I have just had a blood test which states my TSH levels are 10.7. My Free T4 is 10.9

[Suzy61Taylor]

As yet I have not seen my GP for a follow up. I am an ultra marathon runner and over the last few months all my 'symptoms' I have put down to over training. Are my TSH levels along with my T4 result likely to be under active Thyroid problems? I'm trying to gleen as much info as possible before I see my GP next week

[alangardner]

hi suzy . firstly it would be useful if you gave the lab ranges for the tests , as many labs use different ranges on the tests , so that you can get an informed opinion from the good people on this site , to get you on the right road .....secondly have you ever been sponsored on your ultra marathons .... and if you have or are have you ever considered our site THYROID UK ----- it is a registered charity ----- and would be extremely grateful for any donations that can be gained ....... all or any donations would be helpful to all of us that use this brilliant site and give the volunteers a super personal boost .......alan x

[Suzy61Taylor in reply to alangardner]

Thanks alan. I will give this some serious thought when I compete in Comrades in South Africa this June.

[LouiseRoberts in reply to Suzy61Taylor]

Hi Suzy

If you did decide to run for TUK - that would be great!

Louise

x

[shaws Administrator]

This is some information which you may find helpfu

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Suzy61Taylor in reply to shaws]

Thank you Shaws

[rosetrees]

Assuming the usual ranges your doctor should start you on thyroxine without any arguments or doubts. I think all doctors will start treatment with a TSH as high as yours. Yes, I would think with thyroid levels like yours it is very likely that any symptoms you have are thyroid related. Do you find yourself tiring more easily than usual? Have a lower body temperature, cold hands and feet?

With luck, going on thyroxine will help a lot. Make sure your doctor also measures your Vit B12, Vit D, iron, folate and ferritin levels as these need to be will in range for thyroid meds to work effectively. Low B12 levels can mimic the symptoms of hypothyroidism and low iron also makes you feel pants (personal experience).

We thyroidies rarely need just one thing only. It's a balancing act, so try and get your doc on board from the start with a full blood test. Finally, and again from personal experience, I tell everyone to get their kidney function measured. Poor functions seems to me to go hand in hand with hypo. I have been taking alpha lipoic acid which appears to have made a positive impact on my kidney function.

[Suzy61Taylor in reply to rosetrees]

Thank you rose trees for your reply. The 'normal' ranges given were as follows: (0.35 - 4.5) for TSH. (11 - 24) for T4.

My results were 10.7 for TSH and 10.9 for T4.

Yes, I most certainly do feel increasingly tired, especially these last few months, but all the symptoms I present I always put down to my training and possible 'over training' and getting older. Most days I find it impossible to survive the day without a cat nap in the afternoon and by early evening I'm asleep again.

I do run a great deal and its my passion, but my times have been getting slower and the down side of long runs is my much longer recovery time.

I eat a really healthy, clean diet with almost nil in the way of processed foods. I'm sure I have a sugar intolerance (headaches and tiredness) and suffer at cost if I succumb to a glass of wine.

Despite all my weight bearing exercises and healthy diet I was diagnosed with osteoporosis 3 years ago with significant thinning of bone in my hips and spine. (My father had severe osteoporosis).

The only reason I now have this info to hand on my bloods is due to a health check, needed for my race in South Africa 1st June 2014. I will be running Comrades which is a 56 mile ultra marathon. This news has come as a big surprise along with a detected heart murmur which is also under investigation. Sometimes ignorance is bliss!

I do take your point on getting a true balance of all organ functions, as the thyroid is just one part of the endocrine system. One system out of sync always effects another.

Thanks again and any other information would be much appreciated

[rosetrees in reply to Suzy61Taylor]

Have you considered that you might also have adrenal problems? Some of those symptoms could be adrenal as well as (or instead of) thyroid. Hypothyroidism and hypoadrenalism tend to go together. There's a good adrenal questionnaire here adrenalfatigue.org/take-the...

I had the 24 hour saliva cortisol test done by Genova UK. Fortunately, I had it done before I started any adrenal treatment. It might be worth you having it done before you start on medication and supplementation.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Suzy61Taylor]

I think over-training can cause a rise in RT3, which could well trigger high TSH - not sure about the low T4. It can also cause adrenal problems, which often go hand in hand with thyroid problems (used to be a competitive body builder ...)