I have read on a lot of sites that a TSH greater than 2.5 can signal the beginning of hypothyroidism. Are they talking about 2.5 or greater in the morning or afternoon? I have also read about the daily variations of TSH. I had one morning TSH test that said my TSH was 2.5 but all the afternoon readings are stabilized around 1.65 (range .450-4.500) I do not have antibodies and am not on medication. Is a tsh of 1.7 high for a 3:00 reading?My free t4 is in the lower 25% of the range but my free t3 is in 50% of the range.
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.
Also important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Testing early in morning and before eating can give higher TSH
Getting vitamins optimal can also help symptoms and may raise TSH
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
Yes, best time is early as possible in the morning and fasting - water only.
TSH and thyroid hormone levels are very individual. You do get people with a much higher TSH, or fairly low T3 or T4 who feel OK, or with a very low TSH and high thyroid hormones who still feel hypothyroid.
The really important level is T3, and yours seems quite good, but doctors are mostly trained to look at TSH only.
Your TSH isn't high but it might be high for you. How do you feel? Why did you get tested in the first place?
TSH is lower in the afternoon and is actually not a good indicator of thyroid status. But the the majority of healthy people have a TSH around 1.2. Relatively higher free T3 and than free T4 (like yours) is often the first sign of thyroid problems, but the NHS isn't going to treat you until your free T4 is under range and your TSH over range, or your TSH is over 10.
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