Post Punk Kitchen Forum

Hi Folks,

I know there are a few hypos on the board. I've just been tested and it looks like my TSH is in the low-normal range (0.95mU/L,
0.27-4.2 is considered normal). T3 and T4 tests weren't done because TSH is normal. However, I have been reading that TSH is not a reliable indicator of hypo (or hyper) because it is actually measuring pituitary function and could have a normal reading while someone is still hypo. What I'm reading makes a lot of sense, but seems to fly in the face of the status quo and I am having a hard time figuring out what I should be trusting, what my next steps should be, etc. I've been reading http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/.

Any feedback, experiences, tips?

Why are you worried about it? Are you having symptoms? That said, with hypothyroid your TSH will be higher than normal, not lower. That is the hormone that stimulates the thyroid, so if you are hypo, that hormone goes into overdrive to help you out. I wouldn't be worried about normal lab values, but your doctor should review all your lab results anyway and talk to you about any concerning results.

Yes, I'm worried because I am having classic hypo symptoms--of course those can also be symptoms of a million other things.

Well, mine was mildly hypo, I think like 4.9 or something and the doc wasn't planning on treating, unless it stayed high AND I was having trouble getting pregnant. It went down on its own and I got pregnant no problem, so that was that. My friend has major hypothyroid issues and her medication was lowered too much and her TSH ended up at around 30! She is pregnant and that can cause some major issues, but she is seeing a high risk specialist. They had to up her meds, but it takes a while for those numbers to come down. She had bad symptoms. She said it felt like her skin was plastic-wrapped to her face. Also, before she was diagnosed, she was excessively tired all the time.

My main symptoms are unexplained weight gain, exhaustion, constantly sick (I've got my third cold in about a month!), cold all the time. It looks like I may be anemic, so that might explain a couple of those.

Good luck with figuring it all out! Hope you start feeling better soon.

The confusing part about tsh levels is a low number indicates hyperthyroidism not hypo. Also you have the exact opposite of symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Anemia makes more sense than hypothyroidism given your levels. You could seek out an endocrinologist for their opinion. It couldn't hurt. The endocrine system is tricky. I hope you feel better soon!

(I have had Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, for 17 years.)