TSH Test

[Morgantowngal]

I’m new to this group and just joined. I’ve been having symptoms of thyroid problems for years but all doctors including endocrinologists say I don’t have a problem and everything is normal. I was just able to get past test results for the last 4 blood TSH test results I had done and I’m puzzled and just curious if anyone can take a look at this and might know if this looks like a problem and if so what it might mean, T3 & T4 show within normal range. Thank You ! 😊

[Morgantowngal]

* Continued From Above: Also can anyone tell me what doctor is the best to treat you for thyroid problems since I hear that Endocrinologists aren’t a good choice ?

[Hidden in reply to Morgantowngal]

Can you post yout t3 and t4 results as well please?

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Morgantowngal]

Endocrinologist s are who treat thyroid problems - you just need to get one who specialises in the thyroid - not a someone who is specialised in diabetes. In the hospital where I was treated there were two separate departments.

[waveylines]

Hello and welcome. You have posted your TSH (Thyroid stimulatin Hormone) results. They look well in range but you havent posted your Ft 4 & Ft3 results -this would give your actual thyroid hormone levels. Secondly has any one tested you for thyroid antibodies? What are your signs and symptoms that you are experiencing that leads you to think it could be a thyroid problem?

Other levels to check are ferritin, folate, B12 & vit D. If you have these please post them. These are frequently low in hypothyroidism and also cause symptoms of fatigue etc...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested.

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

You can test privately in USA

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[greygoose]

Were all these tests done at the same time of day?

[Anthea55 in reply to greygoose]

I was just noticing that. Times on the results you've posted go from 11.20am to 3.35pm. I may be wrong but I understand that TSH can vary during the day.It is best to have tests done before 9am as this is when TSH is highest. If you always get tests done at the same time of day you have a basis for comparing tests.

[greygoose in reply to Anthea55]

That's exactly right. So, on none of those tests was the TSH at its highest. And, you can't compare them because they weren't all done at the same time.

[Anthea55 in reply to greygoose]

That's another of the many things that most doctors don't know about thyroid problems! Reception offer me an appointment for my annual blood test and argue when I insist that it should be early. Then they adjust your dose of levo depending upon the TSH reading which isn't a thyroid hormone anyway.....

It makes me wonder how many of the other things they are testing are dependant upon the time of day!

[greygoose in reply to Anthea55]

Oh, I know! They haven't a clue! Or... perhaps they do know about this and do it deliberately so that you take less thyroid hormone replacement than you really need. They would far rather you were under-medicated than over - or even optimal!