TSH Levels and Thyroid Antibodies

[Trisha2]

Hello,
I have suspected I may have thyroid issues for about 10 years now. I have been tested over the years and results are as follows:  TSH levels - 3.90, 4.65, 7.6, 2.6, 5.7 and 5.14.  Thyroid antibodies - 35 and 44.  I live in Canada where the upper "acceptable" limit is 6.0 for TSH and 60 for antibodies.  My doctor refuses to treat me until my TSH is at least 10.
I do not feel bad all the time, but have "bouts" where I have extremely low energy, brain-fog and a constant headache which can last for 2 weeks straight.  My eyes are also extremely bloodshot most of the time, no matter how much sleep I get. It is so frustrating for 10 years I have "known" something is wrong with me, but wasn't sure what until I did my own investigations.  I am otherwise a healthy, active female, but over the years my life has been severly affected every time I get these "bouts", which I suspect are caused by my thyroid.  
My Question - Does it sound like I have Hashimoto's (or some other Thyroid problem) and how can I get my doctor to listen to me!  Also, does this cause bloodshot eyes?
Thanks very much,
Trisha

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Usually doesn't cause bloodshot eyes unless you have severe fatigue/insomnia related to thyroid disease.

The TSH levels are a little higher than normal in my opinion.  There is great debate surrounding this issue.  If you have only had the TPO antibodies (thyroperoxidase) then it may be helpful to test anti-Tg-antibody (thyroglobulin) and TSH-receptor antibodies - this would help sort out a possible diagnosis of Hashimotos.

A trial of thyroid medication to bring the TSH down to 1 and see how you feel would be reasonable.  Again, the medical literature is somewhat lacking to support this stance, but I have seen improvement in the way patients feel.

[bachai]

Trisha, I am also in Canada and suffered for 3 years before one physician finally checked (by touching) my neck and said "wow you have a huge thyroid" and sent me to have an ultrasound and I have been on Levothyroxene for the last 6weeks. I feel better somewhat and I am hoping the symptoms will get better as the time goes by. I also had bloodshot eyes, tightness in the back of the neck, pressure on the chest and went through all sorts of
tests to eliminate heart condition etc.
Good luck and let me know how you make out.

[als]

Hello everyone. I had ablood test done recently and my antibodies came back as high as 3333 IU/ml with agood range being (<35). What does this mean can anyone tell me??????

[Trisha2]

Bashai, thanks for you comments.  You are the first one I have heard who also has bloodshot eyes!  I am curious, what were your TSH levels and did you have antibodies?  Where exactly on your neck is the bulge?  

Also, for als, the little I know about thyroid antibodies is that they attack your thyroid, generally breaking down the function of the thyroid so that it can no longer produce sufficient thyroid hormones that your body needs, so you have to supplement with thyroid medication.

I am so glad to find this site, I have been wondering, FOR 10 YEARS, why the heck I am so debilitated at times.  Now I think I finally know.  What is wrong with some doctors?  Why do they treat numbers instead of symptoms?!

Trisha

[Trisha2]

To the doctor,
Thanks very much for your comments.  I will go to my doctor and ask for those tests you recommend to see if it could be Hashimotos.  Interesting that bloodshot eyes don't normally occur with thyroid issues, maybe that is caused by something else!  Thanks again.

[doodlebug1]

Hi Trisha2. I certainly identify with you. I also went years begging docs to listen to ME rather than numbers on a piece of paper!! I finally figured out ON MY OWN that my problems WERE thyroid, and were also because I was put on T4-only med, which did NOT work. I switched to dessicated pig thyroid, and my life changed IMMENSELY, especially when I was allowed to dose by symptoms and NOT the TSH! I also learned that the FREE T3 is what I needed to be looking at, NOT the TSH. I keep my free T3 at the top of the range now, and pay no attention to the TSH, and I feel great with NO hyper. And by the way, I read thyroid groups, and folks with antibodies seem to control them MUCH better by using dessicated pig thyroid rather than T4-only meds.

[lazydog]

Unsure if this thread is still alive but if so have just read als comment and I the same with antibodies at 3435 and I have been searching internet to see if I can find antibody range/s and what they mean.  And, how high can they go??