what is the difference between a supressed tsh and a low tsh

[annamae26]

so full of questions today  does anyone know what is the difference between a suppressed tsh and a low tsh- was reading the new research and can t find the difference

[artfemme]

Thanks again...will read, at least it gives me something to come to my primary doctor with that will help to argue with the Endo. I too would have to read the data to care about the low v. suppressed argument, but am looking for info that low-range TSH isn't going to have a deleterious effect as long as the Free T3 and Free T4 are normal :-D

[gimel]

This is a link to that info.  Personally I'd have to see the actual study data before I could accept that there is a significantly different effect between what they call low TSH and suppressed TSH.  At any rate, it is a significant step forward that someone in the medical community has done such a large scale study and refuted the old belief that TSH suppressed to even the lower end within the range was enough for them to be alarmed.

The last time I went to an Endo, he took one look at my TSH of .04, I think it was, and immediately said I had to reduce my throid meds, even though I was still having some hypo symptoms.  So we parted ways very quickly.  I always thought it was very revealing that about half of the patients in his waiting room  (apparently hypo patients) were snoozing.  LOL  

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100315230910.htm

[artfemme]

gimel thanks for this thread, it was just what I needed...smart women w/moxy and info! I feel less alone, which is 1/2 the battle for wellness, I think. Could you all tell me the link to read the TSH study you discussed? Also, annamae, I'm new to this, but my intuition about my own body tells me this: I needed more T3 in the beginning, then after a year my body started working better (see my post from yesterday" Low TSH....." for my experience) and I became hyper. I cut the T3 in 1/2, to 12.5, felt awful w/hypo symptoms, added 25 mcg. to the 50mcg T4 I was already taking and felt better again. Initially T4 didn't work for me by itself, seems like it needed T3 for it to kick in. But now my body seems to need the gentler version. Also, my acupuncturist suggested I have my Vit. D level checked. My Dr. told me it was unnecessary, but finally gave in. Bingo! had practically none in my system. Started taking 1000 units, felt better right away. I think it's synergistic w/ thyroid, protects bones...just my personal opinion based on how I feel. When I altered my thyroid meds, the Vit D level went down w/out changing the dose, so now I doubled it to 2000 units (which I read is the new recommendation anyway) and am taking it simultaneously w/ thyroid meds in am. Anybody else have an opinion on Vit D??

[Barb135]

Well, I think  I can say that I have found one doctor who has gotten over the TSH belief; that's my endo.  Although there are some things about him that I'm not crazy about, I will give him the utmost credit for doing all the relevant testing *every* time AND I just saw him this morning and he's not the least bit concerned about my suppressed TSH - even wrote new scripts to enable me to keep my thyroid levels where they are, which will also keep my TSH where it's at..........

In view of that --- I'd also like to say thanks to all you guys and gals, who have helped me with research, test values, and everything else to get where I'm at..............THANKS.

[gimel]

I totally agree with you about not being concerned about a low TSH caused by meds sufficient to relieve symptoms.  As an example.my TSH has been less than .05 for over 25 years.  in my opinion the absence of a pituitary hormone (TSH)  cannot possibly be the causal factor for the potential problems brought up so often by the doctors.  The absence of TSH is nothing more than the hypothalamus/pituitary response to T4 and T3 levels.  If there were a potential problem,  wouldn't it would be evident by the presence of excessive levels of the active thyroid hormones, FT3 and FT4, and by symptoms?  When there are no hyper symptoms evident, and FT3 and FT4 are within their reference ranges, yet TSH is suppressed, where is the problem?

In my prior post I quoted studies only to convey to Annamae that there is scientific data that supports my biased opinion.  Maybe some day the medical community will get over the "Immaculate TSH Belief", and start emphasizing the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones, and new reference ranges for them, as well.

[Smilerdeb]

As I said Barb...this is my own personal opinion and I have researched a lot over the past 3 years.
There is a lot of controversy over the TSH but I do base my opinions on what I have seen here with others and my own personal dealings with the TSH.

I may be totally wrong but until I find out different, this is what I believe.