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TSH over 100 ?!?!?
Has anyone on here had a TSH of over 100? Mine came back as over 150 which is extremely high with Free T4 level of .20 which is low--thus I guess I have hypothyroidism, which would explain why I've felt so terrible for weeks/months now...to the point of barely being able to drive to work without falling asleep, etc.
Just wondering if others on here had TSH levels over 100 before and what did they do to combat the fatigue until they were able to see an endocrinologist (one that I called didn't have an opening until December--two months away!!!).
I had ultrasound at hospital done today and they said they would send results to my Primary care dr. who would call me re: results.
My mom had thyroid cancer when she was in her 40's and I am almost 31 years old, just had a baby 5 months ago, and thought I was just so overly exhausted over the baby, going back to work, etc. Luckily my OB/GYN noticed my thyroid glands felt really swollen when I was telling her how tired I have been, to the point of crying and wondering what was going on, why couldn't I handle motherhood, why am I so exhausted all the time, gaining weight even though i am eating less, breastfeeding, exercising when i have a little energy, etc.
I'd like to hear other's stories with such elevated TSH levels...what caused such high levels for you? how did you deal with the fatigue until you could see a dr., etc.? what ended up being your treatment, medication, etc.?
Just wondering if others on here had TSH levels over 100 before and what did they do to combat the fatigue until they were able to see an endocrinologist (one that I called didn't have an opening until December--two months away!!!).
I had ultrasound at hospital done today and they said they would send results to my Primary care dr. who would call me re: results.
My mom had thyroid cancer when she was in her 40's and I am almost 31 years old, just had a baby 5 months ago, and thought I was just so overly exhausted over the baby, going back to work, etc. Luckily my OB/GYN noticed my thyroid glands felt really swollen when I was telling her how tired I have been, to the point of crying and wondering what was going on, why couldn't I handle motherhood, why am I so exhausted all the time, gaining weight even though i am eating less, breastfeeding, exercising when i have a little energy, etc.
I'd like to hear other's stories with such elevated TSH levels...what caused such high levels for you? how did you deal with the fatigue until you could see a dr., etc.? what ended up being your treatment, medication, etc.?
I recently was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, I believe it has been left unnoticed for a quite a few years, I have been very depressed over the last 10 years at different stages of life, in the last 3 I spent most of the time in bed. My doctors thought my illness was due to other more obvious stressors going on in my life at the time.
My TSH level checked in at 156, they repeated the test to make sure it wasn't and error. Also my prolactin level was over 1000. My thyroid has shut down apparently.
I have somehow been working but when they spoke to the professor at the hospital about my results he was surprised I was walking.
Thank Gosh its the holidays now, all I have done is sat in bed.
It makes a lot of sense, it feels like I am dragging my body through every movement unless I am hyped up on caffeine/nicotine. My whole body constantly aches, but I am very good at tuning out of my body now.
When I get sick, I am bedridden for days. I smoke a lot of herb just to cope with the ache in my body at night. I find it easy to sleep for 13 hours, but no matter how many hours of sleep I get (7,8,9,10,11+), when I wake up in the morning I am fighting my eyes to stay awake for sometimes an hour. I sit in my bed vaping nicotine for the first 30 minutes while I try and force my body to move out of bed in the mornings.
I haven't had a desire for sex in about 8 months too.
My depression has worsened also, there's a lot of experiences out there that I know a part of me would really enjoy right now however I can't even move out of my bed right now.
I'm grateful that there is treatment, I am excited for it to start working, have only been on them for a week now.
My TSH level checked in at 156, they repeated the test to make sure it wasn't and error. Also my prolactin level was over 1000. My thyroid has shut down apparently.
I have somehow been working but when they spoke to the professor at the hospital about my results he was surprised I was walking.
Thank Gosh its the holidays now, all I have done is sat in bed.
It makes a lot of sense, it feels like I am dragging my body through every movement unless I am hyped up on caffeine/nicotine. My whole body constantly aches, but I am very good at tuning out of my body now.
When I get sick, I am bedridden for days. I smoke a lot of herb just to cope with the ache in my body at night. I find it easy to sleep for 13 hours, but no matter how many hours of sleep I get (7,8,9,10,11+), when I wake up in the morning I am fighting my eyes to stay awake for sometimes an hour. I sit in my bed vaping nicotine for the first 30 minutes while I try and force my body to move out of bed in the mornings.
