TSH altering levels

[Mechele]

Hi can anyone clear up some confusion. My Tsh level was high over several months. I have just come out of the Acute Medical Unit yet again. This time my TSH level is 1.35. My health is declining yet the Hospital Doctor says this is normal.

Is this level normal?

Mechele

[greygoose]

Well, it's ok. But, it isn't even half the story. Your TSH could be absolutely perfect (whatever that is) but it doesn't tell you if your FT4 and FT3 are good, or if you're converting, or if you have nutritional deficiencies. To be perfectly honest, it doesn't even tell you if you're pituitary is working correctly, and TSH is a pituitary hormone! So many things can disrupt it.

What you need are :

TSH (because they always do that, anyway, can't get round it)

FT4

FT3 (the actual thyroid hormones)

TPOab

TgAB (these two are antibodies that will tell you if you have Hashi's)

Vit D

vit B12

folate

ferritin (these nutrients - and a few more - all have to be optimal for your body to use thyroid hormone. And they're likely to be low if you're hypo)

You could get all these done privately with a pîn-prick test. Details are on the home page of TUK. It costs money, and we shouldn't have to do them ourselves, the NHS is supposed to be there for that. But... if you get them done, at least you will know exactly where you are.

[Mechele in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose

Thanks for the quick response. Will get the antibodies and ferriten prick test done.

My vit d folate etc are all low.

Mechele

[shaws Administrator in reply to Mechele]

Also have blood tests at the very earliest possible, and fasting although you can drink water.

[Clutter]

Mechele,

TSH 1.35 is unequivocally euthyroid (normal) in primary hypothyroidism but doesn't identify secondary hypothyroidism which is indicated by low FT4 and low-normal TSH. Ask your GP to check FT4 in addition to TSH. Serious illness and surgery can cause TSH to rise because FT3 drops to slow down metabolism to aid recovery.

[Mechele in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter. Will update he group later

[humanbean]

Some useful links on private testing :

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

If you already know your nutrient levels are low you should post them in a new post and ask for feedback. Doctors rarely prescribe sufficient levels of supplements to actually fix a deficiency. In some cases they prescribe the wrong supplement altogether.

The tests that may be of use to you, that can be done with finger-prick testing :

Thyroid check plus 6 : bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/P...

Thyroid check plus 10 : bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/T...

Thyroid Check plus 11 : bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/T...