TSH/Hypothyroidism...what?

[sarahsarah]

I had a blood screening on a few weeks ago at my job (health initiative...).  Expecting perfect results with no concerns....I tested with a TSH level of 7.96.

Do I have hypothyroidism?

Could I have been "hypo" for years and not known it? (I've been in treatment for depression/bulimia with medication and therapy for 13 years...) I've always lost a lot of hair...have weird skin (too many skin cells...)

Could it have been a fluke that I got this number?

Why do some people have levels like 200?!?! Does that mean they have it worse?

My test was at 6:15 am...are TSH levels higher in the am...at a certain time of the month?

Help, I'm clueless....

[Auto2005]

My TSH did get to 10 point something and I felt very horrible!!!!! I couldn't think/mind fog, aching muscles, tingling sensations all over, constipation, heart palps, dry eyes, dry skin, hair shedding, I couldn't get out of bed in the morning (felt like I was on sleeping pills, but I wasn't), carpal tunnel and numb hands, etc, etc. I wish my MD had run more extensive thyroid tests sooner, so I could have started treatment sooner and NOT developed to so many miserable hypo symptoms!  I'm a PERFECT EXAMPLE of what AR-10's post is addressing!!!!! I still felt bad when tsh dropped to 5 point something. Now my tsh is 2.5 and I'm much better, but I'm still not my 100% myself yet. MDs must run FULL RANGE of thyroid blood labs to get the FULL picture, not just look at tsh number!!!  I'm speaking from experience.

[krazikroat]

i agree. the "good" tsh range (what most of would consider livable) should be under 2.5. once my tsh goes above that i feel terrible (it could also vary from person to person, which most docs do not even consider, irrelevantly of how symptomatic you might be). i had a specialist once tell me (after he saw my bloodwork and my thyroid ab in 100s/1000s) that "we all have antibodies, and it should not worry me, and that it was normal." i had a hard time getting anyone to prescribe synthroid. eventually, i got it and it did make me feel better (not great, but i was ok). until recently, when my tsh blew up again. i was so fatigued i could not walk! after doing the research on my own, i learned that you have to be very persistent to get proper treatment. i was a classic case of hypothyroidism, and it took them over a year to start taking me seriously.  

[DLA]

If you go through all of the AACE precious cr@p you will also see much info on the damage being even slightly hypo (over 3.0 according to THEM) causes your body.  It raises the cholesterol, enlarges the heart, causes fatique (which can hinder abiliity to maintain a normal life style), and as even GL has said thyroid affects EVERY cell in your body.  So if it is even the least little bit high it affects you.

Hypothyroidism is also listed in their material as the #1 cause of heart attacks among American women.  

But then they turn around and talk out of the other side of their mouth about it being subclinical at 10.  They need to get their info straight.  And if some one is going to quote them like the Bible for thyroid they need to be quoting it all and not just the part that happens to suit them.

And personally, if you ask me, they would be much better off if THEY quit doing the assuming on their own and let all of us who are veterans of the diseases of thyroid tell them how it really is.  No guess work needed!

Dac

[kitty9309]

Yes, people can be hypo for a while and not be diagnosed. Many people on this forum will attest to that.
I know depression can be related to depression. And while bulimia is now considered a psychiatric disorder, I just don't know enough about bulimia. Try doing a search, especially in mental health sites. You can message me if you want some articles referencing mental health and thyroid disorders.

[smalltowngirlusa]

Personally, with a TSH of 10 I'd feel DEAD!!  On medication at 5 I'm a mess.  Even at mid 3 I feel awful.  All go THIS far......at 1.7 on 125mcg of Levothyroxine I STILL don't feel great.  Don't let it get worse~~Feel better soon!! :)

[Auto2005]

I strongly agree with your post!!!!! Anyone w/ tsh out of the normal range should be carefully monitored and have T3, T4 and antibodies tested! Once a patient starts to feel hypo, it takes MUCH longer to recover, and get of the hypo symptoms. You will feel sick when your tsh hits 10 (I can vouch for that!!!!!) so why let that happen?!!!  Every MD I've seen as told me that if you're hypo and on treatment, you don't want tsh over 3, and tsh of 1 (or close to 1) is where most hypos feel "best" and what most endocrinologists aim for w/ treatment. AR-10, you are right!!