I haven't had a desire for sex in about 8 months too.
My depression has worsened also, there's a lot of experiences out there that I know a part of me would really enjoy right now however I can't even move out of my bed right now.
I'm grateful that there is treatment, I am excited for it to start working, have only been on them for a week now.
1 Comments
If TSH is the only test done for you, then you should also be tested for Free T4 and Free T3. Free T3 is especially important since it is the "gasoline" that runs your engine (your body). In addition, hypothyroid patients are frequently deficient in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin. So make sure those are tested and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50 ng/mL. B12 in the upper part of its range, and ferritin should be at least 100.
A good thyroid doctor will test and adjust Free T4 and Free T3 levels as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by TSH levels. When taking thyroid med, it changes the equilibrium among TSH, FT4 and FT3, so that TSH becomes irrelevant. Symptom relief is all important. Many of us find that we need our Free T4 around mid-range, and Free T3 in the upper half of its range, and adjusted from there as needed to relieve symptoms.
You mentioned treatment. What is your daily dosage and what medication?
A good thyroid doctor will test and adjust Free T4 and Free T3 levels as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by TSH levels. When taking thyroid med, it changes the equilibrium among TSH, FT4 and FT3, so that TSH becomes irrelevant. Symptom relief is all important. Many of us find that we need our Free T4 around mid-range, and Free T3 in the upper half of its range, and adjusted from there as needed to relieve symptoms.
You mentioned treatment. What is your daily dosage and what medication?
A TSH of 122 likely indicates Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. I can't imagine a problem with waiting for the appointment, other than having to live with current symptoms. With the low probability that your doctor is a good thyroid doctor, and knows how to adequately test and treat you, I suggest that you should look through the info I sent you by PM and go ahead now and make an appointment with one of those doctors.
A good thyroid doctor will treat you clinically, for symptoms, by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not TSH when you start taking thyroid medication. In addition you will need to be tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50 ng/mL, B12 in the upper end of the range, and ferritin should be at least 100. You can read all about this in the following link. I highly recommend reading at lest the first two pages and more if you want to get into the discussion and scientific evidence for all that is recommended. The info will also be a good resource for you as you proceed with the doctor.
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf
Please keep in touch and let us know of your progress.
A good thyroid doctor will treat you clinically, for symptoms, by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not TSH when you start taking thyroid medication. In addition you will need to be tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50 ng/mL, B12 in the upper end of the range, and ferritin should be at least 100. You can read all about this in the following link. I highly recommend reading at lest the first two pages and more if you want to get into the discussion and scientific evidence for all that is recommended. The info will also be a good resource for you as you proceed with the doctor.
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf
Please keep in touch and let us know of your progress.
I have just received a blood panel with a TSH of 122. My PCP can't see me until the 11th or 19th at the soonest. Should I push them to see me sooner. I don't know how long my level has been where it is, I have felt exhausted for quite some time. Should I push the issue or should I just relax and get in to see them when I can? I guess I feel like if I've been living like this for some time, a week or 2 won't make that much difference, right? Also, I am in the Longmont, Colorado area, Loveland actually and would be open to finding a new physician. Not so thrilled with mine.
I have just received a blood panel with a TSH of 122. My PCP can't see me until the 11th or 19th at the soonest. Should I push them to see me sooner. I don't know how long my level has been where it is, I have felt exhausted for quite some time. Should I push the issue or should I just relax and get in to see them when I can? I guess I feel like if I've been living like this for some time, a week or 2 won't make that much difference, right? Also, I am in the Longmont, Colorado area, Loveland actually and would be open to finding a new physician. Not so thrilled with mine.
A doctor who ordered that TSH test should immediately put you on thyroid hormone replacement as clearly you need it. The worst I had was a TSH of 22 on levo but once I switched to Armour that got normal. I was diagnosed with 9. I cant imagine 100 or 120 or 150. I would be dead.... Please get treatment asap. ITs not just fatigue its the methabolic thermostat and also affects your heart. No kidding around this really. You have to get on some kind of thyroid hormone replacement. Good luck.
I just sent you a PM with info. To access, just click on your name and then from your personal page click on messages.
Very sorry to hear of your thyroid problem. Now that it has been identified, there are some things that you and your parents need to know to make sure you are adequately treated. Hopefully if that is done you will have a late growth spurt.
