A high TSH value

[jerry1l]

I take care of an 18 yr. old high school student. He is severely disabled and is an MR. Have noticed him losing weight lately,has a large appetite. His father agreed to a thyroid TSH test. The no. was 3700. I think that is high. He only weighs 83 lbs. Has lost about 9 or 10 lbs. in the last couple months. Unfortunately his father only goes to a particular PA. Nothing against him but he seems to think the no. is ok. He hasn't even recommended a T4 or T3. I am very worried about the boy.  He is skeletal thin. Any ideas I can pass on to the father. I am not able to intervene legally.
      thanks  jerry1l

[goolarra]

I agree that his TSH indicates he is slightly hypo.  3.7 is just above the top end of the range.  However, you won't know until you get the FT3 and FT4.

[mtkst13]

hmmm.  the limits still seem a little off.  usually the limits are like .3 - 3.0  OR .45 - 4.5.
if his tsh is 3.7, it's a little high.  he should have his free t3 and free t4 checked.  if they're low, he would need thyroid replacement.

[jerry1l]

hi, The limits were. 2.0-3.0. seems quite high to me at 3.7. what do you think.
    thanks for your time . jerry

[goolarra]

Do you have the reference range on that TSH?  It doesn't sound like a TSH that I have ever heard of before.

[mtkst13]

he definitely needs more testing.  it could be a pituitary tumor that's secreting too much tsh and causing the thyroid to produce too much t4/t3 making him extremely hyperthyroid.  or he could be extremely hypo.  he needs to see an endo ASAP.