Drkidd

[drkidd]

Hi everyone, I am from Ohio State. I have a question about my labs. My tsh was 3.5 and I have no antibodies. Do I have Hashimoto's or do I just have regular hypothyroid caused by x-rays from 20 years of not covering my neck from the x-ray machine. I am taking .25 synthroid. Thank you.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Drkidd.

If you have no antibodies you are negative for Hashimoto's. Hypothyroidism isn't caused by dental X-rays but some people think a thyroid shield should be worn when X-rayed to protect against thyroid cancer.

If you've been taking 25mcg Synthyroid for more than 6 weeks and your TSH is still 3.5 you are under medicated. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[drkidd in reply to Clutter]

Thank you so much for replying I have been on synthroid for 4 years and I started out with a 5.6 then they medicated me and went down to a 1.5 and then a 1.9 and then a 2.5 and now a 3.5 currently and I'm on the same dosage that I was 4 years ago. But my doctor said I'm within the range of normal which in the states it's .42 to 4.5. How should I approach my doctor and not disrespect her knowledge of the subject?

[Clutter in reply to drkidd]

Drkidd,

You could point out that 0.42 - 1.0 is also within normal range and most people need TSH 1.0 or lower to feel well and you'd like to trial 50mcg to see if symptoms improve.

[drkidd in reply to Clutter]

Ok great. I will ask. Ok one question. If I don't have Hashimoto's, what type of hypo do I have. In my family there are 3 girls and my mom that have hypothroidism.

[Clutter in reply to drkidd]

Drkidd,

If you had high TSH at diagnosis you have primary hypothyroidism due to failure of the thyroid gland. 10% of hypothyroidism is congenital or due to thyroidectomy or RAI and the rest is idiopathic ie due to no known cause.

[Learner1 in reply to drkidd]

Hmm... your doctor is using an outdated TSH range. Out on the west coast the high end of the range is 2.5 or 3.0 as they figured out the people above that were being counted as normal when they actually were hypothyroid.

You are definitely under medicated. Tell your doctor to get up with the times...

[drkidd]

Thank you so much for answering my questions. I have gluten cut out of my life but began eating it to test for hashimotos thryoid. So since I don't have hashimotos, I will eat gluten .

[drkidd]

I think it is to high too. I have mystery muscle pain. Thanks for replying.

[catrich]

Don't think there is enough evidence to warrant a ' probably the x-rays' statement. :-;

[lindabcampbell]

hi i`am in calif if you look at your blood test if it read no anti bodies thats a good thing your 3.5 is probably is your normal number for you mind is 6.24 i was taking natural thyroid (amour) at stanford their tsh is 0.40-4.0 now i`ve been to other hospital that have different numbers there the book numbers and the number your body works good at i take 60 mg of amour my stanford endo wanted to add 15 mg more after a while my number was too low for me 0.30 and now i`am back on 60 mg when you go on a replacement your hashimotos should be gone i also don`t eat anything with gluten in it that helps your body

[DellFinium]

I can recommend a good doctor in OH, but depends on where you are. If you PM me I can send details.