TSH and T4 levels

[modistee]

Does anyone know if these have anything to do with Sjogrens?   I was told by a new Dr. I went to that my TSH level is really really low and that can cause all the symptoms I have been having also.  Sooooo maybe I dont have Sjogrens (I have not officially been diagnosed with it)  My thyroid had been pretty steady for years and year and now it seems to be going whacko the last 3 or 4.  Anyway she lowered my Thyroid meds and I have to get a recheck in 6 weeks.  She also picked on my high cholesterol and high BP   lol.  Gave me a prescription for something herbal for BP and sent me to health food store for no flush niacin for cholesterol.  Told her I flat out refuse to take a statin.  Have not had good luck with those at all.  At least I finally have a Dr. that is trying.  And not pushing anti depressants at me with no explanations or anything.

Modistee

[Scottietottie]

Hi Modistee 

TSH and T4 both relate to thyroids. TSH is Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and if it is too low it means you are hyperthyroid and you're doc is doing the right thing lowering your thyroid meds. Most people with thyroid problems (not all) have autoimmune thyroid disease. Autoimmune diseases often go together so it's quite possible to have thyroid disease and SjS. When your thyroid is 'off' you can feel like death! I know!

Thyroid problems can also cause high cholesterol so when your meds are optimised your cholesterol level may well drop. Your doc sounds good. Anti depressants would not help you at all while the thyroid is misbehaving!

Take care - Scottie 

ps - hypo edited to hyper - thanks Linda! (Twas a typo!)

[Linda196]

Modistee, you may want to ask for a thyroid antibody blood check as well, because an autoimmune attack on the thyroid can cause changes in function, but can't be completely diagnosed without knowing if there are antibodies present. The other thing is, thyroid production isn't a static number...it can change based on other hormone counts, so the drop in TSH may be related to natural changes in other hormones like pituitary, ovarian or adrenal.

Just a minor correction, Scottie, and I know it was probably just a typo, but low TSH means hyperthyroid, high TSH means hypo. Bottom line is you were right about decreasing the meds being the right way to go.

[gurs]

Im confused about the TSH also....? Mine is very low, along with a low T3 and doc says im a bit Hypo? yet, ive read several articles that say a low TSH is hyper?

Anyone understand this?

[Scottietottie]

Hi Gurs 

Linda was right. Hypo was a typo. I've been told that the range for TSH is usually between 0.5 and 4. A lot of people feel best when their TSH is not higher than midway through that range. My doc keeps my TSH between 0.5 and 2. Once my TSH was 42. That was definitely hypo. It reduced to 6 and I felt as ill as I had when it was 42. I feel ever so much better when it's below 2.

If the TSH is lower than 0.5 it could mean that you are hyper. (That's an overactive thyroid) Some people function pretty well with a supressed TSH, so I've read on a thyroid forum. Hyper symptoms are as unpleasant as hypo symptoms however. If you google for thyroid you find a list of symptoms for both conditions. There are many - and some overlap with SjS. Hyper symptoms that come to mind are a racing heart, feeling jittery, feeling hungry, eating lots but losing weight, sweating, palpitations and anxiety.

Take care - Scottie 

[modistee]

Thanks for the replys.  My Tsh level was .117 if I remember correctly.  I have had all the symptoms except I have gained weight in spite of no appetite.  Go figure.  The jitters is what is scary.  When they came on my husband said I would get the funniest look on my face.   Now I wonder if my thyroid had totally gone off the deep end and is rebelling.   It is not a fun thing when it does that is for sure.  Anyway take care all.

Modistee

[irish]

Anyone with Sjogrens who has thyroid problems should for sure ask their doc to check the autoimmune status of their thyroid. Having autoimmune problems with the thyroid(this is called hashimotos) can make a person feel like crap--pardon the language. With Hashimotos the thyroid gets more hard to control and seems like every so often have to have TSH checked. It can go from hyper to hypo or the opposite in just a short period of time. Irish

[Patze]

Hi Modistee,

Wow, 117?  Now that's high!  My TSH never went above 4.96 or something like that, and like the others, I felt absolutely miserable.  The lowest I've been (with drugs) was .54 and I was more hyper than normal (at least since this mess started).  I'm now on the alternate method (for lack of a better description) - one day I take the .100 and the next .088, back and forth - some days I forget and have to count the pills.  Ugh - I hate it.

It does sound like you have some hyper problems too - hopefully your doctor is working to make sure that you feel better soon!

Take care and let us know how you're doing -

Patze

[modistee]

Patze that was actually *point* 117 .   This whole thing has me confused.  I have taken thyroid medication for years and years and it was always the same until the last couple years.  Then it had to be lowered was good for several years and now it has gone really weird.  I have felt so awful even more awful than usual.  Guess I am just coming apart at the seams.   Thanks and hugs for everyone.  Cuz if you feel anything like me you need em.

Modistee

[JannaLee]

Oh honey, I am so sorry you are feeling so terrible!

I wish I could reach you for a real hug.

Hoping the new doc. can figure this out and fix it!  It would be wonderful if you didn't have SjS.
Janna

[Scottietottie]

Hi Modistee 

I think your doc is right and that your thyroid has decided to go 'hyper' for awhile after a period of underactivity. As it has been the other way - and you are on meds - the doc is right to cut the meds down.
If I were you - I would ask to be referred to an endocrinologist because they are the thyroid experts. They will find out what is going on with it and get you balanced up again.

Take care - Scottie 

[Patze]

Hi Modistee,

I'm sorry about misreading your TSH level, I did not see the dot in front of the 117, my eyes are not doing really well these last several days.

Hopefully your doctor will stay on top of this and you will feel better soon.

Take care now -

Patze

[modistee]

Thats ok Patze my eyes aren't working very well either.       Take care.  *hugs*

Modistee

[irish]

modistee, I have had hypothyroid since 1989 and was on the same dosage until around 2005 and it has been up and down every since. For a while I had to have TSH checked every month and dosage changed a lot.

I havae since been diagnosed with the Hashimotos. I asked my immunologist about the hashimotos and he said that people can start out with just plain hyperthyroid etc and then eventually people will end up with the autoimmune thyroid disease. This can really raise havoc with the body and is really hard to control. Make sure that you tell the doc that you need a dosage that makes you feel better---not necessarily what he thinks you should have. I have always felt best when TSH was in the 1.0-2.0 range and when it gets down below .8 I need to watch it closely.

I have a son who has really bad Hashimotos and he has a heck of a time keeping his stable plus he has nodules in his thyroid that need watching. He can tell when his is changing as he will start to have insomnia and can't think good, get the shakes and feels like crying. I had a high TSH this past fall with terrible pain in hips and a hard time walking and so many other aches and pains. Here it was my darn thyroid. Don't let it get you down, just keep at your doc and if he doesn't help you out it is time to see an Endocrinologist who specializes in the secreting glands in the body. Good luck Irish