Thyroid

[djvols]

I recently had my yearly physical and received a copy of my lab results.  I also shared a copy of these with my gynecologist, who suggested that we start watching my thyroid, my lab results showed it was on the low side of normal .66.  I keep a home medical file and reviewed the results of the last couple of years.  My thyroid has gone from a .82, to a .80, now a .66.  I called my primary care physicial to discuss the results.  She said this is an ideal result.  I'm not so sure.  She stated if my thyroid was overproducing it would be full of energy.  This is totally the opposite of what I have been reading.  I do have symptoms of tiredness and irritability.  I have gone through menopause and sometimes just associated this with the change of life.  Now I'm not so sure.  My father is currently on medication for an underactive thyroid.  My mother has had problems as well as a grandmother.  Should I be concerned?  Do I need another doctor?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is a normal TSH and the 0.82, 0.8 and 0.66 are all very similar numbers and should not be interpeted as an evolving hyperthyroidism.  The chance of a thyroid problem with this TSH level is very low.

[chellabob]

Your thyroid readinds are getting lower, which in result mean that your thyroid is over active.  Higher levels indicate that your thyroid is underactive.  Tsh levels usually show this-if numbers are higher than normal, then you have too much hormone andthe gland is sluggish.  Too little hormone and the opposite-an over active thyroid-it goes into overdrive-so to speak.  Also were thse results your tsh, t3 or t4, etc.. All thryroid tests ranges are different in labs.