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TSH-based diagnosis
I keep hearing people say that tsh alone shouldn't be the basis for evaluating thyroid disease. However, if my free t3 and my free t4 are normal, and TSH is very high, is TSH then a good indicator ?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I hit post, too soon.
Your elevated TSH and low FT4 are grounds to consider you hypothyroid. Even though your FT4 is "in range", it's still very low at only 12.5% of the range. Rule of thumb is to have FT4 about mid range and FT3 in the upper half to upper third of its range.
Your elevated TSH and low FT4 are grounds to consider you hypothyroid. Even though your FT4 is "in range", it's still very low at only 12.5% of the range. Rule of thumb is to have FT4 about mid range and FT3 in the upper half to upper third of its range.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Can you please refresh my memory? Are you on a thyroid medication? If so, which one, what dosage?
Ok so originally I was at a 2 or 3 controlled TSH for a while.
Then I quit smoking and this:
TSH 9.5
Total T4 6.0 (Range 4.5-12)
T3 Uptake 28 (Range 22-35%)
Free T4 1.7 (Range: 1.4-3.8)
Then 6 weeks after this my TSH shot up to 40.
Then I quit smoking and this:
TSH 9.5
Total T4 6.0 (Range 4.5-12)
T3 Uptake 28 (Range 22-35%)
Free T4 1.7 (Range: 1.4-3.8)
Then 6 weeks after this my TSH shot up to 40.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Total T4 and T3 Uptake are considered obsolete and of little value. Free T3 and Free T4 are much more "telling". However, if you care to post the results from March, feel free to do so; your TSH and FT4 will give us a little bit of an idea where you were, at that time. Be sure to include reference ranges, since ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
Do you know your current TSH level? While high TSH should not be the only criteria for diagnosis or dosing medications, it can be an indication that something is awry. Please feel free to post that, as well, if you know what it is.
Do you know your current TSH level? While high TSH should not be the only criteria for diagnosis or dosing medications, it can be an indication that something is awry. Please feel free to post that, as well, if you know what it is.
Unfortunately, I don't have my latest test. I only have the one from March. I did notice however that it tests for Total T4, free T4, T3 Uptake and TSH.
COMMUNITY LEADER
No - TSH still shouldn't be the sole basis for a diagnosis or determining a med dosage. It depends on where your FT3 and FT4 actually fall within the normal range. The ranges are very flawed, and if they are at the bottom of the range, they still may not be high enough for the pituitary to be satisfied. "normal" in the range doesn't necessarily equate with "normal" for the individual.
What are the actual results, with ranges?
What are the actual results, with ranges?
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