Tsh 6.8 doc says is normal

[imok]

Am I right in thinking 6.8 is not normal

[foreversummer]

It sounds high, but did he tell you the range. (The numbers in brackets after the 6.8?). If not phone the doctors or the lab that did the test to find out.

Foreversummer

[shaws Administrator]

He might think your TSH is normal (I think most on this forum would think it abnormal) and if you were in some countries with a TSH of around 3 you would be given thyroid hormones.

Because the BTA guidelines say not to prescribe until the TSH is 10 (what rubbish) most doctors follow this disregarding any clinical symptoms presented by the patient so we just suffer till the 'magic' number is reached. Also they appear to be unaware that clinical symptoms is the reason we go to the GP in the first place.

Some links for you. It would have been good if your GP did a Free T3 blood test but have been guided that 'it's not necessary'. Strange, isn't it, that the T3 is the active hormone that drives our metabolism, and cannot do so if it is insufficient but few of us get this blood test. You can have it done privately.

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

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

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

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

Always get a copy of your blood tests with the ranges from the surgery. The ranges are important as labs differ throughout the country.

If/when you are on levothyroxine, leave a gap of around 24 hours after taking levo before the blood test and take levo afterwards, not before as it will skew your results and they might adjust your hormones which will not be good for you. Also have the test as early as possible.

[imok in reply to shaws]

I did request a full test but the doc just didn't seem to want to give the results I had to force the 6.8 out of her only to hear a lecture on diet and regular eating. I quickly reminded my main complaint is tiredness and sleep problems but she only wanted to focus on my weight.

[foreversummer in reply to imok]

You have every right to have your test results. Sometimes we are to be forceful to get them sadly.

Ring the reception at your surgery and ask that your test results be printed out for you. If they won't print them out (my surgery won't) ask them to be read them out over the phone. My surgery gets the practice nurse to ring me with mine as they do not feel able to read them out (silly really).

Just remember, you have a right to have them and your are not being a nuisance by asking.

Foreversummer

[imok]

Oh why are doctors so good at making is feel stupid. Last I heard the treatment stage was 5.5 so my eyes lit up at 6.8 and I was brought back down to earth. I self treated for a month as a test and felt fantastic but wanted to do it right as we want to expand our family.

[Clutter in reply to imok]

Imok, make sure your GP knows you are planning to conceive. NICE reccommends the TSH of women planning to conceive or newly pregnant should be in the low normal range of 0.4-2.0 with FT4 in the top 75% of range. Levothyroxine is usually increased by 25-50mcg when pregnancy is confirmed to ensure good foetal development as the foetus is entirely dependent on maternal hormone.

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

[imok]

It's a bit ridiculous to go to a doctor with symptoms test show reason for symptoms and not be treated. It's very frustrating. I lost half my family because of their disgust at my weight, or I'm probably better off but that's an awful lot of pain that could have been prevented years ago never mind all of the endless symptoms I have!

[shaws Administrator in reply to imok]

I don't know why your family should turn their back on your because of your weight. Love accepts people as they are, not as how they would like them to be or look.

Your GP obviously is another who has no knowledge of clinical symptoms. Unexplained weight gain, I would think, is the most common complaint by members plus the 300 other symptoms. It is a disabling whole body experience if we aren't medicated properly.

hormonerestoration.com/

Can you change your doctor otherwise the one you've got might well cause you to have more serious diseases.

[imok in reply to shaws]

I'm thinking about possibly calling and requesting to see the head doc in the surgery.

As for the family they are a law unto themselves. They seem to think my lack of appetite is in my head and that I'm secretly running for the fridge all day. Yet another symptom, absolutely no appetite.

[shaws Administrator in reply to imok]

Has your antibodies been checked. Just for information - this young woman had clear clinical symptoms and not one of any doctor could recognise (and before the 60's without blood tests she would have been and treated).

hypothyroidmom.com/my-daugh...

We have to read and learn in order to get back to good health despite the guidelines.

[imok]

I did self treat as a test for just a few weeks and I felt amazing which is why I'm so bummed now.

[greygoose]

The TSH of a person with absolutely no thyroid problems is between 0.8 and 1.25. That's normal! Not 6.8. I doubt if that is even in the range. Have a look here :

saragottfriedmd.com/thyroid...

You are entitled to your lab results by law. If you search further on here you will find more information on how to obtain them.

Hugs, Grey