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High TSH but normal T3 and T4 - Is this Hashimoto?
I have been having hypothyroid symptoms for years and I finally got some blood tests done. My TSH is 6,67 but my T3 and T4 seem to be normal. I do have eczema, chronic yeast infections and armpit odor (unexplained as I am a very clean person). I am also extremely tired and my hair is thin. The physician did not want to put me on medication but my symptoms persist. I also have brain fog and dizziness from time to time. I wonder if I have Hashimoto. I am currently attempting to do a cleanse and stop the sugar and bread (which is harder than I initially thought). Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks in advance for the help.
Well after much research and knowing what to ask/say I got a GP referral to see an endocrinologist. It turns out he diagnosed me quickly and hasn't put me on mess yet ( he ordered blood tests + thyroid x rays). He noticed my enlarged goiter as he performed a quick physical exam. This doc has years of experience so I'm happy. I'm waiting for my test results now...
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I meant to say meds not mess lol and he did say it seems I'm hypothyroid
COMMUNITY LEADER
Did you have a TPOab test? You need that, along with the TgAb to rule out Hashimoto's.
I totally agree with you about the cravings. All you can do is take one day at a time. For every slice of bread, cookie, teaspoon of sugar, piece of chocolate, etc that you don't eat, you're that much closer to your goal..
The main vitamin/mineral tests you need are Vitamin B-12, vitamin D and ferritin...Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause horrible fatigue/exhaustion.
I totally agree with you about the cravings. All you can do is take one day at a time. For every slice of bread, cookie, teaspoon of sugar, piece of chocolate, etc that you don't eat, you're that much closer to your goal..
The main vitamin/mineral tests you need are Vitamin B-12, vitamin D and ferritin...Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause horrible fatigue/exhaustion.
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I don't believe I have had the TPOab test. I will definitely ask for this. I am so tired and I know this is not normal. Sometimes in Canada it is hard to get proper medical care because it is free and there are lots of patients! I will try to find a doctor who will listen to me. So far, no luck but I will definitely keep all this information in mind. Thanks again for the information and the responses!
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.
Thanks Barb135 - I will definitely keep everyone posted on my progress
COMMUNITY LEADER
Red_Star... Long time, no see!! I hope all is well.
LadyDaisy, I agree that you need the antibody tests to determine whether you have Hashimoto's or not. Elevated TSH, with Free T4 and Free T3 being less than optimal, will tell you if you have hypothyroidism, but the antibodies determine if the cause is autoimmune.
It would be helpful if you could post your actual Free T4 and Free T3 results, with reference ranges from your lab report, so we can see where you are. It's typically recommended that Free T4 be about mid range and Free T3 be in the upper half to upper third of its range. Free T3 should be higher in its range than Free T4 in its.
Many doctors think it's okay to let TSH get to 10 or more before treating, which is not okay, if one has symptoms of hypothyroidism. It appears that your doctor might be in this class, so since s/he balked at putting you on medication with TSH of 6.67 and all of those symptoms, I might suggest that you start looking for a different doctor, as I suspect this one will keep you ill.
LadyDaisy, I agree that you need the antibody tests to determine whether you have Hashimoto's or not. Elevated TSH, with Free T4 and Free T3 being less than optimal, will tell you if you have hypothyroidism, but the antibodies determine if the cause is autoimmune.
It would be helpful if you could post your actual Free T4 and Free T3 results, with reference ranges from your lab report, so we can see where you are. It's typically recommended that Free T4 be about mid range and Free T3 be in the upper half to upper third of its range. Free T3 should be higher in its range than Free T4 in its.
Many doctors think it's okay to let TSH get to 10 or more before treating, which is not okay, if one has symptoms of hypothyroidism. It appears that your doctor might be in this class, so since s/he balked at putting you on medication with TSH of 6.67 and all of those symptoms, I might suggest that you start looking for a different doctor, as I suspect this one will keep you ill.
