Is this hashimoto??

[raheelghaith]

Hello, I want to know if am confirmed with hashimoto disease, my TSH result was 4.78 & my TPO was 144, when i repeat the TSH with one week the result came back with 4.865, is this hashimoto?? am trying to get pregnant & i need to know my chances?? thanks

[Barb135]

What was your total T3 result and reference range?  Total T3 doesn't tell you how much hormone is actually available for the individual cells.  Your T4 result looks like what we would see, here, in the U.S for Free T4; so does the reference range.  It's a little low and indicates that an increase in medication might be in order.  Recommendation is that FT4 be about mid range; yours is only 32% of the range.

If you get pregnant, you will have to have your levels (TSH, T3 and T4) tested every month, in order to make sure you have adequate hormones for your baby.  Adequate thyroid hormones are critical for the proper growth and development of a fetus.

Because you have Hashimoto's, your disease is progressive and you will have adjust your medication as it gets worse.  Thyroid hormones, typically, need to be higher when one is pregnant.

[raheelghaith]

Hello Barb,

We do total T4/T3 analysis here in Jordan, I have made T4 test & the result came with 1.08 (range .71-1.85)  actually I don`t have any symptoms, no gain weight no cold sensitivity!! just doing all these test because am trying for a baby.

[Barb135]

I'd never attempt to tell you that your dosage is adequate based solely on TSH. Total T3 is considered obsolete and of little value, however, since you had it done, it can give us a general idea; what was the actual result and range? We don't go by "normal", because it depends on where your result is in the reference range, whether it's adequate or not.

Routine tests should always include Free T3 and Free T4.  Free T3 is the hormone that the individual cells use and is the hormone that correlates best with symptoms.  FT4 is a "storage hormone" and must be converted to FT3 prior to use.  Neither FT4 nor TSH correlate with symptoms.

As noted by other posters, the high TPOab indicates Hashimoto's, and with Hashi's there is a constant decline in thyroid hormone production, until finally, your thyroid produces nothing and you are completely dependent on the replacement hormones.  As time goes on, you will most likely have to adjust your replacement hormone dosage in order to compensate for less production of hormones, by your thyroid.  TPOab does not need to be done routinely, because once you have antibodies, you will always have them.

Do you have any hypo symptoms?

[raheelghaith]

Hello Barb,

Thanks for your answer, i have made total T3 analysis & it was within normal ranges but my TPOab was 144 !! & i didnt do it again, i just do on routine basis TSH analysis & finally it reached 2.13 :) so am wondering the dose am taking nowadays is suitable enough? & can this increase my chances of getting pregnant??

Thanks

[Barb135]

As noted above, TSH is totally inadequate for diagnosing/treating a thyroid condition.  What are your FT3 and FT4 results?  Just being "normal" is often not enough.  Levels have to be high enough in the ranges, to be optimal.

[raheelghaith]

after getting tsh level at 2.13?? is this good> shall i continue with same dose of thyroxin?? i have B12 test & i was good around 700 & took multivitamin supplements in addition to vitamin D, is this means am controlling my thyroid?? despite that my T3 results is normal from the first place.

[Gibbon1]

My Suggestion, if you are planning to get pregnant you should see an  OB/GYN before you get pregnant, especially since you have hashimoto's.  

As gimel says, you have early stage hashimoto's and the disease isn't stable yet. As time goes on you'll need more hormones to keep your T4 and T3 in normal ranges.  High TSH is a sign of that. Getting your thyroid under control should make it easier to get pregnant.

>Also, don't forget testing for Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel.  

And folic acid supplements to reduce the chance of neural tube defects.

[gimel]

Understand that with Hashimoto's your thyroid gland is gradually being destroyed by the thyroid antibodies produced by your autoimmune system.  So, as your production of natural thyroid hormone is decreasing, it has to be offset with increasing amounts of thyroid medication.    This may be why your TSH has not gone down, with that dose of med.  

That is why I suggested previously, "In order for you to have the best conditions for conceiving and having a healthy baby, you need to get further testing and then start on thyroid medication to raise your Free T3 and Free T4 levels, which will also lower your TSH levels.  Many doctors like to medicate a hypo patient by TSH levels alone, but that is not really adequate.  So, I'd suggest that you should be tested for Free T3 and Free T4.  Also, it would be good to test for Vitamin A, D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel.  If you get those tests done and post the results and their reference ranges, then members will be glad to help interpret and advise further."

TSH is a pituitary hormone, not thyroid.  TSH is totally inadequate as the sole diagnostic to use for medicating a hypo patient.  You need to get the additional tests for Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4), and then get your meds increased to raise your Free T3 and Free T4 to somewhere around the middle of the ranges.  Also, don't forget testing for Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel.  

[raheelghaith]

what is going one? after 7 months of levothyroxin tratment (25mg then 50mg) my tsh is going higher?? please helppp what is this

[katie1485]

i am a 27 year old. i am verry thin, always have been. My older sister has always problems with her thyroid. i thought i did too and that was why i was so thin. About a year ago, i noticed a lump on my neck, i went to my doc a few months back, had an ulltrasound done, and i had a mass on my leftside, it was almost 5cm. it is covering the whole left side of my thyroid. my blood work was great. It is working just fine. but my doc thinks i need too have it taken out because the mass is so big. I have the sregery next week, after reading all this info that everyone has shared, i am now kinda worried.

[gimel]

You do have Hashi's, based on your TPO ab test and other test results. Hashi's is not dangerous unless it is ignored and not treated.  Based on your Free T4 test result and TSH, I suggest that it is time to start on thyroid meds in order to get your Free T4 up to midrange and your Free T3 above the middle of the range.  So you need to get tested for Free T3 to find out that level, since it is so important.  Also, in the future you should always make sure that they test for Free T3 and free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4), each time you go in for tests.  Also, don't forget tests for Vitamin A, D, B12 and ferritin.

[raheelghaith]

I have do T4 test & the result came with 1.08 (range .71-1.85) dose it confirm hashimoto?

[raheelghaith]

Dear Gimel, thank you for your answer, but is it dangours? Thanks again

[gimel]

First, you should be aware that TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is totally inadequate as the sole diagnostic for thyroid issues.  At best it is an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.  Of these Free T3 is the most important to know because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate.

Having said that, your TSH is above the current AACE recommended range of .3 - 3.0.  Along with the TPO ab test result that was above range, I'd say that yes, you do have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  

With Hashi's the autoimmune system somehow identifies the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and destroy the gland.  This usually happens over an extended period.  As the gland is being destroyed, the production of natural thyroid hormone is diminished, and that causes TSH levels to increase, signaling the possibility of hypothyroidism.  The lower levels of thyroid hormone of course start to affect your body functions and cause symptoms.

In order for you to have the best conditions for conceiving and having a healthy baby, you need to get further testing and then start on thyroid medication to raise your Free T3 and Free T4 levels, which will also lower your TSH levels.  Many doctors like to medicate a hypo patient by TSH levels alone, but that is not really adequate.  So, I'd suggest that you should be tested for Free T3 and Free T4.  Also, it would be good to test for Vitamin A, D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel.  If you get those tests done and post the results and their reference ranges, then members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.