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Is TSH Level Of 6.4 A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Thu, 7 Jan 2016
Twitter Thu, 7 Jan 2016 Answered on
Twitter Thu, 4 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on
Question : Is TSH level considered too high if it is 6.4? My T3 and T4 levels are barely out of range as well. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 2012 and have taken armour thyroid for 3 years. I see where some people's thyroid and pituitary gland activity have numbers that are much higher or lower. I gained a lot of weight from 2011-2012. Have had trouble keeping weight off for years. Thyroid was in check then. I just worked out really hard, crash dieted, and drank energy drinks. Just recently I found out that an anti-depressant I've taken since 1999 is a big weight gainer. Elavil. I take 100-150 mg of Elavil, 2 mg of Clonazepam, and 1 Xanax each day along with Armour Thyroid dosage of 15 mg. I wonder if the Elavil or another med is the real culprit and my slightly out of whack thyroid is not really that much of a factor. I don't have my T3 and T4 numbers available, but I remember they were just barely out of normal range. I have had my TSH, T3, and T4 monitored since 2012 and just seems that compared to most people they are not that out of normal range. One other thing to consider is I could get away with crazy dieting and working out really hard in my late 20's and 30's, but have more difficulty now since I'm almost 44. Age 39 is when I really started having trouble keeping the weight off. Before that I just yo yo'ed a lot with my weight. btw, I hard a heart attack at the end of 2012 because of developing coronary artery disease and high blood pressure. I'm 6 ft 3 in tall. Normal weight has been between 200-220. I have fluctuated between 270-295 the past 3 years.
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Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
6.4 TSH level is not to high.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to HCM

6.4 TSH level is not too high.Since you have symptoms and armour thyroid is not suited to you then artificial preparation like synthyroid medicine may be considered.
Wight gain is one of the side effects of elavil (amitriptyline)but it is not expected to cause this much obesity.
Main problem is obesity and this much obesity is not expected due to hypothyroidism and side effect of elavil.

Obesity may be multi factorial like hereditary,diet,hormonal problem,stress etc.
Its treatment is also broad including diet control,exercise,psychotherapy etc.
Surgery is the last option.
Since you have already tried many methods,surgical option may be considered after evaluation.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your query.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Indu Kumar

Radiologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 6728 Questions

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Is TSH Level Of 6.4 A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: 6.4 TSH level is not to high. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for writing to HCM 6.4 TSH level is not too high.Since you have symptoms and armour thyroid is not suited to you then artificial preparation like synthyroid medicine may be considered. Wight gain is one of the side effects of elavil (amitriptyline)but it is not expected to cause this much obesity. Main problem is obesity and this much obesity is not expected due to hypothyroidism and side effect of elavil. Obesity may be multi factorial like hereditary,diet,hormonal problem,stress etc. Its treatment is also broad including diet control,exercise,psychotherapy etc. Surgery is the last option. Since you have already tried many methods,surgical option may be considered after evaluation. Get well soon. Hope I have answered your query. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX