This past weekend I discovered that my "normal" TSH levels would be above the normal reference range and would be possibly treated in the U.S.
I'm just wondering if anyone has been treated in Canada for hypothyroidism if their levels were below 5 but above 3.
All my blood work from the last 2 years still have the normal reference range from so 0.5 to 5.0 so I am assuming that Canada has not implented the same standards as our friends to the South for diagnosing and treating.
I have many other symptoms of Hypothyroidism but untill now didn't even consider that it could be an issue.
If anyone has any recommendations for a doctor in the GTA please let me know or if you are being treated in Canada by the American reference standards(0.3-3.0) please let me know.
Thanks.
My doctor opted to test my TSH levels again at my request and the result was 4.7. Although this is within the Canadian reference range I can't help but wonder why our south of the border cysters would be treated at this level and yet even though at 0.3 away from being "Canadian abnormal" my RE is unable to help me(not his specialty).
He is planning on sending me to an endocrinologist(also at my request) so if anyone has any recommendations please let me know now so I can see a competent doctor who will treat me to American standards.
Please & Thank you!
I responded to this reply awhile ago (so did Sandra) but it's gone now so just in case you didnt see....
If it would be of any help to you, I can haul out my blood work results to let you know what my lab figures is the normal range. I know thats not exactly what you're asking, but it's all I've got to offer
I know what the reference ranges are in Canada but Thank you anyways.
I have all my blood work results for the last three years sitting around here. My problem is that if I were living in the U.S.(there reference range is 0.3-3.0) I would be treated for hypothyroidism based on my results but here in Canada I am 0.3 away from being treated by the Canadian reference range which 0.35-5.0
SO I am wondering if there is anyone in Canada whose doctor is treating them according to the American reference range.
O.k...since no one in Ontario is being treated for hypothyroidism using American testing reference ranges...what about Alberta?
We will be moving to either Alberta or California come the New Year. If we move to California I won't have a problem having my thyroid treated considering it is in the U.S. but if we end up in Alberta...can I expect my thyroid to not be treated?
I JUST talked to my doctor about this exact thing last week. My TSH is 4.5 and I have a family history of thyroid cancer (my mom) and Hashimoto's (my sister). I showed him that the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endo's) is recommending treatment for anything over 3.0. He totally blew me off and said that I would be considered at best preclinical and that he doubted an endo would treat me. I argued a lot and told him that basing treatment on TSH levels is totally ignoring family history AND symptoms. He argreed to re-test my TSH and check for Hashimoto's. I'm still waiting on those results.
I don't really know what else to tell you. It's stupid really because basically what your doctor is telling you is that you just have to sit and wait until your TSH bumps up a bit more and then you'll be treated. It makes no sense to me. If my levels come back the same I'm going to ask for the iodine uptake test and if my doctor says no I'm switching to my Mom's doctor. He'll do it in a heartbeat knowing her history. Maybe you should really, really play up your symptoms and ask for the uptake test?
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I live in Alberta and see a Naturopathic Doctor in Edmonton. She does not follow these lab guidelines as she feels that a thyroid blood test (TSH) is not the best diagnostic tool for measuring thyroid problems. Instead, she uses a Basal Body Temp. (BBT) test as an effective measure of thyroid function. One of the main functions of the thyroid is to maintain the resting body's BBT. I am being treated for hypothyroidism without diagnostic TSH levels. My TSH levels are well within lab normals. So, YES, there is at least one Doctor in Alberta that will treat you. She looks at the bigger picture and takes a much more holistic approach.
Hope this helps - if you would like any more info, please feel free to ask or email me directly.
Hey BeetleGirl
I got my results last week. Wouldn't you know it - my TSH came in at 2.4!
ARGH! So it's swinging around pretty widely. It can apparently vary up to 3 points in a single day though. The kicker is that my Macrosmal AB test (anti-thyroid antibodies) came back at over 200 when the reference range is up to 35.
My liver came back dangerously high again so I'm off to a Gastroenterologist for that. My doctor doesn't even want to see me about my antibodies though. His thinking is that my TSH is fine so even though I probably do have Hashi's he's not going to treat me. I'm going to make an appointment to talk it over soon and if I'm not satisfied I'm switching. Everything that I've read has said that a small dose of Synthroid would be worth a try.
I'm so frustrated - can you tell?!
If you're still feeling hypo you could ask for the Thyroid Uptake Scan. It should tell if you need treatment.
__________________ TTC #1 since 10/05.
February 2008: M/C - 8w1d (fetal bradycardia)
March 2009: chemical pg. Out of options, out of hope. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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Hi Sandra,
That seems like quite the jump in levels. I know with all my TSH results in the last 3 years they have been 3.2 or higher. I know it's about time I get my anual blood work done but I have been avoiding it due to not knowing where we are relocating to. I should find out in a few days(dh is in California right now) and at the point I will decide how I want to persue treatment/testing.
Good Luck with the Gastroenterologist and let me know how things work out.
I have normal TSH, but ended up on thyroid meds after seeing a doctor that uses Vega testing. I've been on it for about a year and a half, and it's definetly what I needed. It made a difference in my depression in under a week. So, normal TSH means squat, in my opinion.
look under the tab that says WTS Physicians, you might be able to find a doctor there.
__________________ -diagnosed October 2002
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TSH levels in Canada. 
Bump! 
