Is that a TSI or a TSH? 0.3-3.0 is a typical TSH range. The range on a TSI should be something like "less-than 130%" or "less-than 1.3".
oh yes, sorry, less than 1.3 I gave TSH range.
TED is not nice. I'm so happy to get rid of that guy. Light sensitivity was my worst symptom. Painful. I believe my severe stress at the time caused my TSI (TRAb) antibodies to show up. I'm in a right bit of stress right now and getting hyper flare ups every day. Not good. Calm lotus position ommmmm. :)
Selenium can also help. In 2011, a study demonstrated that selenium supplementation (200 mcg per day) can slow the progression of eye disease and improve quality of life in patients with Graves' disease with mild ocular involvement (Graves' ophthalmopathy). Dietary wise, brazil nuts have the highest selenium content. Each brazil nut contains anywhere from between 50 - 90mcg of selenium depending on the soil.
That's a pretty strong positive TSI, then.
I agree with you...time to find a new doctor, one who tests properly and is willing to treat. Don't wait 6-8 weeks just for another TSH.
Let me explain a little about TSI antibodies. (If I'm repeating what you already know, please forgive the redundancy.) Normally, TSH from your pituitary, which is the master endocrine gland, is sent out when the pituitary senses thyroid hormone levels are too low. If levels are just right or too high, no TSH is sent out. TSH cannot go below zero.
When TSI antibodies are high (i.e. you have Graves' disease), the TSI can attach to TSH receptors in the thyroid and cause it to produce or overproduce hormone. TSI antibodies are not under the control of the pituitary, but just indiscriminately stimulate the thyroid.
Since TSI are stimulating the thyroid, the pituitary is sensing that hormone levels are too high, so TSH becomes suppressed...your pituitary is, in effect, trying to put on the breaks.
Once TSH is suppressed, it no longer gives any useful information. All we know from your TSH is that hormone levels are too high. They might just be a little too high, or they could be through the roof. So, your current doctor is basically flying blind.
Be sure your new doctor will order FT3 and FT4 along with TSH.
I honestly could not tell you. I was young and a new mom at the time. I thought I was just working to much and with an 8 month old I never bothered to see when they symptoms actually came about.
Only reason I was going to the doctor was due to headaches. The doctor at the time treated me for depression due to be a new mommy and working full time. I had been going to the doctor for like 3-4 months prior to my neck swelling. I had a very uneducated dr. at the time ...
I only found out about the thyroid by chance. My necked swelled one evening and well being 88 lbs it was noticeable to my dad. I went in after hours and it took the on call doctor 30 seconds to tell me it was my thyroid. All I had to do was stick my hands out for him and he knew right away. (My hands were trembling so bad I never even noticed...
If I had to guess, it was probably more like 6 months of being untreated, but only because I was not aware of the changes in me.
I have an appointment in April with a new doctor. I have not taken any thyroid replacement since September. My former doctor asked me to stop to aid in testing. I am suffering from daily headaches. I forwarded my new doctor all of my labs and I am just waiting. :(