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TSH, 3rd Generation Test - Results 9.75 H
My son is 14 TSH, 3rd Generation Test results are 9.75 H, he has an appt w specialist. What do results mean? Thks
This means he is hypothyroid. Does he have symptoms? Meds will be the answer
For perspective TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is inadequate as the sole diagnostic for thyroid. At best it is an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators, such as symptoms, and also the levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and free T4 (note that these are not the same as Total T3 and Total T4). FT3 is the most important because FT3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Studies have also shown that FT3 correlated best with hypothyroid symptoms, while FT4 and TSH did not correlate.
That said, your son's TSH is high enough that it is a pretty good indication of his being hypo. I expect that the specialist will want to try to identify the cause, so will probably run tests for the thyroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab. These tests are to diagnose for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. You should also request that your son be tested for Free T3 and Free T4. If the doctor resists, don't accept the excuses, just insist on it and don't take no for an answer. Remember that you are the customer.
It is very important to keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor will treat a patient clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not test results. If the specialist is one with the "Immaculate TSH Belief' and only wants to use TSH as the diagnostic by which to medicate your son, that doesn't work. If the specialist is one that believes that test results that fall within the low limit of the FT3 and FT4 ranges is adequate, and nothing further is needed, that is also very likely to keep your son hypo. The ranges are far too broad for that to be the case.
This is a link to a letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he is consulting with from a distance. The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment. Note the clinical approach to relieving symptoms.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
When test results are available, I suggest that you get a copy of the lab report and post here the results and reference ranges so that members can help interpret and advise further.
That said, your son's TSH is high enough that it is a pretty good indication of his being hypo. I expect that the specialist will want to try to identify the cause, so will probably run tests for the thyroid antibodies, TPO ab and TG ab. These tests are to diagnose for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause of hypothyroidism. You should also request that your son be tested for Free T3 and Free T4. If the doctor resists, don't accept the excuses, just insist on it and don't take no for an answer. Remember that you are the customer.
It is very important to keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor will treat a patient clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not test results. If the specialist is one with the "Immaculate TSH Belief' and only wants to use TSH as the diagnostic by which to medicate your son, that doesn't work. If the specialist is one that believes that test results that fall within the low limit of the FT3 and FT4 ranges is adequate, and nothing further is needed, that is also very likely to keep your son hypo. The ranges are far too broad for that to be the case.
This is a link to a letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he is consulting with from a distance. The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment. Note the clinical approach to relieving symptoms.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
When test results are available, I suggest that you get a copy of the lab report and post here the results and reference ranges so that members can help interpret and advise further.
I have been having trouble chewing for the past couple years. The last six months or more I am having much trouble with speach and depression. The new neurologist I saw requested a TSH, 3rd generation and it was 9.02 which was out of reference range. The psychiatrist I had been seeing had taken me off of 125mg thyroid meds and everything else for the last four weeks so "I could get a good evaluation from the neuroligist. I requested the results of the MRI and they were ok and just got the TSH today. The depression and anxiety has been overwhelming the last month. I am scheduled to see the neuro and psychiatrist next week. Any feedback. My speach is worse everyday.
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