My pituitary & hypothalamus -

[Paula101]

My current results (May 2017)

TSH H 6.15 (0.27 - 4.20)

T4 Total 79.1 (64.5 - 142.0)

FT4 12.80 (12 -22)

FT3 4.46 (3.1 - 6.8)

Would I be on the right in thinking my pituitary & hypothalamus need looking at? I'm thinking this because both Frees are low in their ranges.

I know the hypothalamus & pituitary work together but may be not so well in my case?

My second set of blood tests are next week.

Thank you everyone 🙂

[Gillybabe]

I think you have an unactive thyroid TSH is too high and t4 just above normal but it all depends on the lab ranges and t3 not right. But I imagine there are people on this forum who could advise you better. Who are more well informed than me.

[Paula101 in reply to Gillybabe]

Thanks Gillybabe for taking the time to reply 🙂

To be honest, I should have said I've been working on lowering my TSH with selenium & taking Vits & mins for my hypo & been GF for Hashi's for sometime.

Its just that I have had lots of questions today as I've been researching 🙂

Thanks again.

[greygoose in reply to Paula101]

Taking selenium and vits and mins will not have any direct effect on your TSH. They will help with conversion and/or the efficiency with which your body uses thyroid hormone - which might possibly lower the TSH, but no guarantees.

The hypothalamus stimulates the pituitary to make TSH, but both of them would appear to be working correctly, because your TSH is over six. If you had Central hypo, they would be lower than that. And, as you say you have Hashi's, it will be that that is making you hypo by slowly destroying your thyroid. Your FT3 isn't that low, it's just under mid-range.

[Paula101 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for helping further my understanding GG. Glad to know my hypothalamus & pituitary appear to be ok.

I'm even more aware of the importance of keeping on top of the Hashi's now.

I always appreciate you sharing what you know 👍🏻🙂

[greygoose in reply to Paula101]

You're welcome.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your TSH is above range that suggests primary hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's

If it was central hypothyroidism TSH would remain low despite low FT3 and low FT4

As you have Hashimoto's you will need thyroid replacement hormone to replace your own failing Thyroid. GP should normally start with prescribing 50mcg

Blood tests should be done 6-8 weeks after each dose change (not 4 weeks as in this link)

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

[Paula101 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon for replying.

I'm about to embark on researching primary, central & other types of hypo & your reply is a real help, thank you.

I'm at a point where I need to try NDT or Levo and will wait till I get my full thyroid blood test next week.

For the first time I might even get my GP involved 😬😀 After everyone's experiences I've read at least I know what I'm up against.

I've read about the D102 gene test. I'm convinced some maternal females in the family suffer with hypothyroidism given their symptoms. If it's passed on through genes would that constitute primary hypothyroidism?

Many thanks again 🙂

[Angel_of_the_North]

Not necessarily. Just looks like primary hypothyroid. Could be central, but usually TSH is in range (or low in range) with central.

[Paula101 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thank you Angel 😇

That's food for thought. As I said to SlowDragon I'm interested in researching primary, central & other causes of hypothyroidism.

Much appreciated 👍🏻