Aa
Help I am a newbie with high TSH 39.8
I just got tested and my TSH is at 39.8. The doctor scared me a bit and I was hoping to get some feedback from those diagnosed earlier with hypo. I have been feeling badly for a while so here are my questions...... How uncommon is my 39.8? How long until I start feeling better? What should I expect to change ? Thanks in advance.
I was diagnosed last 3 years ago (2008) my TSH level gone up 78.30, it takes almost 2months half to recover.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow - 125 mcg right off the bat? Most doctors will start at a much lower level and go up slowly, letting your body adjust to each increase.
When I was diagnosed, my TSH was 55.54; my doctor started me on 25 mcg for 2 weeks, then up to 50 for 4 weeks before retesting, and moving up yet again.
It's very possible that there's a dosage lower than 125, at which you may be comfortable. I do hope you don't swing hyper right away.
When I was diagnosed, my TSH was 55.54; my doctor started me on 25 mcg for 2 weeks, then up to 50 for 4 weeks before retesting, and moving up yet again.
It's very possible that there's a dosage lower than 125, at which you may be comfortable. I do hope you don't swing hyper right away.
Thank you so much for the response , ask with most things knowledge is power. I guess I need to read up on T3 and T4 and the influences. As the symptoms go, weight gain, 25 pounds in 8 months, depression, lack of concentration, The need ( or definitely desire) for naps, muscle spasms. Looking at the labs I have my free T4 is 1.8 and I only have the total T3 is .61. This was found by another doctor and I only met with the endocrinologist yesterday. She started my on synthroid 125 right in the office and sent my for a whole other panel of tests, I know free T3 and T4 is part of that list. I guess its time to wait and see. Thanks again for your help
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
If you haven't been tested for Free T3 and Free T4, then you should request those and if the doctor resists, then you should insist on it and don't take no for an answer. Free T3 is actually the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms while TSH and FT4 did not correlate.
Just a couple of questions for you. If you look through this listing of typical hypo symptoms, which ones do you have? Have you been tested to determine if the cause for your high TSH could be Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of being hypo?
As for how long before you start feeling better, it depends on when you start taking thyroid meds, your dosage, and how long it takes to raise your FT3 and FT4 levels enough to relieve symptoms.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.
You can read about clinical treatment in this link. The link is a letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he consults with from a distance. The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf