Tsh levels massively increased in only few months - Thyroid UK

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Tsh levels massively increased in only few months

Kiwiq2019 profile image
10 Replies

Hi all. So I got my bloods done in April and they was 3.4 something

Got them repeated on Monday, gp didn't want to but they did anyway

I've had the results today but the doctor has just told me I need further testing and not explained much so hoping you can help

Mondays levels were TSH 24.6 mu/l ( reference 0.3 -6

Free T4 Was 10.5 pmol/l reference being 10-22.

Why would one be normal and one abnormal.

The other tests he sent me for is ESR, antibodies and repeat tft

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Kiwiq2019
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10 Replies
MaisieGray profile image
MaisieGray

He has asked for a further test because your TSH at 24.6 is well above the reference interval of 0.3 - 6.00, and your FT4 at 10.5 is scraping along the bottom of 10 - 22; indicating that you are hypothyroid. Depending on which antibodies he is testing, hopefully the results will indicate whether the cause of your underactive thyroid is autoimmune Thyroiditis aka Hashimoto's. Looking at your previous post, it is very important that you put plans to conceive on the back burner for the moment - pregnancy is a big drain on the mother's thyroid functioning in any case, and until the pregnancy moves into the second trimester, the foetus is wholly dependent on its mother's supply of thyroxine for its brain and other development; and at the moment you haven't got enough for your own good health never mind that of a baby.

MaisieGray profile image
MaisieGray in reply toMaisieGray

Regarding one 'normal' and one 'abnormal' result, they are very subjective and inaccurate terms; but what generally happens in the case of primary hypothyroidism is that as the levels of thyroid hormones in the blood fall, so the pituitary puts out more thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) to prompt the thyroid to produce more of its hormones. So your FT4 (and probably your FT3) have been dropping as your thyroid is failing for whatever reason, and in response, your pituitary gland has been putting out more TSH. Given how soon you are retesting your TFT, you may not see much if any difference in levels, or you may see that your TSH has risen further and your FT4 fallen lower. Then they'd both be 'abnormal'.

NWA6 profile image
NWA6

So your GP is now looking to see if there is a reason for your high TSH and crappy T4, inflammation? Autoimmune and Thyroid again incase it was a lab error or just an anomaly (doubtful)

So your Thyroid is not working and no one gave your pituitary the memo. Your pituitary will keep sending out ‘Thyroid Stimulating Hormone’ till your Thyroid starts making more T4. But because your Thyroid is barely working which we know because of the low T4 score, your pituitary won’t give up, it’s Tenacious! Only when you start medication will your body sense that you have enough circulating T4 and then your pituitary will calm down. Your TSH will drop and your FT4 will rise.

Kiwiq2019 profile image
Kiwiq2019 in reply toNWA6

Thanks everyone for the input. I have been ttc for quite some month unsuccessfully so I doubt it'll happen whilst my body is so messed up.

My symptoms have gotten so much worse in the last couple months so I'm glad in a sense I got these done.

I'm going for the other tests tomorrow so I guess will know more by early next week.

NWA6 profile image
NWA6 in reply toKiwiq2019

Oh Kiwiq2019 TTC 😩 what a heartbreak. But please don’t try and get pregnant until you have your thyroid condition sorted as there’s a high probability of miscarriage, that would be more heartbreaking?

Kiwiq2019 profile image
Kiwiq2019 in reply toNWA6

Yeah that is true. I'm in the hosp next week to be investigated for possible endometriosis. Tbh theres so much going on that sex and trying isnt even on my mind right now. Everything is happening all at once I just want to be healthy again. The fact that we haven't conceived yet just shows I'm not healthy right now. A break wouldn't be a bad thing

NWA6 profile image
NWA6 in reply toKiwiq2019

Sometimes babies are conceived out of no where and when one is not even trying ie you’ve given up on thinking you can get pregnant or there’s been a long period of no intimacy but an uninspired night (or inspired) brings you together. We conceived our 2nd and 4th child like this, 2nd child, we hadn’t had ’sex’ for about 9mths because the midwife stitched me up so tight 😬 I was BF so didn’t really drink but then we went on holiday with parents, they babysat, bingo! 2nd child! 4th child I must have got into a Hashi’s Hyper (pre diagnosis) I lost the 3stone I’d be carrying on and off. Bang! Baby No4 on the way.

My point is, don’t chance it, don’t get pregnant. Hopefully you will be sorted within 2mths from now (if Levo is right for you) and then you can almost certainly get pregnant and carry to term.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Ask GP to test folate, B12, ferritin and vitamin D too

These are frequently too low when hypothyroid

Obviously good folate and B12 are essential for any baby's neurological development

Getting yourself well and stable with TSH under 2.5 before TTC

Endometriosis may be linked to autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)

verywellhealth.com/infertil...

Pregnancy guidelines

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

gp-update.co.uk/files/docs/...

See pages 7&8

btf-thyroid.org/images/docu...

Kiwiq2019 profile image
Kiwiq2019

Thank you. Ferittin and vitamin d was tested but not b12 or folate.

Ferittin was normal vitamin d isnt back yet. Altho in the past I was low on both of these but been taking supplements of each. I will ask about the b12 next time I see them. Thanks.

Kiwiq2019 profile image
Kiwiq2019

Hi all so I had my b12 and folate done today and that was normal however thyroid and peroxidase antibodies abnormal so back to see them tomorrow. What can I expect will they start me on meds?

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