What is the Normal Upper limit for TSH.

[nhsnhs]

My Tsh last year was 2.2 , but I had all the classic symptom of hypo thyroidism . I tested this year it is now 4.84. I gained 7 kg, got more severe symptoms.

I noted the administrator has commented that TSH 2.2 need checking for thyroid autoantibodies in a recent post.

Infact I was told by my gp I just need retesting in 6/12!!!!

I now have been started on 50microgram after insisting to the gp that both my sister are hypo and I have sev symptom. I don't think the nhs upper limit is correct.

What would be the best way to increase the dose . I would be very grateful if the administrator advise.

Thank you .

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Nhsnhs.

There's no upper limit to TSH but yours should drop now you are taking Levothyroxine. You should have a thyroid blood test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine to check levels as dose may need adjusting. Dose increases are usually in 25mcg increments every 6-8 weeks until TSH is around 1.0.

[humanbean]

Assuming you want to know what the top of the reference range is, then in the UK most of the reference ranges I have seen have levels set at approximately 4.5 - 5.5 at the top.

[waveylines]

Ask the receptionist at your GP surgery for a print out of your blood test results -the range for your TSH for the labs in your area should be in brackets next to your actual results. Lab ranges can vary a little from area to area.

It's a good idea to keep a copy of results in a file as they can be useful to look back on for patterns and trends. I would still ask your GP for the anti body tests to be done.

[Hidden]

Hello nhsnhs,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear that you are not feeling well.

The initial dose of Levothyroxine takes 7/8 days to be absorbed before it starts working and then up to another 6 weeks to wholly saturate the body which will only tolerate small increases at any one time.

Your doctor should retest your thyroid hormone levels after 6 weeks and adjust the dose according to results. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status and for most people that means TSH just above or below 1.0.

Symptoms can lag behind good biochemistry by 6-8 weeks.

Leave 24 hours between last dose and blood draw and try to have the blood draw early in the morning when TSH is highest.

People with thyroid issues often have vitamin deficiencies and it is recommended that you have tests for B12, vit D, folate and ferritin as optimum levels are required to ensure thyroid meds are absorbed.

It is important to take your pill on an empty stomach with a glass of water, 1 hour before food, 2 hours before supplements and 4 hours before calcium, iron or vit D supplements.

Depending on how long your hypothyroidism has remained undiagnosed, your symptoms may continue for a while, but be assured that you should start to see an improvement once you are wholly medicated.

Flower007

[Hidden]

The nhs upper limit is not correct at all and an increasing number of people including the man who invented the tsh test are saying that the tsh is a poor diagnostic toll and that symptoms give a much better idea of the state of someones thyroid especially pulse and temp both of which will be low. A lot of people feel better with a tsh of one but a lot of people need theirs lower and even suppressed.

Ask for antibodies to be tested also vit d, vit b12, ferritin and folate need to be good for thyroid function. Keep comming back to forum for support it will probably take a while to get well and a lot of debates with your doctor.

[Stourie in reply to Hidden]

The man, can't remember his name, didn't mean for doctors to use the tsh as the only diagnosis for thyroid problems.

[Muffy]

what time of day did you gave your blood drawn? Early in the day gives different results from later in the day.