Guest guest Posted April 20, 2002 Report Share Posted April 20, 2002 I have almost the same question ..... I have all the symptoms of hypo but the TSH the doc ordered says my level is 1.22 which supposedly is in the normal range. Is there another test to make sure??? --- solar558 <solar558@...> wrote: > my tsh was 7.4.. when they take my level again after > 6 wks. does it > usually come down? > is 7.4 unusually high? (lab says 4.5 - 6 is high?) > have any of you > had higher levels? does it mean the higher you are, > the sicker you > are? ( couldn't find it anywhere in the books ) > Thanking you in advance, > Sue > > ===== Lou http://www.makemeacake.com http://www.cookingtexas.com http://www.piesandpastries.com http://www.lifeinthecountry.com __________________________________________________ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2002 Report Share Posted April 20, 2002 Yes. Have your free T3 tested. Sometimes the TSH doesn't tell the whole picture. My dr. thinks that I might be subclinical because my body temperature first thing in the morning averages 97.2. I am still not able to lose weight and I'm still full of dry skin and I'm still always tired. I having my T3 blood test in a few weeks and will probably go on armour after that. OH and my TSH has been 1.7-1.99 the past six months to a year. Janine > > my tsh was 7.4.. when they take my level again after > > 6 wks. does it > > usually come down? > > is 7.4 unusually high? (lab says 4.5 - 6 is high?) > > have any of you > > had higher levels? does it mean the higher you are, > > the sicker you > > are? ( couldn't find it anywhere in the books ) > > Thanking you in advance, > > Sue > > > > > > > ===== > Lou > http://www.makemeacake.com > http://www.cookingtexas.com > http://www.piesandpastries.com > http://www.lifeinthecountry.com > > __________________________________________________ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 20, 2002 Report Share Posted April 20, 2002 Thanks for the info. Not sure what it all means but I'm planning to see a different doctor and inquire about further testing. I've gained WAY too much weight over the past few years and am really sick about it .... wnet from 150 at 5'9 " to 250, .... and I really don't EAT that much. As for temps, mine is low all the time. --- janine912 <no_reply > wrote: > Yes. Have your free T3 tested. Sometimes the TSH > doesn't tell the > whole picture. My dr. thinks that I might be > subclinical because my > body temperature first thing in the morning averages > 97.2. > I am still not able to lose weight and I'm still > full of dry skin and > I'm still always tired. > I having my T3 blood test in a few weeks and will > probably go on > armour after that. > OH and my TSH has been 1.7-1.99 the past six months > to a year. > Janine > > > > > my tsh was 7.4.. when they take my level again > after > > > 6 wks. does it > > > usually come down? > > > is 7.4 unusually high? (lab says 4.5 - 6 is > high?) > > > have any of you > > > had higher levels? does it mean the higher you > are, > > > the sicker you > > > are? ( couldn't find it anywhere in the books ) > > > Thanking you in advance, > > > Sue > > > > > > > > > > > > ===== > > Lou > > http://www.makemeacake.com > > http://www.cookingtexas.com > > http://www.piesandpastries.com > > http://www.lifeinthecountry.com > > > > __________________________________________________ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2002 Report Share Posted April 21, 2002 Go to about.com and check into the T3 issue. It sounds like it might be problem but most dr.s don't like to check for it, think about it or even know about it. Probably would be best to be informed first. The low temp. suggests that you are likely being undertreated or the T4 isn't converting into T3. Janine > > > > my tsh was 7.4.. when they take my level again > > after > > > > 6 wks. does it > > > > usually come down? > > > > is 7.4 unusually high? (lab says 4.5 - 6 is > > high?) > > > > have any of you > > > > had higher levels? does it mean the higher you > > are, > > > > the sicker you > > > > are? ( couldn't find it anywhere in the books ) > > > > Thanking you in advance, > > > > Sue > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ===== > > > Lou > > > http://www.makemeacake.com > > > http://www.cookingtexas.com > > > http://www.piesandpastries.com > > > http://www.lifeinthecountry.com > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2002 Report Share Posted April 21, 2002 The low temp ALSO can be suggestive of poor adrenal function. Do your homework and get informed. Take care... ~Amy~ > > > > > my tsh was 7.4.. when they take my level again > > > after > > > > > 6 wks. does it > > > > > usually come down? > > > > > is 7.4 unusually high? (lab says 4.5 - 6 is > > > high?) > > > > > have any of you > > > > > had higher levels? does it mean the higher you > > > are, > > > > > the sicker you > > > > > are? ( couldn't find it anywhere in the books ) > > > > > Thanking you in advance, > > > > > Sue > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ===== > > > > Lou > > > > http://www.makemeacake.com > > > > http://www.cookingtexas.com > > > > http://www.piesandpastries.com > > > > http://www.lifeinthecountry.com > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 21, 2002 Report Share Posted April 21, 2002 HOw do they test adrenals again? Janine > > > > > > my tsh was 7.4.. when they take my level again > > > > after > > > > > > 6 wks. does it > > > > > > usually come down? > > > > > > is 7.4 unusually high? (lab says 4.5 - 6 is > > > > high?) > > > > > > have any of you > > > > > > had higher levels? does it mean the higher you > > > > are, > > > > > > the sicker you > > > > > > are? ( couldn't find it anywhere in the books ) > > > > > > Thanking you in advance, > > > > > > Sue > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ===== > > > > > Lou > > > > > http://www.makemeacake.com > > > > > http://www.cookingtexas.com > > > > > http://www.piesandpastries.com > > > > > http://www.lifeinthecountry.com > > > > > > > > > > __________________________________________________ > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2003 Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 the most important tests to look at are free T3 and free T4, which should be in the upper quadrant of range. From my experience and reading, patients should not be treated to the tsh test, but doctors get very nervous when tsh goes too low. My doctor actually told me " TSH test doesn't mean s#$t! " Gracia > I have been on 150mg Synthroid for about 15years and feeling quite > well. Recently with my new doctor, thyroxine tests came up with very > low TSH (0.04) and T3/T4 within acceptable range. The doctor insisted > on lowering the dosage to 125mg. This had very little impact on TSH > (brought it up to 0.07). Now the doctor wants to lower the dosage to > 50mg. Before I accept this, I would like to know if TSH test should > be taken as gospel. Any advice would be appreciated. > > Mohan > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2003 Report Share Posted May 10, 2003 Mohan, I think going from 125 to 50 is kind of drastic. My dr. did something similar with me and my TSH went from .02 to 14.75 in less than 6 weeks. You could go down to 112, 100, or 88, but 50 again seems drastic. _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 Chuck or anyone, HI, I just saw my endocrinologist yesterday and she called and left a message today saying that my levels were " great " and that she didn't want to increase my synthroid dose. My level came back at 1.6 (the range is 5.5). It has definitely lowered but not to the level I think it needs to be. It was orinally 6.38 and it has gradually decreased on just with the 50 mcg dose. It went from that to 3.4 then to 2.6 and now 1.6. I however, don't feel " great " to say the least. I still have NO energy at all and just don't feel " normal. " At what level do you typically feel at your best? Closer to 0? I think I probaly need to be increased a little more, but she thinks I'm fine the way I am? Thanks, Sarie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 Sarie, You wrote: > ... My level came back at 1.6 (the > range is 5.5). It has definitely lowered but not to the level I think > it needs to be. It was orinally 6.38 and it has gradually decreased on > just with the 50 mcg dose. It went from that to 3.4 then to 2.6 and > now 1.6. I however, don't feel " great " to say the least. ... I feel fine with a TSH of 2.0 . However, I am on a full replacement dose of 125 mcg. A 50 mcg dose suggests that you still have some thyroid function, but that you are on the Hashimoto's roller coaster. That means that your thyroid production is going up and down, but mostly going down. You can measure a low TSH one day, and a week later you are hypoT again. If this is the issue, you need to either test a lot to keep up with it or fine tune the dose by the symptoms rather than repeated testing. There are dangers in making too large an adjustment either way, so this should be supervised. Eventually, your thyroid production will bottom out, and you will get a stable dosage. Alternatively, you may have other things going on, in which case your TSH will need to be low more or less permanently. The condition most commonly mentioned on this list is adrenal involvement, although I am sometimes skeptical. I suspect there are many other possible causes that are overlooked, because it is too easy to conclude that stress is the root cause of all illness. Chuck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 People are often given a diagnosis of ME and FM when doctors are unable to give you a diagnosis of hypothyroidism because they believe your thyroid hormone function tests are within the normal range, and the RCP and BTA are ensuring that doctors won't dare to diagnose and treat outside of their 'guidance on the diagnosis and management of primary hypothyroidism'. This is a long a complicated story, but is the reason why TPA has over 2000 members, 2000 failures within the NHS system. Read what has written below, and hopefully this will help you understand. A Simple Explanation of How our Thyroid Hormones Work – and why things go wrong. There is another view to our problem. If one withdraws some and looks at this problem from some distance one would see the following: Medical science has discovered the bodily functions that can be the culprit in our feeling bad. This was done by Refetoff, Braverman, et al. in the 60's. So by 1970, medical science knows that there is no longer a direct connection between the thyroid and symptoms. So while a deficient thyroid secretion can cause the symptoms of hypothyroidism, so can deficiencies in the discovered bodily functions of peripheral metabolism and peripheral cellular hormone reception (post thyroid). The thyroid predominately produces the prohormone thyroxine (T4) -- sort of like crude oil. This crude oil must then be refined by the peripheral metabolism into the active hormone (T3) -- which is akin to petrol or gasoline. Then the T3 must go to the cells' nuclei by way of the hormone reception -- very loosely like the carburettor atomising the petrol and creating an air-gas mixture that can be ignited to create power. So cars don't run on crude oil, and they don't run with any