Blood test shows high TSH, but blood was taken just before I came down with Flu.

[Dean_19]

Hello All,

I had my blood test taken on 20th Feb, and 5/6 days later I came down with flu which was quite bad and had to have a week off work. The blood test came back with a high amount of TSH (10.12, where normal level is anything up to 4 apparently). My GP says I now need to take Thyroxine "for the rest of my life".

However, I did a quick Google search on if viruses can affect thryroid hormones and found this:-

" viral infections can occasionally cause thyroiditis. In the case of a viral infection, the thyroid gland may release its entire supply of stored thyroid hormone at once into the blood. ... After all the thyroid hormone is released, then the thyroid becomes underactive"

High TSH is from underactive Thyroid, as TSH tells an underactive Thyroid to produce more Thyroxine. So now I am concerned my blood test result may have been affected by the flu virus that may have been in my body at the time the blood was taken. I'm worried I could end up taking a pill for the rest of my life from an incorrect blood test. Should I get another blood test before starting the prescription to make sure?

Thank you.

Dean. (36/M)

[jimh111]

Thyroiditis can be temporary but is usually progressive. If you are feeling fine then I wouldn't start levothyroxine yet just have another test in three to six months to see how things are progressing. If you are exhibiting symptoms of hypothyroidism I would start levothyroxine now. If you are hypothyroid it's better to address it sooner rather than later. Even if you have symptoms there is a small chance that your thyroiditis is temporary and you can always reduce / stop your levothyroxine in future if you feel better.

The pill you take for hypothyroidism is simply a replacement for the hormone you are no longer producing, it's a substance your body produces.

From you name I'm guessing you are male but if you are female and are, or planning to be, pregnant it is very important that your TSH is kept below 2.5.