Does 3.91 TSH mean hypothyroidism?

[Anonymous]

Just found this thread because I think I have Hashimoto's. TSH is 8.17 and thyroid peroxidase antibodies are 768 (normal <9). Just saw endo for the first time Monday, got labs Tuesday, saw results today Thursday, expect to hear from doc soon.

I have so many of the symptoms that you all describe and that I see in online articles on Hashimoto's. I need so much sleep, am often lethargic and fatigued, hair loss, half eyebrows almost gone, very cold sensitive, dry skin, sometimes constipated, muscle and joint pain, weight gain, brain fog. Still I had no idea it could all be thyroid related. I thought it was all menopause and aging related. It was labs at an annual visit five months ago that caused my primary to refer me to the endo. I am very hopeful after reading this thread that medication would make a big difference.

[Anonymous]

8.17 is off the charts for TSH -- you definitely have hypothyroidism and with those TPO you have Hashimoto's. FWIW, my endocrinologist says in his experience pretty much anyone who is hypo had Hashimoto's at some point even if their antibody levels are currently normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:8.17 is off the charts for TSH -- you definitely have hypothyroidism and with those TPO you have Hashimoto's. FWIW, my endocrinologist says in his experience pretty much anyone who is hypo had Hashimoto's at some point even if their antibody levels are currently normal.

Thanks for your reply, I am anxious to hear from my endo and get started on meds, I had to wait 5 months from first labs to see the endo and I feel like if there is a solution to all my apparently hypothyroidism symptoms I want to get started on it right away. She's obviously very busy but my first assumption that this condition must not be urgent was not accurate, it's urgent for me. Seems like the right meds could literally change my life. Just venting, I'm really relieved to know what's causing my symptoms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doctor is adamant that 3.91 is normal/good and said there is no need to treat my thyroid…despite my symptoms. Sigh.

This was about my TSH level before medication. Did your doctor also test for thyroid antibodies? The presence of thyroid antibodies is what lead to a diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

I’m treated at .05. I feel best when I’m a bit hyperthyroid. My doctor goes by my symptoms. My heart rate and BP are fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Subclinical hashimoto's here. They never wanted to treat. I was losing it finally at 53. I always felt good when I was 1.5-2--but after 50 it was always hovering where your is.

I found a endo willing to treat for symptoms, not numbers. I went on levothyroxine. I wish I went on it 10 years ago (back when outer eyebrows were thinning, and losing hair, anxious, etc). All of that reversed since I've been taking the meds. I don't have that unbearable tiredness either.

^ this is me! Now 54. My hair is sooooo thick now and I lose none in the shower - been on meds since June.

[Anonymous]

OP have you ruled out menopause as a reason?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have had hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's) for 20 year and I would not be able to get out of bed if that was my TSH. Mine is 0.1!

That's crazy. TSH of 1-2 I feel hyper with lots of heart palpitations, insomnia and anxiety. TSH of 3-5 I feel ok. TSH of 7+ I'm tired have no energy. 3.91 is not bad OP.

This is why TSH needs to be looked at alongside T3 T4 and symptoms. I had a TSH above 7 and felt fine and only medicated once trying to get pregnant for "safety".

[Anonymous]

I think you are fine and just grasping at straws, OP.

[Anonymous]

Echoing what others have said. I found it hard to get treated with levels around 3.75 even though I was having symptoms. My GP and one specialist said I should just wait until I got above 5 and assured me I’d get there since my Hashimoto’s antibodies would keep attacking my thyroid. Sitting around waiting for treatment when I was cold and tired all the time, gaining weight, and losing hair just didn’t make much sense to me. But that was the accepted protocol.

Then I got pregnant, felt even more exhausted and worried about the increased chance of miscarriage. I found an integrative doctor who was willing to treat me. I’m now around 1 TSH and feel so much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP have you ruled out menopause as a reason?

I am actually post menopausal but I haven't ruled out anything. I am just reacting to the lab results and my appointment with my new endocrinologist this week. It seems that my numbers are pretty concerning although someone commenting here doesn't seem to think so, they said I'm "fine." I'll wait to hear what my endo wants to do but other comments on this thread make me think that getting on thyroid medication could make a big difference in how I feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are fine and just grasping at straws, OP.

Hmmm, ok. Grasping at straws? I have investigated what my lab numbers mean, read a lot about Hashimoto's concluding that out of a list of 16 possible symptoms I have 11, and am here seeking info and advice from others who have hypothyroidism and/or Hashimoto's. What part of that makes you think I'm grasping at straws and I'm fine?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think you are fine and just grasping at straws, OP.

Hmmm, ok. Grasping at straws? I have investigated what my lab numbers mean, read a lot about Hashimoto's concluding that out of a list of 16 possible symptoms I have 11, and am here seeking info and advice from others who have hypothyroidism and/or Hashimoto's. What part of that makes you think I'm grasping at straws and I'm fine?

Oops, sorry, I am not the OP I am the person who commented with my results yesterday. My mistake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP have you ruled out menopause as a reason?

I am actually post menopausal but I haven't ruled out anything. I am just reacting to the lab results and my appointment with my new endocrinologist this week. It seems that my numbers are pretty concerning although someone commenting here doesn't seem to think so, they said I'm "fine." I'll wait to hear what my endo wants to do but other comments on this thread make me think that getting on thyroid medication could make a big difference in how I feel.

Sorry my mistake, I am not the OP.