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What Causes High TSH Levels And Weight Gain?
hi!m 26 yrs old.recently i got my TFT done bcz i gained almost 8 kgs in 9-10 mnths duration.my free t3 was normal free t4 was 0.1 less as per lab ref values and TSH was 113.i have no other symptom except wt gain.is it possible to hv such high tsh??????
Wed, 1 Feb 2017
Hello and thank you for asking!
I have gone carefully through your concern.
The hormonal results you reported are suggestive for hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid.
Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid or low thyroid, is a common disorder of the endocrine system in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone and slowing the metabolism, hence causing weight gain.
Too little iodine in the diet is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, but in people using iodised salt with enough iodine in the diet, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune condition Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
As the condition is autoimmune hence only treatment is to provide external thyroxine to body.
Taking thyroid pills is the only way to treat hypothyroidism. I do not think there are any alternatives to it.
The key is to ensure that one is getting the right dose. It varies from person to person and that’s why typically the medication comes in a variety of strengths from 25 to 300 mcg. Most people however will need about 100-125 mcg daily. In addition to clinical findings, blood tests are very useful in determining the dose. The goal is to keep the TSH between 0.4 to 2 and free T4 levels on the high normal side.
The symptoms will improve after a 2 month period of treatment.
Hope i have been helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
I have gone carefully through your concern.
The hormonal results you reported are suggestive for hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid.
Hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid or low thyroid, is a common disorder of the endocrine system in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone and slowing the metabolism, hence causing weight gain.
Too little iodine in the diet is the most common cause of hypothyroidism, but in people using iodised salt with enough iodine in the diet, the most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune condition Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
As the condition is autoimmune hence only treatment is to provide external thyroxine to body.
Taking thyroid pills is the only way to treat hypothyroidism. I do not think there are any alternatives to it.
The key is to ensure that one is getting the right dose. It varies from person to person and that’s why typically the medication comes in a variety of strengths from 25 to 300 mcg. Most people however will need about 100-125 mcg daily. In addition to clinical findings, blood tests are very useful in determining the dose. The goal is to keep the TSH between 0.4 to 2 and free T4 levels on the high normal side.
The symptoms will improve after a 2 month period of treatment.
Hope i have been helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr.Mirjeta
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