal the doctors refused to treat her.
I started her on 1 grain of Armour thyroid and in a week she came in a different person. She exclaimed, “I have never felt this good. Every symptom I had is gone.” It is unfortunate that some doctors focus on the lab values and ignore the patient’s complaints – even if their symptoms are shouting hypothyroidism!
Terry Pfau, DO, HMD.