TSH Normal?

[juliva]

My husband just got back from his yearly anual and his MD told him his TSH was normal. As I was looking at his blood work I told my husband it don't look normal to me it's way out of range. It's even listed in the out of range catagory. Here's the level.

TSH 3rd Generation 8.22   Ref Range 0.40 - 4.50

Doesn't this indicate him being really low? Is it me?

[juliva]

Thanks Gals and Pals :)

[gimel]

Just wanted to point out that you shouldn't assume that all members here are female.   Just because you ladies have control over most everything else doesn't mean you get to have thyroid all to yourselves.  And I'm not about to consider a sex change operation just to join you.  LOL  Have a good one.

[juliva]

Thanks Barb! Good info!  I'll check out them other tests as well! My Endo is pretty good so I'm confident hubby will be in good hands. I'll post once I know. Thanks again for your input.. If it wasn't for this forum I would have never caught that error in my hubbys blood work!  It is good to educate ones self for sure when ever possible!!!!!

[Barb135]

Yes, that TSH could definitely indicate hypothyroidism, but again, the FT3 and FT4 must be done to determine exactly what is going on.  

The joint pains can certainly go along with thyroid issues. Since he has neuropathy, I would suggest that he ask to get his vitamin b12 levels tested.  b12 deficiency can very well cause neuropathy.  I had it for so long prior to diagnosis that I've got permanent damage in my hands and feet.  

It would also be worth your while to ask to get his thyroid antibodies tested.  That would be TPOab (thyroid peroxidase antibodies) and TGab (thyroglobulin antibodies).  That will tell whether or not he has an autoimmune thyroid disease.  

Good luck with all this, since it didn't sound like his MD took it seriously at all.  I'm happy to hear that you are following up with an endo, but hope the endo knows thyroid issues and not just diabetes.

[juliva]

   Thanks gals!!!

I felt like I was jumping the gun here but I already made a appointment for my hubby with my Endo on the 17th meanwhile, asked his MD to redo TSH with a TF3 and 4 so Endo will have it when he see's him.

He's not tired but he is 70 very active and in good health. Been having a lot of neuropathy in hands and arms and joint pains lately. I'm thinking this maybe the culprit now. I think this is the first time they checked his TSH.


I know the TSH is the least indicator of the 3 test but knowing his TSH level is this far off I can't help wonder how much that would indicate thyroid disease?  Does anyone know? I know it defiantly warrants a follow up for sure.

His blood work was done in the morning and he was fasting.

[Barb135]

What gimel said!!

[gimel]

No, it isn't normal.  Over six years ago the Amer. Assn. of Clinical Endocrinologists recommended that the range be revised to .3-3.0, so 8.22 is way beyond that.  In addition, TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by many variables, including the time of day when blood is drawn for the test.  Far better would be to test for the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones, free T3 and free T4 (FT3 and FT4). Along with symptoms, these are much better indicators of thyroid state, than TSH.  I suggest that you get those tests done, along with thyroid antibodies.

From his doctor' reaction to the TSH level, I think he may be faced with a rather large job of getting his doctor up to speed on thyroid, or you may have to start looking for a good thyroid doctor for him.  Most likely the latter.