TRH Stimulation Test

[lenovo1]

TSH - 3.2 (lab range 0.27 - 4.20)

Free T4 14 (lab range 12 -22)

Prolactin 1200 (80 - 300)

I'm not currently under any thyroid treatment. I went to see an endo to follow up the results above (mainly the prolactin) and he sent me for a TRH stimulation test after telling me that the high prolactin wasn't really an issue.

Any ideas why this test would have been requested, it was't overly clear?

[greygoose]

As far as I know, it's to see if your hypothalamus is stimulating your pituitary correctly.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

High prolactin and TRH

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

High prolactin and autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/915...

If not had full Thyroid and vitamin testing, you need these done

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 phlebotomis

[Teresamarie in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon

Great article from NIH regarding TRH and hyperprolactinemia. Sounds like lenovo1 has about a 20% chance of being hypothalamus related vs pituitary as I understand from the article.

Thanks for sharing this information with everyone on this site!

Best

Teresamarie

[diogenes Remembering]

The TRH stimulation test is rarely done nowadays but is supremely important. It can tell whether your pituitary is working too hard (in response to hypothyroidism caused by a failing thyroid) or whether it is your pituitary gland itself that is at fault. In the first case, the TSH response to TRH will be high (higher than if you were healthy) and in the second, low or absent (with a wonky pituitary). Either way you may need T4 to restore balance and better health.

[lenovo1]

Cheers for the responses all. I'm expecting results next week so depending on those, I'll discuss further blood tests with the Endo.

[Lambyla1 in reply to lenovo1]

Hi Levnovo1, I was wondering how you got on. I have secondary hypothyroidism and a real struggle to get diagnosed - I recently had a private hormone test which showed that quite a few hormone levels were raised - FSH, LH, Cortisol and also Prolactin level of 1200 which my GP basically laughed at and thought was unimportant - it was nearly 3 times the recommended range! so just wondered have you been offered any treatment or had any feedback. TIA

[lenovo1 in reply to Lambyla1]

The only feedback I've had on my results is an answer message from the Endo's secretary saying the results were pretty reassuring but will want to speak to me or my GP after the MRI. I'm guessing it will be another couple of weeks before I hear anything.

[Lambyla1 in reply to lenovo1]

Why have reference ranges then tell you it's fine when it's way off?! Seems mad to me. Hope you get some answers soon x

[leedsjohn in reply to Lambyla1]

Lambyla1 Can I ask if you have managed to get a diagnosis?

I have been experiencing Hypothyroid symptoms for four and half years, snd have responded well to self treat with NDT and T3. Unfortunately I also have an inflamatory bowel disease and the medication is inflaming my colon.

Just tried to get a TRH test through a private endo, but the clinic I went to do not perform the test.

[Teresamarie]

Good luck to you in your journey to healing. Best to you, xxx Teresamarie

[leedsjohn]

lenovo can I please ask if you were given the TRH test on the NHS, and would be interested to hear the outcome if you are willing to share.

Jonathan