TSH

joanchris2000 · 05-11-2012, 04:06 PM

Saw a new primary (first time having a physical/well check up in years), she ran a CBC and Thyroid (tsh only), the TSH was 3.25, just above the reference range (up to 3). I lost 75 lbs on Atkins 8 years ago, kept it off for a llittle while then regained 100 lbs over about 5 years. The past few years I've tried to get back on Atkins several times, and the weight wouldn't budge, so I got discouraged and gave up.
I started again about 6 weeks ago, and the scale is moving some this time, but I have to stay VERY LC to get it to budge now, like under 10 carbs (closer to 0 the better) a day for it to budge.
Is 3.25 worthy of further testing? The Dr just wrote "ok" next to the H flag on the lab sheet. I see her again in 2 mos to re-test my high cholesterol (that went down significantly last time I did Atkins, hoping it does that again so I won't need meds)
Edited to add....I have felt more tired, kind of like it's taken a while but that getting older is finally hitting pretty hard--I'm just past 40, so not really an age I thought I'd really feel "old". Not sure if it's just getting older, or stress (I have a multiply disabled, medically complex daughter....we spend a lot of time at Drs, hospitals etc, so STRESS) related.

juliekaboolie · 05-11-2012, 09:08 PM

I can hardly function with a TSH like that. Really, from what I understand, the TSH is almost useless. You need to have your T3, and others tested. I'd try a different doc. Sounds like he/she isn't very knowledgeable about thyroid. Take care!! You might want to check out Thyroid Mistreatment, Hypothyroidism Scandals, and Thyroid Treatment Problems | Stop The Thyroid Madness . It has a lot of great info that might be able to help you.

joanchris2000 · 05-12-2012, 11:22 AM

This was just a GP, she seemed fine for a GP, I usually hate every doctor I see, so then I just don't see one....
Would you suggest a specialist of some sort (is it Endocrinology that deals with thyroid?) or somehow find a GP who knows more?

juliekaboolie · 05-12-2012, 08:40 PM

Sometimes a GP is the best at diagnosing thyroid. Sometimes endocrinologists are worst! My current doctor who is so good used to be a naturopathic GP but has focused on chronic issues for 18 years now. She is the best thyroid doctor I've ever had because she's current on research and the ONLY one to notice that my hypo symptoms are caused by a low T3. The other doctors ignored it because I was still 'in range' albeit very low. Check out that website I gave you the link for because there's a tab on the site to find a good thyroid doc in your area.

betty301 · 05-24-2012, 05:39 AM

I'd want to see the WHOLE Picture.

Thyroid antibodies
FREET3
FREET4
ReverseT3

There are lots of reasons for tsh to be elevated. Without the other tests it's hard to know what is really going on.

mom2zeke · 05-24-2012, 06:16 AM

When I was first diagnosed my TSH was 3.9 and I felt terrible. Trying to get treated properly has been a struggle. I just saw a new endo who told me that it was probably unfortunate that my TSH was only 3.9 because you can feel just as bad with a 3.9 as a 10, but no doctor will hesitate to treat you with a 10! I'm now working with this endo and my naturopath to get my thyroid treated properly.

Good treatment is worth seeking out--even if it takes going through a lot of doctors and spending your own money. I feel so much better now than I did a year and 3 doctors ago

.

Leo41 · 05-24-2012, 08:01 AM

Any good thyroid doctor will treat a patient with a TSH over 2.0 who also has symptoms. And certainly, anyone with a TSH over 3.0 should get T4 and T3 levels tested.

When I was initially diagnosed I had severe hypothyroid symptoms, but all my lab values were within 'normal' limits. My endo explained that it's very common, and they call it "sub-clinical hypothyroidism."

For 5 years, my primary doctor told me that my thyroid was 'normal,' although I had progressively severe symptoms because most doctors go totally by the lab results.

That's why it's important to find a doctor who is good with thyroid.

inatic · 05-24-2012, 03:26 PM

My tsh was 2.3 and I felt like death warmed over. Labs for ft3 and ft4 were low in range but thankfully thyroid antibodies flagged and my endo treated me. Its often not that simple. Leo says any GOOD doc. they are hard to find!
dont give up tho.

also, going vlc might be contributing to your tiredness. Take the focus off of wt/fatloss and deal with your health issues first.

where are you located?

05-11-2012, 04:06 PM	#1
joanchris2000 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 33 Gallery: joanchris2000	TSH Saw a new primary (first time having a physical/well check up in years), she ran a CBC and Thyroid (tsh only), the TSH was 3.25, just above the reference range (up to 3). I lost 75 lbs on Atkins 8 years ago, kept it off for a llittle while then regained 100 lbs over about 5 years. The past few years I've tried to get back on Atkins several times, and the weight wouldn't budge, so I got discouraged and gave up. I started again about 6 weeks ago, and the scale is moving some this time, but I have to stay VERY LC to get it to budge now, like under 10 carbs (closer to 0 the better) a day for it to budge. Is 3.25 worthy of further testing? The Dr just wrote "ok" next to the H flag on the lab sheet. I see her again in 2 mos to re-test my high cholesterol (that went down significantly last time I did Atkins, hoping it does that again so I won't need meds) Edited to add....I have felt more tired, kind of like it's taken a while but that getting older is finally hitting pretty hard--I'm just past 40, so not really an age I thought I'd really feel "old". Not sure if it's just getting older, or stress (I have a multiply disabled, medically complex daughter....we spend a lot of time at Drs, hospitals etc, so STRESS) related. Last edited by joanchris2000; 05-11-2012 at 04:12 PM..

