range

[thomthod]

I have recently been diagnosed with Hyothyroidism.  My range from the blood test for TSH is .5 - 4.5 and I came in at 6.18.  I have been looking at these postings and have seen 10  20  30 and more.  Would my case be considered a mild case?



thanks


Thom

[thomthod]

Gimel

thank you for that insight.  I think at this point I am still in a little shock, but I am certainly prepared to tackle this IF I do indeed have Hypothyroidism.  I have read several places that only about 20-30% of people diagnosed actually have Hypo!  I have recently had alot of stress in my life with my mother dying and some estate issues with the family.  I undersatnd that this creates alot of cortisol in the adrenals which could mean I may not have Hypo.

My plan is to see this endo in November to get the ultra sound and review the numbers before I take any type of medication.


T

[gimel]

Be aware that being an Endocrinologist does not guarantee a good thyroid doctor.  Many of them specialize in diabetes, not thyroid.  Many of them also have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only want to treat based on TSH.  That doesn't work.  If they go beyond TSH, it is usually only to test for Free T4 and then they use "Reference Range Endocrinology", by which they will tell you that a test result that falls anywhere within the range is adequate for you.  Also wrong.  

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation.  The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment.  In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

You can't even imagine how difficulty it is to find such a good thyroid doctor.  I have been collecting a list of member recommended doctors for over 4 years, and still haven't cracked the 100 mark.  I have several in Florida, but none close to you.  If you want to search for a good thyroid doctor on your own, I have several ways to approach it, if you are interested.  

[goolarra]

Yes, an ultrasound to check for nodules is always a good idea.  You might also ask your endo to test for the antibodies for Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  Hashi's is an autoimmune disease and the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world.  He'll want to test both TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodes).  Some of us who have Hashi's are TPOab positive, some TGab positive and some both.  I hope you like your new doctor.  Be sure he orders FT3 and FT4, too.  Let us know how you make out.

[thomthod]

I had my Primary diagnosed me!  I do have puffy eyes, weight gain and I think Hoarse voice(not sure because I do alot of singing.  He prescribed me synthroid on TSH alone!  I am not a big proponent of synthetic meds!  I went ahead and made an appointment with an endocrinologist.  My doctor did not even check for nodules or suggest I get a screening.  I am not happy with him!  Seeing Endo on Nov 13th.

thanks for the feedback!


Thom

[goolarra]

You're right that many people have TSH much higher than yours upon diagnosis.  We occassionally see numbers in the high hundreds.  Mine was 60-something.

However, TSH doesn't always correlate with severity.  Some people feel much worse with barely elevated TSH levels than others do with very high levels.

What symptoms are you having?

Did your doctor test FT3 and FT4 as well as TSH?  If so, please post results and ranges.  Any other thyroid tests?