TSH Normal, does that rule out Thyroid problems?

I am no expert on thyroid issues. I had my levels checked and they were normal but while getting an mri on throat for another reason they found that my thyroid was very large and had cancerous nodules. I had it out this past January and was treated with iodineradioactive therapy and now am on thyroid medication. Unfortunatley, I still felt the same.

But, in the meantime, while trying to figure out why I feel so fatigued and have range of motion issues (and recently was diagnosed with RA) the endo did a full panel work up and found I was extremely low in b-12, iron, and vita min D. Now I get a b-12 shot once a month, take prescription D every other day and iron two times every day. After several months of being on this combination I am starting to feel less fatigue and general muscle soreness. I still have range of motion issues and some pain in joints but the meds I am on for the RA are slow acting and aren't expected to start working full strength for a few more months.

I guess what I am trying to say is that while it could be a thyroid issue it doesn't seem likely, especially with the normal numbers. What it could be is the deficiencies that I mentioned above. I really feel so much better even though the original reason for the mri hasnt been found. (I constantly feel like I am being choked and have a constant left ear ache. It was thought to be the large thyroid pressing on everything but the problem is still there and the thyroid is completely gone?)

If you haven't had these checked, please do. Most doctors don't automatically order tests for these.

Hope this helps, please let me know.

How about Fibromyalgia. That causes general fatigue, brain fog, and all over body aches. Actually there is a list on the fibro forum that has 52 symptoms to it. Maybe much of what you feel could be related to that? I have had fibro for about 5 years and was just recently also diagnosed with RA. I have just about all the symptoms on the list. It takes quite awhile and a caring doctor to diagnose it. Look over there, read the symptom list and some of the posts, maybe that will help.

so sorry you are suffering. I was there and know exactly how you feel. I am feeling much better these days but how long that will last I don't know.

keep me posted

P.s. The fibro site has many more active members and are willing to listen and offer suggestions to any one having fatigue/pain issues even without a diagnosis. Maybe you will get more responses there.

I had the same thing happen- had the symptoms of hypothyroidism, but my numbers were normal (I did test positive for Hashimoto's thyroiditis). One endocrinologist said I was going into perimenopause (but didn't test my other hormone levels) and that my thyroid was still fine. I got a second opinion, and they found a cyst on my thyroid during an ultrasound. Because of the size of the cyst, they did a fine needle biopsy. In the biopsied tissue, they found atypical cells, so we decided to remove my thyroid. When they looked over my thyroid after it was removed, they found cancer.

I guess what I'm saying is that your symptoms sound like hypothyroidism. Have they tested for thyroid antibodies (at high enough levels, they are an indicator of that auto-immune disorder)? Did they do an ultrasound?

Because the thyroid was not the reason for my symptoms, the removal of it did nothing in terms of releaving them. I have fibro and RA. These and the mal-absorption issues are the culprits for my aches, pains and brain fog. It took many years, a good doctor and lots of blood work to finally get the diagnosises and find the right combo of meds to treat them.
If your doctor is still trying to find the reason for your symptoms then I would say that you have a good doctor and that doctor is doing everything in his/her power to find the right diagnosis. I woud stay with that doctor and keep on, keeping on. If you have any type of autoimmune disorder, your blood work, symptoms and repeated visits with the doctor will eventually reveal what you are dealing with. It just takes time, sometimes it takes lots of time. Good luck with your journey. Please keep us posted.