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Thyroid problem

I am taking 150 mcg of Levothyroxin, daily, for over 4 years.  I have a Mirena IUD.  I recently had my tsh levels checked, which the result was 4.905.  I have been working out, on the eliptical, 4-6 times a week, for 45 mins daily, for over 6 months.  I am still wearing the same size and have not lost any inches.  What is wrong?  It's not like I gorge and sit on my butt all day.
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Avatar universal
TSH is a screening test at best.  Your TSH is elevated, indicating that you could be hypothyroid, and further testing is indicated.  

Ask your doctor to test FREE T3 and FREE T4.  They are the actual thyroid hormones and will give you a more complete thyroid profile.  

Do you have symptoms?
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Avatar universal
I hate that so many doctors only will test TSH to check the thyroid----or they might add Free T4.  TSH is a pituitary hormone and i have read numerous articles saying that it is not an accurate test for thyroid function.

I have central hypothyroidism, which is a ituitary problem, so my TSH is not reliable at all.   I once had a doctor order a thyroid test--and onother doctor in the clinic got the results, and obviously did not read that i was on hydrocortisone for secondary adrenal insufficiency.  My Free T4 and my TSH were both flagged low----I would have thought ANY doctor would have realized that it was an abnormal result---but he was just worried about normalizing my TSH---so he kept lowering my thyroid medication 2 or 3 times---until my hair was falling out.

Finally, the original doc who ordered the test, saw my most recent test results--and told me my thyroid was too low!!!

I should have asked for copies of each thyroid test---I would have caught the problem, even if the other doc couldn't.

Are we allowed to put links to articles on here?
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Avatar universal
I feel your frustration, sista!  I'm not sure that it is possible to lose weight once one has a hypothyroid disorder.  I think one can demand all the tests in the world, but not once have I heard someone say they have hypothyroidism, had weight gain as a symptom and then once starting medication, the weight knocked off.  I have recently read that weight gain due to hypothyroidism is really only a few pounds (5-15#), but it still seems that once the body is back to normal, even those few pounds should come off. Good luck to you!
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Avatar universal
Thank you for your response.  I got more information from you then the 'professionals' I have seen.
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Avatar universal
Hello dani_girl657, have you ever checked your thyroid antibodies (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody and Anti-Thyroglobulin Antibody)? Check this great book of thyroid disease: www.thyroidbook.com.

Dr. Latorre
@drhlatorre
Helpful - 0
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