other sort of means of creating an air-gas mixture. We don't run unless we have triiodothyronine (T3) and the cells can acquire the T3 from the circulating blood. In short these functions, which are known to medical science, exist. Just as your car mechanic checks on the carburettor, fuel injectors, ignition system, etc. when your car does not run, physicians should also check on bodily functions that are known to exist that also produce the patient's symptoms. This is fundamental to the medical philosophies of Evidence Based Medicine and Differential Diagnosis. So if you have continuing symptoms of hypothyroidism, the mimics of hypothyroidism, those post thyroid functions of peripheral metabolism and peripheral cellular hormone reception should be tested. But they are not. The T3 and rT3 tests would be a good beginning, but they are not recommended by endocrinology establishment. In fact, no test that would suggest a T3 containing hormone replacement is recommended. In fact, they are virtually banned. Next, let us assume that we have arrived at non-prescribed test that suggests a T3 replacement. Well, any product containing T3 is banned as well. Instead, the self-proclaimed masters of thyroid mechanics replace the fuel injectors with spark plugs or something equally silly -- i.e., they want to replace the deficient T3 with T4 (assuming all the time that peripheral metabolism and peripheral hormone reception, the post thyroid functions, never fail. So what do we have? In the name of combating quackery, the victims of post thyroid deficiencies are restricted from the information that would suggest the prescription of needed, but banned, hormone replacements. In the name of combating quackery, with respect to the post thyroid deficient patient, they promote quackery -- life-long quackery. But we must step back and see where the fault lies. The fault is in ignoring the medical science and the ignoring of medical protocols for diagnosis. If your mechanic ignored the functionality of cars, he would go out of business shortly. But since the endocrinology establishment is not subject to the same requirements of providing good and proper service, they don't. They do not need to know the complete functionality of the greater thyroid system (including the post thyroid operations of peripheral metabolism and hormone reception) to make money. And they won't provide a good service until things go horridly wrong for them…. QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THE BENEFITS (OR NOT) OF THYROID FUNCTION TESTING. A humorous lesson you can learn about thyroid hormone function and everything you need to know about thyroid function testing and that magic TSH. Learn this off by heart and then discuss this with your doctor in the same way as the scantily clad lassie does and put him/her right on the spot. If she can do it – so can you! I was diagnosed with M.E. last year after attending General Medicine at my local hospital. I asked for my blood test results from the tests they took and the subsequent letter from the consultant includes the following info: TSH 2.92 mu/l (reference 0.1 - 4) Free T4 16.3 pmol/l (reference range 8 -20) Anti-thyroid peroxidase lgG antibodies were 6 iu/ml (reference range 1 - 50) The letter says: " We do not routinely check T3. The fact that your TSH is normal suggests the T3 will be normal. " Can anyone advise what these results REALLY mean! I feel pretty rubbish all the time. Thanks, Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 Hi, Please could anyone advise if these results are normal, is my thyroid ok? Or do I need treatment?ThanksFrom: "owen.joanne@..." <owen.joanne@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Fri, 11 February, 2011 14:01:28Subject: TSH Level Hi, I was diagnosed with M.E. last year after attending General Medicine at my local hospital. I asked for my blood test results from the tests they took and the subsequent letter from the consultant includes the following info: TSH 2.92 mu/l (reference 0.1 - 4) Free T4 16.3 pmol/l (reference range 8 -20) Anti-thyroid peroxidase lgG antibodies were 6 iu/ml (reference range 1 - 50) The letter says: "We do not routinely check T3. The fact that your TSH is normal suggests the T3 will be normal." Can anyone advise what these results REALLY mean! I feel pretty rubbish all the time. Thanks, Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 Hi Jo -from personal experience I had very similar blood test results for TSH and T4 but when I managed to get T3 results they turned out to be borderline and abnormal . I think the TSH test is a very unreliable test whatever some doctors say.If I was in your position I would get blood tests done privately . At least then you would know if your suspicions are correct . Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 I am also one of those people whose TSH was within the normal range, and was told my symptoms could not be thyroid related. Went and had a private test done because hospital refused to do a T3 test, and found that my T3 was below range. On presenting the results to my GP I was told they take no notice of T3, so ended up going to a private doctor who did take notice of T3. Lilian Hi Jo -from personal experience I had very similar blood test results for TSH and T4 but when I managed to get T3 results they turned out to be borderline and abnormal . