TSH

[dawnangela]

Hi to all my friends, lot been going on with mums stroke, so now just getting back to me for a bit:) had my bloods done monday, gone from tsh 144-     -2.12-      (  -0.54 now, i know tsh is irrelevant but it all the jerk done this time, and with looking after mum i haven't worried to much...Question...is it meant to be so low, does it matter?? if i feel not to bad?

[dawnangela]

Oh of course, i should of realized that with the t4/t3.. and im in the same boat with hashi having just about destroyed the gland that it no longer produces to much hormone..( brain been else where lately ) we are relying solely on the med..

I think on that point i will go back sooner rather than later and ask about the t4/t3 even though i feel ok for now, just to see what they are.

i will see with the antibodies as well,  my last in feb they were 1300, so im guessing if they start reducing it means more of the gland is dead?

Good luck on Tuesday Barb.)

[Barb135]

Yes, it's possible to be hypo with a TSH that low.  Don't forget, it's not the TSH level that alleviates or causes the symptoms; it's the presence or absence of FT3 and FT4.  My latest labs (done a couple of weeks ago) show my levels of FT3 and FT4 down from what they were in March, on the same dosage, and I felt great then; now I have hypo symptoms again.  

Presumably, the T4 and/or T3 would only go up, if my thyroid were still producing hormone. Remember that Hashi's destroys the thyroid.  Apparently, my thyroid has been destroyed to the point that it is producing very little, if any, hormone, so most everything I get must be coming from the med I take. I was hoping to be leveled out by this time, but I guess that's not to be.  I'll see my endo on Tues, most likely he will increase my dosage based on the fact that I have symptoms and my FT's are lower.  

I might also point out that my antibodies are down to 75 now, compared to almost 400 when I was dx'd a couple of yrs ago.  I'm wondering if that means they will go into remission soon.

Dawnangela -- you might be okay for this time with just your TSH being tested, but please, if you start having symptoms, do insist on getting the FT's tested.  Seems like the longer we don't deal with the issues, the worse they get.  

[dawnangela]

Hi Barb, i could go back and ask why they weren't done..I rang to get results and was told  he only  ordered tsh..I will see how i go as if im feeling ok prob just filling their pockets with money that i need more:))

So you can actually still be hypo with a tsh that low? i thought going so low would shoot the t4 up?

[Barb135]

I agree with gimel.  My TSH stays at "less than" 0.01 all the time too, but right now, I'm actually a hypo again.

Could you get the FT3 and FT4 done, if necessary?  

If you are not having symptoms, though, it may not matter a lot.  

[dawnangela]

Thanks gimel, that puts my mind at rest, i have been feeling well the last few weeks, so will leave well enough alone for now: x

[gimel]

It is not at all unusual to have a low/suppressed TSH when taking thyroid meds.    TSH does not cause any symptoms.  It is a pituitary hormone that at best is only an indicator of levels of the actual thyroid hormones.  A low TSH does not mean that you are hyper.  Symptoms define your thyroid state.  You are hyper only if you have hyper symptoms, due to excessive FT3 and FT4 levels.  For example, I've had a TSH less than .05 for over 25 years and actually continue to have lingering hypo symptoms, not hyper symptoms.  

[dawnangela]

Oh range ( 0.50--4.00 )