Is TSH 4.04 considered hypo?

missmoss · 07-07-2009, 11:22 PM

Just rec'd a lab report that says my TSH is 4.04. My OB/GYN considers this normal-- just wondering where your dr's might stand on a level like this, and if I should seek a endocrinologist's opinion.

mommy1 · 07-07-2009, 11:33 PM

I was told 0.4 to 4.0 is the normal range. Did you get your T3 and T4 tested too? I just recently learned that apparently even if your TSH is in the normal range you could potentially still have a thyroid problem and need treatment. Hopefully someone with more experience will be able to answer your question better.

beane28 · 07-08-2009, 12:02 AM

It depends on the doctor and the patient. I think the ranges have changed over the years and used to end at 5 as being normal. Sometimes doctors will stick to these "old" ranges. I find myself having symptoms at anything over 3.5, and if I talk to my doctor about it she will change my meds. I think a range can be different for each person. If you feel as though you are not ok go see an endo. If anything a second opinion never hurts.

Are you on anything right now such as Synthroid? What were your previous tests like? Usually if I am at say at 1 and three months I am at almost at 4 I would thing the trend is going one way. I get my levels checked a lot though -they go up and down A LOT.

If you have never been on anything and this is the first thyroid test, I would absolutely see a endo. I would say high enough to keep a close eye on it!

LaBigGirl · 07-08-2009, 01:03 AM

It is slightly hypo...if your dr. is using only TSH test to diagnose. Did he/she test for thyroid antibodies too?

missmoss · 07-08-2009, 02:01 AM

My Dr. ordered the TSH only-- so I'm not sure about the others at present. I believe she did that (and some other tests) just to rule out other causes of my irregular periods. I've never had my thyroid tested or have taken meds for thyroid issues before. The lab report considers anything under 5 normal, but google searches are saying anything over 3 signals hypo-- so the difference between those two numbers is kind of where I'm at.

I do feel like I have a lot of the symptoms, but then again, they overlap with PCOS/IR symptoms a lot it seems. I do know that I struggle with energy and have trouble losing weight-- according to the same labs I'm within normal for IR too (at 16.1iu/ml fasting insulin) My Dr. would like me to stay on meds (currently metformin and bcp) but if everything is normal I don't understand why I should!

And I thought my frustration would end once I was diagnosed!

LaBigGirl · 07-08-2009, 03:27 AM

It is time to make an appointment with an endocrinologist. With all due respect to Ob/Gyns, thyroid function is not their specialty. Find someone who sees/treats thyroid stuff daily and show them your list of symptoms (AND how many months or years you have suffered with those). Many drs. like to run their own tests too so your TSH and other values might be even more off by the time they are measured again. You shouldn't have to feel like crud because one dr. thinks TSH of 4+ is normal. Good luck and feel better!

missmoss · 07-10-2009, 07:55 PM

Thanks everyone-- very helpful! Its nearly impossible to get a hold of my OB/GYN, but I have a followup on the PCOS treatments in a month... at that point I'm going to sit down with her and ask about all of my 'normal' labs with abnormal values and if she can't explain then I'll be searching for a good endo.

winddrop · 07-14-2009, 12:30 PM

Well, I went to an RE since we're TTC. Just got the test back that my TSH is 7.4. Great. Then the question becomes, so am I tired because I now found out I have hypothyroid, my sleep apnea, or my increase in Metformin?

And now I just read I have to make sure TSH is under control since that is another reason that women can miscarry. FOR PETE SAKE!

sunnyblond62 · 08-06-2009, 10:01 PM

Missmoss, based on your TSH level, you are in the clinical range for hypothyroidism.

The American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists recently lowered the "normal" range for hypothyroid. Until recently the range at most labs was 0.5 to 5.0. If you were above 5.0, then you were considered hypothyroid.

The revised guidelinesset the range at 0.3 to 3.0, which means if you are above 3.0, then you are clinically considered hypothyroid.

It gets better.... The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry is now reporting that even this range is not correct, and is recommending the top number be reduced further. Most people feel best when their number is 2.0 or lower. Doctors who practice integrated medicine will try to get that number down to about 1.0. Do you see where I"m going with this?

Be aware that even a well-regarded endocrinologist may tell you that "your labs are normal so you're fine," regardless of your symptoms.

You can find information on the numbers I gave above on the web. This board won't let me post a url, so you'll need to search Google for the terms "2.0" "TSH" and "labs2003". The top site should be the right link. This page will give you pages you can print and take to your doctor. I have had hypothyroid symptoms for about ten years and was always told I was "normal" until i ended up with debilitating symptoms and a swollen thyroid from thyroiditis. I fired my first doctor after he proved that he treats the lab results rather than the symptoms.

It's important that you be an advocate for your own health and that you insist on being a partner with your doctor in your care. You'll feel better and be healthier because of it.

Good luck!

Lisa

missmoss · 08-16-2009, 12:46 AM

thanks for pointing to actual links and groups and what not, sunny! i'm going to be cheating on my gyno with an reproductive endo in a few weeks, and will be printing off this info to take to her.

~Traci~ · 08-17-2009, 01:05 PM

I would definately see an RE. It's great you got the b/w though! I've gone my entire life w/o getting a TSH level done until a couple months ago. I've had a lot of symptoms my entire life (including when I was a baby) that no one ever put 2+2 together. I've had 4 m/c's & finally a new RE ordered that b/w done & found out that I'm hypo. He suspects my hypo caused all my m/c's (no way to tell now though)! So definately if you're TTC, get that TSH checked & get on meds to control!

Good Luck!

missmoss · 09-18-2009, 03:28 AM

Thanks everyone-- last week I saw an RE who had plenty to say about everything my previous Dr. was telling me (namely that it was, for the most part, wrong) -- most of my discussion was with the resident who works under the RE-- she said that they use 4.5 as the cutoff in their labwork, so that would make my 4.04 'normal'-- especially since I wasn't experiencing any 'real' symptoms.

When I reminded her that I am constantly tired, she didn't have a lot to say. So.. I don't know. They changed up my Metformin dose and put me on a new BCP-- I'm going to wait those out for a few months and if I'm still tired all the time then I think its time to insist I have my thyroid checked out more. Next time I'll bring this: http://www.thyroidtoday.com/TTLibrar...Newsletter.pdf

And I thought it would get easier once I was diagnosed! ha!

Karen999 · 09-18-2009, 10:32 AM

My TSH was 5.2, then follow up was 3.9, My doc still diagnosed under active thyroid and I have just started levothyroxine. I have had many symptoms though the worst and the main reason I sought medical imput was heavy and prolonged periods. I have noted thought that when I am menstruating my TSH is higher than when not?

verbal0rchid · 10-13-2009, 07:00 PM

The two best websites I can tell anyone who has questions about hypothyroid are STTM and RealThyroidHelp. They literally saved my life. Links are below.

http://stopthethyroidmadness.com/ (look at the "long and pathetic list of hypothyroid symptoms")

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/

~Traci~ · 10-15-2009, 10:55 AM

missmoss: My TSH was 4.14 yesterday & my RE upped my Levothyroxine (75 to 100mcg). So I think every Dr. has a different standard or something! I can't remember the TSH I started @ but I started out on 25mcg & since then have gone up 25mcg @ every test result. I'm hoping this last one corrects it! I would definately start researching online & bring documentation in to your RE about what "normal" levels should be.

Also, your blood sugar could be normal b/c you're on Met & doesn't mean you're not IR anymore.