TSH - thyroid-stimulating hormone - a normal reading is in the range of 0.5 to 5mIU
From another site "My blood test just came back with a TSH of 6.8. Doctor said this is borderline?"
Not me, mine is in the range. I don't understand some doctors.
What's the point in having a range íf you ignore it?
If 6.8. isn't just a one-off oddity, then in my view, very clearly an issue. (Requires repeat testing to know, of course!)
You just might find this article of interest and/or use when people go on about "normal range":
The normal range: it is not normal and it is not a range
Freely accessible here:
Looking at previous posts you are on levothyroxine?
Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine
Which brand?
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested
On levothyroxine TSH MUST be under 2.
Frequently when adequately treated TSH will be well under one
gponline.com/endocrinology-...
Replacement therapy with levothyroxine should be initiated in all patients to achieve a TSH level of 0.5-2.0pmol/L.
See/contact GP for 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine
Request vitamin testing if not been tested in last 6-9 months
Thyroid Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks later
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
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 antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
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 down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH
Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit
The NHS won't (generally) treat you until your TSH goes over 10, regardless of symptoms, even though you are hypo (usually) when it goes over 3. However, the same GP will panic if the TSH dips 0.05 below the range.
GPs are definitely becoming negligent
English stoics ignored by GPs
sick of battling with GPs
There are some enlightened GPs re T3!
