Hypo vs. Hyperthyroid
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Hypo vs. Hyperthyroid
| Sun, 08-27-2006 - 12:24pm |
Hi, my name is Jessica and I am 26. Earlier this year, I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. I began treatment with Levythyroxine and when my TSH levels were tested again in 2 months, I was told my levels were high. I assumed this meant that my thyroid was now hyperactive, but due to some recent reading I'm confused. Apparantly, according to the article I read, high TSH levels can actually still mean hypothyroidism. So I'm confused. My levels are high, and I don't know what that means!

Hi Jessica,
Welcome to our board.
I like to think of the low TSH levels being those that indicate hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and the higher ones are those that cause hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).
Jessica-
I think of it this way...Hypothyroid (underactive : High TSH number) means that your thyroid gland needs MORE Thryoid Stimulating Hormones (TSH) to work. That's why the number is a high number. Hyperthyroid (overactive) means that your thryoid needs LESS TSH.
My TSH number was 20.5 - which on a scale of .3 - 5.0 is really high (but not as high as I've seen on other message boards - I've seen as high as 150). My thyroid needed more stimulating hormones which is why I had the high number. On some of the websites I've found, a TSH of > 3.0 should be looked at and treated with synthroid (or a generic) - especially if one is experiencing symptoms of hypothryoidism.
I hope that helps...it took me a little while to understand the concept too.
Shannon
DS Jack Forrest 05/05/05
If I understood my primary care physician correctly when he explained it to me, the pituitary gland secretes the thyroid stimulating hormone which tells the thyroid to work. He explained it that when everything's working properly, the pituitary gland only has to speak in a normal tone of voice to get the thyroid to work. When the thyroid doesn't respond properly (hypothyroidism), the pituitary gland is in effect shouting at the thyroid to get it to wake up by sending out high levels of thyroid stimulating hormone.
I don't know for sure that this is correct, but I think that's what he said.
Sheryl
Hi Jessica,
I'm hyperthyroid and my TSH is <0.01. My FT4 was through the roof but now it's in a normal range. These ladies sure do know what they're talking about!
Terra
Thanks for the info and advice. I realize now that my thyroid was always hypoactive, and never had switched gears. And I do plan on asking for exact level numbers plus hard copies of all my test results so far. I see a nurse practioner because with Medicaid it's hard to get to see a real doc, and I'm kinda worried about making demands on her. But I think I have the right to, I mean, this disorder can be a serious health problem, and I have the right to know what's going on.
Thanks again,
Jessica