TSH level @ 234

[kewlmom4]

Hi - I have been treated for hypo-thyroidism since 1996 and have only had it regulated for a short time.  When I went to my doctor Thursday, I found out my TSH level was up to 234.  He immediately made me an appointment with an endocrinologist and in the meantime raised my levothyroxine to 175.  My question is ... what should I expect when I go to the endo?  I've NEVER had my TSH that out of wack ... the highest it had ever gotten in the past was 59.  So, at this point, I am extremely worried.

[Smilerdeb]

Do you have any symptoms?

The reason I ask is.....I have gone hypo before and had horrible symptoms but the last time my TSH was high...a pit. gland tumour was found and I had no symptoms of Hypo (no aching, coldness etc).

Though I knew something was going on as I felt different (hard to explain).
I had severe vertigo and couldnt even sleep not unless I was propped up with pillows as the room would spin. I felt like I was in a different world (like in the background with everything going on around me).
But my FT3 / FT4 was perfect.

A CT scan picked up the pit. tumour which was removed nasally (as the tumour was at the front).
I was home the same day and doing great now a few months later.
If your FT3/FT4 is normal and no signs of hypo then get your Pit. Gland checked.

Let us know how you go :)

[Barb135]

Has your doctor run any tests other than TSH?  Free T3 and Free T4?  Those are the active thyroid hormones and should always be tested along with TSH, which is a pituitary hormone, can swing widely and is not indicative of actual thyroid function.

It's possible that your pituitary only *thinks* there's not enough hormone, so it's asking for more; however, without testing FT3 and FT4, you can't know what's going on.

Ask your endo to test for the FT3, FT4, TSH and antibodies, TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies).  The antibody tests will help determine if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the main cause of hypothyroidism.  If you've already been diagnosed with Hashimoto's, you may not need the antibody tests, though it doesn't hurt to keep up with them.  It would also be good if your endo checks into pituitary function, in case there's something wrong there.  A thyroid ultra sound would also be good to check for nodules.  

How long before you have the endo appt?  Try not to worry too much. Best of luck.