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What Does My Thyroid Level Indicate?
Question: Hashimoto disease runs in my family and i am concered with my thyroid levels. I have every symptom of what I think is a hypoactive thyroid. My blood tests were returned with a thyorid level of 1.4 and the doctors said i was fine. Is it possible that altbough this is in the range that i still have an issue?
Brief Answer:
need more specific info
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Please specify what exactly are you referring to as 1.4, is it T3, T4 or TSH ?
Please mention your TSH levels .and the medications that you are currently taking
wishing you best of health
thanks
need more specific info
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Please specify what exactly are you referring to as 1.4, is it T3, T4 or TSH ?
Please mention your TSH levels .and the medications that you are currently taking
wishing you best of health
thanks
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
It was my TSH, I apologize for not including that. When I called the docotor she said the range was .3-3 and i was at 1.4 so I was ok. I do not take any medications aside from birth control.
I have extreme fatique, constipation, my legs get extremely achy after walking for short periods of time and shaky hands, and high cholsteral and occasional high blood pressure. Ive had this for forever but recently the constipation and muscle and joint pain are unbearable.
Does this sound like a thyroid issue? Ive been told by multiple peoole that often times people are mis-diagnosed from their TSH being within range, when infact they should be treated.
Also their was no mention of testing my antibodies. Is that a standard test when looking into thyroid issues?
My cousin has Hashimotos and was never diagnosed until she was trying to be artifically inseminated. It worries me because I have all but 2 of the symptoms of the disease. I eat healthy and excercise and cant seem to figure out why the issue is
Thank you for your help..
I have extreme fatique, constipation, my legs get extremely achy after walking for short periods of time and shaky hands, and high cholsteral and occasional high blood pressure. Ive had this for forever but recently the constipation and muscle and joint pain are unbearable.
Does this sound like a thyroid issue? Ive been told by multiple peoole that often times people are mis-diagnosed from their TSH being within range, when infact they should be treated.
Also their was no mention of testing my antibodies. Is that a standard test when looking into thyroid issues?
My cousin has Hashimotos and was never diagnosed until she was trying to be artifically inseminated. It worries me because I have all but 2 of the symptoms of the disease. I eat healthy and excercise and cant seem to figure out why the issue is
Thank you for your help..
Brief Answer:
Each query addressed, HTN, chloestrol, constipation, TSH.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
The diagnosis cant be ascertained based on symptoms only. The TSH is in normal range which means the thyroid is working normally. A low total T4 or free T4 level in the presence of an elevated TSH level confirms diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism associated with HASHIMOTOS.
Yes, Antibodies should be done. Anti-TPO (anti-thyroid peroxidase) and anti-Tg (anti-thyroglobulin) antibodies determine the cause of hypothyroidism as Hashimoto thyroiditis however, 10-15% of patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis can be antibody negative.
Patients with positive thyroid autoantibodies associated with a normal TSH level should be followed up to monitor for hypothyroidism and to see for any rise in the TSH or cholesterol levels. Checks can usually be performed annually. Such patients should be treated with Levothyroxine if the TSH level continues to rise, even if the level is at the upper limit of the reference range.
An Ultrasound of the thyroid can be done to look for any nodules or growth, you may relax if none is found, if found Fine Needle aspiration can be done for any dominant or suspicious thyroid nodules to exclude malignancy, of course in due consultation with your doctor.
The elevated B.P if greater than 140/90 and cholesterol if greater than 200 mg/dl should initially be monitored via repeat testing along with life style modifications such as a diet low in sodium, refined food, weight loss if overweight, exercise , relaxation exercises ( deep breathing , yoga, meditation). If the B.P and cholesterol remain elevated at 2 follow up visits, then medications such as statins and antihypertensive meds should be considered in consult with your doctor.
For the General body aches you may get your blood counts, ESR , Urine R/E and metabolic profile including fasting blood sugar and electrolytes done to exclude causes such as anemia , an infection or any other deficiency / excess.
For the constipation ,you may take Bisacodyl and cremaffin syrup to have a couple of bowel movements quickly, you may switch over to a mild laxative such as EUCARBON afterwards to keep the bowels moving. Please consult your doctor before starting any meds.
Let me know if you have any query
wishing you best of health
thanks
Each query addressed, HTN, chloestrol, constipation, TSH.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
The diagnosis cant be ascertained based on symptoms only. The TSH is in normal range which means the thyroid is working normally. A low total T4 or free T4 level in the presence of an elevated TSH level confirms diagnosis of primary hypothyroidism associated with HASHIMOTOS.
Yes, Antibodies should be done. Anti-TPO (anti-thyroid peroxidase) and anti-Tg (anti-thyroglobulin) antibodies determine the cause of hypothyroidism as Hashimoto thyroiditis however, 10-15% of patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis can be antibody negative.
Patients with positive thyroid autoantibodies associated with a normal TSH level should be followed up to monitor for hypothyroidism and to see for any rise in the TSH or cholesterol levels. Checks can usually be performed annually. Such patients should be treated with Levothyroxine if the TSH level continues to rise, even if the level is at the upper limit of the reference range.
An Ultrasound of the thyroid can be done to look for any nodules or growth, you may relax if none is found, if found Fine Needle aspiration can be done for any dominant or suspicious thyroid nodules to exclude malignancy, of course in due consultation with your doctor.
The elevated B.P if greater than 140/90 and cholesterol if greater than 200 mg/dl should initially be monitored via repeat testing along with life style modifications such as a diet low in sodium, refined food, weight loss if overweight, exercise , relaxation exercises ( deep breathing , yoga, meditation). If the B.P and cholesterol remain elevated at 2 follow up visits, then medications such as statins and antihypertensive meds should be considered in consult with your doctor.
For the General body aches you may get your blood counts, ESR , Urine R/E and metabolic profile including fasting blood sugar and electrolytes done to exclude causes such as anemia , an infection or any other deficiency / excess.
For the constipation ,you may take Bisacodyl and cremaffin syrup to have a couple of bowel movements quickly, you may switch over to a mild laxative such as EUCARBON afterwards to keep the bowels moving. Please consult your doctor before starting any meds.
Let me know if you have any query
wishing you best of health
thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
Answered by
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