Thyroid levels

[Tommy57]

I had a routine blood test, I was told my thyroid level was above the normal range. I was told my current level is 11.42, what does that mean, I am trying to get in to see my doctor to see what must be done next, is this serious?

I have no other issues I am aware of

[Tommy57]

I cant believe this, it was all a mistake, it was not my records or test results that was read to me over the phone...it was someone else's, the nurse made a terrible mistake (thank goodness)..my thyroid is fine...thank yoy all for the help you had provided, I am very grateful it was a mistake

[goolarra]

I would once again urge you to get the FT3 and FT4 and repeat the TSH.  Those three numbers will give a much more complete picture of what your thyroid's doing.

You've hit one of my buttons!  Bear in mind that I'm not a doctor and the rest of this is just my opinion/theory.  My TSH is in the high teens; FT3 and FT4 just barely above the bottom of "normal".  I'm asymptomatic.  I'm on Levoxyl because I was symptomatic (very) at one point.  I think there are a lot more people out there than we know with high TSH who feel fine.  Most of them are unidentified simply because they DO feel fine and general screening has never been recommended for thyroid (although I am beginning to hear of more people like you who had thyroid issues picked up on screening tests).  I'm probably one of the few who would say this to you, but I don't think you can ignore symptoms or the lack thereof.  Doctors tend to identify hypothyroid by TSH.  But if we're symptom free, isn't that telling us our bodies are pretty comfortable where we're at?

I won't go off too much at this point.  As I said, further testing is called for.  If T3 and T4 are below normal, you might want to consider meds.  If not, send me a message, and I'll expound further if you're interested.

Don't let this knock you for too much of a loop. It's treatable and isn't something that's going to do you in tomorrow.

[Tommy57]

No symptoms at all, I work out four times a week, watch my weight (5,10, 170 lbs and I'm 57 years old)...so far I am alright. This really threw me for a loop, I have never had any such issues. Thanks for the information

[goolarra]

It means you could be hypothyroid.  11.42 is your TSH, and the normal range for it is 0.3-3.0.  The higher your TSH, the more your thyroid is underperforming.  You should have a free T3 and free T4.  This will give a better idea of how your thyroid is performing.  Make sure they don't run total T3 and total T4, as these are antiquated tests and don't provide as much info as the frees.  Do you have any hypo symptoms?  Google hypothyroid symptoms and go down the list.  This will be good info to bring to your doctor, too.  Once you get T3 and T4 results, you can post them here along with their reference ranges and people will help you interpret them.