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Increased tsh and normal free t4

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hannah24722
hannah24722

Hi, I've just joined this site and looking for some help. I went to the doctors last week as lately I have been feeling exceptionally tired, low, anxious and weak, amongst other things. My doctor suggested blood tests and the results for my thyroid test show tsh 6.1 and normal free t4 at 14.5. My sister and my Dad both have underactive thyroid. I also have alot of other symtoms such as feeling freezing cold all the time, and I have gained a stone since November despite eating healthily sad I don't have a follow up app with my GP until 16th April as he is away and then I am. Do these results mean that I am borderline hypo? As free t4 is apparently normal, although on the lower side of normal. I am assuming the blood test will be repeated at some point, but my main worry is that I won't be treated with medication if I'm borderline, and I can't possibly carry on like this! Any advice or info would be appreciated?

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • dave64969
    dave64969 hannah24722

    Posted

    Hannah, your TSH is out of range. It should be below 4 and around 2 is good. So you are not “borderline”, you are hypothyroid and have classic symptoms your doc should take into account, as well as the high TSH. The family history speaks for itself as well. That should all be enough to get you treatment in the form of thyroid hormone tablets.

    Stay in touch!

    • hannah24722
      hannah24722 dave64969

      Posted

      Thank you for your reply Dave,that is reassuring. I wasn't sure if the T4 had to be low before I would be offered tablets. I just can't wait to feel better and have energy for my children!

  • dave64969
    dave64969 hannah24722

    Posted

    ...and if your doctor is reluctant, be sure to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist.
  • MtViewCatherine
    MtViewCatherine hannah24722

    Posted

    Anything over a TSH of 3 is too high. What’s your T3? If your T4 is at the high end of normal, you could have a T3 problem, with with converting T4 to T3, mist often due to gut problems. Or your T3 could be getting bound up by antibodies or reverse T3, this can be caused by autoimmune disease (caused by exposure to chemicals, radiation, microbes, of stress), or by exposure to chemicals (heavy metals) particularly mercury or bromine.

    You are hypothyroid, as your TSH is elevated, meaning your body is having to work really hard to produce enough thyroxin.   Also, you can have all your blood work show within normal ranges and still have advanced thyroid disease.  As hypothyroid disease advances, you can toggle between hypo and hyperthyroid, as the thyroid gland sputters and tries to maintain. This could also explain your blood test results. 

    A large percentage of thyroid patients experience difficulty getting proper testing, diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, treatment is not the holy grail we hope for, as there is no bioidentical treatment. The lack of bioidentical treatment means the medication does not have the same molecular structure as your own thyroxin. This results in less than optimal thyroid treatment. It doesn’t work for a lot of people. 

    There are many non prescription things you can do to curb thyroid disease. Gluten-free/ Paleo style diet, essential amino acids, phenylalanine, proper vitamin and mineral supplements, cleansing... 

    Many deficiencies can mimick thyroid disease. Magnesium deficiency in particular has a list of symptoms that parallel thyroid disease. Pre-diabetes has similar symptoms... the list goes on and on.

    Bottom line is, use the time in between doctor appointments and blood work to troubleshoot your overall health and improve diet, supplements and exercise. 

    Use the blood tests as a guide only and keep track of your symptoms so you know what helps and what doesn’t.

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