Thyroid problems

lose3stone

Hi, Today I had my blood results back reading TSH of 9 (top limit 5.5) and T3&T4 within the limits but at the low end. My GP is saying I have the beginnings of an under active thyroid and I should go on medication after a repeat test.
Has anyone else got this condition, I believe it's common? Are you on meds? Have you lost weight?
Many thanks

lose3stone

Bump

nsblue

in July of 2010 my doc said my thyroid was a bit under active n started me on .1 of synthroid. in the fall of that year after reg blood checks, the doctor upped my dose to .125 I am still on that dose. I still have blood checks every 3 months... all have remained excellent. my weight loss continued and my health has improved.

islandmonkey

Unfortunately your doctor is NOT up to speed with current thyroid practices. The upper limit of TSH is actually 3.0, and is potentially being revised down to 2.5 or even 2.0. Many people requiring thyroid hormone replacement find it needs to be even lower, as taking the thyroid pills disrupts the feedback loop between your pituitary gland (that pumps out TSH) and your thyroid.

Can you confirm if your doctor tested free T3 and free T4 (and not total)? If those are in the lower end of "normal" you ARE hypothyroid. You want to aim for those being in the top 1/3 of the range your lab uses. You should be on replacement meds NOW.

The most important one to keep an eye on is your free T3, as this is the active form of thyroid hormone, that does all the work. Even if your TSH is "normal" you may find this too low - and often people find their TSH *very* low just to get their T3/T4 in a good place.

Right now I'd be demanding thyroid supplements, and tests at least every 4 weeks. Also get your Vit D and iron checked, as these are key components in your body appropriately creating T3 for use.


Again, you are NOT "almost" hypothyroid, you ARE hypothyroid.

rainbowbow

Unfortunately your doctor is NOT up to speed with current thyroid practices. The upper limit of TSH is actually 3.0, and is potentially being revised down to 2.5 or even 2.0. Many people requiring thyroid hormone replacement find it needs to be even lower, as taking the thyroid pills disrupts the feedback loop between your pituitary gland (that pumps out TSH) and your thyroid.

Can you confirm if your doctor tested free T3 and free T4 (and not total)? If those are in the lower end of "normal" you ARE hypothyroid. You want to aim for those being in the top 1/3 of the range your lab uses. You should be on replacement meds NOW.

The most important one to keep an eye on is your free T3, as this is the active form of thyroid hormone, that does all the work. Even if your TSH is "normal" you may find this too low - and often people find their TSH *very* low just to get their T3/T4 in a good place.

Right now I'd be demanding thyroid supplements, and tests at least every 4 weeks. Also get your Vit D and iron checked, as these are key components in your body appropriately creating T3 for use.


Again, you are NOT "almost" hypothyroid, you ARE hypothyroid.

Agreed with this. I have recently tested for the same. They also told me my prolactin was very very high because of my thyroid being low. I have also been put on a 5,000 unit dose of vitamin D, 30 mg dose of Iron, and a B complex & folate supplement.

I have gone in for 3 blood tests (every four weeks) and i'm going to another one soon. My doctor started me on Tirosint 30 mcg, upped to 50, upped to 75 so I guess we'll see!

Also, I have already lost all of the weight i intended to lose before I was even diagnosed with hypo-thyroid. (It IS possible, just takes a looooot longer)