Guest guest Posted November 21, 2000 Report Share Posted November 21, 2000 Joyce, Normally, it takes 6 weeks for the TSH to rise and reflect the changes in your thyroid hormone levels. However, after being suppressed for some time, it can take many months for it to rise. Some folks have reported a lag time of 18 months or longer. That's why, for now, your FT4 and FT3 are more reliable indicators. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 21, 2000 Report Share Posted November 21, 2000 My TSH was 3.35 in May, .968 in June, 1.83 in August and in October 2.04. I went on 1/2 tab of PTU/day last year and only since T4 dropped to .88 (range ..90-1.80) did doc suggest we drop it to 1/4 tab/day or go off completely. I opted to take 1/4 but now taking it every other day. My thyroid has always been very small too. It rose several years ago rapidly and my meds were reduced too fast and I nose dived to hyper again. The TSH seems to go up and down more often than the T3/T4. Don't know if this answered your question. Perhaps your doc should reduce your PTU to 1 tab/day since your in the hypo range. I wouldn't suggest going off completely though. Reducing slowly seems to be the key, don't want to shock your thyroid - this is what my doc says. He's from Europe too and doesn't have the American attitude of RAI!! Does this help at all? Mona Tsh Question Mona, I don't think I phrased the tsh question correctly. What I would like to know is, at what stage, or what point in time, did your tsh start to rise? Since I slipped into the hypo range on 2 tabs of ptu, I'm wondering if I can expect my tsh to start increasing in the near future, or is my sweet little thyroid gland just getting worn out? Thanks for your patience on this one. Joyce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2004 Report Share Posted June 24, 2004 I have been reading some websites and came across some forums where people stated there TSH levels upon being diagnosed with hypo. Levels were between 20-50 in these examples and the topic was losing weight and how hard this is. My level when I was diagnosed was 594. They initially thought it was caused by a pituitary tumor. My question is... Could that be the reason it is taking me so long to feel better? I want to lose the weight that I gained and I am sick of being soooooo tired. Could it be that its taking awhile for my body to adjust to the " normal " levels of TSH? Did anyone else have pituitary disorders? How do the people out there that get their thyroid completely removed deal with these same problems, it is hard enough and I still have mine. I love that I have people to ask, I love this site! Thanks - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Sue,I reduce my Armour to 1/2 dose for about a week before my appt. I stop taking it for about three days prior to my appt. so my TSH will be in my doctor's acceptable range. If not, she will stop prescribing it. I know this is not the correct thing to do, but since I do not have insurance she will only go by the TSH. Even when I did the free T4 & T3, that TSH was always the most important to her! I took her literature etc. I'm sure she did not read it because she is still difficult to work with but the only doctor I've found in my area that will prescribe Armour for me. I have to manipulate my test results in order to feel good. Good luck in changing the doctor's belief in TSH. Irene COn Thu, Jul 23, 2009 at 1:38 PM, mosierm2000 <mosiersue@...> wrote: My holistic doctor is using my TSH value to gauge my thyroid dose. She said since mine is so low my thyroid is close to shutting down. How do I align her belief and the statement below? I have been feeling tired lately and I went off the iodine since I thought maybe I was detoxing and causing my body fatigue. TSH is a pituitary hormone and not an indicator of thyroid function. Thank you, Sue ------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 23, 2009 Report Share Posted July 23, 2009 Free T3 & Free T4 are active hormones and those created directly by the thyroid gland. These are the hormones that are used by the body for energy / metabolism. Free T3 is especially active (the most active of the two) in giving the body energy. So how can TSH be an indicator of the thyroid when it only measures how much it is calling for more hormone not home much hormone is available? My view is that as long as the pituitary is calling for hormone the body needs more. Steph TSH question My holistic doctor is using my TSH value to gauge my thyroid dose. She said since mine is so low my thyroid is close to shutting down. How do I align her belief and the statement below? I have been feeling tired lately and I went off the iodine since I thought maybe I was detoxing and causing my body fatigue.TSH is a pituitary hormone and not an indicator of thyroid function.Thank you,Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Steph, When you say the pituitary is calling for more hormone how is that evidenced...by high or low TSH? I am medicated but not optimal and have LOW FREES and LOW TSH (.399). Cyn >My view is that as long as the pituitary is calling for hormone the body needs more. Steph > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 The presence of TSH. The higher the number the more it is screaming at the thyroid to produce hormone. Low frees and low TSH means you aren't using what your thyroid is producing. There's