Confused with thyroid tests

[Gillybabe48]

I have just had my test results back. My Tsh 0.09 t4 21 t3 5.1. I am worried my TSH is too low. I have been aching in my bones and seem weak in the thigh area and now shoulders. Are my results going towards hyperactive. Some days I feel very overactive and talkative and then I feel exhausted and unmotivated.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Gillybabe48 It's hard to comment without the reference ranges. Can you add them to your post please. That way we can see if your results are in range or whether you are over medicated. Your TSH is low but it still could be in range.

Did you get the tests done that were suggested in your previous post?

[Gillybabe48 in reply to SeasideSusie]

No. I think my doctor may think I was telling him hid job.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Gillybabe48]

I don't see how asking for something to be tested is telling him how to do his job. The importance of the tests was pointed out for thyroid hormone to work properly, also how low levels can cause some of the symptoms you are experiencing.

If you are in the UK you can get those tests done with a home fingerprick test very easily and reasonably priced. All of us here have discovered how important it is to help ourselves where our thyroid health is concerned. However, it is your call.

As already mentioned, it's not possible to say if you are over medicated as you've not put the ranges for all the tests, and as Greygoose says "as long as the Frees are in range" so you might want to ask your surgery about the ranges for those tests.

[greygoose]

Did you have your test done early in the morning, and fasting?

It doesn't really matter how low the TSH goes, as long as the Frees are in range, so don't worry about that.

[Gillybabe48 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your advice. yes I did fast.

[Gillybabe48]

Thank you. You have put my mind at rest. The t4 and t3 do seem to be upper end of normal.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Gillybabe48]

The TSH is used as a tool but once on Thyroid Hormone Replacements, the main issue is resolving clinical symptoms so I don't think too much worry about the TSH is necessary. Rumours abound about low or suppressed TSH but thyroid cancer patients do have sufficient hormones to suppress the TSH and they don't appear to develop other problems.

Read the second question/answer on the following link:

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[JMHW]

I think it is important to take notice of your symptoms. I have been on levo 50 mcg for years and my TSH and T4 are mid-range, whch is not what most people on this site recommmend as people are encouraged to have very low TSH. However, whenever I have tried a slightly higher dose of levo, and my TSH goes down, I feel very hyper and absolutely terrible. So I stay on the dose that feels right for me physically and mentally. I am well and not gaining weight.

Discuss your symptoms with your doctor and find a dose and a TSH level that you feel OK at, the numbers are not a measure of health, how you feel is!

[Gillybabe48 in reply to JMHW]

Thank you so much for your help. I do not feel well with my Tsh 0.09 I must admit. My bones feel very weak if I stand for long and now joint pain in shoulder.

[JMHW]

You need to discuss your bone pains etc with your doctor. I am not an expert but my own doctor has discussed the bone implications of too high a dose of levo: speeding up the metabolism can mean you lose calcium too quickly and there is a risk of osteoporosis. That's why making sure you have enough calcium and vit. D is important, so get levels of those tested! My doctor ran those tests and gave me vit. D on prescription for this reason. Please do take your own experience seriously, not everyone is the same and if you don't feel well at this level, then maybe your dose is too high.

[Gillybabe48 in reply to JMHW]

Thank you so much for your help I will certainly see my doctor now.