sudden change in results

[lauralynn10]

I have been trying to find a balance on thyroid medication for about 2 years.  I went from barely hypothyroid to very  in 4 months. (TSH was 75.00) For the last year or so things seemed to be good.  I had a thryroid test 4 months ago  in Sept. and the results were in the normal range  at 1.93.  I have started taking birth control pills to control perimenopausal systems since then .. I was retested in December to renew my prescription and the results were still in the normal range but barely at 4.02.  I think the range is .4 -4.5.   My doctor renewed my prescription for 1 year but I'm kind of concerned at ther sudden increase in TSH.  I have noticed a few symptoms like my losing more hair than normal and hard time keeping weight off.  Should I question him about this or just wait a few months to see what happens?

[gimel]

Suggest that you get a copy of the lab report and post results and reference ranges so that members can help interpret.  Doctors are required to give you a copy upon your request.

[lauralynn10]

Thanks for the input.  I actually did have the FT3 and FT4 tested.  They were in the normal range ( upper range I believe.. I don't have the results with me ).  I didn't see my doctor to get the test orders or results so I don't think he actuallly knows (yet) that I've started BC prescription.  I got that from my gyn.  I'm going to let him know my concerns and see if he wants to retest soon. My symptoms aren't too bad and I'm also not sure how long  I'll be taking the BC pills.. so .. My main concern is the quickness in which the levels increased because of the rapid decline I went through 2 years ago.  I'm very tuned into my body and it's reactions.  Thanks again.

[stella5349]

starting the estrogen will raise your TSH - plus a host of other problems - possibly. After going though my 20yr history and then eventually finding a thyroid disorder - My doctor now - and I take quite a bit on the birthcontrol probably being the cause of my thyroid issues.

I have read so much on thyroid and BC - along with fibroids etc... and now I regret ever taking that.

Maybe looking into plant bio identical estrogen products and moving away from synthetics would be helpful to you.

[gimel]

I have a slight disagreement with the idea of targeting TSH at 1-2 when on meds, and at the same time also suggesting that FT3 and FT4 should be mid to upper half of their reference ranges.  
The real target is to alleviate symptoms.  In order to do this, FT3 and FT4 need to be adjusted until symptoms are alleviated.  Frequently this does require that FT3 and FT4 are adjusted into the upper part of their ranges; however, the level of TSH will automatically adjust with the FT3 and FT4, since TSH is a dependent variable in this case.  So you cannot target  FT3 / FT4 and also target TSH.  You have to choose.  Unfortunately doctors frequently choose TSH.

This is why I always say that the best way to treat a thyroid patient is to test and adjust FT3 and FT4 with whatever meds are required to alleviate symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

at 4.02 your TSH is too high.  Target is usually between 1 and 2, when medicated.  Yes, taking birth control pills can require an increase in thyroid meds.

You need an increase in your meds and you should be asking your doctor for this.

If you want to be even more accurate ask your doctor to test FT3 and FT4 as well.  These should be mid to upper half of the reference range.  If not, it further strengthens the argument that you need a med increase.

In future please ask your doc to also test, TSH, FT3 and FT4.  This will give you a much clearer picture of what's actually going on.  (Ft3 and FT4 are the active thyroid hormones.  TSH is a pituitary hormone which is often but not always correlated with the real levels of thyroid hormone).