So some things you need to be aware of are that a high TSH like yours is likely due to primary hypothyroidism, due to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland. As this proceeds, the gland produces less and less natural thyroid hormone, and must be replaced with thyroid medication.
There are two main thyroid hormones, T4 and T3. Most of the T4 and T3 in your blood is bound to protein and thus biologically inactive. Only the small portions not bound to protein, thus called Free T4 and Free T3, are biologically active. Of those two, Free T3 is the most relevant since it is used by all the cells of your body and creates the metabolic effect required.
So it is very important that you are always tested for Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3) every time you go in for tests. TSH testing alone is not enough, especially when already taking thyroid med.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypothyroid patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, rather than based on TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. To understand more about this I highly recommend that you and your parents read the first two pages of the following link in order to know what to expect from your doctor in the way of testing and treatment. It is very important, in order to make sure you get all that you need.
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf
In view of your age, in order for earliest max benefit to your body, I suggest that you also read the first paragraph in Item 11 on page 13 of the link. It states that, "The aim or dose determination for a patient should be to get the patient on the required or optimum dose as quickly as possible." This is very different from normal practice of starting a patient on a very low dose of T4 med and then re-testing and adjusting in about 3-4 months. That approach will take much too long. You could be started on a much higher dose calibrated to bring your Free T4 and Free T3 above the middle of their ranges, or higher if needed to relieve your hypo symptoms.
Since hypothyroid patients are also frequently deficient in Vitamin D, B12, and ferritin. I suggest that you make sure to get those tested and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be 50 minimum, and B12 in the very upper end of its range, and ferritin should be 70-100. Deficiencies can cause symptoms and low D and ferritin can also affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.
I have hit you with a lot of stuff here. Don't let it bother you. Just keep reading and learning and hang with us and we will help you get the right treatment.
Of all the things I have mentioned, the most important is to have a good thyroid doctor. That does not necessarily mean an Endocrinologist, just a doctor like I described above. If you will give us your location, perhaps we can suggest a good thyroid doctor in your area, based on recommendations from other thyroid patients.
So some things you need to be aware of are that a high TSH like yours is likely due to primary hypothyroidism, due to Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland. As this proceeds, the gland produces less and less natural thyroid hormone, and must be replaced with thyroid medication.
There are two main thyroid hormones, T4 and T3. Most of the T4 and T3 in your blood is bound to protein and thus biologically inactive. Only the small portions not bound to protein, thus called Free T4 and Free T3, are biologically active. Of those two, Free T3 is the most relevant since it is used by all the cells of your body and creates the metabolic effect required.
So it is very important that you are always tested for Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3) every time you go in for tests. TSH testing alone is not enough, especially when already taking thyroid med.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypothyroid patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, rather than based on TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. To understand more about this I highly recommend that you and your parents read the first two pages of the following link in order to know what to expect from your doctor in the way of testing and treatment. It is very important, in order to make sure you get all that you need.
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf
In view of your age, in order for earliest max benefit to your body, I suggest that you also read the first paragraph in Item 11 on page 13 of the link. It states that, "The aim or dose determination for a patient should be to get the patient on the required or optimum dose as quickly as possible." This is very different from normal practice of starting a patient on a very low dose of T4 med and then re-testing and adjusting in about 3-4 months. That approach will take much too long. You could be started on a much higher dose calibrated to bring your Free T4 and Free T3 above the middle of their ranges, or higher if needed to relieve your hypo symptoms.
Since hypothyroid patients are also frequently deficient in Vitamin D, B12, and ferritin. I suggest that you make sure to get those tested and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be 50 minimum, and B12 in the very upper end of its range, and ferritin should be 70-100. Deficiencies can cause symptoms and low D and ferritin can also affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.
I have hit you with a lot of stuff here. Don't let it bother you. Just keep reading and learning and hang with us and we will help you get the right treatment.
Of all the things I have mentioned, the most important is to have a good thyroid doctor. That does not necessarily mean an Endocrinologist, just a doctor like I described above. If you will give us your location, perhaps we can suggest a good thyroid doctor in your area, based on recommendations from other thyroid patients.
