Clueless about labs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Clueless about labs
2
Mon, 08-09-2004 - 2:57pm

Hi - I am new here.  I started on synthroid at the end of May but never really had it explained to me.  My initial labs was a TSH of 3.13.  The doctor's letter said it was better between .3 and 3.0  but alos indicated that I am not producing enough...so why is the number higher?


After 6 weeks of synthroid (very low dose - .025 mgc) my TSH was 2.75.


Is that really that much better?  I am due to retest in a year.  I feel like I am missing some piece on information and also concerned that 2.75 is an acceptable level.


Thanks for any input.


Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2003
Mon, 08-09-2004 - 7:12pm
Hi that level is ok if you are feeling good, do you know what your t3 and t4 levels are they can also be a indicator.Good luck axsai

Axsai

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 3:02pm
Hi and welcome - the thing that's confusing about hypothyroidism is that the higher the TSH level, the LESS thyroid hormone your thyroid is producing. The TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, which is produced by the pituitary to get your thyroid gland to start making more hormone on its own. If the thyroid doesn't respond, it keeps making more TSH. The more TSH in your system, the better the indication of how little your thyroid is functioning. You have one of the rare doctors that actually has the new guidelines for diagnosing hypothyroidism!! Good for him. And for you. That means he knows what he's doing.

A truly normal thyroid with no thyroid disease at all measures between 1.0 and 2.0 on a TSH test. Your level at 2.75 is a little above that but as the other poster said, if you feel good, that should be ok for you. If you want your level down where a normal thyroid is - between 1 and 2 - then talk to your doctor about it. I personally want mine at that level and that's what I'm working toward. It took me three doctors to find one that knew enough about it to do that for me.

The only thing I would wonder about is why your doctor would wait a year for you to come back for another test, rather than do it in the usual 6 weeks. It's probably because you're right within range right now but still, it may be something to talk with him about. I hope this helps. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask! Cathy:)