What is the current range used for a TSH test.

I am still doing my homework for Mondays visit to the GP. Thanks to all who have taken the time to help me so far. I have found some labs uses the 0.5. to 5.0/4.5 range but other articles say there is controversy over this and the range used should be 0.3 to 3.0. What is the standard test range in the UK please. Many thanks.

[Moggie]

There is no standard range in the UK - different labs use different ranges and this is the reason why, when someone is posting results, they are always asked for the ranges.

Moggie x

[Hidden]

Ah right, ty. My latest is 2.11 (0.35 to 5.5) but I rang surgery for the one prior to that which was taken in February 2011 and the result was 3.64 (0.35 to 5.5). I would say the February one was high(ish)

I was given blood tests in the rheumatology department earlier this year, when they were investigating my aching joints and muscles and have asked for those results to be faxed over to the GP to discuss those too. They were looking for lupus and other immune system problems I believe.

Susie x

[Moggie]

I have just read your previous question and see that you are trying to get a diagnoses. Did you know that your TSH range will fluctuate throughout the day? and did you know its better to have your bloods drawn as early as you can in the morning if you want a higher TSH to show? so it might be worth while jotting down at what time you had the different TSH tests done.

They are looking for other auto immune problems but wont diagnose thyroid illness!!!!

I was speaking to a friend of mine regarding this site yesterday (she to is a member but hasn't been on for a while) and mentioned how many people are finding it so hard to get the GP's to diagnose thyroid illness lately and she came up with a very interesting theory. She seems to think its all down to money, "but thyroid medication is very cheap" I reminded her, "yes" she said "but once you are on thyroid medication you then get a medical exception certificate which means that you don't have to pay for ANY medications at all" To say that this got me thinking is an understatement.

Moggie x

[Hidden]

I have always have my blood tests at the GP surgery as fasting overnight ones, in the morning as they regularly check cholesterol and blood sugars as part of the well woman (irony!) checks our practice offers.

Following years of these tests, with fluctuating results, I was classed as type 2 diabetic, but wouldn't agree with this and after being sent for annual retinal, foot pulses checks etc., told my (new to the practice) GP I wanted a glucose tolerance test, which turned out to be well below diabetic range. He discharged me from the diabetic nurses treatment and care list immediately. Glucose tolerance test proved I wasn't even diabetic and the cost of care and treatment I received in those four years must have been huge! This is when I became suspicious of blood testing ranges.

I also refused to take a statin, advised due to high cholesterol results. One GP said she didn't believe in pre menopausal women taking a statin, another GP asked to increase my dose as my cholesterol was still 'sky high'. I asked for the blood result and it was lower than the last test and I informed her I hadn't even taken the statin she prescribed for her to be able to 'up' the dose! Level had come down by itself. She said I must have changed my diet. I said I most certainly hadn't as my 'good cholesterol' was still very good. So again I became suspicious of blood tests.

So I have been tested and treated for things which I had no symptoms of, yet I present with hypo symptoms and am given no treatment at all! It's madness.

I am conscious of being a drain on the NHS that's why I was so adamant about the diabetes/cholesterol thing so that I could stop unnecessary care and treatment and am going to try to be as adamant to get my hypo symtoms treated.

I felt really down and upset and scared of my GP practice, when I posted my first question, but writing down my experiences and recalling what has been going on for the past years and the invaluable help from this site and people like yourself who bother to answer, has strengthened my resolve. Thank you.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

If you reply to a particular comment, you have to press the blue reply button, otherwise the person will not be emailed and that they may require another reply.

When you press the blue Reply to this another box opens.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

This is the only way I have replied so far - what has gone wrong? Im having responses so am a little puzzled?

[Moggie]

I think, as your answer proves, that a catalogue of being mis-diagnosed and treatments that are dished out when not needed (antibiotics and antidepressants being just two that spring to mind) waste more money than any thyroid patient could.

The more I think about what my friend said the more I'm convinced she is right - the GP's are trying to cut their budgets/save money and what easier way than to limit the number of medical exemption cards they issue. Hang the consequences and leaving people to suffer as long as the books balance and there's enough in the kitty to pay their big fat pay cheques and their pensions. Worst days work the government ever did was putting the GP's in control of ALL their spending. There has also been a spate of people on here lately that have been happy on a certain amount of medication for years (for one lady it was 30 years) and all of a sudden they have had it reduced. Their bloods didn't justify a reduction, the GP's just reduced it.

If you keep up the work you are obviously putting in, don't get disheartened and keep your logical way of thinking in tact you'll get there before to long.

Sorry for ranting but it makes me very angry to see people like you suffering and GP's doing little or nothing to help.

Moggie x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Moggie]

If you reply to a particular comment, you have to press the blue reply button, otherwise the person will not be emailed and that they may require another reply.

When you press the blue Reply to this another box opens.

[Moggie in reply to shaws]

Hi shaws - why would I need to press the reply to this button when I am replying to the person who is asking the question - or did you mean this comment to go to Susie?

Moggie x

[shaws Administrator in reply to Moggie]

The first reply to a question will not be indented but the following posts to a particular comment (reply) are.

Maybe I made a mistake, as neither of Susie's or your replies were indented as this one will be.

It also means that you will be alerted if the post was a few days old, otherwise we would be unaware.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

What is the other way you think I am replying with if you say we're not hitting the blue 'reply to this button?' I am so confused.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Sorry Susie if I confused you. Many newcomers put their replies in the 'Answer this question box'. I did myself. Your reply to me is fine.

[Hidden in reply to Moggie]

It's a difficult one because I have been sent to various consultants/health care professionals for all of my separate symptoms so it wouldn't make economical sense to give me this run around. I have enough painkillers to knock out a whale though! As I haven't raised the thyroid problem question yet it's going to be interesting to watch the reaction and hopefully I'm armed with all of the right questions and coupled with a tiny bit of knowledge now, can look as if I mean business!

[ChemicalAngel]

The 0.3 to 3.0 tsh level seems to be the standard in the US, and some parts of Europe, and one or two health authorites in this country.

Unfortunately most over here stick rigidly to the 0.5 to 4.2 level and won't budge no matter how symptomatic you are

Ann xx

[carol180609]

I wish peterborough GP would use 4.2 as it level but here is 5.5 over the years my results have been 3.6, 3.9, 4.0,4.7 ,5.4and now ,4.67 and still no treatment yet I'm the one the feels unwell and still has to struggle to get though the day.

My GP does seem the acknowledge that I need help or that I'm at a greater risk due to all female members of the family have under active thyroid. My aunt suggest I see a specialist and mum thinks I should go private.

I just hope one day labs/ GP get a national standard so people know where they stand