High TSH levels.

[Handyman2015]

Hi I'm new to this community and have been on 175mgs of Thyroxin for over 10 years now and had regular blood tests which are always ok but the last 3 tests I've had my TSH levels have been through the roof. My GP sent me for further tests after the first test came back high.

Is there anybody out there who can advise me on what might be causing the high TSH levels.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Handyman2015

Can you post your results, with reference ranges, so we can see what's going on?

Also, have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested?

Ideally we need to see

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies

Thyroglobulin antibodies

[Treepie]

Hashimotos can cause fluctuations or maybe your vitamins are deficient.Suggest you post results with ranges for TSH,FT4,FT3,antibodies,D3,B12,ferritin and folate. Unlikely that NHS will do all these ,if not look to private blood testing with Medichecks or Blue Horizon.

[Hennerton]

I am confused as I thought a high TSH simply means the person needs more Levo? Not converting properly would surely produce a low TSH?

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hennerton]

Remember - there is NOTHING simple about thyroid!

Pituitary resistance to thyroid hormone can result in high TSH alongside high thyroid hormone levels. The pituitary simply carries on pushing out lots of TSH because it does not respond appropriately to h=increasing blood levels. This can occur both in those with functioning thyroids and those whose disease management is based on TSH measurement.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/medgen/574887

Another possibility is a pituitary tumour which pushes out too much TSH.

[Hennerton in reply to helvella]

Thanks for the explanation. I guessed you could put me straight! I wonder how the “ Just a little white pill and you’ll be fine” mantra ever came about...

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hennerton]

As one of those who are closer to that than most, I can just about understand it if applied to me.

There are so many counter-examples, though, the only thing that can perpetuate it is ignorance. There are many papers, many case reports, many patient stories, which clearly show it is not the universal answer.