Is 6.1 a good level for under active thyroid?

[LashQueen]

Hi my GP says my under active thyroid level is ok at 6.1 what do you think? He will only test tsh levels

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

LashQueen

Well, I'd like to see how your GP fares with a TSH of 6.1

The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges if that is where you feel well.

Show him Dr Toft's article

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

"Dr Toft states in Pulse Magazine, "The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l. Most patients will feel well in that circumstance.

But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l).""

Dr Toft is past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist. You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing Dionne at ThyroidUK

[e-mail]

Print it, highlight question 6 to show your GP.

[LashQueen in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for reply. Do you think I should push for the extra blood tests? I need to find that artical asap

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to LashQueen]

LashQueen

I have given you the link to obtain the article. Email Dionne tomorrow.

Yes, ask for the other tests. For a full picture you need

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[LashQueen in reply to SeasideSusie]

Many thanks I will ask for this with a different Dr.

[LashQueen]

Ok great I'll try and find that artical. I've gone Gluten free around 4 weeks ago that definatly seems to be making a difference in how I feel. Less brain for and confusion, a bit more energy. Less aches. I do seem to be piling on weight tho

[Baobabs]

Another utter nutter GP.

[LashQueen in reply to Baobabs]

Yep

[LashQueen]

Oh great I feel like I'm going to scream in there faces soon !

[shaws Administrator in reply to LashQueen]

The problem with doctors is soon revealed that they know very little about hypothyroidism nor do they know any clinical symptoms.

As they've been directed to only diagnose/prescribe when the TSH reaches 10, he is under the misapprehension that a TSH of 6+ is fine - being lower than 10.

In other countries we'd be diagnosed when the TSH goes above 3.

Go back to GP and say you've had advice and once diagnosed and given levothyroxie it should be increeased every six weeksby 25mcg until TSH is 1 or below with Free T4 and Free T3 in the upper part of the ranges. They rarely test the Frees both which should be in the upper part of the ranges. We can get these two privately from one of several labs on TUK who do home pin-prick tests.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Your doctor should also test for Thyroid Antibodies. If present in our blood we'd have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimoto's.

All blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the very earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

[sunsetalley]

I was like a zombie when my TSH was 6.6

[LashQueen in reply to sunsetalley]

I couldn't move for 2 days at all a few months ago my level was 9.1 and Dr said I was fine grrr. A different Dr asked to get me tested again and upped my does now it's up to 75mg but don't seem enough

[sunsetalley in reply to LashQueen]

Your dose is still low. Most people need to be on 100-200 mcg levothyroxine.

[MissSusan]

My TSH is 6.5 and my gp also thinks that’s normal and fine!

[sunsetalley in reply to MissSusan]

Visit another gp

[silverfox7]

Doctors, understandly, are not often clued up on Thyroid works and treatment. They latch onto T3 can cause heart to go off kilter etc so don't want to go anywhere near that or do something that they think might make them worry! In actual fact they are not treating us properly through ignorance. Like anything else we have to be treated properly but they need to learn what that is and what the real boundaries are. It must be a few years ago now but one of the admins has open heart survey and in recovery was given T3 to help her heart to recover! I'm not saying we should take risks but there are guidelines and if our GP's understood that and the why's and wherefore then I'm sure more people would benefit from the available medication.

[Angel_of_the_North]

No, it is terrible!!! TSH should be between 0.2 and 1 in patients on thyroxine (according to NHS guidelines)

[Hidden]

I felt quite poorly with a TSH of just under 6!

[Mino40]

How do you feel? If you have symptoms, then your doctor should offer you a therapeutic dose of Levothyroxine. I was diagnosed with sub-clinical hypothyroidism, when my TSH was about 4.68, I was put on 25mcg Levo and with subsequent increases, some 7/8 months later, I’m currently on 100mcg and I feel amazing.

[LashQueen in reply to Mino40]

I'm glad you feel ok. I feel better then I was now I've gone gluten free. I will be ringing tomo to ask for a 2nd opinion from a different Dr

[Mino40 in reply to LashQueen]

My diet changes are long standing, as I am a diabetic in remission. I just tend to eat clean and I have made no major changes since my diagnosis. Personally, I think it was just getting on the right dose and brand of Levo. Wishing you all the best, and hope you feel better still x