Research on TSH levels to show doctor

[BornFlippy]

Hello,

Apologies for this question, as I know it's one that has been posted before by others (I haven't figured out how to 'save' posts yet!).

I'm trying to find research to show to my GP (in the UK) regarding TSH levels. My understanding is that 'healthy' individuals would have a TSH of around 1, but the 'tolerance' threshold in the UK seems to be higher (e.g. I've been told I'm 'withing the acceptable threshold' in the past with TSH of 4 or 5).

I'm in the process of getting a a full blood check with Blue Horizon, but I wanted to try and read up before receiving the results.

Thanks : )

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So looking at previous posts…..you currently take 100mcg levothyroxine daily?

which brand

Is it always same brand

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Stop any supplements that contain biotin 5-7 days before test

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on gluten free and/or dairy free diet

TSH should be under 2 as an absolute maximum when on levothyroxine

gponline.com/endocrinology-...

Graph showing median TSH in healthy population is 1-1.5

web.archive.org/web/2004060...

Comprehensive list of references for needing LOW TSH on levothyroxine

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu....

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

If symptoms of hypothyroidism persist despite normalisation of TSH, the dose of levothyroxine can be titrated further to place the TSH in the lower part of the reference range or even slightly below (i.e., TSH: 0.1–2.0 mU/L), but avoiding TSH < 0.1 mU/L. Use of alternate day dosing of different levothyroxine strengths may be needed to achieve this (e.g., 100 mcg for 4 days; 125 mcg for 3 days weekly).

[BornFlippy in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much SlowDragon - very helpful : )

[RedApple Administrator]

BornFlippy ' (I haven't figured out how to 'save' posts yet!).

The Save Post button is at the bottom of every post, next to the Like button. (You can only save main posts, not individual replies)

save post button

[BornFlippy]

Thanks red-apple - it was 'replies' I was trying to save, so no wonder I was struggling there! Thanks for clarifying : )

[serenfach]

I have a Word doc which I use for this - highlight the reply, CTRL C and then over to the word doc and CTRL V. I stuff it all in one doc but add a highlight to the main bit so I can read through quickly. It works for me. When you realise you have just put potato peelings in the washing machine, and your bra in the bin....to be fair, they are next to each other, but...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

One option is to effectively save to a PDF.

Use Ctrl+P (Windows) or command+P (macOS) to print the post you are on.

In the printer dialogue, choose to print to PDF. (Windows - Microsoft Print to PDF, macOS - the PDF button near the bottom).

Allow the system to print the webpage - including replies - to PDF.

If you wish, you can tell it not to print the last printer page or two which contains things like Next Posts.