TSH elevated, but T3 and T4 normal. Fatigue, but weight loss and nervousness.

[CleverNickname]

I took a test early this year and was told I had a TSH level of 5.7 mIU/1. A follow-up test showed it had gone up to 6.5 three months later, and now, another three months later, I was told the level is 23(!). All this time, though, my T3/T4 levels have been relatively normal. I've lost weight, I've become increasingly nervous, irritable and forgetful, and I rarely seem to ever get a good night's sleep. I've also developed a decrease in my ability to process sugar without full-blown diabetes symptoms. It seems that even when I feel as though I've slept enough, once I eat I often fall back into a haze, though this varies with the food. Often when I eat something I develop a speckled red patch just below my sternum, sometimes accompanied by pruritis. There are ancillary issues, including frequent intestinal distress, flaking skin, and increased ringing in the ears, but I don't know if these are related. I'm in my early 30's, I have many relatives who were disposed to type 2 diabetes, but none who had hypothyroidism as far as I know, although I suspect my late father may have had it.
We will do glucose and thyroid blood tests in a few months, and I have been given a daily prescription for 50 micrograms of thyroxin, but should I be doing more? Shouldn't we test for tumors in the thyroid and pituitary given the desparity between the TSH levels and the T3/T4 levels? Could the glucose intolerance be related? Thank you very much for your time.

[rohit858]

A related discussion, thyroid was started.

[bern7475]

Your synopsis sounds like someone took a look into my life. I could have written this post myself. I too lost weight with hypo and experienced a lot of what would have been considered hyper symptoms. There is a website call www. aboutchronicwellness.com. Click on symptoms tabs and it will answer all of your questions. Good luck
BR

[navoduti]

dear sir,
my brother is having nervousness,irritability & increased thirst at night. he is 12 yrs old. he has not gained height despite going for regular karate classes & swimming classes. his t3 ,t4 levels are normal but his TSH nlevel is raised. it's 5.18.kindly tell me the prognosis . will he be on medication lifelong? what medication he should take?

[CleverNickname]

Thank you, Doctor, and thanks everyone who commented.  Will start on the treatment and will ask about food sensitivities.  Will come crawling back if I need help or support again. :)

I'm glad this resource exists.

-CN

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is subclinical hypothyroidism - I would imagine the T4 and T3 would begin to drop soon given the TSH of 23.  Treatment makes sense.  No indication to test for pituitary tumors based on what you describe.  

Consider testing for sprue -- gluten sensitivity; do this especially if hashimoto's documented as cause of hypothyroidism (test TPO & Tg antibodies).

Glucose intolerance is sometimes seen with thyroid dysfunction.

[cosmicsoul]

All your symptoms could be related to hypothyroidism. Take your Meds - your TSH should become better and should be under 2. All your symptoms are I am sure hard to deal with.. The weight loss is rare but not uncommon. I suspect some other disease happening in paralel - have you tried seeing a GI specialist? Could it be that you are allergic to wheat for example? The glucosen or cardio issues can be related to thyroid but not that common. I suspect some other disease that is happening in parallel to thyroid. I am curious what the Dr. will be responding to your post. I think test for Antibodies too - see if Hashimotos thyroiditis has anything to do with it... Checking your labwork again sounds like a good idea in a few weeks. I wish you good luck!

[kitcurious]

Hi. I lost weight with hypo. and had/have many of the symptoms you describe.
Have heard it many times now and I have only been dx'd hypo for about 6 weeks.