TSH range has changed!

[Flecmac]

The range for TSH here has always been 0.3 - 5.5. My recent bloods say range is 0.5 - 4.4. I know that labs differ, but mine have always been done in the same place and always consistent. My result was 3.4. How can Doctors judge if the ranges change?

[Clutter]

Mcdermott,

When labs change their analysis machines the reference ranges change too. As long as the result is within the range doctors will judge the result to be 'normal'.

TSH 3.4 is 75% through range 0.5 - 4.4. 75% through the old range 0.3 - 5.5 is 4.2 if you want to make a rough comparison.

If you are not yet diagnosed you will need to wait until TSH is >4.4 for a diagnosis. If you are already diagnosed and taking Levothyroxine you are undermedicated and should ask your GP to increase dose.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.5 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. 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.

[shaws Administrator]

If you are hypothyroid and on levothyroxine, the aim should be for the TSH to get down to 1 or lower. Unfortunately many doctors think somewhere in the range is fine when patient feels anything but fine. Reducing the top of the range from 5.5 to 4.4 is advantageous to patients as long as they realise once patient is taking levo patients feel best when TSH is 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 towards the top of the range.

[Flecmac]

I have been on here since September. Lots of things have happened since. I pushed my GP to refer me to endo and rheumatologist. Rheumatologist did X-ray which showed something in upper chest, she did CT which showed a calcified vertebral mass, so sent for MRI, so now on fast track, no result yet, but very worried. She also said there was a bulging disc and a nodule on right lung. So hospital and GP are now more focused on all that rather than the thyroid. I have pain in hip and lower back, pain relief gives side effects. I had to push GP to put me back on thyroxine, but she won’t give more than 25 mcg.

[Flecmac]

Thanks.