Thyroid - another question

[thelewisgang]

I posted a few weeks back about my thyroid & recently went to the doctor to request blood tests although I wasn't due for a thyroid test till around June. I have rung the surgery today & told "no action" was necessary. I asked for the figures & was told only the TSH test was done & the result was 4.1. Have seen on the thyroid uk site the range should be between 0.4 & 4.5 so I am, presumably in the higher bracket. Would this higher level cause weight gain & other things I am mentioning below? I cannot see my doctor for a couple of weeks but feel I need the other tests done but knowing our surgery they will not be very obliging. I currently take 50mcg daily. I was on 100mcg daily until about 4 years ago when I started to lose a lot of weight & all other tests returned negative results so it was believed my thyroid dose was the problem. Now I have put weight on in the last few months, my hair is dry & I do not sleep well. I started taking thyroxine 20plus years ago following two goitre operations. Any comments would be gratefully received. thank you.

[cazzz1975]

4.1 is on the high end, what was your T4 count?? (normally ranges between 11.9-20.0)

[thelewisgang]

my doctor presumably only requested the TSH test. When I asked the receptionist today for the other figures (my old surgery always used to have three lots of figures), she said only the TSH test was requested. I guess I will have to go back & ask her to do the other tests - I mean, its my body & I want to know whats going on. She new I was concerned when I saw her a couple of weeks back so I am surprised she only done the TSH. thanks for your posting!

[cazzz1975]

no probs, the T3 and the T4 are the other markers used as well as the TSH, in the NHS it is mainly the T4 and the TSH that are used in diagnosis.

If your T4 comes back on the low end of the scale it would correlate with your high TSH reading and explain your symptoms, you can request an increase in dose, the doctor may up you to 75 mcg for 6 weeks then do another blood test to check your range again. at 4.1 I would imagine you are feeling hypothyroid symptoms, get the T4 to confirm it then make an appointment to see the doctor

[paraffin]

Don't know if this would help to perhaps ease your anxieties a smidgen but, for what it's worth, I had an overactive thyroid 20 odd years ago and was on medication for some years after (carbimazole was one).

I fortunately didn't have to have any goitre surgery, it was eventually "resolved" by the medication. However, the dosage is apparently notoriously difficult to get right, as mine was, and I had my medication switched a few times until, finally, the doctors "got it right" so to speak.

It took about 3 or 4 years to solve and I thought that it was all sorted until, a few years ago, my thyroxine levels were again found to be a bit "wonky". More pills, blood tests etc, and now it's supposedly okay again.

But I still have periodic tests done - just in case! Personally, I put my trust in my doctor because, basically, what else can you do?

Sorry if this is boring and irrelevant but I just wanted to let you know that I can understand and sympathise with what you're going through and hope that your situation is resolved for you quickly.
Good luck.

[sqad617]

TSH....is the important value.

Your TSH is within normal limits.

Yes the" highish" TSH MIGHT make you put on weight, dry skin etc.


I agree wiyh cazz....you thyroxine needs uping a "smidgeon"

This is not a criticism....well perhaps it isLOL........butI have the feeling that many UK (and others) do not clearly understand the TSH./thyroid hormones principle....SORRY

[sqad617]

penultimate line should have read:

the feeling that many UK (and others) medical staff,do not clearly

[sqad617]

Quick guide.

High TSH......increase the dose of your thyroxine

Low TSH........decrease the dose of you thyroxine.

Hope that helps.

[cazzz1975]

all levels are important including T3, TSH is important but the problem may due to the liver not converting which is a differing problem not solved by increasing thyroxine dose

[sqad617]

cazz....chronis cirhosis can indeed lead to abnormalities ot T3 T4......but that is an end game stage...........the other liver function testa would be so abnormal, that T3 T4 would not add to the diagnosis.

I am not even sure that T3 T4 are a part of liver function tests......perhaps someone could enlighten me.

The questioner here has thyroid abnormalities.............and I am sure (not certain) that she hasn't got end stage liver failure.

[cazzz1975]

Why do you have to be so patronising sqad? T4 and T3 are Thyroid markers, TSH only gives an indication and should not be used exclusively without all readings


http://www.endocrineweb.com/tests.html

[sqad617]

cazz....what have I said that can be construed as "patronising?"

"The T4 reflects the amount of thyroxine in the blood. If the patient does not take any type of thyroid medication, this test is usually a good measure of thyroid function."

That is from your www. BUT..the patient IS taking thyroxine.

My answrs are not from the Internet, but from personal experience.

BUT...OK ......T3 T4 are important.

[cazzz1975]

I take thyroid medication myself, I have seen a lot of endocrinologists, I have not just googled anything :(

[Sachs]

Hi the,
got to say, in my experience it's all hit & miss. Up & down. Just negotiated with my doctor on my dosage. The only part of the day I feel energetic is morning & mid afternoon. Hope you get sorted! xxx

[thelewisgang]

thank you everyone for your interesting replies. I actually went to the doctors today to check again that the T3/T4 hadn't been done & a rather snotty receptionist who I spoke to on the phone yesterday once again told me only the TSH had been requested. She then asked if I wanted the other tests done & I'm going on thursday this week. Was told I would have to mention to the nurse exactly what blood testing I wanted!!! How about that for a useless doctors surgery! I presume I won't have to fast before this next test?? don't remember having to in the past. I feel I have a right to know whatever this receptionist thought. Thanks again