From the article: Thyroid Testing: What Is a Normal TSH Level?
Is your doctor, health care practitioner and/or testing laboratory using the older, outdated reference range of 0.5 to 5.0 for the thyroid stimulating hormone -- TSH -- test? Or have they adopted the narrower range recommended since since 2003? For almost a decade, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists has recommended that the so-called normal or reference range for the TSH test be narrowed to .3 to 3.0, and it's still not happening at most labs, and with many doctors across the nation. What is your experience? Has your doctor or lab "gotten it" yet? Or are you still waiting for them to get the news? Share Your Experiences
Hypothyroid or Hyperthyroid
- My recent thyroid results are: TSH 1.56 T4 10.4, Free T4 2.5, T4 free 1.0, T3 free 2.8 T3 total 155, T3 uptake 24. My weight has gotten up to 185 - the highest ever - and I can't get it off no matter how hard I run/walk/jog/diet. I feel like I'm not getting oxygen because I can't say more than 2 sentences without yawning. I experience daily, anxiety, fatigue/exhausted, constipation, difficulty sleeping, dry skin dry brittle hair, weight gain, racing heart/palpitations, mood swings, lack of focus/concentration and my memory is significantly low. I can't remember anything. I sweat a lot - hot flashes. My voice has deepened and is sometimes hoarse. I now have carpal tunnel AGAIN. I had surgery for right ulnar nerve decompression in 2003. My menstruation got so heavy for a few years that I ended up in the ER for hemorrhaging and was put on birth control pills. The doctor I have said I was depressed and gave me sertraline which I don't need!
- —Guest Mildred
Recenty/currently diagnosed
- For years, about 3-4, I thought I was depressed and highly stressed. I took every anti-depressant to no avail. I had dry skin, hair falling out, no energy, irregular but not heavy periods. I feel allover weakness, especially in my knees and other joints. I experienced sleep disturbances, brittle nails etc. My TSH Level was 7.9. I am so hoping this is the cause of depression and severe lack of motivation and energy. I am awaiting a visit to my doctor, who no doubtly, will have the lab draw 12 vials of blood and run every pertinent test possible to cover all the bases and leave no stone unturned. He is very very thorough. Out of all the known symptoms, what, I wonder, is the most prominent symptom. I wonder how long after beginning medication I will experience any improvement and the highest TSH. I know I have a long road ahead if me to get thyroid under control. I wonder if it is possible through diet, exercise and vitamins to keep the TSH levels at bay without medications.
- —Guest Lynne
DIAGNOSIS
- I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism having felt rough for around 18 months. I ached, had hot flashes, didn't sleep well and had 'palpitations'. My level was 136 until I started on treatment and now my level is dropping. After a steady increase, I am down to around 40. I still feel bad towards the end of the day.
- —Guest Kes
High TSH
- My tsh just measured at 34. Started meds and having ultrasound next week.
- —Guest Mandy
TSH Sky High
- I've just gotten my test results back and my TSH is 150. I was told normal is between 0.5 - 5 so I have been put on medication just gotta wait to see what happens now.
- —Guest chris g
I Don't Know!
- I have been extremely fatigued and have been experiencing anxiety, muscle weakness - the list goes on and on. When I finally had a bare minimum "thyroid" test my TSH was at 0.36 within a range of .35 to 5.60. You would "think" they would further investigate. NOPE! I am still undiagnosed and MISERABLE, but trying to stay hopeful!
- —Guest OverIT
Thyroid
- I have TSH level is 22.8. I don't know what to do or what I should eat.
- —Guest arockia
TSH Is Not A Reliable Test
- My TSH tested a normal 1.0, but it took a long time and many doctors before one discovered I had very low FT3 and that my TSH was faulty. I needed full thyroid replacement, after which my body pain (dx'd as rheumatoid arthritis) disappeared.
- —Guest Amy
Range
- My doctor uses 0.450 - 4.5 range. I have been hyper for 3 years on .75mcg. New test for TSH was 2.58 -within range, but I am very symptomatic with severe fatigue. They did not test T4 and now determine I'm anemic. RBH and Hemo are below normal. Change of diet and increased iron not helping. Also, may be looking for new doctor.
- —LinPB
Low TSH, Low FT4, Low FT3
- If you feel horrible even when your TSH is normal or low, have the FT4 and FT3 tested. I felt horrible for 9 years and could never get my medications increased because the TSH was normal or low. Finally, I switched doctors. The new doctor tested me 3 times (TSH, FT4, FT3) over 6 months and now says I have Central Hypothyroidism!!! No wonder I felt horrible. My body does not produce enough TSH. Now taking 175 Synthroid, 10 mcg Cytomel - 2 tabs 2 times a day. I don't feel perfect, but maybe closer to being 80 percent myself. Now if I could lose the 40 pounds I gained! I am a fitness instructor so I get enough exercise. I can limit calories to 1200 a day and still not lose. I have tried every diet. It is horrible to be the pudgy instructor. I want to wear my size 6 again not size 12. I have even added vigorous walking at up to 140 miles a month and I have not lost a single pound. Very discouraging.
- —Guest oddball
Twelve Years On Synthyroid
- I was diagnosed in 2000 after not being able to get pregnant. My TSH level of 5.5 was considered just above "border line" hypothroid at the time. I had multiple severe symptoms, my Hashimoto's test came back and it was positive. Currently, my levels are as follows: TSH 1.77 T4 1.2 T3 2.6 My Endocrologist is increasing my doseage from 150 mg to 175 mg. Cytomel has been kept the same at .8 mcg SID. Recheck in 4 weeks. I am having symptoms at 1.77 TSH and know from my history, I feel good closer to 1 or just slightly below. The older I get the more Syntyroid and more frequent checks I need. Because of the Hashimoto's disease I tend to get checked every 3 months since it is hard to regulate me now that I am in my 40's. Go see a specialist, most primary cares are totally clueless and incompetent in treating hypothyroidism.
- —Guest Tanya
Thyroid
- I am 25 years old. I am skiny boy. Two months ago my TSH was 3.23 now my TSH range is 7.23.
- —Guest dev sidhu
Hypo or Hyper
- While serving overseas the stress required my Synthroid dosage be adjusted from 0.112 to 0.125. I felt so much better and symptoms subsided. In January I was tested. TSH was 2.4, Free T4 was 1.1. I'm still feeling great so no change in dosage. Monday I had blood work for my quarterly check. New doctor, resident. He only orders a TSH test and the result was .24. He changes my dosage from .125 to . 112 without talking to me. What?! My body, my hormones! I called him and requested a retest and to have a Free T4 added. Free T4 comes back 0.9, which is normal. That test is important! The results in conjunction with TSH give you a better picture. So my Synthroid dosage was switched back when he got the Free T4 result. Disclaimer: I am a Medical laboratory scientist. My labs normal range for TSH is 0.3-3.0.
- —Guest md2bme
The 0.3 to 3.0 Range or Outdated .5 to 5
- I have been hypothyroid for 30 plus years. Finally, I got my doctor to change me from Synthroid to natural thyroid medication, Armour. Then, when arguing over the dosage and even after I took in the information about the new range, my doctor wouldn't budge on the dosage. I am now looking for a new doctor.
- —yelyana
MY TSH
- TSH is 0.08. However, I am not having any hyperthyroid symptoms. I have been told I am taking to much thyroid replacement. How can this be possible?? I don't know what to do about it. I refuse to take the reformulated Armour. I tried it DID NOT feel well at all.
- —OkieShirley
1-15 of 477Next
