TSH levels

[Lala54]

My TSH levels are in the normal range .5 - 5.  One doctor put me on medicine because my TSH level fluctuated from 1.8 to 3.1 within six months.  I then went to another doctor, he said I was fine, took me off of the medicine, and told me everyone's TSH levels are suppose to fluctuate.  

MY question is, "Is my TSH level supposed to fluctuate within the normal range of .5 - 5?"

[Hypo Crystal]

I'm going to an excellent Endocrinologist, who is confused about my body.  I've had a thyroid disorder (hypo) since I was 10.  It was fine for 13 years, then after I had my son at 23, it went haywire.  It goes up, then down, then back up again... I was on 100 mcg of levothyroxine... and gained 12 pounds in 2 months with no change in my diet, and an INCREASE in excercise.  I am a very healthy woman, who exercises regularly (2 mile runs, several times per week)... and eat mostly organic veggies and lots of omega 3s.  

Recently, I went back after I had gained weight, and my Thyroxine Free count was .5 (normal is .8 - 1.8)... and the SHOCKER is that my TSH was 55.53.  This is BEING ON 100 mcgs of levothyroxine.  He upped my meds to 150 mcg over a week ago, but I am still wanting to sleep all the time, cannot think straight or remember things well, dry skin... I had lost nearly half of my hair... I am just starting to get so depressed.  I know it takes awhile for the new hormones to take effect, but in the meantime I am miserable.

BOTTOM LINE...  Any ENDOCRINOLOGISTS reading this forum have any dietary/supplemental advice for me, to help get my nutritional aspects under control?  I would like to know what foods to avoid, and which to concentrate on eating to speed the healing progress of my volitile TSH count.  Any help is appreciated!


Desperate,
Hypo Crystal

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

There is some fluctuation -- usually by about 1 point.  Check antibodies, if positive, then consider treatment, OR if you felt better on meds -- otherwise, observe without treatment.

[lorakin]

You should test for antibodies...if you have hashimotos your tsh will swing between hypo and hyper because there is an attack going on...also test your free t3 and free t4 to see how much thyroid hormone is availanle for use to get a better understanding what is going on...I was on the same dose of synthroid for years with the tsh fluctuating from as high as almost 4 down to nearly zero. It's because there is an attack going on.  Had my free's finally tested and had very low t4 and nearly no t3.  Switched to armour and feeling better and getting a free t3 reading finally...still low but there.

Good Luck