I recently had a blood test for various things & my TSH reading was 4.310, which I see is just slightly high. My doctor was not concerned, but I have not been feeling well generally & wonder if I could still have a thyroid problem. I have such a mixed set of symptoms though - constipation (since last September), a weird unhappy dragging feeling in my guts (sort of like a machine that's lacking oil is the best I can describe it), lower back pain, pain in my hips, an inner tremble, increased thirst, swollen glands on each side of my throat, anxiety, sleep problems. My grandmother had a thyroid problem - I think it was underactive, but I'm not sure. I'm female, 55 & have always been in excellent health, so this is all a bit odd.
You almost certainly have a thyroid problem. Your doctor is wrong not to be concerned. Unfortunately doctors put too much stock in the reference ranges for thyroid tests, which are very, very wide when each individual has a very narrow "normal" of their own. If your TSH is above 3 you will almost certainly benefit from treatment.
Even if it is normal it doesn't mean it is normal for you! If I woke up measuring 5ft4 I would be a very normal, and perfectly respectable, height. But it wouldn't be normal for me! I would have lost 2 inches!!!! See where I'm coming from? It's all very well saying your TSH is normal, but if it's not normal for you it is meaningless.
You might be able to persuade your GP to give you a trial of thyroxine, especially given your family history, but he may want to do another test in a couple of months just to rule out a viral infection or something (a virus can raise your TSH).
Whatever you do, don't give up. You have all the symptoms, a family history and a TSH that is slightly high. Next time you get it tested, go first thing in the morning when TSH is highest. You are more likely to get a diagnosis then.
I hope things go well with your doctor. Let us know how you get on
Thanks for this. You've given me the confidence to go back to my GP to discuss it further. The thing I am most concerned about is the feeling in my gut added to the constipation (worst case scenario in my head, of course!). Is this sort of feeling a symptom of a problem with the thyroid?
It can be but it would be wise to get it checked out anyway in case it is unrelated. Hypothyroidism does cause a whole host of symptoms so it may be that.
beany, this is very typical. Menopause brings on so many hormonal problems and then you find you may be hypothyroid. A TSH THAT high for those of us already on thyroid hormone would be walking zombies. But in some countries even YOUR level would be considered needing treatment. It's hard to completely designate whether it is your thyroid gland failing or your adrenal gland putting stress on your thyroid or the other way around. Being thirsty isn't always a symptom so perhaps you may have a sugar problem. It certainly sounds hormonal in any event and these are some of the tests that might be considered.
Many thanks for this. From reading all the various websites & pieces of information like yours, I realise this is a huge & complex subject. So many people seem to suffer SO much.
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