Fatigue and TSH

[Dee8686]

Hi I have another thread going where everyone is being extremely helpful, but I just wanted to ask that is it possible to have such extreme fatigue with a TSH level of 4.1? I just don't feel well at all. Constantly tired and extremely lacking in energy. Do people find that fatigue is a real problem until TSH is lowered? Thank you.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yes it is. However, leaving you on 25mcg Levo for 10 years hasn't done you any favours Your adrenals could well be knackered and your nutrient levels very poor.

If your FT3 is low that will be causing your to feel unwell, T3 is the active hormone which every cell in our bodies need so FT3 needs to be at a good level (T4 is a storage hormone and has to convert to T3).

[Dee8686 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Yes I've just had a hair mineral test which supports mineral imbalance and poor thyroid function. Hopefully will address that now with supplementation. Thank tounfor replying x

[Dee8686 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Just wondering, what would it mean if tsh is high and t3 is normal? Is that such a thing and what might it mean?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Dee8686]

Over range TSH means undermedicated. "Normal" just means somewhere within the range, so it depends where in range it is. Low in range again usually means undermedicated or poor conversion. You need to look at the whole picture - TSH, FT4 and FT3.

[ShinyB]

Yes, fatigue is very common. I was signed off work for two years with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, where I could barely function (back in the 90s) and my TSH has never been much higher than 2.5. It's now much lower and I still have fatigue. I really don't think the TSH is a particularly sensitive measure of thyroid function as the docs seem to think it is.

For instance, it's possible to have a low TSH and still have very low free thyroxine and free T3 in your system, because of secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism (this is where the pituitary or hypothalamus is not working well, and this has a knock on effect on thyroid production. The pituitary is what releases TSH to stimulate the thyroid. So your thyroid could be healthy, but if the pituitary doesn't release TSH, then your thyroid won't do its job. Similar with the hypothalamus.)

I haven't seen your previous post but have seen SeasideSusie's reply to you on this post, and I echo what she's said to you.

I would suggest you get the tests in this link done: medichecks.com/thyroid-func... You may be able to get your GP to do them, but many people have to resort to paying privately for the test. Medichecks have offers on their thyroid tests each Thursday which can save you some money.

It's worth doing so that you can know what is going on. I have been diagnosed with M.E./CFS, hypercholesterolaemia, depression, have had my gallbladder removed, to name but a few of my "ailments" and all of these have a common poor thyroid function causing them. If I hadn't paid privately for the test, I would never have picked this up, as my TSH was always in the "normal" range. It's still early days for me, but I have started taking T3 and am starting to feel some improvements.

[Dee8686]

So sorry to hear this. Hope he's well now. I'm feeling optimistic now that upping my dose is going to help ease my symptoms and get back to feeling healthy again! X

[Dee8686]

Wow! I'm wondering whether or not I should take that instead but I know there is a lot of worry about what the pigs are fed on etc. What brand does he take Hidden ? I remember seeing a New Zealand brand which is organic. Thank you xx

[Dee8686]

When y say my lit what do you mean?

[Dee8686]

Oh I see!