First time in 30 years-big increase in TSH

[pearlave]

Hi all.  First post.  I have been taking synthroid for 30 years and have always been "in range" on my TSH.  I have just received test results for TSH which indicate a score of "17" when the range is 1-5.  Does anyone have an idea why this might have happened?  I have recently lost weight (14 lbs, on purpose) on a very reasonable eating program.  Last year at this time my TSH was 1.5.

Thanks!

[Barb135]

Goitrogens that are well cooked do not have the same properties as those eaten raw.  

[pearlave]

Thanks again for your help.  I will search net for Goitrogens to learn more about them.  Since I often eat chard/eggs for breakfast that could have been the case (eating swiss chard directly after thyroid med).  So, I will await my doc visit tomorrow and the results of further testing.

[Barb135]

If your doctor was a good thyroid doctor, he would have ordered the FT3 and FT4, at the same time he ordered the TSH; they should always be run at the same time.

There are a group of foods called goitrogens that suppress thyroid function; however, I would guess, at this point, that you have no natural thyroid function left, so unless you are eating the swiss chard directly after taking your thyroid med, I wouldn't think it would have that great an effect.  

TSH is a pituitary hormone, which fluctuates widely.  It's not a good indicator of thyroid hormone levels. It's no unusual for patients to need periodic adjustments in their medication.

[pearlave]

Thanks so much for responding.  Yes, I have Hashimoto's.  I would guess the Free T3 and Free T4 will be my Doc's next move.  It just is wierd to me because things have been bumping along for 30 years more or less ok.  I have been eating alot of Swiss Chard, probably 4-5 times a week and I know that some of the green leafy veggies can interfere with absorption.  I have no idea if they can block absorption to this extent.

[Barb135]

Before I answer, I have to ask more questions.  

Is TSH the only thing being tested?  You should also be getting tests for Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones.  There are a lot of things that cause TSH to fluctuate, so it should never be used alone, to diagnose a thyroid condition or dose medication.

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?  Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which they body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it. As the destruction progresses, the thyroid produces less and less hormones, resulting in a need for periodic increases in medication.