why would TSH be high

[Thyroid36]

hi everyone why would TSH be high if t4 is ok, T3 is very low though. But I questioned did she take her Levo before hand or if possible lab contamination. Her t3 so definitely low. Thank you

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

FT4 isn't really OK, its at 63% of range and should be nearer 90%.

Raised TSH on treatment tend to happen because the Levo isn't absorbing well, often due to not taking it on an empty stomach or drinking anything other than water an hour after taking it.

Taking Levo at bedtime can often help.

Ferritin should be around 90 - 100 for best use of thyroid hormone. Suggest increasing iron rich foods in diet and eating them often. Chicken livers, pate, red meat etc

Link with ideas for dietary iron:

dailyiron.net/https://three...

B12, d3 & folate also need testing.

[Thyroid36 in reply to Jaydee1507]

yeah she takes it every morning at 6.30 and waits and hour before she eats or drinks.

[Thyroid36 in reply to Jaydee1507]

do u think that TSH could be a lab contamination?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Thyroid36]

Not likely to be lab contamination, she just needs a lot more thyroid hormone and checking her vitamins properly.

[Thyroid36 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Oh ok so she defo needs an increase in dose doesn’t she.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Thyroid36]

Most definitely, 25mcgs.

[Thyroid36 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Thank you so much ☺️

[McPammy]

She needs T3 medication as well as T4 levo. T3 is on the floor. Looks like very poor conversion to T3. T3 is the most important hormone. Does she have symptoms.