Fluctuating TSH from 12 to 5 in 1 year, with no treatment

[JamieW]

Hi,
I'm a 28 year old male. Have always had a number of symptons of an underactive thyroid, and had my first blood test done about a year ago. Had a TSH level of 12, and a thyroxine level around 18. I had another test recently and my TSH has gone to 5 and thyroxine to 14 without any medication or other changes in lifestyle. My recent test showed low levels of thyroid antibodies. My doc couldn't give me an explanation to the TSH fluctuations and just proposed I get another test in year's time. I am not particulary confident that this is the best advice and would appreciate any thoughts on my predicament (if there is one!).

Many thanks

[gypsylou]

Hello.  I would not be confident with your drs. suggestions either. I have suffered with Graves Disease so I understand the confusion with a thyroid disorder.  Are you seeing an endocrinologist? I would make an appt. and the dr. would more than likely run some tests  for you, such as an ultrasound an thyroid uptake scan.  A sluggish or over-active thyroid causes many uncomfortable symptoms and it is best for your health that is working within normal values on your labs. It should be investigated. Hope this helps.  Good Luck. Gypsylou

[goolarra]

Would you please provide the range for your FT4?  Ranges vary from lab to lab and have to be posted with your results.  

TSH is very volatile, varying even with the time of day the blood was drawn.  That's part of the reason it should not be used alone to diagnose and treat thyroid disorders.

By "low levels of thyroid antibodies", do you mean that they were within the reference range or above?

What are your symptoms?