Aa
TSH 4.5 and infertile
Hi,
I just got my TSH results and my TSH is 4.4 they consider anything in 0.5 to 5.5 as normal. Anything above that they increase the dosage a lil bit. So first they just said its normal when I forced them to tell the value they said 4.4 My thyroid doctor and my fertility doctor are different. My fertility doctor had mentioned my thyroid values be lower level of normal i.e. between 1 and 2. But my thyroid doctor considers 4.5 as normal. What should I do? I dont have any severe external hypothyroid symptoms but I have infertility. What do you guys think I should do? should I change my thyroid doctor?
I just got my TSH results and my TSH is 4.4 they consider anything in 0.5 to 5.5 as normal. Anything above that they increase the dosage a lil bit. So first they just said its normal when I forced them to tell the value they said 4.4 My thyroid doctor and my fertility doctor are different. My fertility doctor had mentioned my thyroid values be lower level of normal i.e. between 1 and 2. But my thyroid doctor considers 4.5 as normal. What should I do? I dont have any severe external hypothyroid symptoms but I have infertility. What do you guys think I should do? should I change my thyroid doctor?
Assuming you are in the U. S, there are laws that require the doctor to provide a copy of the lab reports upon your request. I think I would remind them of that requirement and if they still refuse, then ask for a letter stating that they will not provide a copy to you, as you requested. Maybe that will shake them loose.
I am fed up with these doctor's office staff. The doctor wont gimme a call if my values are normal (anything below 5 according to him). The nurse who calls me wont tell me all the values. When I pressed she just mentioned the TSH. So I have taken up an appointment with the doctor to discuss about what my fertility doctor told me. If he wont agree to treat me better I will change the doctor I guess.
Thanks you guys.
Thanks you guys.
What are the FT3 and FT4 levels and reference ranges shown on the lab report? If you don't have the info, I suggest that it is always a good idea to get a copy and keep for reference. Also, note on the report how you were feeling and what meds you were taking. This info can be very valuable in future. If you will post the current results and reference ranges, it would help members assess your status.
I agree with julianna about listening to the fertility doctor. I do think it is unfortunate that most of the medical community relies so heavily on TSH, when it really doesn't correlate very well with either FT3/FT4 levels or symptoms. For that reason I would make sure to continue to get tested for FT3 and FT4, along with TSH, and that way you will know the levels of your actual, biologically active thyroid hormones while your TSH is adjusted into the 1-2 range.
I agree with julianna about listening to the fertility doctor. I do think it is unfortunate that most of the medical community relies so heavily on TSH, when it really doesn't correlate very well with either FT3/FT4 levels or symptoms. For that reason I would make sure to continue to get tested for FT3 and FT4, along with TSH, and that way you will know the levels of your actual, biologically active thyroid hormones while your TSH is adjusted into the 1-2 range.
go with the fertility doc...they know which levels are optimal for conceiving. I had same issue...they wanted me in below 2 also...if you wamt to optimize your chancesf conceiving do what they recommend. the other endo is not expert in fertilty.
thanks for the answers. Here is the thing, I go to thyroid doctor who does test T3 and T4. This month when I went to my primary physical checkup that doctor (whos different from my thyroid doctor) did all the routine checkups so he did just TSH. He basically sends the results to my thyroid doctor too. So totally he mentioned it is fine. But when I asked my TSH value the nurse said 4.5 which is higher according to my fertility doctor.
So basically according to the symptoms and the treatment goes I think I am good. I dont gain unexplained weight which I did before, I am totally ok except I am tired sometimes due to other illness. I also do yoga, pranayam, meditation and also go for accupuncture and on good food (I eat gluten though as my doc said I can eat). So because of all this effort my health is managable
but only problem and the biggest one I am facing is infertility. I have failed fertility treatments before. My fertility doctor mentioned TSH between 1 and 2. So I am so worried how to get this TSH value down. May be T3 and T4 values are fine thats why my thyroid doctor is not increasing my meds. But I dont know why my TSH is not coming down. Also how come I dont have any thyroid related symptoms like missing periods etc? Even earlier when my thyroid problem was not diagnosed and my TSH was 8 I always had my periods like clockwork. I wonder why I have infertility though. Also I have to get this TSH between normal ranges before attempting any fertility treatments.
So basically according to the symptoms and the treatment goes I think I am good. I dont gain unexplained weight which I did before, I am totally ok except I am tired sometimes due to other illness. I also do yoga, pranayam, meditation and also go for accupuncture and on good food (I eat gluten though as my doc said I can eat). So because of all this effort my health is managable
but only problem and the biggest one I am facing is infertility. I have failed fertility treatments before. My fertility doctor mentioned TSH between 1 and 2. So I am so worried how to get this TSH value down. May be T3 and T4 values are fine thats why my thyroid doctor is not increasing my meds. But I dont know why my TSH is not coming down. Also how come I dont have any thyroid related symptoms like missing periods etc? Even earlier when my thyroid problem was not diagnosed and my TSH was 8 I always had my periods like clockwork. I wonder why I have infertility though. Also I have to get this TSH between normal ranges before attempting any fertility treatments.
When Stella mentioned testing your frees, she means free T3 and free T4. These are the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones. FT3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. FT3 also has been shown to correlate best with hypo symptoms.
TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is inadequate to use it as the sole test for diagnosing thyroid status. Unfortunately it has been used as a diagnostic for so many years, that many doctors have the "Immaculate TSH Belief", and don't feel a need to run additional tests. So you may have to insist that they test you for FT3 and FT4, along with TSH. If the doctor resists, you should insist on it and don't take no for an answer. You should also ask to be tested for the most prevalent cause of hypothyroidism, which is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Tests for that would be TPO ab and TG ab.
In my opinion the best way to treat a thyroid patient is to test and adjust FT3 and FT4 with whatever meds are required to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. If your doctor has a problem with this approach, then the answer to your question is yes you should find a good thyroid doctor that will treat you in this manner.
TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is inadequate to use it as the sole test for diagnosing thyroid status. Unfortunately it has been used as a diagnostic for so many years, that many doctors have the "Immaculate TSH Belief", and don't feel a need to run additional tests. So you may have to insist that they test you for FT3 and FT4, along with TSH. If the doctor resists, you should insist on it and don't take no for an answer. You should also ask to be tested for the most prevalent cause of hypothyroidism, which is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Tests for that would be TPO ab and TG ab.
In my opinion the best way to treat a thyroid patient is to test and adjust FT3 and FT4 with whatever meds are required to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. If your doctor has a problem with this approach, then the answer to your question is yes you should find a good thyroid doctor that will treat you in this manner.
The National AACE's recommendations for hypothyroid ranges based off the shotty TSH lab has changed to .3-3.0 back in 2003
Your doctors office and lab doing those is using outdated reference ranges.
If you are being monitored soley off the TSH ( which you are) you could be in for a long haul of hypothyroidism until you find someone or tell them - to monitor your frees.
Just using the TSH here... clinically you are over the new ranges so you should have been told you are in hypothyroidism levels.
Your doctors office and lab doing those is using outdated reference ranges.
If you are being monitored soley off the TSH ( which you are) you could be in for a long haul of hypothyroidism until you find someone or tell them - to monitor your frees.
Just using the TSH here... clinically you are over the new ranges so you should have been told you are in hypothyroidism levels.
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