VERY high TSH - Interested in range information

[sdp1988]

I am having trouble finding out range information on the net regarding TSH levels.  I have taken synthoid for several years and occasionally have to adjust the dosage.  I know what a level TSH is but at one point had a level of 32.5 - which was treated by adjusting the dosage.  However, due to recent HORRIBLE symptons, knew I needed to have it checked again (3 months earlier than my scheduled check).  It was at 85.8 which scares me to death after doing what little research I have.  I have been looking for ranges and what effects they may have on me at certain ranges (other than the obvious ones I have been feeling).  Last, how high can a TSH be and how close am I to it?

[Gibbon1]

Don't be afraid to post to a new thread.  I think measuring TSH is not enough to determine what is going wrong, and what treatment is needed.

In general measurement of thyroid hormones at least T4, and really both T4 T3 are needed along with an thyroid antibody test.  

So you should have your TSH, T4, and T3 tested again, with antibodies tests in say a month or two. You want to know the actual thyroid hormone levels that's T4 and T3.  And antibody tests, which may point to autoimmune disease.

One other thing to consider is dieting  If you are on a near starvation diet, 500 calories, that can effect thyroid function.  Also if your diet doesn't have enough iodine in it, or you have other vitamin or mineral deficiencies, that can cause hypo-symptoms.  I'm not a doctor, but I'd try and get those sorts of things, checked out, and corrected before trying thyroid meds.

[Natuk79]

Hi I have a range of 10 and was told I'm borderline by my GP but have most of the symptoms of low thyroid function! What is the range for commencing medication! My weight is creeping up and up even though I'm on a 500 calorie a day diet! It's getting me down!

[gimel]

I'm sure that the Thyroxine treatment has been helpful to your daughter.  I just wanted to make you aware that TSH is a pituitary hormone that is supposed to reflect accurately the levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, but in reality cannot be shown to do so.  As such, it is totally inadequate as the sole diagnostic for thyroid status.  At best TSH is an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4).  Also, when a patient is already taking thyroid med, TSH is even poorer as a diagnostic.  

So, I wanted to say that maybe not right now, but certainly in the future, you are going to need a good thyroid doctor for your daughter.  By that I mean a doctor that will treat her clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results and especially not TSH results.  

I realize that at her age, it is somewhat difficult to determine symptoms and their severity, but as she gets older, you will need to be attentive to symptoms and make sure you have a good thyroid doctor that will treat clinically as I described.  Such doctors are difficult to find because most of them rely on the "Immaculate TSH Belief' and only want to use TSH to diagnose and treat.  That does not work.  Others will test beyond TSH but then resort to "Reference Range Endocrinology", by which they will tell you that a thyroid test that falls anywhere withing the so-called "normal' range is adequate.  That also is wrong.  

I think that this link, written by a good thyroid doctor will give you some good info for future reference.   Also, if you want to give us your location, it is always possible that a member can recommend a good thyroid doctor in your area.  

http://hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

[bsybee79]

Hi,

My 4 year old had a starting TSH Level of 2004. Her second blood test was 6 weeks into Thyroxine treatment, her TSH still measured as 968.  Her most recent which was 6 week later again, 1.68, so perfect. :)  

[goolarra]

I posted on your new thread.

[ronni_tsh628]

my tsh number just came back at 628 and all they , drs, have me on is .35 of premarin hormone. im going to a gyn instead of just my primary, i think he's no longer able to function in the medical field as i swear the man is at least a 150 years old. hope to god these numbers go down, i hear the side effects of such numbers are horrific.