Thyroid levels - messing w/weight and menses?

[chubby1967]

What does it mean if my TSH (Ultrasensitive) level keeps creeping up?  Just curious because I am missing periods and can't lose any weight?

[RNSomes74]

Are your Free T3 and Free T4 levels within normal range. I have Hashi's, my tsh never got above 3.6 and I didn't have a regular menstrual cycle for almost a decade until I got my thyroid regulated. I understand your lab is using a TSH range of .35-5.50, but the recommendation from the American Association of Endocrinologists since 2003 has been a range of .3-3.0 and anything above 2.5 that is symptomatic be further evaluated.

[chubby1967]

Thanks for your feed back.  Had my DR appt yesterday and my T4 level was within normal range and my TSH level was 3.89 (range is 0.35-5.50) - so she upped my Tirosint to 50 mg.  She told me that although I have Hashimoto's this should not effect my menstrual cycle at all and that I should consult with my OB/GYN as there must be something else going on.
However, she reluctantly agreed to re-test all my hormone levels again in 6 weeks when she tests my T3, T4 and TSH levels.

[gimel]

Understand that TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4).  So the first thing I suggest is to look at this extensive listing of hypothyroid symptoms and tell us about which ones you have.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/basics_starthere/a/hypochecklist.htm

Next thing is to get some further tests done.  Specifically you should test for the thyroid antibodies associated with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause for diagnosed hypothyroidism.  Those tests are TPO ab and TG ab.  

With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and destroy the gland.  Over an extended period there is diminished production of thyroid hormone, the TSH increases, and the patient needs to supplement with increasing dosage of thyroid meds, in order to prevent hypo symptoms.

In addition to the antibodies tests, you should also test for Free T3 and Free T4, Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  If you will get those tests done, when the lab report is available, please get a copy and post results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.