HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Dry Skin, Night Sweats, Hair Loss And Weight Gain?

default
Posted on Thu, 2 Apr 2015
Question: I am very concerned about some things that are going on. I am only 33. I am extremely exhausted especially around 4-5pm every day; but can't sleep when I want to go to bed at 10pm, very dry skin (have had odd rashes that pop up on my ankles and I itch ALL the time), night sweats, my hair comes out when I shampoo my hair, gradual weight gain of 20+pounds since August 2014; weighing at 140 and then in the last week I weighed 144.9 (I have always weighed between 120-125 and when I was pregnant the most I weighed was 152 and that was 15 years ago), I am always cold, very bad breast pain that makes me want to cry when I take my bra off at night, my fingers are swollen, and then after the 4 pound almost 5 pound weight gain it slowly went away but I am still swollen, and I also get severe headaches. I have thought since 2013 I have had a thyroid problem, but my labs always read normal. I have used the same lab since 2013. Lab values are: Oct 2013 TSH- 1.080 T4- 9.5 T3- 36 and free thyroxine 3.4 March 2014 TSH- 1.130 T4- 8.3 T3- 28 free 2.3 May 2014 TSH- 1.490 T4- 9.1 T3- 33 free 3.0 and
now 3-9-15 TSH 1.650 T4 8.2 T3 30 free 2.5 and 3-11-15 TSH 0.837 T4 7.2 T3 26 free 1.9
I don't know if these levels fluctuating in the last 2 days are ok or not. I do have a doctors appointment tomorrow and plan on taking all my results.
Normal ranges for lab are: TSH 0.450-4.500 T4 4.5-12.0 T3 24-39 free thyroxine 1.2-4.9
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Thyroid

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to learn about your medical symptoms. They must be so frustrating for you to deal with.

Your thyroid labs have tested normal each time. It is extremely unlikely that you have a thyroid problem.

The varying levels that you see within a span of days or even months is perfectly normal. There will be some variation even in the same lab from day to day and even when the same sample is processed repeatedly. This is called the CV or Co efficient of variation, for the lab test method.

But it is obviously important to find out what is going on with your medical condition. When I see someone like you I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination:

CBC
CMP
25 hydroxy vitamin D

It would be relevant to see your internist and see if referral to any other sub-specilaty is necessary
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Dry Skin, Night Sweats, Hair Loss And Weight Gain?

Brief Answer: Thyroid Detailed Answer: Sorry to learn about your medical symptoms. They must be so frustrating for you to deal with. Your thyroid labs have tested normal each time. It is extremely unlikely that you have a thyroid problem. The varying levels that you see within a span of days or even months is perfectly normal. There will be some variation even in the same lab from day to day and even when the same sample is processed repeatedly. This is called the CV or Co efficient of variation, for the lab test method. But it is obviously important to find out what is going on with your medical condition. When I see someone like you I order the following tests in addition to a thorough physical examination: CBC CMP 25 hydroxy vitamin D It would be relevant to see your internist and see if referral to any other sub-specilaty is necessary