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How High can TSH levels reach?
I was recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, and my TSH level is 70.393. Is this a very high level? If it is, what are the possible complications?
Also, how severe can symptoms get? I have a very hard time concentrating on simple things, and a hard time remembering what i am saying in simple conversations. My arms and legs get tired, even when i haven't done any strenuous activities. Im irritated by alot of small simple things. My boyfriend keeps telling me that it is all mental, and that it could be just laziness and pessimism, but i honestly feel miserable. Is is possible that i can have that many symptoms with a TSH level of 70?
Also, how severe can symptoms get? I have a very hard time concentrating on simple things, and a hard time remembering what i am saying in simple conversations. My arms and legs get tired, even when i haven't done any strenuous activities. Im irritated by alot of small simple things. My boyfriend keeps telling me that it is all mental, and that it could be just laziness and pessimism, but i honestly feel miserable. Is is possible that i can have that many symptoms with a TSH level of 70?
COMMUNITY LEADER
You've attached to a very old thread and sassysarah1975 is no longer active on the forum, so it's unlikely she will respond to your question... Unfortunately, we don't know how she turned out.
If there is something we can help you with, feel free to start a new thread of your own and we'll be glad to answer any questions you have or address your concerns.
If there is something we can help you with, feel free to start a new thread of your own and we'll be glad to answer any questions you have or address your concerns.
2 Comments
Have a TSH level of 0.407 My T3 is 104 My T4 is 1.06 my hair is been falling out. I was wondering if this is caused by my thyroid levels. Is TSH 0.407 hyper or hypo
You've attached to a very old thread...
TSH levels don't determine whether or not you're hyper or hypo. The levels of actual thyroid hormones are what determines that, though TSH is affected by thyroid hormone levels. What are the reference ranges for the T3 and T4? Reference ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
Are the T3 and T4 tests for Free T3 and Free T4 or are they Total T3 and Total T4? They aren't the same tests and don't provide the same information...
It would be better if you start your own new thread so your situation gets the attention it deserves rather than being attached to an old thread as it is. You can start a new thread by going to the homepage via the following link and click on "Ask a Question" at the top of the page...
https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Thyroid-Disorders/show/73
TSH levels don't determine whether or not you're hyper or hypo. The levels of actual thyroid hormones are what determines that, though TSH is affected by thyroid hormone levels. What are the reference ranges for the T3 and T4? Reference ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
Are the T3 and T4 tests for Free T3 and Free T4 or are they Total T3 and Total T4? They aren't the same tests and don't provide the same information...
It would be better if you start your own new thread so your situation gets the attention it deserves rather than being attached to an old thread as it is. You can start a new thread by going to the homepage via the following link and click on "Ask a Question" at the top of the page...
https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Thyroid-Disorders/show/73
That is what my dr just said to me. Are you taking your pills. What do you do? That is the first thing I do every morning. Help
COMMUNITY LEADER
Is TSH all you're getting tested? You should be getting Free T3 and Free T4 tested, as well. Those are the actual thyroid hormones. I wonder if your pituitary is malfunctioning because if you didn't have any thyroid hormones, you'd go into myxedema coma, which is a life threatening.
Low thyroid hormones can cause pins and needles. Are you on replacement thyroid hormones? What med, what dosage and for long?
Low thyroid hormones can cause pins and needles. Are you on replacement thyroid hormones? What med, what dosage and for long?
When I was diagnosed my TSH levels were 624.97 and the DOC is amazed that I still work and function and that im not dead. I have a nodule in my thyroid that I have to have biopsied to make sure its not cancer....Freaks me out bc I have two babies and im only 21 but I have the same exact symptoms as you do except I have pins and needles feeling over my entire body. Everyone gets frustrated with me bc I get to the store and don't know what im there for or anything
COMMUNITY LEADER
Are you talking about your TSH being at > 150? Are you also getting Free T3 and Free T4 tested? If not you need to. If so, please post those results and be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
Are you only on Cytomel? If so, why? What's the strength of the pills you're taking?
Are you only on Cytomel? If so, why? What's the strength of the pills you're taking?
My thyroid is at > 150. Im on nine pills a day of cytomel. Three doctors r amazed. Cant understand why my pills are not working. I was down to 77 but now im back to the above score. I was even accused of not taking my pills. I assure u I do. I have to pay for them. Not cheap what I want yo know is if anyone else having issues where the medication is not working.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree with everything goolarra said....... I'm on generic levo + cytomel (T3 med). The basic difference between goolarra any myself right now is that her TSH runs unusually high, while mine is currently (and has been for some time) unusually low (0.02). But like goolarra, my FT3/FT4 are right at mid range and I feel better than I've felt for many years.