1 Comments
I would love to find a good thyroid doctor in my area longmont, Co.80504 One that might be welling to test free T3 and free T4 my TSH is 100.0, can you help me
I'm 16 years old and have always been extremely fatigued, sensitive to cold, very short and have had problems with the development of my teeth. My orthodontist seems to not even be concerned but after telling my doctor during my last physical she ordered a blood test right away. Called me back the next day saying I have hypothyroid. My tsh levels were above 100 and the doctor said that this means I have had this condition for around 7 plus years, which explains a lot. This severely affected my growth because I am 4'9 and am estimated to have been at least 5'4. I just don't understand why this wasn't caught earlier on. And I would like to spread awareness because I am one of those cases where I developed this disease as a child and am still battling.
1 Comments
And as far as treatment goes I have regular check ups and am slowly increasing the dosage of levothyroxine pills. I also have other prescriptions from my doctor to keep my growth plates open and a growth hormone as this has extremely impacted my growth.
Mines is 446 and I do not have symptoms either. My doc rushed me a endo appointment but that's not until the 12/23. Will my nmber keep climbing in the mean time?
1 Comments
My tsh is 100 and t4 is 21. Please give any advice is this ok
We would like to help if possible. Please post your last several sets of thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report. What is the 229 number you mentioned? What is your daily dosage of Synthroid?
I have suffered from severe thyroid problems for over 20 years now. I have had every drug in my body available along with undergoing chemo and radioactive medicine. I can not have a thyroidectomy because of the glands being wrapped around my vocal cords. I take my meds daily but Synthroid does not work alone for me and the drug they had me on they took away. I have almost passed from this disease and with my numbers being 229 right now, it is amazing to what I can do and what I can not do. I am up every day with my 3 1/2 year old and tired and dragging and all but still motivated. I have been to Endrocrinologists and I amaze even them. I am currently trying to see a new Endrocrinologist and seeing what else can be done. High cholesterol runs with thyroidism along with the dizzy spells, fatigue, weight gain, and everything else. Hope you get yours under control!
Even though TSH is a poor diagnostic for thyroid issues, with a TSH level that high it warrants further testing. I would suggest that you test for Free T3 and Free T4 (not Total T3 and T4), to determine if you have low- in- the- range levels, which usually lead to hypo symptoms later. Since high TSH levels are frequently associated with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, you should also test for Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies and Thyroglobulin antibodies. You need both tests to check for Hashi's.
When you have further test results, please post, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
When you have further test results, please post, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Hello,
I am 29 year old male and i recently went for a general health check up and found out my TSH level is at 110 while the recommended level is some where between 0.4 - 4.5.
The doctor asked me a series of questions like If i am feeling depressed or weak or if i have constipation and also checked if i look bulky!.
I have none of the symptoms which anyone posted above and i feel totally healthy and fine.. Nobody in my family has a history of Thyroid diseases.
But sure enough after seeing my results, a bit concerned now.. I have a follow up Ultrasound test in a couple of weeks..
I am 29 year old male and i recently went for a general health check up and found out my TSH level is at 110 while the recommended level is some where between 0.4 - 4.5.
The doctor asked me a series of questions like If i am feeling depressed or weak or if i have constipation and also checked if i look bulky!.
I have none of the symptoms which anyone posted above and i feel totally healthy and fine.. Nobody in my family has a history of Thyroid diseases.
But sure enough after seeing my results, a bit concerned now.. I have a follow up Ultrasound test in a couple of weeks..
Interesting. What was the cause for the original diagnosis of hypothyroidism? Was it Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, or other? What symptoms were you having before stopping the Synthroid? What were your typical thyroid related test results and ranges before stopping the Synthroid? Same question for current test results.
I stopped taking synthroid after 10 years. I started using dried Kelp from the local asian market. Sometimes in soup, or I use a coffee grinder and powder it to sprinkle on different foods. It's changed my life and all my symptoms have gone away. My body, hair, nails, skin, everything started growing back naturally. It's so wonderful having a normal life again; over 25 bad symptoms now under control. Kelp is extremely inexpensive and the best thing I've ever used for hypothyroidism. I'm synthroid-free and symptom-free for almost a decade now. best wishes.
My TSH level was 6.87, with taking 75 MCG of synthroid. I was tired & exhuasted. Suggested to drop down to 50 MCG, but also my liver was messed up so I thought I should cut my dosage down to 25 MCG. After 2 months of that, now my TSH is 150.00. I know it's serious & bad. But honestly I feel good. Perfect amount of energy, I jus feel like a weights been lifted off me. I don't get it. I am more thirsty I think, but that's it.
