New here....? Hypo

[Gaynorsanger]

Hi I'm new on here.....had Tsh checked July 16 and it was 5.4 I had asked for the printout and found it the other day so starting reasearching....been to docs a lot the last year with fatigue ( ferritin 29) digestive problems....muscle aches and tinnitus for last 2 years ( which I read could be related) had another test this week and tag is 4.5 and t4 normal....ask for printout again cos receptionist said they were normal....47 feel 90! Help please

[Spareribs]

Hi & welcome - you may find this similar post has helpful suggestions

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Dewberry1]

Hmmm maybe do some research on subclinical hypothyroidism and pitch it to the doctor. See if they can try a small dose or levothyroxine. I have very similar symptoms to you for a year and my tsh was slowly creeping up.

Also try a gluten-free and dairy free diet it can help with digestion.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Gaynorsanger,

My own TSH never reached the dizzy heights of 5.4! It just crept over local top of range, after a steady increase over many months and, luckily, my GP diagnosed and prescribed. That was several years ago and I think I was lucky. But each TSH test was higher than the previous one - I drew a graph and it was nearly a straight line going up.

At diagnosis, they eventually did an FT4 - which was close to bottom of range.

Subclinical hypothyroidism isn't something to be ignored, despite the best efforts of the medical establishment to do so. Have a quick look at this recent post:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Gaynorsanger in reply to helvella]

Thanks for the info

[TSH110]

In other countries you’d be diagnosed as hypothyroid and treated. We are in the dark ages in the uk with the absurd TSH ranges followed by the NHS. Leaving people (mostly women) suffering with horrible symptoms that could be easily treated and the disorder better controlled. Try and persuade your doctor to let you have a trial of Levothyroxine given you have typical hypothyroid symptoms that are affecting your daily life. It here is an article by Toft you can get from admin to show the doctor that TSH should be under one and the free t 3 and 4 in top third of range for most people to feel well. I felt dire with a TSH of 6 but luckily my endocrinologist aimed to get it down below 1 and knew what he was doing plus I was very overt when first tested so they could not argue that I had hypothyroidism. If that GP refuses try another one if you can. I just can’t see the point in suffering because of stupid guidelines.

[Gaynorsanger in reply to TSH110]

Thanks how do I contact toft please?

[TSH110 in reply to Gaynorsanger]

Not sure about contacting the man himself - apparently he did reply to someone here with a very decent, thoughtful response - you can get a copy of the article by Dr Toft (he was the head of the Royal college of Physicians and is a Professor of Endocrinology and is very well regarded) to show your GP by Emailing: [e-mail]

Apparently the bit you need is in question 6. People highlight it. Some GPS are hostile but others must welcome some clear information to follow for dosage optimisation. I hope yours is in the latter camp.

Good luck with it ☘️🍀☘️

[Gaynorsanger in reply to TSH110]

That's great, thanks very much for the help

[Phoenix605]

Di you follow good testing protocol - Always have tests at the earliest possible appt, after an overnight fast with nothing but water until after the test(inc supplements). GPs say it makes no difference but TSH drops through the day so tests should be by 0900 at the latest. supplements especially containing biotin can fox the results if the test machine uses a biotin assay. If you are borderline this can make the difference between diagnosis/dose raise or not. Also it will give a more consistent baseline for comparison. If your second test was under poorer circs than the first that could certainly account for the apparent drop for instance.

[Gaynorsanger in reply to Phoenix605]

Thanks, yes the first test I had in the morning, not fasting though but this last test was 2pm, I will certainly try another one fasting!thanks again