Diagnosed hypothyroidism in August 2020
TSH 450 t3t4 normal - Eltroxin 125mcg
September TSH came to 0.33 - Changed to 100 mcg
October it again came to 0.08- changed to 50mcg.
TSH Reference range 0.4 to 4
What's happening to me? Such drastic fluctuations
Once I got on medication my TSH was not useful. Your Dr is trying to medicate you according to the TSH and that's not really a good plan of action. It will keep you unwell. What matters more is how you feel. FT4 and FT3 would be a better indicator of what the medication is doing for you. I would tell my Dr that continuously changing my medication every time there's a change in TSH is affecting my well being and that I would prefer to go by how I feel and the free hormones. If you feel good on one dose you may have to get firm with your Dr!
Vishnucta
Can you please double check this
TSH 450 t3t4 normal - Eltroxin 125mcg
Was your TSH really 450? Or is that a typo?
Do you always do your test u dee the same conditions every time as we advise here:
* Test no later than 9am
* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the test
TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day, so to compare accurately the test should always be done at the same time.
Eating can lower TSH and coffee affects TSH
Also, if you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin then this should not be left off for 7 days before any blood test because it can give false results if the lab uses biotin in the testing procedure (which most labs do).
Levothyroxine has very narrow dose range for each individual person
Dose should only ever be changed by 25mcg, often smaller increases or decreases
Just testing TSH is completely inadequate
Reducing dose inappropriately frequently dramatically lowers vitamin levels and low vitamins tend to lower TSH
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Ask GP to test vitamin levels and thyroid antibodies
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus vitamins including folate (private blood draw required)
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3
£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off if go on thyroid uk for code
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...
Thanks for such great explanation. I have put more details in below comments
Assuming the TSH was reported as 450 the most likely explanation would be a clerical error or possibly assay interference as antibodies can sometimes cause a false result.
What did your doctor say about this result? Surely they must have been shocked and checked it out with the lab?
Do you have the actual fT3, fT4 results?
What sings and symptoms did you have. I’m not sure you should have been started on levothyroxine, not without double checking the TSH.
Hi All,
Thanks for the reply..I didn't expect this many replies in such short time. Thanks again.
How i figured out I have hypothyroidism?
I was so week, lethargic and even very low libido, tiredness in pelvic region, weak knee joints n pain. I knew something is Very wrong with me and I booked a full body checkup to figure that out. And that's how I found TSH 450.
Right away I met an endocrinologist and started eltroxin 125 mcg.
Still I had my doubts about any clerical error in lab results. Just after 4 day's of medication I did the test again and results are below.
T3. 1.01 Ng/ml (0.6 to 1.81)
T4 6.3 mcg/dl. (4.5 to 10.9)
TSH. 242.971mcIU/mL. (0.4 to 4.2)
Now doctor cut down my tablet to 50mcg and asked me to take few antibody Tests after a month.
Now my values shows I am hyperthyroid
My one concern is why sudden fluctuation from hypo to hyper in just 2 months.??
Your results do NOT show that you are hyperthyroid as your FT4 and FT3 are low in range. TSH is largely irrelevant when you are on meds. If anything you needed a slight increase as FT4 was only 28.12% through range and FT3 33.88% when they should be over 50% - pref nearer 75%. You need a doctor with a bit more of a clue.Plus you are still saying that your TSH is still in the hundreds - are you getting the decimal point wrong?
Current TSH See top of post 
sept 0.33 /oct 0.08 (no FT4/FT3 given)
You need to know FT4 and FT3, just TSH is useless
That's what happens when you are dosed according to TSH instead of thyroid hormones. Plus changes in meds should be 25mcg maximum at any one time and you need to wait 6 - 8 weeks after a dose change before retesting.
I did a test 4 days back .
I had a discussion with doctor and he said he gave to 50mcg because my TSH was very low.
TSH 0.08
You need a new doctor, that one will keep chopping and changing your dose unnecessarily, stressing your body and stopping you from feeling well.. It's the thyroid hormones that are important, not the pituitary hormone- and you were tested to soon after a dose change
Just wanted to add "normal" is for others, not necessarily for you. Never accept "normal", get actual figures. And time of test crucial, as well as not taking caffeine or food
Low FT4, Normal TSH, Fluctuating FT3
T4 low, TSH rising, T3 fluctuates
Very Low TSH With Low T4
High cholesterol and low TSH