Lab tests are crucial to diagnose and monitor hypothyroidism, but they aren't the "end all, be all" that a lost of people (specifically doctors) seem to think. Your symptoms have to be taken into consideration, first and foremost.
Lab tests are crucial to diagnose and monitor hypothyroidism, but they aren't the "end all, be all" that a lost of people (specifically doctors) seem to think. Your symptoms have to be taken into consideration, first and foremost.
Your doctor is being a bit dramatic. Yes, hypothyroidism can cause death, but it is extremely rare, and I have seen people on the forum report TSH of 600 and 800...just to give you some perspective.
FT3 and FT4 are much more important when determining thyroid status and when adjusting meds than TSH. TSH is a pituitary hormone and affected by many other factors besides thyroid hormone levels.
I am on levothyroxine and my FT3 and FT4 are in reference range and I am asymptomatic. My TSH hovers around 20...as I said many other factors can affect TSH...I have a pituitary issue that keeps TSH artificially high. I feel great.
There is only one way to get your TSH down, and that is to take thyroid hormone replacements. This can be T4-only meds (like Synthroid, Levoxyl, generic levo, etc.), synthetic T3/T4 combinations, or dessicated porcine thyroid (like Armour, etc.).
Since your TSH has shot up to almost 50 on the compounded meds, it's obvious that you need a meds increase. Have FT3 and FT4 tested, then make sure your doctor is using these to adjust meds (you may need to find a new doctor to accomplish this). It sounds like your doctor didn't know how much compounded med to use to replace the Armour you had been taking. Once on an adequate dose of thyroid meds, your FT3 and FT4 will improve, and your TSH will go back to reference range (unless, of course, like me, there are other issues going on).
FT3 and FT4 are much more important when determining thyroid status and when adjusting meds than TSH. TSH is a pituitary hormone and affected by many other factors besides thyroid hormone levels.
I am on levothyroxine and my FT3 and FT4 are in reference range and I am asymptomatic. My TSH hovers around 20...as I said many other factors can affect TSH...I have a pituitary issue that keeps TSH artificially high. I feel great.
There is only one way to get your TSH down, and that is to take thyroid hormone replacements. This can be T4-only meds (like Synthroid, Levoxyl, generic levo, etc.), synthetic T3/T4 combinations, or dessicated porcine thyroid (like Armour, etc.).
Since your TSH has shot up to almost 50 on the compounded meds, it's obvious that you need a meds increase. Have FT3 and FT4 tested, then make sure your doctor is using these to adjust meds (you may need to find a new doctor to accomplish this). It sounds like your doctor didn't know how much compounded med to use to replace the Armour you had been taking. Once on an adequate dose of thyroid meds, your FT3 and FT4 will improve, and your TSH will go back to reference range (unless, of course, like me, there are other issues going on).
Please let me know if you or anyone you know got their TSH back to normal and how they did it I was on Armour until it was unavailable the pharmacy compounded a replacement and I ended up with TSH almost at 50. I need some support from someone who has been there.
My TSH was just under 50 and my Dr. sounds like my body will shut down and I will die before too long if we can't get it down. What did you do to get your TSH back in normal range.
COMMUNITY LEADER
When I was diagnosed, my TSH was 55.55 and, like goolarra, I was a basket case. She's right - it's NOT a mental thing. You are sick...
I hope that you've had (or are getting) the other tests she mentioned as your doctor will need those numbers, as well, in order to treat you properly.
Hang in there and let us know you are doing.
I hope that you've had (or are getting) the other tests she mentioned as your doctor will need those numbers, as well, in order to treat you properly.
Hang in there and let us know you are doing.
Normal range for TSH is 0.3 to 3.0. A TSH of 70 is very high...I'm not surprised your symptoms are very bad...it is NOT all mental! When I was diagnosed, my TSH was 64, and I was a basket case.
Was your free T3 and free T4 tested along with your TSH? Those two are much more important than TSH in both diagnosis and treatment.
As long as your FT3 and FT4 support your TSH result, you should start on treatment immediately. A TSH of 70 isn't going to kill you tomorrow, but it does demand prompt attention because it will only get worse and so will your symptoms.
Was your free T3 and free T4 tested along with your TSH? Those two are much more important than TSH in both diagnosis and treatment.
As long as your FT3 and FT4 support your TSH result, you should start on treatment immediately. A TSH of 70 isn't going to kill you tomorrow, but it does demand prompt attention because it will only get worse and so will your symptoms.
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