can a TSH blood test by itself the best way to monitor your level?

Question

I am seeing if any one has a Dr., that only runs the TSH by itself. 
My Dr. (new to me), only runs this test and no other thyroid blood tests are run. This is unlike other Dr's. that I had seen in past years.  
I am running low-normal at, but showing the signs of being hypo, even though he says i am still in the normal range.  
My TSH last test result was 0.843. 

I was just curious if he can monitor my thryoid level accurately
with just the TSH blood test alon? 

Thanks for any input.

gimel · Accepted Answer

The answer to your question is absolutely not.  Many doctors like to think that TSH accurately reflects thyroid status; however, TSH cannot be shown to correlate well with either of the biologically active thyroid hormones Free T3 and Free T4, much less correlate well with hypothyroid symptoms, which should be the most important consideration.  Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlates best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.

Here's another good article for you.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

By the way, is your doctor even aware that there is something called central hypothyroidism with which the TSH runs low due to a problem with the hypothalamus/pituitary functions?

jlw0606 · Answer

Thanks for sending the article info, I will read it so I can get more informed about how to manged the thyroid. I think maybe I should print it out and take a copy to my new Dr. so he can get informed too!!!!

jlw0606 · Answer

THANKS for all the info that you had sent and referene link. 
I found what you had sent very informational! 
My new Dr., is basically fresh out of med school, maybe that's should answer my own question about what blood tests he doesn't run. :-(

Thanks again for your response!

Red_Star · Answer

Check out the article from Dr Mercola entitled: Optimum Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypothyroidism With Free T3 and Free T4 Levels.

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