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Thanks for your reply, I can't afford blood tests and I know they're not cheap. What I really need to know is, are the results that I have posted classed as normal, i.e. in the opinion of a gp or an endocrinolgoist? I have an appt with an endo in March and I don't see any point in going if I'm just going to be told there's nothing wrong with me. I'm really sick and tired of fighting. I don't even know what's wrong with me anymore, but I can't face being messed about again. I really don't have the strength to argue anymore knowing that I'm just going to be told there's nothing wrong with me. Could someone tell me if there is anything abnormal with the blood test results I've posted. I'd really appreciate it if someone could try to answer my question. From: mary36white <mary36white@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Fri, 11 February, 2011 19:56:16Subject: Re: TSH Level Hi Jo -from personal experience I had very similar blood test results for TSH and T4 but when I managed to get T3 results they turned out to be borderline and abnormal . I think the TSH test is a very unreliable test whatever some doctors say.If I was in your position I would get blood tests done privately . At least then you would know if your suspicions are correct . Best wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 Joanne, a TSH of 2.92mu/l is NOT considered normal. Your TSH should be 1.0 or even less. The free T4 only shows the level of thyroxine (T4) that is in your blood and without a free T3 test, we have no idea whether this mainly INACTIVE thyroid hormone is actually converting to the ACTIVE thyroid hormone T3. It is T3 that every cell in your body and brain needs to make them function. TSH is a hormone secreted by the pituitary when it recognises that your thyroid hormone levels are to low. These thyroid function tests are not sufficient as they only show the level of thyroid hormone being secreted by the thyroid gland and the amount that is in the blood. Neither GP's nor endocrinologists recognise that even though the thyroid hormone levels might look normal, this does not automatically mean you do not have a thyroid problem. You may be suffering with peripheral resistance to thyroid hormone at cellular level, but they will not check for this. Doctors and laboratories refuse to do the T3 test for no other reason in that they are saving money, but this is NOT helping patients with the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Ask your GP or endocrinologist to write a blood form for TSH and free T3 ONLY. That way, the laboratory should test it because these have to be tested for those suffering hyperthyroidism. I would ask for your ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, magnesium, folate, copper and zinc levels to be checked to see whether any of these are low in the reference range. Luv - Sheila > I was diagnosed with M.E. last year after attending General Medicine at my local hospital. I asked for my blood test results from the tests they took and the subsequent letter from the consultant includes the following info: > > TSH 2.92 mu/l (reference 0.1 - 4) > > Free T4 16.3 pmol/l (reference range 8 -20) > > Anti-thyroid peroxidase lgG antibodies were 6 iu/ml (reference range 1 - 50) > > The letter says: " We do not routinely check T3. The fact that your TSH is normal suggests the T3 will be normal. " > > > Can anyone advise what these results REALLY mean! I feel pretty rubbish all the time. > > Thanks, Jo > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Hi joanne, around 90% of healthy folk have a TSH of 1.0 which indicates that although your TSH is in the reference range it is not 'normal'your FT3 will only be normal if you can convert the T4 to T3 sucessfully- there are varoius reasons why you may not be able to do so. FT4 of 16 is reasonable, but not that near the top of the range. I would suggest that you get FT£ tested privately if you are worried- see files. also there are questionnaires re adrenal as well as thyroid there too which may point you in the direction of you problem. thyroid treatment From: owen.joanne@...Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:34:19 +0000Subject: Re: TSH Level Hi, Please could anyone advise if these results are normal, is my thyroid ok? Or do I need treatment?ThanksFrom: "owen.joanne@..." <owen.joanne@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Fri, 11 February, 2011 14:01:28Subject: TSH Level Hi, I was diagnosed with M.E. last year after attending General Medicine at my local hospital. I asked for my blood test results from the tests they took and the subsequent letter from the consultant includes the following info: TSH 2.92 mu/l (reference 0.1 - 4) Free T4 16.3 pmol/l (reference range 8 -20) Anti-thyroid peroxidase lgG antibodies were 6 iu/ml (reference range 1 - 50) The letter says: "We do not routinely check T3. The fact that your TSH is normal suggests the T3 will be normal." Can anyone advise what these results REALLY mean! I feel pretty rubbish all the time. Thanks, Jo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 Jo, You really can't tell if you are converting t4 into t3 without a free t3 test. A Free T3 test is £17.50 from Lab 21, I would beg borrow or steal to get the test done. Then at least you'll be able to the whole picture. You may have to search around for someone to draw blood... I pay £15 at my local private hospital, but some people get their doctors practise to draw it for free. http://lab21.com/ClinicLab/Services/HealthcareProfessionals/CLINICALBIOCHEMISTRY\ /Thyroid/tabid/319/tid/36/Default.aspx At the moment you can't tell if you have problems with conversion, or cellular uptake. . > > Hi, > > > The letter says: " We do not routinely check T3. The fact that your TSH is normal suggests the T3 will be normal. " > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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