Thyroid results

[salsapixie]

Hi,I got my last Thyroid results. Apparently they only do TSH now unless it's not in range. TSH is 5.4. It is probably in "normal" but not "optimal range". I do open water swimming but have been feeling the cold from the water a lot more than normal. I don't wear a wetsuit but didn't feel the cold much last year.

[salsapixie]

Oh and I'm on 75 micrograms of levothyroxine

[shaws Administrator]

You cannot be well with a TSH of 5.4 you need more hormones to brng your TSH to 1 or lower. You don't need other blood tests if your TSH is high and you are symptomatic.

The problem in the UK, is the 'powers that (shouldn't) be stipulate that before being diagnosed the TSH should reach 10. Therefore 5.4 sounds 'low' but it is the top of the range and should be 1 if we have been diagnosed and given levo. Is the doctor not aware that she could cause other problems to arise if dose is too low.

You can say you've had advice from the NHS Choices for info on dysfunctions of the thyroid gland and have been advised an increase is due to try to prevent heart problems or osteo.

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

The reason for taking thyroid hormones is to relieve symptoms not to keep our TSH at the top of the range. In other countries they diagnose and treat if TSH reaches 3+

[salsapixie in reply to shaws]

I'm going to book in with my own G.P. who is the one who diagnosed me despite results going between borderline and normal. The cold tolerance is really bothering me. Last year I was too warm within about 15 mins of getting out of the water. This year, I'm walking home wearing my dryrobe (like a massive thick coat). I'm training for a 5km swim and it looks unlikely I'll be able to do it. I'm struggling with distance swims and more achy data afterwards. It probably seems like the cold tolerance thing is a small thing for a G.P. but for me it's huge. If I don't swim I can get quite depresssed and it's something I enjoy that also decreases my cardiovascular risks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Always ask for the reference range salsapixie . In a lot of areas, 5.4 would be above range which would enable you to ask for an increase in dose which your GP couldn't argue with.

As it is, as Shaws has said, it is high and the aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or below with free Ts in the upper part of their respective reference ranges.

[salsapixie in reply to SeasideSusie]

I've booked in with my G.P. for early next week. Just had bloods done again.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to salsapixie]

Hopefully you had the earliest appointment of the morning for the blood draw, and fasted overnight. Eating and drinking (other than water) lowers TSH and TSH is always highest early morning.

[salsapixie in reply to SeasideSusie]

I went at 1030am and fasted overnight. Not even a coffee when I got up

[Treepie]

With 5.8 my GP agreed to increase from 125 to 150 yesterday. Was not interested in FT3 and FT4 . Did take copy of Blue Horizon results for his record.