Surprise at GP

[Calceolaria]

had an appt this morning about gut/urgency issues and finally got round to asking what my very first TSH reading was, in August 2021, 3 months post hip replacement surgery. My understanding was that I was borderline - I didn’t even know what that was! I was retested six weeks later and a bit higher, enough to medicate. I was started on 50mcg and even now am only on 75mcgs.

The GP today said I had been 5.8, then corrected and said 58.3! I said was it not remarkable that 50 then 75mcgs brought that down to 0.65 or whatever my latest reading is? She said yes, I’d done very well. Does this sound right? It all baffles me at the best of times so perhaps I’m just not getting any more knowledgeable after all!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

When were Ft4, Ft3, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

What vitamin supplements are you taking

[Calceolaria in reply to SlowDragon]

Apologies for late reply. My last tests were late April and all more less fine. D has improved a lot but with room to improve, ditto folate perhaps via B12 and I’m still working on slow supplementing of B12 - the stuff is still like rocket fuel to me so I’m taking 1/4 tablet every few days.

[greygoose]

No, that doesn't sound right. No way can a TSH of over 50 be called 'borderline'. I think she needs new glasses!

[FallingInReverse]

Well as GG said - your doctor either needs glasses or has no idea what “borderline” means.

But here’s my history - which supports the notion that a little Levo can drop sky high TSH in a short time.

Pre diagnosis

May 2018 TSH 2.9

August 2022 TSH 85

Diagnosis and treatment: Put and kept on 50 Levo through next 2 readings.

Nov 2022 TSH 2.049

June 2023 TSH 1.41

So 50 Levo did indeed drop any TSH of 85 to 2 in 3 months!

[Calceolaria in reply to FallingInReverse]

Many thanks for this.