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I Just Had My Full Annual Blood Test And The
Question: I just had my full annual blood test and the only thing that really stood out Ian my TSH is 9.8.
I am a 30 year old male and no prior problems. I wouldn’t say I’m symptomatic of any of the symptoms I read about.
I have been under extreme stress and anxiety before the blood test and I’m wondering ifthis could have impacted the TSH?
Is this indicative of a cancer?
So I need to worry about a life threatening situation?
Is this concerning?
I am a 30 year old male and no prior problems. I wouldn’t say I’m symptomatic of any of the symptoms I read about.
I have been under extreme stress and anxiety before the blood test and I’m wondering ifthis could have impacted the TSH?
Is this indicative of a cancer?
So I need to worry about a life threatening situation?
Is this concerning?
Brief Answer:
About high TSH;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern!
It doesn't have to do with cancer at all, it is an indicator of underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
Usually the cause of this under production is a chronic autoimmune disease called Hashimoto thyroiditis that is confirmed by checking AntiTg and AntiTPO antibodies.
Once the thyroid gland is destroyed by these antibodies it doesn't get recovered so you need to get the thyroid hormone orally, levothyroxine ( one tablet per day).
Once in 6 months you need a control in order to get sure that the thyroid hormone dose you are taking is the right one.
So, there is no need to concern, just you need to start 1 tablet of levothyroxine daily.
Hope the information will help.
Best wishes,
Dr.mirjeta
About high TSH;
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern!
It doesn't have to do with cancer at all, it is an indicator of underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism.
Usually the cause of this under production is a chronic autoimmune disease called Hashimoto thyroiditis that is confirmed by checking AntiTg and AntiTPO antibodies.
Once the thyroid gland is destroyed by these antibodies it doesn't get recovered so you need to get the thyroid hormone orally, levothyroxine ( one tablet per day).
Once in 6 months you need a control in order to get sure that the thyroid hormone dose you are taking is the right one.
So, there is no need to concern, just you need to start 1 tablet of levothyroxine daily.
Hope the information will help.
Best wishes,
Dr.mirjeta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Okay, thank you doctor. Is it odd that I don’t feel symptomatic?
Since I don’t feel negative symptoms should I just recheck in 6 months or so to make sure nothing has changed before going on medication? Or do I need to start medication ASAP? The level is so high I wondered if it wasn’t a reaction to stress or an error on the lab....
About 7-8 years ago my T3 and T4 we’re normal and maybe 4 years back I had an ultrasound on my thyroid because of a lymph node and everything came back normal.
I should not be at all concerned about a potentially fatal issue here?
Thank you for your professional input.
Since I don’t feel negative symptoms should I just recheck in 6 months or so to make sure nothing has changed before going on medication? Or do I need to start medication ASAP? The level is so high I wondered if it wasn’t a reaction to stress or an error on the lab....
About 7-8 years ago my T3 and T4 we’re normal and maybe 4 years back I had an ultrasound on my thyroid because of a lymph node and everything came back normal.
I should not be at all concerned about a potentially fatal issue here?
Thank you for your professional input.
Brief Answer:
About hypothyroidism treatment;
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
You need to check the antibodies mentioned above, Ft4 and Ft3 before deciding to start levothyroxine.
When TSH is up to 10 mUi/ ml and ft4 , ft3 are within the normal ranges and there are no symptoms of hypothyroidism present, you may not start treatment but check it every 6 months.
Stressful situation usually lower TSH, so it can not be due to stress.
But stressful situation can be a trigger factor to activate an autoimmune disease such as hashimoto thyroiditis.
Once again there is no reason to get worried.
Best wishes,
Dr.mirjeta
About hypothyroidism treatment;
Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
You need to check the antibodies mentioned above, Ft4 and Ft3 before deciding to start levothyroxine.
When TSH is up to 10 mUi/ ml and ft4 , ft3 are within the normal ranges and there are no symptoms of hypothyroidism present, you may not start treatment but check it every 6 months.
Stressful situation usually lower TSH, so it can not be due to stress.
But stressful situation can be a trigger factor to activate an autoimmune disease such as hashimoto thyroiditis.
Once again there is no reason to get worried.
Best wishes,
Dr.mirjeta
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Great information. Thank you so much. I will retest and get those antibodies checked. I just want to ask a few more questions because I know I only get a few chances.
1. My mom does have a thyroid issue as well so I’m wondering if this makes me genetically more prone to it....
2. So if I’m understanding correctly- perhaps if those antibodies are okay I have the underlying autoimmune issue but it’s not full blown quite yet (stress triggered a flare up perhaps)? So I would just need to watch for the symptoms in the future.
3. Does this autoimmune issue correlate to any other health issues down the road? Basically can I have this and still be totally healthy otherwise?
4. And lastly (maybe most important for my peace of mind), sounds like I can just let go of the fear that there is an underlying cancer issue in the thyroid?
1. My mom does have a thyroid issue as well so I’m wondering if this makes me genetically more prone to it....
2. So if I’m understanding correctly- perhaps if those antibodies are okay I have the underlying autoimmune issue but it’s not full blown quite yet (stress triggered a flare up perhaps)? So I would just need to watch for the symptoms in the future.
3. Does this autoimmune issue correlate to any other health issues down the road? Basically can I have this and still be totally healthy otherwise?
4. And lastly (maybe most important for my peace of mind), sounds like I can just let go of the fear that there is an underlying cancer issue in the thyroid?
Brief Answer:
About hashimoto thyroiditis;
Hi again,
In Hashimoto thyroiditis the antibodies are always high.So yhe diagnosis is confirmed easily.
Your physician will check for hypothyroidism symptoms and if there is no any you may continue without treatment.
Hypothyroidism may cause high cholesterol levels and in this way may be a cause of chronic complications if left untreated for a long period.
Once again it does not have to do with cancer.
Regards,
Dr.mirjeta
About hashimoto thyroiditis;
Hi again,
In Hashimoto thyroiditis the antibodies are always high.So yhe diagnosis is confirmed easily.
Your physician will check for hypothyroidism symptoms and if there is no any you may continue without treatment.
Hypothyroidism may cause high cholesterol levels and in this way may be a cause of chronic complications if left untreated for a long period.
Once again it does not have to do with cancer.
Regards,
Dr.mirjeta
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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