TSH Levels

[nikkim73]

Hi, I had my bloods done approx 9 weeks ago due to my feeling of ill health. I feel exhausted which results in me wanting to sleep all the time, I have gained a stone in weight for no reason, my hair is breaking off at the ends. My doctor tested my TSH, FBC and Glucose levels. I have been anaemic since I was a teenager and control this through diet. My HB levels were 11.4 which for me is pretty good. Glucose levels were normal. My TSH level was 3.6 which is in the normal range in the UK? I have had my TSH levels tested before and all three times they have been 1.7-1.9. My doctor refuses to look into this, he put me back on ferrous sulphate as he says my HB is borderline? I feel no better though and my HB has risen to 12.3 which is very good for me. ( I work in a hospital and have checked my hb levels on an anayliser there) Can TSH levels fluctuate for some people or do we all work better at different levels? I don't know what else to do other than go to a different doctor at my surgery and ask for another TSH to be done. My brother is Hypothyroid and his levels slowly rose over about 6 months before the GP did anything.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Nicola

[nikkim73]

Well i've been to see a different GP who is testing my TSH again along with a tyroid antibody test. He was a little more sympathetic than my own GP thank goodness so just gotta wait for the results now.
Thank you for your advice

[goolarra]

The old normal range for TSH was 0.5-5.0.  Unfortunately, a lot of doctors and labs still use that.  The currently accepted range is 0.3 to 3.0.  Your 3.6 is high (hypo) by the new standards.  Furthermore, it is considerably higher than your previous tests.  FTB4 is right, you need to get free T3 and free T4 done.  Those, along with TSH will give a much better picture of your thyroid function.

TSH, FT3 and FT4 tests re available on the internet (at least here in the US).  Perhaps you could get one of those if your doctor won't cooperate.  If nothing else, you can roll it up and whack him over the head with it!!!  Seriously, it's something to bring with you to help convince him that there's a problem.  Also, google "hypothyroid symptoms" and check yours off.  Another piece of evidence for the doctor.

Even though there is a "normal" range, we do all seem to work better at different levels.  Some of us VERY different levels.

Good luck convincing the doubting doctors!

[FTB4]

Do you think you might be able to get a different Md to do the tests? I have Hashi's and your symptoms are like (underactive) mine. Try going back and complain about problems swallowing, maybe then they will at check to see if your thyroid is enlarged or inflamed, which might lead them to further testing, but they have to feel your throat between your addams apple and collarbone while you are swallowing water. Not just looking you in the face like this other GP that I had did. Sometimes you have to bend the truth a little to get there attention. Good Luck FTB4

[nikkim73]

Thank you for your reply. They won't test your T4 or T3 here unless your TSH levels are out of range. Its so frustrating because I know i'm not right.

[FTB4]

I don't know how the labs work in the UK but here they(The good MDs and Endo's) only use TSH as a base and also determin T3 T4 and or Free T3, If you have these labs post them here and someone can help explain them to you, your symptoms sound like Underactive symptoms and maybe Hashimotos, it tends to be hereditary. Good Luck FTB4