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Is TSH Level Of 7 A Cause For Concern?

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Posted on Tue, 18 Apr 2017
Twitter Tue, 18 Apr 2017 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 10 May 2017 Last reviewed on
Question : Hi. I have a follow up ? My TSH is at 7 now. Was 3.6 before starting Synthroid 3 months ago. Im exhausted. I have zero energy. Is this normal? Is a TSH of 7 kinf of high?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Elona (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your TSH is high

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for asking.
I have gone through your question.

The normal range of TSH is 0.4-4,thiis means that your actual TSH is high.

I need to know if you have done the freeT3 and freeT4 test???

Waiting your response.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Elona (16 minutes later)
I attached the lab results. Im concerned because i feel so bad. Im in pain and I have no energy to do anything. My husband does not seem to understand why im so tired. I have alot of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. I have zero energy. I own a medical business so i have to get better. Im being told that Armour is better. Im upset she did not check the T3. I just dont know what to do. I have an appt with an endo in May .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Elona (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I don't see your attached lab results.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear

If you feel so tired all the time and you have a high TSH level ,this means that you have hypothyroidism and it is necessary to adjust the dosage of Synthroid.

I don't see your report with your lab results.(Please try to attach the lab results one more time.)

All i have to say is :Don't stress because all you need is a dose adjustment of thyroid hormone replacement therapy.

I have a questions for you.Did you take Synthroid before breakfast or not?
You should know that Synthroid or Levothyroxine works best if you take it on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before breakfast, at the same time each day.

Hope this is helpful.
If you have other doubts,feel free to ask.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Elona (16 minutes later)
Hi! It wont let me attach. I will type it out. T3 uptake 25.3, tsh 6.57, t4 8.0. Those are the most recent. After starting on Synthroid, my level keeps going up. Yes, i take 30 min before food and in the morning. She wont increase my dose except for every 7-8 weeks. I am a nurse and a couple of my doc friends say that it is way too low of a dosage. My back is killing me, tired, and i feel depressed. Im not making myself do any activity because i dont feel like it. I will try to attach. Can people feel this bad with the level at almost a 7?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Elona (15 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes,it is possible to feel bad with TSH=7 mUi/ml

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear
I apologise for the late reply.

You have some symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Your actual level of TSH is suggestive for subclinical hypothyroidism.

Dear if you can't upload a report of your test results,i need to know even your lab normal ranges because the normal range change in different labs.

I am curious to know when have you done there tests and have you been on Synthyroid when you did the tests or not?

Don't worry,in my opinion,your symptoms will disappear if you take the right doses of Synthyroid.

Let me know if you have other questions.
Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Elona (1 hour later)
Hi. Here are rge labs. First set where TSH was 3.9 or somethung like that, i wasnt on anything. Second set was on Syntjroid at 25mcg .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Elona (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Your test results show subclinical hypothyroidism.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
I have carefully gome through your reports.

I can say that when your TSH was 3,9 ,all your thyroid tests were within the normal range.
If you were my patient i will inform you that (if you were fasting), you have a glucose blood level that is suggestive for diabetes and a high white blood cells that means probable infection.

For the tests of 03/29/2017,i can say that you have a high blood sugar level and TSH above the normal range with normal T3 and T4.

To resume:from your test results i can deduct that you have diabetes and subclinical hypothyroidism.

Did you know that you probably have diabetes?(You haven't mention this important element in your medical history).For the confirmation of the diagnosis of diabetes you should repeat the fasting blood sugar test or you can do the HbA1C test.

About the hypothyroidism,i can say that if you had a high TSH level with 25 mcg Synthroid,this means that it is necessary to do dose adjustments.

I need to know your actual dosis of synthroid.I can help you to adjust the dosis.

Hope this is helpful.
If you have other doubts,feel free and ask.I will be happy to help.
Take care.




Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Elona (32 minutes later)
Hi. Yes, im diabetic. Last a1c was 9.4. I know thats high. She has me on glimerperide 4mg, onglyza, and metformin 1000mg. When i did the thyroid test in March, i was on 25mcg. She increased me to 50mcg after the labs but im still exhausted. By the way, i was dx with diabetes in 2011. Im trying to get it under control. What can i do about the thyroid?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Elona (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
In my opinion your symptoms will disappear soon.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX

About your thyroid i can say that the increased dosis of Synthroid will help you to feel better.

As endocrinologist i excpect that about 1 to 2 weeks after you start treatment with Synthroid(levothyroxine), you will likely notice that your levels of fatigue have improved.

It is important that you take your medication exactly as prescribed by your treating endocrinologist and not miss any doses as well as maintain routine checkups with your primary health care provider.

According to XXXXXXX thyroid association,it is necessary to repeat the thyroid tests (TSH in your case) after 6-8 weeks.

If a patient like you come to my clinic ,i ask to repeat the thyroid test after 6 weeks and than i adjust the levothyroxine dosis accordingly to test results and patient symptoms.

The exact dose will depend on your age and weight, the severity of the hypothyroidism, the presence of other health problems, and whether you are taking other drugs that might interfere with how well the body uses the thyroid hormone.

Once you are at a stable dose, your doctor will typically require you to have blood tests repeated in 6 months, and then once a year after that.

Some important things to remember about your thyroid:
• Take your medication exactly as directed by your treating endo daily and at the same time every day.

• Since absorption of this medication is increased on an empty stomach, take your thyroid medicine on an empty stomach 30 minutes to an hour before breakfast.

• Do not stop taking the medication even if you feel better.

• Do not take your thyroid medication at the same time as fiber supplements, calcium, iron, multivitamins, or aluminum hydroxide antacids. Take your thyroid medication and these medications at least 4 hours apart.

At the other side there are some natural remedies can help control hypothyroidism.
My advice is to eat food that help improve thyroid functioning like coconut oil,kelp,Apple Cider Vinegar,ginger,Fish Oils and Guggul.

Hope i have clarified your doubts.
Let me know if you need help even for the diabetes control.

In the future,if you will need help for other health queries,you can contact me at HealthCareMagic at my private link: bit.do/hcm-Dr-Xhardo.

Thanks for using HCM.
Wish you good health.







Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Elona (21 minutes later)
One last thing, is it normal for me to feel this exhausted? I dont want to do anything except to rest. Also, my muscle aches are killing me. I don't think my husband understands why im so tired. Is being exhausted normal with my level?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Elona (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It can be normal, but not always.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Your TSH level is not too high and you have some symptoms of severe untreated hypothyroidism
However, I want to explain that NOT ALWAYS the TSH level correlate with the degree of symptoms.

As an endocrinologist, I can say that if your TSH level returns to normal range(after some weeks with the increased doses of Synthroid) and the symptoms of "zero energy" and muscle ache persist, then it is not likely that the thyroid the culprit.

In these circumstances, maybe you should discuss with a Rheumatologist in person for the thorough check-up, diagnosis, and treatment accordingly.

About your husband, I'd suggest to take him with you during the routine consultation with the endocrinologist, so, he can understand your condition better.

Hope this is helpful.
Best regards.

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Elona

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 941 Questions

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Is TSH Level Of 7 A Cause For Concern?

Brief Answer: Your TSH is high Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for asking. I have gone through your question. The normal range of TSH is 0.4-4,thiis means that your actual TSH is high. I need to know if you have done the freeT3 and freeT4 test??? Waiting your response. Regards