TSH question

[PuppetInParadize]

Has anyone actually been started on levothyroxine when their TSH has been as 'borderline' as 5.14? I don't know any of the other results BTW.

Yes. My TSH was 3.something, but FT4 and FT3 were very low in range and treatment has changed my life.

Do you have antibodies or a diagnosis of Hashimoto's Disease (auto-immune thyroiditis)?

Oh and 5.14 is not borderline. It's outside most lab ranges.

Low dose levoghyroxine changed my life too, I was tsh of 4.1 and at tsh 2/1.5 as it is now I feel soooo much better

Thanks for all replies. I agree it's not really borderline - why I used the quotes. Person I am quoting is GP of my eldest son. I need to get him to remind them about FT3 and 4. I'm not sure it's been done or not. It's all deeply frustrating.

Strong family history. I have Hashi's as well as other autoimmune diseases (as do several relatives on my mum's side) and I had years trying to get it treated. Youngest ds (18) is on thyroxine. He has thyroiditis but a weird one as he doesn't have antibodies. Eldest (26) has had similar results over a while now. He's to have it checked again in 6 months to a year. And he has some hypothyroid symptoms.

Check the NICE guideline re sub clinical hypothyroidism. If tsh is out of range but below 10 a trial of thyroxine can be given if the patient has symptoms.

Good idea, Cora. Though we are in Scotland where NICE doesn't apply. I am pretty sure SIGN, the Scottish version, has one on Hypothyroidism so will take a look. And tell the boy as him being 26 and an adult means I can fret but he has to fight his own battles.

I think our GP told us GPs can't test for antibodies. It has to be a consultant. Though about 10 years ago same GP did test me! This was in connection with youngest son. Since he's not got antibodies, it might mean eldest also has none - but I had 1000s.

I'm in Scotland too and it is SIGN up here. Worth having a gander and I'm sure you could still quite NICE as good practice if the guidelines differ.

I also got my antibodies tested via my gp (Lothian)

I did say he should read these. He thinks FT was checked but needs to request a printout. We'll have to see. DS is in Glasgow area so GG and Clyde HB. We are Tayside and I was Lothian when I couldn't get treatment.