My doctor is confusing me on my thyroid???

[Jessicaj05]

In July, I had blood work done for the first time ever.  I am 28 years old.  My TSH was 5.0 and my doctor explained that my thyroid was not working properly.  However, I have none of the symptoms associated with this disorder, Hypothyroidism.  I decided to try things on my own and come back in 6 months.  I just went back in January and my TSH was 3.6.  It has went down but the doctor says this is still on the high normal side.  However, I have not gained weight since college and that was small.  I get 8 to 9 hours of sleep and function normally, I believe.  What should I do????

[goolarra]

Some experts feel that treating Hashi's early reduces some symptoms by relieving the pressure on the failing thyroid to produce hormone.  They believe that this can help reduce the enlargement of the thyroid (goiter) and prevent some of the symptoms that that causes (fullness in the throat, modules, pain).  It's a controversial topic and some find no merit in treating if there are no symptoms.  However, if I were in Jessicaj05's position, I think I might at least like to read up on the pros and cons in order to make an intelligent decision.  Another advantage is that you don't have to descend into thyroid he// before being treated.

I don't even know where I fall on this subject...I was definitely symptomatic and had been for a loooong time before my hypo was diagnosed, and the Hashi's diagnosis came even later than that.  Cross the bridge when you come to it, and I had crossed that one a long time before without even knowing it!

I do know that I have very little faith in TSH testing.  In my opinion, it isn't even that useful as a screening tool.  Without FT3 and FT4, you, unfortunately, don't know a whole lot more than you did before the TSH test.  However, if you are going to use it as a screening test, then I think you have to say that if the result is outside range, further testing is warranted.  Otherwise, you're using a crappy test and then ignoring it???!!!

[chuckpiv]

Why would it make a difference when you begin treatment on say Hashimotos?  in the end, you are left with no thyroid.  Just curious

[goolarra]

You could try chuckpiv's approach.  However, TSH is a very poor diagnostic of thyroid disease.  If that's the only thyroid test you've had, you could set your mind at ease with a few more inexpensive blood tests that would give a much more accurate thyroid profile.  I'd suggest FT3 and FT4...these are the actual thyroid hormones.  Also, you might want to have thyroid antibodies (TPOab and TGab) checked to see if you're in the early stages of autoimmune thyroid disease (most common cause of hypo in the U.S.).  The currently accepted range for TSH is 0.3-3.0 (according to AACE), so your TSH is technically high, indicating hypo.  Although it's a subject of debate in the medical community, many feel that autoimmune disease is best treated early...even before symptoms appear.

[chuckpiv]

Continue to live your life med free.  Just be aware if/when symptoms pop up in the future.