From a high end TSH to normal now without meds?

[michelleanne18]

My TSH was high but not overly high, just at 5.85 last month, this month it's now normal 2.20 I'm not on any thyroid meds and for the past few months the TSH has been climbing to the point of the 5.85

Question is how do you go from a higher end TSH that is above normal to a normal level without any meds? Doctor said I'm a fertile woman, it fluctuates all the time. I should get it checked out once a year. Another doctor today said no I should still be getting it monitored monthly. This week my anxiety is through the roof and my skin is getting drier and my hair thinner, my white blood cell count is also low 2.0 and I'm catching many infections lately. Should I be tested for Hashimotos? I really wish this could all fix itself out as I feel so lousy =(

[redheadaussie]

Yes TSH can fluctuate, but not that dramatically. Sure it can change daily, hourly and for women during their cycle.

I do wonder though, what your TSH is THIS month? If you are having anxiety etc, perchance it is a lot different again, and maybe heading toward hyperthyroidism. I am all too familiar with falling levels and being told I was normal, all the while feeling total anxiety and getting every illness going around.

I agree with your 2nd doctor to be tested monthly.

YES! Get tested for Hashimoto's! You can have 'normal' thyroid function tests and then still  test high for anti-bodies, as was the case for me. I encourage you to get tested for that.
Hashimoto's does a lovely dance of hypo then hyper then back again etc. I am VERY familiar with the doesy-do of that disease.

[goolarra]

If FT3 and FT4 levels are either too high or too low, it can cause anxiety.  14 (10-20) is a good level, but FT3 and FT4 should be monitored whenever TSH is.  Otherwise, you don't really know what is going on.  Monitoring TSH alone is pretty much a waste of time and money.

[michelleanne18]

forgot to include they tested my free T4 a few months ago and it is usually always the same 14 (10-20)

[michelleanne18]

Thanks everyone, could this be a reason why my anxiety has been very unsteady this month?

[goolarra]

I agree that TSH is very volatile, even the time of day the blood was drawn can affect it.

I'd just add that you should request FREE T3 and FREE T4.  Make sure "free" is specified, or they will run total T3 and total T4, which are considered obsolete and of limited usefulness.  Totals measure the total of the two hormones in your blood, but much of that is chemically bound by protein and thus unavailable to you cells.  The frees show the available hormones.

I agree also that you should have antibodies tested for Hashi's.  Make sure they test both TPOab and TGab since some of us with Hashi's are TPOab positive, some TGab positive, and some both.

[armywife92]

Tsh can change day to day, it's the free's that should give pause to caution. Yes I think you should be tested for hashi if you suspect that you have it. I would request a more recent thyroid panel that included your T3&t4 to complete the picture!