High TSH

[Loobs39]

My daughter has recently been feeling very tired and run down - had a blood test and the result of her TSH was 8.57 (0.3 - 5.6) and her ferritin was 13 (11 - 307) - but when she saw the practice nurse to discuss these, the nurse had never heard of Hashimoto's and didn't seem concerned at the levels?? Getting to see a doctor isn't easy - waiting time for an appointment is over 2 weeks but she has made one anyway - am I correct in thinking she is hypo??

[shaws Administrator]

Yes, your daughter is hypothyroid but don't expect the doctor to prescribe.

I do hope he/she will as the UK's advice to doctors is to wait until the TSH reaches 10+ whilst in other countries diagnosis will be made if TSH is above 3.

Hopefuly the doctor will be sympathetic and prescribe levothyroxine. The following is symptoms which she can tick off.

I believe the medical profession has little idea at all (unless they are hypo themselves) about symptoms, or diagnosing.

All blood tests have to be at the very earlest, fasting (you can drink water) and if on thyroid hormone replacement allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and the test and take afterwards.

Doctor should also test T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and antibodies. If antibodies are present regardless of the TSH a prescription should be given. You can email Dionne at TUK and ask for a copy of Dr Toft's Pulse article. In this he states that if antibodies are present a prescription should be given - regardless of TSH.

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

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

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

In UK, medics call it autoimmune thyroid disease, not Hashimoto's

GP should do full iron panel to see if iron is low as well as ferritin

Important to test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate and B12 too

Come back with new post once you get results and ranges