underactive thyroid

[fruitsalad]

was told i need to make a visit to doctor after having my blood test results back, as it showed i was just over at 21.1 can anyone explain this figure to me please, i am taking 100mcg levothyroxine at the moment.

[Sqad]

I have to assume that 21.1 is the TSH level and it means that your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroxine and more to the point your dose of 100mcgms of levothyroxine is not enough.
You GP will need to increase your dose.

[Sqad]

fruitsald...just read your question again.........you don´t want me to go onto it in more detail, do you?

[fruitsalad]

if poss it was the receptionist at the docs who said i needed to see the doctor about these results cant go till after the bank holiday just dont quite understand what she said about being just over at 21.1 or could it have been 2.1

[Sqad]

Fruitsalad....TSH of 2.1 is normal. TSH of 21.1 shows inadequate dose of thyroxine.

So your are either normal or not taking enough thyroxine.

TSH is the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone produced by a gland in the skull called the Pituitary Gland and it through its TSH, instructs the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones. When the thyroid gland fails to produce thyroid hormones, the pituitary gland thinks that it is it´s fault and pours out more TSH.

So when the TSH is raised your thyroid gland is underactive or you are not taking enough thyroxine.

You will soon know, when your GP discusses the results with you.

[fruitsalad]

very clearly explained thanks Squad, even I understood it lol

[Sqad]

Let´s hope I do ;-)

[cazzz1975]

being just over at 21.1 would suggest you were slightly overactive if this figure was your t3 level the scale on your t3 is 12.9-20.0 so if they told you that you were "just over" they could be referring to your T3 level.

obviously all will become clear when you see your doctor, a TSH level of 21.1 would be worrying, given that they have not asked to see you immedietly my gut feeling is that the level they are talking about is indeed yout T3 not your TSH

[cazzz1975]

immediately*

[fruitsalad]

also very clearly explained thank you cazzz, so i expect if that is the case and it is slightly overactive the doctor would most probably drop the dosage or would my medication need to be stopped

[Sqad]

cazz ;-)

[cazzz1975]

it depends on how well you are functioning at your current level, your doctor would probably want to discuss the options with you, as you are not drastically over there would not be a significant change in your dose.

[anneasquith]

cazzz,im assuming you have been over or underactive ?

[society]

Cazz is very good at explaining most things. Check her out in the Motoring threads; she can surely give those guys a run for their money. :-)

[Sqad]

cazz....how likely do you think a woman on 100mcgms of thyroxine, would be hyperthyroid?...Very unlikely in my opinion.

[cazzz1975]

you have shown in the past your errors in these types of threads sqad, I have told her my opinion on what she has asked, naturally without your arrogance of course..

[Sqad]

cazz......LOL.....but you haven´t answered my question.

[cazzz1975]

the question is for her doctor sqad, she is not even sure if the level is her TSH or her T4, levels of thyroxine have different effects on different people, some people work well on 50mcg, some people need 250mcg and an additional T3 supplement.

hopefully her doctor can allay her fears

[Sqad]

cazz....so you think that she could be hyperthyroid on 100mcgms?

[anneasquith]

fruitsalad, cazzz gives good advice, your gp is the expert, hope you get it worked out

[cazzz1975]

exactly anne... ;)