High tsh

[Ariadne43]

Ok, bit of a rambling story. I posted here before as docs were freaking at my low tsh level (0.02) range (0.3-4.5). I have been having issues this past few years with gall bladder and was put on surgery list however this has been postponed this past year due to poor thyroid levels. My gp had intially lowered my dosage to 25 mcg and then up to 50 mcg over a period of months. My tsh level at reading last week was 29.80! The only other reading I got was the T4 which is 10.2 range (10.6-22.7). I was just wondering how long it will it take to get my levels sorted. The weight gain bothers me greatly. I have to comply until I get surgery and then I am going to sort my own medicine out as the doctors are making me unwell!

[Clutter]

Ariadne,

You are terribly under medicated to have TSH 29.80 and FT4 below range.. You won't get surgery with high TSH. Anaesthetist will probably want TSH between 1-2. It is usual to adjust dose in 25 mcg every six weeks until TSH is normal but your GP could increase dose to 100mcg and then retest 6 weeks later.

Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[Ariadne43 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter, doc has increased and have to wait for tests again. So frustrating though as Im in pain.

[Hidden in reply to Clutter]

I'm confused Clutter. Why would an anaesthetist be concerned about TSH?

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Because the anaesthetist is responsible for your life while in theatre.

They do know that low and high thyroid hormone levels have major effects on your body, and how it will respond to surgery and anaesthesia. The excess risks from both high and low thyroid levels are unacceptable and, aside from how it affects you and your outcome, their careers would be in jeopardy if they go ahead with very inappropriate thyroid levels.

We have seen some anaesthetists being more thyroid-aware than some endocrinologists.

[Hidden]

I found this about hyperthyroid disease. Elective procedures should be deferred until the disease is well-controlled. The best guess about a how well hyperthyroidism is controlled isn't a reliance on TSH surely

[Ariadne43]

Thanks for your replies. I could understand the anaesthetist wouldnt do it if I was overactive but I suppose they have to stick to their acceptable ranges. In the meantime I am feeling poorly, and the thought of more weeks of gallbladder pain just fill me with despair but I know I will just have to suffer on. It annoys me too that this pain has gone on for over 2 years......literally the day after thyroidectomy. I have been badly managed from the start but hopefully can get back to good health again