TSH High

[lzarembo]

Wasn't feeling right so I scheduled a routine physical.  I have been experiencing fatigue, very dry skin, yellow/pale face, weight gain (20 lbs in 1-1/2 yr), several colds since January, and the worst is severe depression.  Some days I just don't want to get out of bed with no motivation to do anything.  I received my blood work results back, with high cholesterol (220), triglycerides (198) and a TSH level of 10.1 with a note that states "Increased TSH suggestive of hypothyroidism".  The doctor requested additional thyroid tests which all came back normal.  He has sent me to a nutritionist and wants to retest everything again in 3 months including TSH levels.  If the TSH level is still high he wants to send me to a specialist.  This was very disappointing.  After many hours of searching the web on TSH levels, it appears that I could have hypothyroid.  I was extremely disappointed when he requested I wait 3 months for the retest.  I want so badly to feel normal again.  

Based on the basic information I have provided, could I be suffering from a hypothyroid, and if so why would my doctor wait 3 months if there was something I could be taking now to help me get back on track?  Is the high cholesterol and triglycerides in any form associate with the TSH level?   If so, is that why he is waiting for 3 months.   Any information you could provide would be helpful.   Thank You!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

A TSH of 10.1 is high -- would test thyroid antibodies and repeat thyroid levels in about 5-6 weeks to make sure it is not a transient problem -- as you don't want to be on a medication lifelong if the hypothyroidism was just a phase (ie, recovery from some inflammation in the thyroid).  The high cholesterol and triglycerides may in part be due to hypothyroidism.

[lzarembo]

Thank You!