05-12-2012, 08:40 PM	#4
juliekaboolie Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,382 Gallery: juliekaboolie WOE: Whole30 Start Date: 1/7/11	Sometimes a GP is the best at diagnosing thyroid. Sometimes endocrinologists are worst! My current doctor who is so good used to be a naturopathic GP but has focused on chronic issues for 18 years now. She is the best thyroid doctor I've ever had because she's current on research and the ONLY one to notice that my hypo symptoms are caused by a low T3. The other doctors ignored it because I was still 'in range' albeit very low. Check out that website I gave you the link for because there's a tab on the site to find a good thyroid doc in your area. __________________ ~ "Before"- 227lbs (2008) ~ "Current"-185lbs (April, 2013) My goal has changed from mere weight loss to health, quality of life, and longevity. This is no longer a diet but a way of life. "NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP!"~Winston Churchill

05-24-2012, 06:16 AM	#6
mom2zeke Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 2,622 Gallery: mom2zeke Stats: 257/144.8/150 WOE: Nutritional Ketosis--Maintenance! Start Date: August 6, 2001	When I was first diagnosed my TSH was 3.9 and I felt terrible. Trying to get treated properly has been a struggle. I just saw a new endo who told me that it was probably unfortunate that my TSH was only 3.9 because you can feel just as bad with a 3.9 as a 10, but no doctor will hesitate to treat you with a 10! I'm now working with this endo and my naturopath to get my thyroid treated properly. Good treatment is worth seeking out--even if it takes going through a lot of doctors and spending your own money. I feel so much better now than I did a year and 3 doctors ago. __________________ Kristn 50 yo LC since 2001 257/144.8/150 BF% Goal 26%/20%/20% February Nutritional Ketosis...Are you in the zone? Nutritional Ketosis Thread Information and Posts of Interest My Maintenance Journal Original weight 2001--257 Maintaining 165-175 from 2002-March 2012 March 2012 to August 2012--175/150 Made Goal 8/27/12!

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05-11-2012, 09:08 PM	#2
juliekaboolie Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 1,382 Gallery: juliekaboolie WOE: Whole30 Start Date: 1/7/11	I can hardly function with a TSH like that. Really, from what I understand, the TSH is almost useless. You need to have your T3, and others tested. I'd try a different doc. Sounds like he/she isn't very knowledgeable about thyroid. Take care!! You might want to check out Thyroid Mistreatment, Hypothyroidism Scandals, and Thyroid Treatment Problems \| Stop The Thyroid Madness . It has a lot of great info that might be able to help you.

05-12-2012, 11:22 AM	#3
joanchris2000 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 33 Gallery: joanchris2000	This was just a GP, she seemed fine for a GP, I usually hate every doctor I see, so then I just don't see one.... Would you suggest a specialist of some sort (is it Endocrinology that deals with thyroid?) or somehow find a GP who knows more?

05-24-2012, 05:39 AM	#5
betty301 Senior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Maryland Posts: 895 Gallery: betty301	I'd want to see the WHOLE Picture. Thyroid antibodies FREET3 FREET4 ReverseT3 There are lots of reasons for tsh to be elevated. Without the other tests it's hard to know what is really going on.

05-24-2012, 08:01 AM	#7
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,426 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	Any good thyroid doctor will treat a patient with a TSH over 2.0 who also has symptoms. And certainly, anyone with a TSH over 3.0 should get T4 and T3 levels tested. When I was initially diagnosed I had severe hypothyroid symptoms, but all my lab values were within 'normal' limits. My endo explained that it's very common, and they call it "sub-clinical hypothyroidism." For 5 years, my primary doctor told me that my thyroid was 'normal,' although I had progressively severe symptoms because most doctors go totally by the lab results. That's why it's important to find a doctor who is good with thyroid.

05-24-2012, 03:26 PM	#8
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 17,805 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182+/126 5'4 50!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach:Erik Ledin leanbodies consulting Start Date: LowER C since 2/02 wt training 10/15/02	My tsh was 2.3 and I felt like death warmed over. Labs for ft3 and ft4 were low in range but thankfully thyroid antibodies flagged and my endo treated me. Its often not that simple. Leo says any GOOD doc. they are hard to find! dont give up tho. also, going vlc might be contributing to your tiredness. Take the focus off of wt/fatloss and deal with your health issues first. where are you located?