Newbie needing Help with Interpreting Thyroid T... - Thyroid UK

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Newbie needing Help with Interpreting Thyroid Test Results

Trixie_73 profile image
3 Replies

Hi,

I've just managed to get my last 2 Thyroid results from my doctor.

Ranges: TSH - 0.35-5.5 / Free T4 9-24

18/2/13 TSH 4.64 / Free T4 14.2

25/11/13 TSH 6.17 / Free T4 14.4

I need to go back for another test in a month - is there anything extra I should be asking for, I'm fed up of going to the doctors being made to feel like a hyperchondriac with the list of symptoms I have!! Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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Trixie_73
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galathea profile image
galathea

Well, you should really be treated, what is the doctor playing at? Dr toft, who is a well renowned endocrinologist, has produced a book in conjunction with the bma. He advocates treatment before you get too ill and lies too much ground. The book is called understanding thyroid and its available in chemists or on amazon for about £5.

It might swing it f you ask fr a trial of medication, and also refer your doctor to the press release from the society for endocrinology, which says a tsh of more than 4 could possibly put you at increased risk of heart problems. endocrinology.org/press/pre...

Xx

Trixie_73 profile image
Trixie_73

Thanks Galathea, I'm finding it hard to get a doctor to listen to me. Even my partner says it would be quicker to got through the Hypothyroid symptoms and tick what I don't have!! I only got a test thanks to a Locum doctor late last year! I'll definitely give the book a read!

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

This is an excerpt:-

The 2006 Thyroid Function Test Guidelines state, “There is no evidence to support the benefit of routine early treatment with thyroxine in non-pregnant patients with a serum TSH above the reference range but <10mU/L.” which in layman’s terms means that patients who have a TSH of less than 10 need not be treated because it doesn’t help. However, they also state that, “Physicians may wish to consider the suitability of a therapeutic trial of thyroxine on an individual patient basis.”

If your TSH test is above the range but less than 10, it might be an idea to discuss these Guidelines with your doctor as it may persuade him to give you a trial of thyroxine. In our experience, patients with signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism who have a normal TSH and low normal FT4 also benefit from a trial of thyroxine.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...

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