Hi,
I'm not on meds just yet as my TSH has gone from 6 to 3.44 in last couple of tests. Dr wanted to wait till middle of May before retesting (about 8weeks) but I'm impatient. Tempted to have them done next week but should I just wait? What would I be waiting for, any idea? My TPO ab's are v high (1300) so I know I have autoimmune.
Thanks
misslissa,
If you have Hashimotos (high thyroid antibodies), your TSH will vary anyway.
As the thyroid gland is attacked it secretes vast amounts of hormone onto the blood stream making you feel hyper and lowering your TSH. In between attacks you will feel less hyper and more hypo, and your TSH will rise.
Medicating thyroid hormone replacement will suppress Hashi attacks so keeping TSH balanced and making you feeling better. I don't know what your doctor is waiting for ! ! ..
It is imperative to reduce the thyroid antibodies count so reducing inflammation in the body which can impair good thyroid function. Many members find a gluten free diet helps.
chriskresser.com/the-thyroi...
Thank you, that would make sense as I do seem to have peaks and troughs at the minute.
Ok, I'll book my tests. So to get a true TSH reading is it better to be tested when struggling the most? I've heard others say that TSH results are almost on a delay? So blood tests indicate how you were doing a couple of weeks earlier? Is that right?
Misslissa,
T4 medication (thyroid hormone replacement) has a long half life which means it takes a while to saturate each cell in the body, which is why there is a six week delay between a dose change & blood test but you are not medicating.
In the absence of adequate thyroid hormones TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) secreted by the pituitary tells the thyroid gland to secrete more.
Therefore, when thyroid hormones are low, the TSH raises. There is no delay in the TSH measurement level and you would see a higher TSH during a Hashi attack. It is quite ridiculous that your GP appears not to know this. If you are symptomatic, tell him and give him a copy of the TUK info on thyroid function & Hashimotos.
Hashimotos is a progressive autoimmune disease and with one TSH reading of 6.0, it is a waiting game until considered ill enough ( in your GP's eyes) to warrant meds but many GP's will prescribe Levothyoxine with a TSH > 5.0 when clearly symptomatic.
.
Hypothyroidism thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Thyroid Antibodies thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
Getting a diagnosis thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/diagno...
Hashimotos thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
If your antibodies are high you have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimotos therefore your doctor should have prescribed levothyroxine. He is going by your TSH alone, like most doctors seem to do.
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
When getting a blood test for thyroid hormones it should be the very earliest possible and don't eat before it although you can drink water. If you are on thyroid hormones (levo or others) you leave approx 24 hours between your last dose and the test. This allows your TSH to be at its highest as it drops throughout the day and doctors usually only take notice of the TSH.
Ask too for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be tested as we are usually deficient.
Always get a print-out of your results for your own records and you can post if you have a query for comments. Levo should be taken when you get up with 1 glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. Or, you can take it at bedtime - last having eaten about 2 to 2.5 hours earlier. (if having a blood test next morning miss the bedtime dose and take after test and you can take night dose as usual.
I am not medically qualified just have my own experience to go by.
Thank you, he has requested b12, folate but I had Vit d which was ok.
I was initially prescribed 25mg of levo but my TSH had fluctuated down from 6 to 3.44 within a couple of weeks so Dr suggested we run more tests before I started them.
Hi Misslissa, doctors are very nervous about treating thyroid because they just Don't know enough about it. They keep testing in the hope it will just go away!
TSH levels vary throughout the day. It is highest first thing in the moring, and then drops gradually. It also drops after eating. So, to get the highest TSH - and force your doctor's hand - it's best to have the test early in the morning - before 9 o'clock - and fasting. Just drink water. And always have your tests done around the same time, otherwise you can't compare them.
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