borderline hypothyroidism

[anny2]

In April I had a TSH of 5.16 from a general employee health screening.  In June, my doctor retested and said it was high normal.  I have gained some weight, lack concentration and memory in many situations, and have had no energy all year. I thought some of it was due to minor depression because of mild/moderate personal and work problems.  My doctor will keep close tabs in the future.  

In the meantime, are there safe, reliable, and effective home remedies or supplements that I can take to help?  I am tired of being tired and unmotivated, and if there are ways to help relieve symptoms or raise the level a bit without prescriptions drugs, I'd like to try.

Also, how reliable are the TSH tests?  What are the chances that one or the other tests are not accurate?  I believe they were sent to separate facilities.

[gimel]

I guess you'd have to say that TSH tests are pretty repeatable.  A better question is how does it correlate to what is important to you, which is symptoms.  The answer to this is that TSH is a pituitary secretion that is affected by many other variables.  It doesn't correlate very well at all with hypo symptoms.  

The best correlation is with the free T3 test.  For that reason you should followup on mtkst13's question about free T3 and free T4.  In all likelihood you probably weren't tested for both of those.  If this is true, then you should insist that the doctor test for the "frees".   If the doctor wants to only use TSH as the diagnostic by which to medicate you, then this can leave you with lingering hypo symptoms.  In my opinion the far better approach is for the doctor to treat your symptoms, by testing and adjusting FT3 and FT4 levels with medication as required to alleviate those symptoms.

Also, I'm unaware of any supplements or home remedies that can treat you as effectively as prescription thyroid meds.

[mtkst13]

what are your ft3 and ft4 values?

i understand your hesitation with starting meds because no one wants to be on med.  but if it would improve your quality of life, why not start now?  you already have symptoms, and they are only going to get worst.

based on your symptoms and tsh, i strongly suggest starting a low dose of synthroid.  evaluate how you feel after a few months, then go from there.  otherwise, there are no ways to relieve your symptoms.  they will continue to worsen, and when you finally decide to take the meds, it'll take longer for you to feel better.

this is my opinion.  could some other members comment???