Thyroid level 6

[Roz123]

Hi just had routine bloods done and thyroid came back level 6 - doctor wants to retest in 6 weeks as should be under 4, he says. Why the retest? Also said my cholesterol is 5.5 and should be 5.2. Anyone know?

[Hidden]

Presumably you have just started on thyroxine or doctor has increased medication. The 6 week re-test is usually to see how well you are doing on the level of medication you are receiving or the increased dose you have had. It takes 6 weeks for the thyroxine to get into the system, hence the re-test. When re-tested the doctor will then make adjustments to the thyroxine or leave it as it is, depending on the TSH result.

As for cholesterol, don't know if 5.2 is the national standard or what - never heard of it. My cholesterol is 6.2 but the ratio of good and bad HDL/LDL is good so its being left my decision) with no statins. Cholesterol is linked to hypothyroidism, so when you are well medicated is should come down on its own.

Hope this helps

[Roz123 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I haven't been put on any medication as yet. Doctor just said to come back in 6 weeks for a retest. Can this change or is it borderline or something?

[PinkNinja]

It is normal to retest because a high TSH could be a result of something temporary such as a virus. By testing in 6 weeks, he will be able to see if it is still high and whether to treat. If it is a virus, your TSH should come back down. If it is the early stages of hypothyroidism, your TSH will still be high and possibly even higher in which case you should be treated.

It is best to have your test first thing when your TSH is highest, that way you are more likely to get treatment sooner rather than later.

I hope that helps

Carolyn x

[Roz123 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thanks, when reading up on thyroid I had all the signs but didn't realise this. So obviously the doctor must have suspected when she arranged these tests for me. We will see.