TSH 4.38, should I get it treated?

Nomadic · 11-05-2008, 12:34 PM

Hi all,

It was my low BBT (sometimes as low as 95.9) that led me to believe I may have issues with my thyroid. That and my cold intolerance.

I told my Gyn/Ob I wanted my thyroid tested.

T3 and T4 came normal but my TSH was 4.38.

My doctor said it's not THAT high and may not need treatment. Should I buy that? I don't have other symptoms of hypothyroid, except fatigue perhaps.

Also, I am 5'5 and weigh 52 kg at the moment. One doctor told me to loose weight and that'll fix my PCOS and thyroid. Isn't 52 low enough? Do you guys really think I should loose weight? I used to weigh 44kg two years ago and had the BMI falling in the "underweight" category. Right now, my BMI is 19.5. Isn't that okay? Or do you think I should loose weight?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hezzer · 11-05-2008, 12:58 PM

From my research, TSH should range from 0.3 to 3.0, though normal ranges a few years ago were 0.5 to 5.0. Some doctors still use those old norms.

I had been feeling pretty good since upping my Synthroid from 37 1/2 micrograms to 43 3/4. But then in the last two months or so, that same old exhausted, fatigued feeling returned.

I had bloodwork and it showed that my TSH had gone back up and was now at 5.2. My doctor said that some people can have a TSH level that high and not feel ill effected by it. I, however, definitely noticed the difference. So, my doctor upped my Synthroid from 43 3/4 micrograms to 50.

Two times previously within the last year, we tried to up my dosage to 50 micrograms, and each time, it kicked me into hyperthyroidism and I spent three days with jitters, heavy sweating, and insomnia.

Since upping my dose weeks ago, though, I haven't experienced that at all. In fact, I'm a little disappointed that the fatigue hasn't really dissipated at all. I still feel like I'm ready for bed by 8 p.m. Maybe I have to wait a bit longer for the fatigue to go away.

I was reading an article recently that said to shoot for a TSH of 2, so I'm hoping my TSH will be right around there at my next bloodwork a few weeks from now.

Stacie M · 11-05-2008, 01:36 PM

It is outside the normal range. Since you are having symptoms (fatigue and cold intolerance) I would get the treatment. It definitely can't hurt. You may be surprised how much better you feel once treated.

Renee3600 · 11-05-2008, 02:28 PM

I just can't believe your doc told you that loosing weight would take care of those issues. Especially when you're nowhere near overweight. PCOS it might help with if you were overweight or carried weight around your middle, but it won't do a darn thing for your thyroid. I agree with Stacie, if I was having symptoms like that I'de get treatment. Good luck!

Rainbow Brite · 11-06-2008, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacie M

It is outside the normal range. Since you are having symptoms (fatigue and cold intolerance) I would get the treatment. It definitely can't hurt. You may be surprised how much better you feel once treated.

I completely agree. Since you're doctor obviously isn't aware of the new range for TSH, print this out and bring it to her:

http://www.thyroidtoday.com/TTLibrar...Newsletter.pdf

And if she still won't treat you, find another doc. Good luck!!

jenn24291 · 11-09-2008, 11:05 PM

I'm at 4.46 and no doctor I see will treat it .

SoSilly · 11-10-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenn24291

I'm at 4.46 and no doctor I see will treat it .

Are you feeling crappy? If you're feeling like crap with a TSH level of 4.46, in my opinion you should keep at it with doctors, getting second and third opinions. Your TSH will most likely continue to increase rather than decrease so it's only a matter of time before it gets way too high. I don't get doctor's. They really should take both blood work results AND symptoms into consideration. And, like Hezzer said, the new range is 0.3 to 3.0. My initial TSH was 2.98 and a few months later it skyrocketed to almost 8.0. I find that with things like your thyroid, you have to be your own advocate because some doctors are so uneducated and 'behind the times'. It sucks.

Nomadic, I do not think you should lose weight. Losing weight if you're overweight may help the PCOS but based on your stats, you do not need to lose weight, in my opinion anyway. I don't understand why doctor's are so hesitant on prescribing Synthroid. It helps people feel better and lowers their TSH. Why is that so darn difficult??

jenn24291 · 11-10-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoSilly

Are you feeling crappy? If you're feeling like crap with a TSH level of 4.46, in my opinion you should keep at it with doctors, getting second and third opinions. Your TSH will most likely continue to increase rather than decrease so it's only a matter of time before it gets way too high. I don't get doctor's. They really should take both blood work results AND symptoms into consideration. And, like Hezzer said, the new range is 0.3 to 3.0. My initial TSH was 2.98 and a few months later it skyrocketed to almost 8.0. I find that with things like your thyroid, you have to be your own advocate because some doctors are so uneducated and 'behind the times'. It sucks.

Nomadic, I do not think you should lose weight. Losing weight if you're overweight may help the PCOS but based on your stats, you do not need to lose weight, in my opinion anyway. I don't understand why doctor's are so hesitant on prescribing Synthroid. It helps people feel better and lowers their TSH. Why is that so darn difficult??

Yes I feel like crap. I just swiched GP and he said he could treat it but I'm not sure if he is afraid to step on the endos toes .

canadianmutation · 11-10-2008, 04:18 PM

Sweetie get it treated. Mine was at 3.98 and they finally started to treat it because its too low for ttc. If you are ttc you need to be less than 2.5 according to my endo. I have a history of M/C at around 9 weeks, which is when the thyroid plays a very important role. It took me 8 yrs to finally find a doc who'd listen to me and start treating me. You need to be your own advocate and push for treatment. Nothing is worse than the guilt of thinking at least some of my m/c could have been prevented if my thyroid was being treated. Good luck and my PM box is open.

buzz_eee@hotmail.com · 11-18-2008, 10:50 PM

My doctor (who I love) told me that most women feel best around a 2.0. More energy, sleep better!

buzz_eee@hotmail.com · 11-18-2008, 10:53 PM

My MD also said that she treats more on the symptoms, and not necessarily just numbers so it depends how you are feeling!

Dansweet · 11-19-2008, 12:59 AM

Fight, Fight, Fight! I had to, my number was in the so called normal of between 1-5 and i felt like hell! Once i convinced my doc to give me thyroid meds the change was unbelievable! if your doc isn't listening to you.....find a new one!

ash1653 · 11-23-2008, 09:00 PM

Different labs have different values...so what may be normal by one lab is high by another. I think you absolutely need to get it treated. I had borderline TSH and was told it was not high enough to be treated. I got pregnant, it shot up to 15 and I miscarried. Once I found out my level it was too late. Call around and find a doc that will treat you with that level. Don't wait....

rxdoc2b · 11-25-2008, 01:45 AM

I agree, if you feel like something is wrong then it needs treatment. There is a big push in the medical community to take the wait and see approach with clinically overt hypothyroidism. Many think there is a normal range and then another imaginary range where treatment has not been shown to have clinical outcomes. I think if there are no symptoms then thats a fine approach because meds have side effects. BUT, if you are having symptoms then you deserve to be heard out and to have some kind of treatment. Good Luck!

Vern · 11-25-2008, 12:37 PM

My two cents -

I went to the Dr. with symptoms, tested TSH = 5.7
Since then, medicated, I've fluctuated between .2-4.2 as we try to find my doseage. I feel better in mid range than at the ends, but my RE and endo say that under 5 is what they want.

I miscarried last month, will never know if it was TSH related - mine was 3.3 when I found out I was pg and not sure what the level was at m/c (while I was on synthroid)

I think my RE and endo's main concern is that there aren't any huge leaps in levels upwards or downward, but being steadily in the normal range is fine.