TSH Levels "Normal", but still having symptoms

[davebenjamin]

I just recently got off the phone with my PCP, and he said my TSH level was 3.4?  My CBC and Diabetes test came out normal as well.

Should I maybe consider getting a T3/T4 test as well?

[kitty9309]

There are men on this forum with thyroid disease.
Ask AR-10.
Even tough each lab uses a different scale, the upper limit of normal should be and will be lowered to 2.5. My endo believes this as well.

See www.thyroid.org for more info and great brochures you can print out.

[cmclien]

I think maybe I'd take him up on his offer.....or you could always ask for a couple more tests, Free T3 and FreeT4 and thryoid antibody test just to see where you're at.

Good Luck

[davebenjamin]

I just got off the phone with my PCP and he said "Only 1 in 1,000,000 men have thyroid problems and if you still need more proof that you don't have a problem go get another test done with someone else". "Every lab uses a different scale to evaluate TSH levels".


Thanks alot doc...jeez.

[cmclien]

Up until 2003 the scale was .4 - 6.0 but in 2003 the American Assoc of Clinical Endocrinologists revised it to .3 -3.0 for a normal range.  So many doctors and labs still after 5 years go by the old range, (including my old PCP and their lab).  Its very frustrating.    The ATA shows .4- 2.5 as a normal range, 2.5 - 4.0 as an at risk range, 4.0 - 10.0 subclinical hypothyroidism and > 10.0 hypothyroidism.  Once they start treating you, most endos will try and get you down in the normal range.
Can you get a referral to an endo?

[davebenjamin]

Thanks, I appreciate the response. My doctor read the results with some crazy TSH scale of .3 - 5.0 or something and just told me to "relax". I feel extremely fatigued, puffy face, hard to swallow, etc etc etc.

[cmclien]

Hi,
The recommended TSH level by the ATA is between .5 and 2.5 so you're still a little high and maybe a slight adjustment is needed.  For suppressive therapy like for thyroid cancer and nodules <1.0 is recommended.  I'd still get the Free T4 and Free T3 to see where those are at to.
Cindi