Hi I'm at 25 year old male with a TSH of 6.62. Range is 0.27 - 4.20 & free T4 is 21.
I've been having fatigue, skin dryness, low libido & rapid hair thinning all over for a year and a half now. Doctors say antibodies came back normal so there's nothing to treat. What would be my bext step? Is a high TSH on it's own cause for medication? Thanks.
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Jtk11
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Your TSH is only slightly above range (some people have very high TSH ...at 80 -100 or higher
However you can feel pretty rubbish even with mildly raised TSH
What are your most pronounced symptoms
Just testing TSH is completely inadequate
Is there any autoimmune diseases in your direct family ?
First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.
You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.
The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results
UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.
In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet
Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.
Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet
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
Important to test BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies (but NHS refuses to test TG thyroid antibodies unless TPO antibodies are high)
Ask GP to test vitamin levels if not been tested yet
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 .
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
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
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