Aa
TSH/Hypothyroidism...what?
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....
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....
Yes he tested for t4 that was 1.22 and i went to another doctor that tested for those anitbodies that attact the thyroid or soemthing like that he said it was positive. ive been on treatment since october 26 this year. but i need something for my hair.
You're right kitty9309, forget these old guidelines, go with your doctor's advice over that, and if you don't trust it get another one. My first test not too long ago was 7.39 and my doctor immediately put my on Levothyroxine, I would hope yours would do the same. I didn't even realize that this condition was hurting me physically and mentally until I felt the difference. Whether this helps your depression you won't know until you try, it definitely has been linked.
Standing Ovation for you!!!!!
Hang tough, Bryan and continue to fight the good fight!!!
Dac
Hang tough, Bryan and continue to fight the good fight!!!
Dac
Once and for all: concerning the 2006 amended guidelines, the article was written in 2002. The word "amended" in this article ( at the top of the publication) only refers to the following quoted from that passage:
"2006 amended version reflects a clarification to specify pertechnetate as the compound attached to 99mTc."
It does not amend the TSH reference range. This article from 2002 does list the old, higher reference range. The 2003 recommended reference range updates this guideline.
I just corresponded with the AACE via e-mail about this. New guidelines will be published in mid-late 2008 and co-sponsored by the American Thyroid Assn.
Until that happens- the correct guidelines are 2002, with the 2003 change to the recommended reference range of 0.3-3.0.
I also await further replies from the AACE on other questions I have asked of them. The people there have been very helpful.
"2006 amended version reflects a clarification to specify pertechnetate as the compound attached to 99mTc."
It does not amend the TSH reference range. This article from 2002 does list the old, higher reference range. The 2003 recommended reference range updates this guideline.
I just corresponded with the AACE via e-mail about this. New guidelines will be published in mid-late 2008 and co-sponsored by the American Thyroid Assn.
Until that happens- the correct guidelines are 2002, with the 2003 change to the recommended reference range of 0.3-3.0.
I also await further replies from the AACE on other questions I have asked of them. The people there have been very helpful.
I stand by every word I posted in this thread.
Both parties enquiring should have follow up tests with their Primary Care Physician, including all the tests I listed. And when their TSH comes back over lab norms and has an H next to it, and their other T's look a little low or maybe even have a capital L next them, they will be treated.
If their antithyroid peroxidase AB count comes back high, they will be diagnosed with Hashimoto's, even if their TSH is 5.9.
Using TSH alone to treat a diagnosed patient is not good medicine either. There is a reason some people do better on Armour rather than Synthroid.
There are other instances of illogical thinking in that official statement from the two sources you quoted, but I tire of this.
Both parties enquiring should have follow up tests with their Primary Care Physician, including all the tests I listed. And when their TSH comes back over lab norms and has an H next to it, and their other T's look a little low or maybe even have a capital L next them, they will be treated.
If their antithyroid peroxidase AB count comes back high, they will be diagnosed with Hashimoto's, even if their TSH is 5.9.
Using TSH alone to treat a diagnosed patient is not good medicine either. There is a reason some people do better on Armour rather than Synthroid.
There are other instances of illogical thinking in that official statement from the two sources you quoted, but I tire of this.
So as you will have a better understanding to a possible reason why your doctor only tested TSH.
Unless there is warrant, some doctors do what is called "Thyroid Testing Cascade" .
Thyroid Testing Cascade is for the evaluation of primary thyroid dysfunction. This test cascade will allow clinicians to use reflex ordering of thyroid function tests in order to provide more timely and cost effective laboratory diagnosis of common thyroid function disorders.
The cascade is performed only if the physician specifically orders it. Patients are charged only for the tests that are performed. Monitoring thyroid hormone replacement can be done with TSH alone and does not require the test cascade.
The basis for the cascade is the TSH. Recent improvements in testing have made TSH the most sensitive indicator of primary hyper/hypothyroidism. A normal TSH effectively excludes primary thyroid dysfunction.
The Thyroid Test Cascade starts with a TSH. If the TSH result is abnormal, a free T4 is performed. Relates to hypothyroid.
In cases where a TSH is suppressed and the free T4 is low or normal, a total T3 is done to test for T3 toxicosis. Relates to hyperthyroid.
Unless there is warrant, some doctors do what is called "Thyroid Testing Cascade" .
Thyroid Testing Cascade is for the evaluation of primary thyroid dysfunction. This test cascade will allow clinicians to use reflex ordering of thyroid function tests in order to provide more timely and cost effective laboratory diagnosis of common thyroid function disorders.
The cascade is performed only if the physician specifically orders it. Patients are charged only for the tests that are performed. Monitoring thyroid hormone replacement can be done with TSH alone and does not require the test cascade.
The basis for the cascade is the TSH. Recent improvements in testing have made TSH the most sensitive indicator of primary hyper/hypothyroidism. A normal TSH effectively excludes primary thyroid dysfunction.
The Thyroid Test Cascade starts with a TSH. If the TSH result is abnormal, a free T4 is performed. Relates to hypothyroid.
In cases where a TSH is suppressed and the free T4 is low or normal, a total T3 is done to test for T3 toxicosis. Relates to hyperthyroid.
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