TSH increase as we age?

[lauruzzi]

Hi everyone! I'm awaiting blood tests results on my TSH, FT3, and FT4.

Little backround info: I'm 26 years old. Haven't been feeling well for over a year. Finally last September I went to the doctor and got a blood test for a bunch of stuff. It showed I had Epstein Barr in my system but I was told that other then that and some dehydration everything else was "normal".

Fast forward to 11 months later and I still am still having a ton of symptoms. Epstein Barr is low enough that it shouldn't be causing symptoms at this point. I called my dr. office and asked for my specific thyroid numbers since I've always felt that was an issue for me since thyroid problems run rampid in my family. My TSH reading was 3.72 and my FT4 was 1.07. From what I've read my TSH is above the "new normal range" of 0.3 to 3.0 and my FT4 is in the lower end of the "normal range".

So, even though my doctor does not think I have any issue with my thyroid I talked her into sending me for another blood test that I'm waiting to hear back about. My question is... do TSH levels tend to rise as people age? Like if I do have slight thyroid issues, should I expect that number to be increased??

Also, if anyone can answer, what causes thyroid levels to jump around so much. A separate times years ago my doctor had to send me of a retest of my thyroid hormones because they were indicating hypo but then the retest came back "normal". I'm not sure what those numbers were. Thanks!!

[Barb135]

The thyroid typically produces less hormones, as we age, which, in a perfect world would make the TSH rise in an effort to stimulate the thyroid into producing more.

TSH is a pituitary hormone, that fluctuates greatly, even intraday, so whatever your levels are now, they may be different in a couple hours. That's why it's so important to have the FT3 and FT4 done, along with TSH.

"what causes thyroid levels to jump around so much"........ are you referring to TSH,  here?  If so, see the explanation above.

[lauruzzi]

Thanks for the info Barb! I'm REALLY hoping me levels come back weird enough to finally get treated...

[lauruzzi]

My Dr.'s assistant called me earlier to let me know my results. My TSH has risen a little more to 4.06(HIGHER) and my FT4 is now 1.10(ALSO SLIGHTLY HIGHER?). Not sure how BOTH could have gotten higher. I saw the lab requestion before hand and it DID ask for a FT3 and when the nurse called she said that wasn't on there result so I don't know if it was a mistake or what.

Also my B12 was elevated along with my lymphocyte (47). Any idea what would cause these to be high? I have not take a B-vitamin in about 6 months or more. Any insight would be great.

[Barb135]

There are several foods that are good sources of vitamin B12, including, but not limited to dairy and meats.  B12 is not toxic, so having high levels won't hurt you.

Lymphcytes are a type of white blood cell, used for fighting inflammation, infection, disease.  There could be a variety of things causing it to be  high.  The EBV could cause it.

Some labs don't get Free T3 done/reported as quickly as they do other parameters.  You could wait a day or so and call your doctor back and see if that result came in.

What's the lab range for the FT4?  Ranges vary lab to lab, so have to be posted with results, from your own report.

[lauruzzi]

Ok got my lab result print out and found my FT3. It was 2.6 (range 2.0-4.4). And FT4 was 1.10 (range 0.82-1.77)