Thyroid lab tests changed....

[trc1962]

I have posted about a high TSH (last Fall 9.67). I have also posted about feeling icky for about 8 weeks now. My rheumy ordered a TSH to retest and my TSH has dropped to 5.36 and that's lower than it was but still a bit high. The test did not measure T3 or T4 so that's not known. Is that high enough to cause my exhaustion? My CRP was also elevated and we will see what the rheumy thinks of this. I am half afraid to take a thyroid med if I am hypo because there is so much out there about them causing hairloss...don't want to go through that as I have dealt with that before.

[eye2dry]

One of the symptoms of low thyroid is hair loss.
My hair loss stopped since being on synthroid for 5 years now.

Sjogrens can cause hair loss too also some meds like methotrexate
as example can cause  it (which I also take).

My TSH levels were changing for years and my GP never did
anything and when my rheumy saw me 5 years ago he told my GP that my numbers were
too high (over 7) and I need treated. When your thyroid is not functioning (low)
fatigue happens, along with weight gain, being cold,  dry skin,etc....

I would definetly follow up on this, low thyroid can be as hard on your heart as
hyperthyroid.

shelly

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

In my opinion - (and I'm not a medic but I do have Hashimotos Thyroiditis) -  5.36 is still too high and I would certainly feel ill if my TSH was that.

In the UK the range tends to be 0.5 - 5 or 0.4 - 4 (labs differ).  In the US, I believe, the range is 0.3 - 3. My endocrinologist has asked my GP to keep mine below 2. I feel ill when it rises near the top end of the range.  As with everything else - people differ - but there are definitely people who feel better with a suppressed TSH. Mine was 0.01 at one stage and was feeling pretty good but the GP insisted on adjusting the medication I was on because she said I was probably putting a strain on my heart.

If it would be possible to get a referral to an endocrinologist they could help you to get balanced. Is your thgyroid disease autoimmune? Is it something else?

Take care - Scottie 

[trc1962]

Thanks for the replies. I have put in a request to my pcp as my insurance insists on that, however the pcp was out of the office and hopefully gets it tomorrow. He was the dr. though that said my thyroid was fine at 8.67 because my t3 and t4 weren't elevated. If needed I can have the rheumy also request a referral for me. I hate having to get a referral!

[aussie mum]

Your Thyroid certainly isn't fine with a TSH of 8.67 or over 5.

If your GP does not treat your Thyroid issues seriously, I would seek a referral from your Rheumy and in the meantime, start looking for a new GP.

Hope you are feeling better soon. 

[trc1962]

I received an email from my Rheummy regarding my test results and his comment to the TSH is that it is just barely over normal which is 0.5 - 5.0. This test put it at 5.93 (on my last post I said 5.36 instead of 5.93 and mark that down to brain fog!) I thought normal was .5 -3.0? He said it may or may not be causing the fatigue I am feeling. Why does it have to be so hard for doctors to listen to us? I was really hoping he would be more helpful. I already made the request for an endo from my primary and haven't heard back yet. I am hoping he will agree. Thanks for the posts and the info, it is appreciated.

[irish]

You deserve to have a referral. Your primary is being ornery and trying to show that he is in charge. It is your body and we all react differently to variable TSH levels. I would need my med increased at 5---not even over normal.

My son has really bad Hashimotos and hypothyroid and he can tell when his TSH goes up or down. He would walk in to docs office and demand a TSH test and they would argue. He would argue back and he was right so much that they finally just do the blood work when he comes in and tells them it is time. Docs need to know that we live in our body and know how we feel. Good luck. Irish