Tsh result.

[moljanie]

Having had Graves’ disease since 2003. Refused RAI treatment so took a maintenance dose of 5mg carbimazole which was stopped last summer and have had symptoms of joint pain, weight gain, plantar fasciitis, and tingling limbs. Recent tsh result is3.49. I asked for my t4 but endo states that tsh is normal so t4 wouldn’t be looked at. He now states my thyroid is normal and has discharged me. I feel worse than when I was overactive. Could someone tell me what the optimum tsh range should be please.

[MrsGraves]

Hi Moljanie

Ranges vary depending on which lab test is carried out / calibrated and reference ranges can vary in different parts of the UK. For your Endo to assume that you are now ‘normal’ because your TSH happens to be within range actually means nothing without having T4 and T3 tested too. He / she sounds like a real clown.

Clearly I am no medic but I would put my shirt on the fact that you are heading into underactivity. I bet your TSH level is rising and your T3 and T4 are rock bottom - hence your current symptoms.

Only way to know for sure is to have all 3 tested and obtain the ref ranges with your results.

I experienced exactly the same thing having had a failed RAI then on maintenance dose of 5mcg Carbimazole which I stopped then I nosedived into underactive. GP was great and started me on Levothyroxine straight away. He reckoned my thyroid had burned itself out (diagnosed Graves 2007).

You could probably phone your Endo’s secretary and ask for the reference range for the TSH figure you were given.

Good luck.

[moljanie in reply to MrsGraves]

Thank you . I do feel my bloods should be better checked for T3 etc .

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you on gluten free diet

Suggest you get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and b12 tested too

See these websites

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

[moljanie in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks will check out the links.

[eeng]

Your TSH is far too high. Something like 95% of healthy people have a TSH between 0.5 and 1.5. For someone with thyroid issues a TSH of 3.49 is too high. The tingling limbs sounds like low B12. Thyroid problems tend to make your nutrient levels really bad, so get the ones SlowDragon suggested tested and look at posts from SeasideSuzie to find out what to do about anything you are low on.

You very likely need Thyroxine replacement now, but you probably won't get your doctor to prescribe anything until your TSH has been over- range for at least 3 months. The one thing you can do to help is to get your blood test done first thing in the morning, fasting overnight (you can drink water). This helps make your TSH level high (TSH has a daily variation). Typical reference ranges for TSH are 0.3-5.0, although they vary between labs, so you haven't got too far to go before your TSH goes over range. You could also try doing vigorous exercise the day before the blood test (although I bet that's the last thing you feel like doing!)

[moljanie in reply to eeng]

Thank you for your response you have been most helpful.