My TSH level was 6.87, I felt tired, exhuasted.. I was taking 75 MCG of Synthroid. They cut me down to 50 MCG. But my liver was at 50, supposed to be at 15, or vice versa, so I figured 50 MCG wasn't gonna be enough of a drop for my liver to get better, seeing how I don't get drunk, very rarely have a drink or two.. it was because of too high of dosage of my thyroid pills. So I cut my pills in half, taking 25 MCG, for about 2 months. I got tested, now everything is normal except my thyroid, it's at 150.00 now. :/ Oops. But weird thing is, I feel great. I'm not tired, I have the perfect amount of energy.. I know it's a bad level & it's serious but why do I feel this good? I am more thirsty, but it's not overbearing or anything. Anybody with an explanation, I'd like one!!
My TSH level was 6.87, I felt tired, exhuasted.. I was taking 75 MCG of Synthroid. They cut me down to 50 MCG. But my liver was at 50, supposed to be at 15, or vice versa, so I figured 50 MCG wasn't gonna be enough of a drop for my liver to get better, seeing how I don't get drunk, very rarely have a drink or two.. it was because of too high of dosage of my thyroid pills. So I cut my pills in half, taking 25 MCG, for about 2 months. I got tested, now everything is normal except my thyroid, it's at 150.00 now. :/ Oops. But weird thing is, I feel great. I'm not tired, I have the perfect amount of energy.. I know it's a bad level & it's serious but why do I feel this good? I am more thirsty, but it's not overbearing or anything. If anybody would like to respond to me, jusdem.***@**** I'm not sure if I'll be notifyed if I get a response on this. But anybody with an explanation, I'd like one!!
Please post any other thyroid test results you have and include reference ("normal") ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report. When were these labs?
Which thyroid medicine do you take? Do you take it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and then wait half to one hour before eating or drinking anything?
How do you feel? Do you have many symptoms?
Which thyroid medicine do you take? Do you take it first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, and then wait half to one hour before eating or drinking anything?
How do you feel? Do you have many symptoms?
AM A MEN
MY TSH VALUE IS 100
I AM TAKING MEDICINE 100MG
SINCE 3 MONTHS
I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO CAN ANYONE HELP ME TO GUIDE
MY TSH VALUE IS 100
I AM TAKING MEDICINE 100MG
SINCE 3 MONTHS
I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO CAN ANYONE HELP ME TO GUIDE
Please post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report so that members can better assess your status. Also, are you taking thyroid med? If so, what daily dosage?
I would like to know if you figured out what was wrong with your son as well. I am a 23 y/o male and my TSH levels have consistently been over 150 (the highest most labs will go). Feelings consistent with most of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, however no swollen glands whatsoever.
Not sure if you will get through to Deprosun or not, since this is a very old thread. So I just wanted to make sure you got a reply.
TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things, that at best it is only an indicator of thyroid status. Far better indicators are symptoms, of which you listed a few, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4. So I urge you to get your son tested for Free T3 and Free T4, which are not the same as Total T3 and T4, so make sure the right tests are done.
Also, since the most common cause of high TSH and hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, it would also be a good idea to test for the antibodies associated with Hashi's. Those tests are Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies, usually listed as TPO ab and TG ab.
If you can get those done and get a copy of the lab report, then please post results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things, that at best it is only an indicator of thyroid status. Far better indicators are symptoms, of which you listed a few, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4. So I urge you to get your son tested for Free T3 and Free T4, which are not the same as Total T3 and T4, so make sure the right tests are done.
Also, since the most common cause of high TSH and hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, it would also be a good idea to test for the antibodies associated with Hashi's. Those tests are Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies, usually listed as TPO ab and TG ab.
If you can get those done and get a copy of the lab report, then please post results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
I'm sorry to be nosy but my 18 year old son was also just found to have super high TSH levels above 150. There are so few facts on this issue for young men and I'm curious whether your high levels have been alleviated and whether they ever discovered the cause. Their seems to be just a few young men out there with these ultra high numbers and I'm trying to figure out any trends or findings. - My son had no other symptoms but he was tested because of because of clinical depression and sleep issues. It's been crazy trying to figure out what is wrong and this is the first definitive red flag that's come up. Curious how you are doing.
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