High lh and fsh levels.

[Ruth63]

Hi I have recently had my LH and FSH tested, they have come back as LH 16 and FSH 20 in luteal stage, I have no idea what this means, I'm possible for secondary hypothyroidism but I read that this would lower fsh and lh level not raise them, can anyone possibly advise me as to what this could mean. I'm not in menopause stage.

[Heloise]

I don't know if this will help but scroll down to Female Hormones and they give some test ranges. stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/f...

[Angel_of_the_North]

On the ranges from my lab, that would mean high, over range LH and high FSH, suggesting menopause (although FSH isn't high enough for that). But your lab ranges could be different. Both results would be OK for mid-cycle, so are you sure that you got the time of the month right? Did they test progesterone? That is often a clue as to whether ovulation has taken place.

[Ruth63 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Yeah it was day 21 of my cycle and I'm regular though my period has changed a bit past year, they didn't test my progesterone just these and my prolactin, though that looks Ok, I don't think I'm anywhere near menopause yet as only 38 and no signs of it, just can't understand as to how can b so high.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Ruth63]

Well may be you aren't regular or hadn't ovulated yet. Don't really know as I only started getting mine done after menopause. I know that ovulation usually takes place about a day or two after peak LH and some people have a longer high LH than others.

[Ruth63 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

I've always had 28 day cycle and these were done day 21, I just can't work it out , my flow has changed but I'm still right on time every month.

[ShootingStars in reply to Ruth63]

Early menopause can happen due to other endocrine conditions, or just because your body decides it's time. Have you had complete adrenals, neurotransmitters, DHEA and testosterone, female sex hormones, and thyroid panel? Aside from your FSH and LH, did anything else unusual show up? Do you have any unusual hair growth or hair loss, weight gain, fatigue, or other symptoms?

[Ruth63 in reply to ShootingStars]

I have loads of symptoms but no other tests yet as still waiting on appointment for thyroid specialist to come through, my symptoms are tiredness. Headaches weight gain intolerance to heat, goiter, hoarse voice which I've had about 5 months, ive gone very dark around eyes with pale skin, period changes though still regular and the worst is how much my body aches and pains with joints and muscles... I also have one side of my nose permanently feels blocked but without mucus, though don't know if this has anything to do with it.

I had ultrasound done already to rule out cancer and was told my whole thyroid was big and bulky,

[ShootingStars in reply to Ruth63]

Hi Ruth. I'm so sorry that you have all of those symptoms! You sound very hypothyroid, in addition to female hormone imbalance. No fun, indeed! In absence of testing all your female sex hormones, there's no way to determine exactly what your high LH and FSH levels mean. What are the lab ranges that correlate with your above levels?

A goiter is not normal and means you have thyroid disease. Goiters are usually caused by either too high or too low thyroid hormones. Please don't let some doctor tell you differently. Many of your symptoms can be hypothyroid symptoms, meaning that your thyroid hormones are too low. Weight gain, heat intolerance (This could be female hormone related. In low thyroid, cold intolerance is more common.), head aches (could also be from female hormones), tiredness, aches and pains in joints and muscles; can all be hypothyroid symptoms. One would have to wonder about autoimmune being the cause of your hypothyroidism, and testing thyroid antibodies TPOab and TGab will tell you your status.

Your hoarse voice and goiter are concerning. Do you have thyroid nodules and or enlarged lymph nodes? If so, what type? If you don't have the radiology report, it's important that you receive your copy to make sure something was not missed by the doctor.

The good news is, you've got a goiter which means thyroid disease and this is very treatable. Once you are on thyroid hormone replacement and you get your bloods up into the right levels, your goiter is likely to reduce in size. On top of that, once your are properly medicated and your thyroid hormone levels are in the right zone, you should have little to no hypo symptoms. It should take 3-6 months to get your levels where they should be. If you are not seeing good improvement within the first 2-3 months, your medication isn't optimal. If your symptoms are not pretty much gone within 6 months, then your doctor is not managing your medication correctly.

Getting your thyroid hormones corrected will likely also improve your female hormones, since they are all connected. The tests done all together for thyroid evaluation are: TSH, FT3, FT4. (not the Total tests). Plus thyroid antibodies TPOab and TGab.

I hope you are able to see a thyroid specialist soon and will soon be on your way to feeling much better.

[Ruth63 in reply to ShootingStars]

Thank you for your reply, I've had my tsh ft3 ft4 and antibodies tested, it showed up to be low ft3 and ft4 with low but normal tsh, and no antibodies so autoimmune was ruled out and I think they are looking into possible secondary hypothyroidism, there was no nodules and my lymph nodes were all fine, just whole thyroid was enlarged, they tried to tell me I had a simple goiter but after research and private testing of bloods I was finally referred to ent specialist and a thyroid specialist, though I'm still waiting on appointments.. my lh results was 20 in luteal stage (2-11) and my fsh range came back at 16 (2-8) so I'm at a total loss with that one.

[ShootingStars in reply to Ruth63]

You're welcome! That's great that you don't have nodules or enlarged lymph nodes. Hypothyroid is hypothyroid. It still has to be treated. What the heck is a "simply goiter"? A goiter is thyroid disease. You have low FT3 and FT4. TSH doesn't mean a whole lot when you have low FT3 and FT4, plus a goiter. Your FT3 and FT4 will have to be in the upper half of the range to even just start addressing your symptoms and goiter. Good on you about the ENT. That's an excellent idea. Let's hope the thyroid specialist is really special and treats you correctly, as he should.

Testing your other female hormones will give you a better idea as to what is going on. When was your last pelvic and pap? You might need some scans or additional diagnostics, too.

[Ruth63 in reply to ShootingStars]

I have booked my self in for smear on Monday as been experiencing quite a lot of brown discharge just this last month so that a whole new thing that's cropped up, sorry about to much info. I'm not due till next yr but thought best check out, was also going to ask for diabetes test as my nephew diabetic and he tested my sugars and came back at 8.3 which has never come back that high before.. I have no idea what simple goiter is haha, just that was original diagnosis. Also my prolactin levels were tested but they were normal though lower range.

[ShootingStars]

Hi Ruth, That's ok. I have the same parts. Very good idea to check that out. Abnormal discharge is always a symptom of something. A routine fasting tes for diabetes is always a good idea.

That's great that you are able to get in on Monday! Can that doctor run other tests?

[Ruth63 in reply to ShootingStars]

No as appointment with nurse and I think my gp just leaving everything to specialist now.