enough T4 & T3 but you enough bio active form - the free's. Steph Re: TSH question Steph,When you say the pituitary is calling for more hormone how is that evidenced...by high or low TSH? I am medicated but not optimal and have LOW FREES and LOW TSH (.399).Cyn>My view is that as long as the pituitary is calling for hormone the body needs more.Steph> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 So my pituitary is not screaming anymore (.399 TSH). With my LOW FREES how do I get enough bio active form for my thyroid to use? (I think that's what you said). Cyn > > The presence of TSH. The higher the number the more it is screaming at the thyroid to produce hormone. > > Low frees and low TSH means you aren't using what your thyroid is producing. There's enough T4 & T3 but you enough bio active form - the free's. > > Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 I don't know outside of supplementing with a rx. Maybe zinc and Vit A and a liver detox would help. They all contribute to hormone conversions. Steph Re: TSH question So my pituitary is not screaming anymore (.399 TSH). With my LOW FREES how do I get enough bio active form for my thyroid to use? (I think that's what you said).Cyn>> The presence of TSH. The higher the number the more it is screaming at the thyroid to produce hormone. > > Low frees and low TSH means you aren't using what your thyroid is producing. There's enough T4 & T3 but you enough bio active form - the free's.> > Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Hey Steph, A lot of folks wonder when they get their test results if they are good and write to ask. I wonder if you've written up anything that we could use as a guide that would tell us when we get our results where we are high/low? Like maybe an 'ideal' you think would be a starting place for us? I know it varies from person to person but it would help us to have more of a guide than the test results which really don't tell much. We can be in range but still be low.... Hope you understand what I'm asking. Anyway, it's an idea that would maybe reduce the questions you have if it was posted someplace we could go check and then bring up our questions from that point. Either way, thanks! Tressler Healthy Transitions Life Coaching 541-791-1464 Help raise funds for Legacy Land Conservancy by searching the internet or shoping online with GoodSearch (www.goodsearch.com). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 This is all I have right now http://www.naturalthyroidchoices.com/HypoT.html No lab values though. It really is based on how you feel more than numbers. Steph Re: TSH question Hey Steph, A lot of folks wonder when they get their test results if they are good and write to ask. I wonder if you've written up anything that we could use as a guide that would tell us when we get our results where we are high/low? Like maybe an 'ideal' you think would be a starting place for us? I know it varies from person to person but it would help us to have more of a guide than the test results which really don't tell much. We can be in range but still be low.... Hope you understand what I'm asking. Anyway, it's an idea that would maybe reduce the questions you have if it was posted someplace we could go check and then bring up our questions from that point. Either way, thanks! Tressler Healthy Transitions Life Coaching 541-791-1464 Help raise funds for Legacy Land Conservancy by searching the internet or shoping online with GoodSearch (www.goodsearch.com). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 24, 2009 Report Share Posted July 24, 2009 Steph, Do I need more thyroid med ro what kind of rx? I didn't trim a couple of posts so you can see what my thyroid is doing. And btw thanks fo rhosting this board and all you do for so many people. You are wonderful. Cyn > > I don't know outside of supplementing with a rx. Maybe zinc and Vit A and a liver detox would help. They all contribute to hormone conversions. > > Steph > ----- Original Message ----- > From: lahock2000 > So my pituitary is not screaming anymore (.399 TSH). With my LOW FREES how do I get enough bio active form for my thyroid to use? (I think that's what you said). > Cyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 Thyroid medicine. Sorry I wasn't clear. Steph Re: TSH question Steph,Do I need more thyroid med ro what kind of rx?I didn't trim a couple of posts so you can see what my thyroid is doing. And btw thanks fo rhosting this board and all you do for so many people. You are wonderful.Cyn>> I don't know outside of supplementing with a rx. Maybe zinc and Vit A and a liver detox would help. They all contribute to hormone conversions.> > Steph> ----- Original Message ----- > From: lahock2000 > So my pituitary is not screaming anymore (.399 TSH). With my LOW FREES how do I get enough bio active form for my thyroid to use? (I think that's what you said).> Cyn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 25, 2009 Report Share Posted July 25, 2009 "It really is based on how you feel more than numbers." Now THAT makes sense.... And when will you officially be a Dr.? Thanks! Tressler Healthy Transitions Life Coaching 541-791-1464 Help raise funds for Legacy Land Conservancy by searching the internet or shoping online with GoodSearch (www.goodsearch.com). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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