Tsh level raised

[Carol-g]

My Docter says that my tsh levels which came back at 5,7 doesn't require any treatment ? What should I ask for next

[galathea]

Well, tsh on its own doesnT tell the doctor very much... Really with a raised tsh you need to know if you have a low level of free t4 and if you have any antibodies. If you have antibodies then its not going to get better on its own and you need replacement hormones as soon as possible.

A tsh of 5.7 would be treated everywhere in the world, apart from the uk.. Leaving you to suffer is cruel.

Suggest you list your symptoms and request a trial of thyroid hormones or a referral to a endocrinologist.

Xx. G

[Anke88]

Functional medicine doctors would look for a TSH of 1.5 and FT3 snd FT4 at the high end of the range. Good D3, Ferritin and cortisol.

[faith63 in reply to Anke88]

I would hope a functional medicine doctor would not rely on labs for monitoring thyroid meds, but symptoms. I pray that you are wrong.

[Anke88 in reply to faith63]

Yes, they will of course look at symptoms. But a TSH of 5.7 is a warning sign that should not be ignored.

[faith63 in reply to Anke88]

Agree. The whole medical profession has lost their minds!

[shaws Administrator]

Galathea is right about a TSH of 5+. These are some links for you and you can get a private blood test if you are able:-

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

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

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

Click on the lef-hand side and look at 'About the Thyroid' which will give a list of topic, i.e. hypothyroid and within is a list of symptoms which you can print-out, and also antibodies which will be self-explanatory.

We have to read and learn, unfortunately, if you want to recover your health and your GP is wrong not to medicate you but it's down to the inexplicable guidelines which say not to medicate until the TSH is 10. It's a lot of non-sense as it isn't sensible.

[shaws Administrator]

If you can afford a private consultation, email [e-mail] who has a list of sympathetic doctors.

[hose1975]

The NHS Clinical Knowledge Summaries (used by GPs) states that in subclinical hypothyroidism free T4 should be tested:

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

The rest of it's mostly crap that would leave you feeling really ill, but it should at least make your GP have your free T4 tested.

[Gismo333]

How do you feel, any symptoms? If you have then try to print this off and show him:PE01463DrAToft.pdf you should find it on the net. Dr Toft introduced these blood tests and T4 therapy but now he is saying that T3 should be given as well and the GP should look at patients symptoms and not just by the blood. Remember to tell him this Dr now Sir Anthony Toft introduced the blood test he is using

[Carol-g in reply to Gismo333]

I've got all the symptoms , the thing is I actually cycle 28 miles to and from work so I do know that my bodie is telling me something isn't right , and it's been for the last 4 to 6 months that I've been feeling like this , my go also mentioned chronic fatigue ? , don't think it's that .

[Gismo333 in reply to Carol-g]

Carol chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia and ME are all underactive thyroid symptoms. I had them all and now don't have them at all as my thyroid is balanced. On Amazon you can order Dr Peatfields book "The Great Thyroid Scandal and How to Survive it", my story is Case 1 study in there. It is a self help book and will give you the understanding of what is going on. You will be more educated than your doctor when you have read it. I don't know where you are but if in the UK there is a very good clinic in Belgium I go to Dr Theirry Hertoghe.

[Carol-g]

Thanks for the reply , my gp has requested blood for for anti- bodies in two weeks time also another tsh . When I mentioned treatment he told that it wasn't a good idea and that doctors have actually been struck off due to giving patients thyroxine because of the side affects and that it can cause heart problems . He also didn't have a clue about. The hormone. T3 and said he would need outside help . so here's luck to me !!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Carol-g]

Time to find a doctor with a clue - perhaps he doesn't know he is lying about the effects to thyroxine (untreated hypo is likely to cause heart disease, though). Doesn't he know how to read research articles? Not having the nous to look something up when you don't know the answer is pathetic.

[galathea in reply to Carol-g]

No they haven't.... He is getting mixed up. A couple of doctors have been summoned before the gmc when their colleagues reported them for treating supposedly inappropriately... But the patients had no complaints.

[faith63 in reply to Carol-g]

Please do what Shaws says and get the name of another doctor. This one will continue to leave you ill.

[Nun23]

My tsh level is 5.7 and doctor says no big deal. Do I need to seek medical advise or let it go?