Thyroid (hypothyroidism)

[Canadian Karen]

I was in to see my family physician last week for her to check my thyroid because when she checked it in November, it was a bit high...... I just called the dr's office for the results because I have run out of thyroid meds and needed to renew and needed to know if she was going to put me on a different strength. The receptionist said that the doctor had seen it and signed it off as okay and that my TSH level was 3.15

I have no clue if what that is..... Does it sound like it is a good range?

Thanks!

Karen

[wwebby]

  Canadian Karen said:

I was in to see my family physician last week for her to check my thyroid because when she checked it in November, it was a bit high...... I just called the dr's office for the results because I have run out of thyroid meds and needed to renew and needed to know if she was going to put me on a different strength. The receptionist said that the doctor had seen it and signed it off as okay and that my TSH level was 3.15

I have no clue if what that is..... Does it sound like it is a good range?

Thanks!

Karen

My doc wants it between 1 and 2. I also have bipolar disorder and hypothyroidism can complicate it. When I am above 2, I get terrible mood swings. I was in the psych hospital when my TSH reached 4. How do you feel?

[Ksmith]

I think that above 2.0 is suspect and that you should have further testing. Free T4, Free T3, and anitibodies. Check out www.stopthethyroidmadness.com Go to recommended labwork

[georgie]

My Dr likes mine kept as near to 0 as possible as I have autoimmune Thyroid - Hashimotos- and you need the TSH suppressed to suppress the Antibodies attacking your Thyroid. My TSH at the moment is 0.01. Doesn't your Dr test anything else but TSH ? Thats a bit naughty. Tests for Thyroid should be Free T4, Free T3 ( to check the T level in your blood ) , and if you have autoimmune Thyroid, Antibodies ( to see if they are totally suppressed.)

[Tim-n-VA]

Additional circumstances could cause your doctor to have differing targets for your case but according to WebMD, the normal range is 0.4

[super-sally888]

For people being treated for hypothyroid, the target TSH is at the lower end of the range. I have read that women, to feel good, should have their TSH less than 2.0.

For me, my target (and to feel ok) is less than 1.0. But they also check FT3 and FT4 - which should both be at the top of the normal range. Did your doctor test anything other than TSH?

I don't think you should accept 3.15 as acceptable. Particularly without having the FT3 and FT4 monitored and found to be in the proper range.

Hope you feel better.

Sally

  Tim-n-VA said:

Additional circumstances could cause your doctor to have differing targets for your case but according to WebMD, the normal range is 0.4

[loraleena]

The new normal range is .3-3.0 You are Hypothyroid!

[e&j0304]

I wish you luck in finding a dr. who will treat you based on the new guidelines. My little 4 year old has suffered for years and has a TSH of 3.62 and a Free T4 of 0.6 and they all want to "wait and see what happens in a few months."

Keep us posted if you find a good doctor!!