TSH level is 5.53

Avatar for caper2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
TSH level is 5.53
2
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 6:43pm

I have recently been diagnosed with the underactive thyroid. TSH level is 5.53 and the normal ranage supposed to be (0.47-4.68). My primary doctor wanted to have some further blood test on me, like T3 and T4, in order to put me on the right medication. I have noticed that I have hard time to loss weight. I wasn't fat in the past. I have gained 30lbs in 3 years. My doctor told me that I am not overweight and don't worry but it would be good to loose some weight. Also, I have very thin and brittle nail. I have been lossing a lot of hair. I always feel cold.

Is there any side effect of the medication? Have you been diagnosed in the young age or middle age? I am only 29 years old.

Jenny

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 06-16-2006 - 10:00pm

Hi Jenny,


Your symptoms do sound like pretty classic hypo ones.

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2006
Sun, 07-16-2006 - 7:14pm

Hi Jenny,

I'm 28 and was recently diagnosed with "subclincal hypothyroid" My TSH was 5.1 and but T4 was borderline normal at .9. I've been having a lot of similar symptoms. I've always been small but have gained about 10 pounds in the past 6 months. I noticed it when I went off birth control and thought it was my body's way of "adjusting". I'm also always tired too.

My dr put me on Synthroid but a very low dose (25 mcg) and I have been on it 6 weeks. At 8 weeks I go back for another test and possibly to get a higher dosage prescribed if my levels aren't normal and I'm still having symptoms. My main symptom is no period. I haven't had one in over 4 months.

So far I have had no problems with the Synthroid but like I said it's also a low dose. I'm thinking of cancling my appt. in 2 weeks with my regular dr and going to an endochronologist instead.

From what I've read this is very manageable. I think you just need to listen to your body and not settle if a dr says your levels are normal so there is no problem. Best of luck to you and let me know how things turn out.

Pep