3 Comments
I also meant to say that doing a cleanse won't help you stop the sugar, bread, etc. Most of us can't do that all at once; we have to "taper" off. For instance, I found that instead of eating 2 slices of toast with breakfast, one was sufficient; or 1 slice of bread/sandwich would be better than 2, etc. I switched from added sugar to Stevia or honey. You can also sweeten your food with cinnamon, vanilla and other spices.
I, too, have had magnesium deficiency, and while supplementing does help with severe muscle cramps and/or pain, it's done nothing to alleviate those pesky sugar or chocolate cravings. That's one I still struggle with, though I do find that adding healthy fats, like avocados, olive and coconut oils to my diet keeps me feeling fuller and I don't crave junk nearly as much as I did.
I, too, have had magnesium deficiency, and while supplementing does help with severe muscle cramps and/or pain, it's done nothing to alleviate those pesky sugar or chocolate cravings. That's one I still struggle with, though I do find that adding healthy fats, like avocados, olive and coconut oils to my diet keeps me feeling fuller and I don't crave junk nearly as much as I did.
Thanks for the infor Barb 135 - I am realizing that I might have more of a vitamin deficiency - I will have to look into that. The doctor did not want to take more blood tests but I asked if it could be (the fatigue and symptoms) related to a vitamin deficiency. Yes, the sugar cravings and the addiciton are really hard to kick! It's very tough. I guess I will try to take it one day at a time.
Hi Barb. Still alive and kicking lol
Test your thyroid antibodies to be sure. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb). I also had a TSH of 6 with free T4 and free T3 in range due to Hashi's. The free T4 however was below the midrange and that is not optimal range.
I stopped sugar (with a month of withdrawal symptoms btw) with the help of magnesium. Without magnesium not a chance! I was a serious chocoholic (I craved chocolate due to magnesium loss from my sugary diet/insulin resistance).
I stopped sugar (with a month of withdrawal symptoms btw) with the help of magnesium. Without magnesium not a chance! I was a serious chocoholic (I craved chocolate due to magnesium loss from my sugary diet/insulin resistance).
10 Comments
Great - thanks for the advice Red_Star! I will have to go back to the physician and take it from there.In Canada we have free healthcare which I am greatful for but I think I will go to a private clinic like I did the first time and pay. Otherwise I would not get my test results (the doctor would just say if I am ok or not). All this medical stuff is confusing but I will ask for the thyroglobulin antibodies test as I did not take it the first time.
Oh i did find the results of this test - it looks like I did take it - Thyroglobulin is 9.19 (1.40-78.00 ng/ml) and anti-thyroglobulin is 0.9 (0.0-4.1)
And my T4 is 14.5 (9.0-19.1 pmol/L) I couldn't find the results for my T3
My T4 was 13 pmol/L actually. Your anti-thyroglobulin (which is the antibody test) is elevated above normal which is seen with Hashi's.
Sorry I didn't read your comment properly lol smh Okay anti thyroglobulin is in range. Check your TPOAb. :)
Thank you for your feedback Red_Star I am definitely going to do this and hopefully I'll get to check my vitamin levels (I do have fibroids which are associated with a vitamin D deficiency).
No problems. :) Check out the article from Hypothyroid Mom - 300+ Hypothyroidism Symptoms…Yes REALLY. And sad to say that's not a complete list of possible symptoms either!
A study found 92% with Hashi's had vitamin D deficiency and 63% without Hashi's were vitamin D deficient. My vitamin D level was 30 nmol/L (12 ng/mL). Not that I knew that about that study when I requested my vitamin D levels. I only requested this lab after I read vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of cancer! Optimal vitamin D levels mentioned in the study: 100-150 nmol/L (40 to 60 ng/mL).
wow that is so good to know! Thank you for all this information! I feel as though I am learning so much on my own by reading and blogging. Thanks again for all this info! I have to schedule an appointment with a physician in the next month or so...my symptoms are driving me nuts! I guess you are taking supplements?
There is a lot of info online for sure! I take Nature's Way vitamin D gummies which are delicious! I have other autoimmune diseases as well; one of which is autoimmune pernicious anaemia so I take sublingual B12 for that. Also a multi vitamin and when I need it magnesium.
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