I have a TSH of 4.6 & free T4 of 10.... I am loosing hair soooo lethargic have gained 4 stone in as many years brain fog cannot get enough sleep yet not sleeping well,pins n needles in thumb ? Carpel tunnel. My mother suffered terribly before she was eventually diagnosed at the same age (51), I am hot too....very very hot all the time! I'm confused and unwell,I have charted my levels and the changes are significant over the last 5 years seeing a new GP tomorrow what response should I expect?
Many thanks
TNew member
Jax
Sorry....
Ranges are
TSH 0.55-4.8
Free T 4 9-23
Written by
jaxcallo
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Please put the ranges in of your test results otherwise they are meaningless.
Hi jax, it's been very dismal to read the dismissive attitude that patients are treated with but you insist that even though you are in the ranges your TSH is almost over the range and your FT4 is nearly under the range. For some reason they tend to justify being IN RANGE so don't allow that. Stress you have symptoms and the ranges have plenty of room for you to improve without going over. You should insist on treatment and if he puts you on T4 (Levo, etc.) that you understand your ferritin, folate and B12 are important cofactors so you would like to have tests so that you know if you need to supplement. (You should plan on supplementing those whether he tests you or not). A vitamin D level should also taken and you almost will fall in the low range if your thyroid is off.
Your TSH is too high and T4 too low. Most feel better with a TSH under 1 & their T3 & T4 in the upper quarter of the range.
You need to ask that a full panel of blood tests done. Ask your GP if s/he will do them. (GP’s will generally test TSH. They sometimes will also test FT4 and occasionally FT3 if they see a problem with FT4 but they will rarely test anything else. Anything they won’t do, you will need to test privately, using “Blue Horizon” or “Medichecks.”, blood testing. (They send a finger prick test to your home. It is a very easy, almost pain free test. The address is above)
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPO antibodies
TG antibodies
Ferritin
Folate
B12
Vit D
The last 4 are important, because if you don’t have optimal (“in range” is not good enough.) no’s, you cannot absorb your thyroid meds. GP’s don’t seem to know anything about this.
The antibodies results will show if you have Hasimotos or not. (The most common form of an underactive thyroid) One negative test does not rule it out, as antibodies fluctuate. (If it turns out you do have it, the biggest thing you can do is adapt a completely gluten free diet to help with symptoms. Even if you don’t have this form, people have still found a gluten free diet to be really helpful-myself included)
Hopefully your GP will start you on Levo tomorrow. It will probably be a starter dose of 25-50mcgs. You should then have re tests every 6-8wks (fasting blood test.) until you reach your happy place.
Once you have your results, post in a new thread (with the ranges) so people can offer help.
Hi, I saw the gp today he wants the bloods repeating but said he believes all is ok as it's not a clinical reference despite family history & symptoms.....I took Dr tufts article too he just wasn't interested,I'm so upset,anyway I'll wait till the bloods are back n go from there, he did test for antibodies this time tho!
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TSH implies over active, T4 under range, confused!!
