TSH test results : Thyroid Disease Forum : Active Low-Carber Forums

#1 ^

Mon, Nov-08-10, 10:26

Ginga

Senior Member

Posts: 166

Plan: my own
Stats: 151.5/142.0/125 Female 5ft 3.5in

BF:?
Progress: 36%

Location: minneapolis

TSH test results

I had a routine TSH test last week during my yearly visit to the Dr. It came back at 3.30. From what i've been reading that is rather high? My DR. hasn't called or mentioned anything about it. Should I be concerned? I do have some of the symptons of hypo, dry skin, fatigue, have to starve myself to lose a pound. What do you think?

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#2 ^

Mon, Nov-08-10, 17:49

jovanb77

Registered Member

Posts: 89

Plan: VLC
Stats: 143/112.6/115 Female 62 inches

BF:33%/24%/15%
Progress: 109%

Location: Dayton, OH

I would say that is high - especially if you're having symptoms. My doc tries to keep me under 2...I think I feel perfect around 1.6/1.7ish...

#3 ^

Mon, Nov-08-10, 18:05

MoonDansyr MoonDansyr is offline

Senior Member

Posts: 2,606

Plan: LCHF/Keto
Stats: 162/116.6/117 Female 61 inches

BF:30.6%/22.0%/22.1%
Progress: 101%

Location: Kentuckiana

I was having symptoms at that TSH and over the next 3-4 years, it kept creeping up, as did my symptoms. But that's considered "in range" and every doctor I went to told me nothing was wrong with me and my symptoms were all in my head. I even printed out a bunch of slides from an American Thyroid Association meeting to show to my doctor to try to get him to put me on a low dose to take me to around 2 or just below. He threw them in the garbage right in front of me and said there was nothing wrong with me. I fired him. It took me a LOT of research to find a doctor who had a clue, but when I did, he finally gave me my life back! I would talk to my doctor if I were you. Regardless of not being able to lose weight, it is detrimental to your health in many other respects. It's like a thermostat that controls so many other aspects of your body.

Also, I agree - I feel better if I'm right around 2 or slightly below.

#4 ^

Mon, Nov-08-10, 18:40

Nancy LC

Experimenter

Posts: 25,866

Plan: DDF
Stats: 202/185.4/179 Female 67

BF:
Progress: 72%

Location: San Diego, CA

Usually naturopathic doctors are more receptive to treating thyroid more aggressively. Do you have any in your area?

#5 ^

Mon, Nov-08-10, 19:40

Ginga

Senior Member

Posts: 166

Plan: my own
Stats: 151.5/142.0/125 Female 5ft 3.5in

BF:?
Progress: 36%

Location: minneapolis

I'm sure there are some in my area. I will have to check. I had melanoma a few years back and I had to do interferon for a year so I just still thought it was side effects. I have since learned that is a major contributor to thyroid malfunction. I'm going to mention it to the DR. next visit and if she won't listen i will find someone who will. Thanks for the replies

#6 ^

Tue, Nov-09-10, 11:56

maile1

Senior Member

Posts: 376

Plan: hcg
Stats: 192/142/138 Female 67 inches

BF:
Progress: 93%

Location: Vancouver, BC

a normal TSH in a healthy adult is between 1 and 1.5, agree with the others that you need to seek a new opinion.

#7 ^

Tue, Nov-09-10, 14:11

MoonDansyr MoonDansyr is offline

Senior Member

Posts: 2,606

Plan: LCHF/Keto
Stats: 162/116.6/117 Female 61 inches

BF:30.6%/22.0%/22.1%
Progress: 101%

Location: Kentuckiana

One final comment ... the TSH can fluctuate throughout the day. My tests are always run first thing in the morning before I take my morning dose of meds (I take them in the morning and evening, 12 hours apart).

Still, were I your doctor, I wouldn't accept that number, regardless of the time of day, and would get a second test in the AM along with a check of your other thyroid hormones (T4, T3, FreeT4/T3, Reverse T4/T3).

I feel pretty decent right around 1.5-2.0.

#8 ^

Wed, Nov-10-10, 10:00

Ginga

Senior Member

Posts: 166

Plan: my own
Stats: 151.5/142.0/125 Female 5ft 3.5in

BF:?
Progress: 36%

Location: minneapolis

My test was done in the afternoon. I am going to ask about it next time I see the Dr. I will see her again this month. I just think its odd that they test, it comes back high and nobody even mentions it to me??????

#9 ^

Wed, Nov-10-10, 11:46

MoonDansyr MoonDansyr is offline

Senior Member

Posts: 2,606

Plan: LCHF/Keto
Stats: 162/116.6/117 Female 61 inches

BF:30.6%/22.0%/22.1%
Progress: 101%

Location: Kentuckiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginga

That's because they are trained to see that it is "within range" according to the lab and dismiss it. The ATA has been trying to get the lab ranges changed, but it hasn't happened yet. The vast majority of doctors don't educate themselves beyond medical school about thyroid (among other things) and don't even know that anything above 2 should be retested and watched or treated.