Advice from anyone who knows about under active thyroid

[LaurenSteph]

Hi there,

I wonder if anyone can offer advice. I’m 37 and had a load of blood tests done recently, and my doctor called me on Friday to say that my thyroid was over-active, and my cholesterol was high (3.62). She didn’t explain much, but did say that maybe the thyroid test was showing as high because I had a baby 7 months ago and am still breastfeeding, so maybe that has skewed the results, because I’m not really showing any of the typical symptoms (no weight gain for example). Because of this, she wants me to get another test done. I have a feeling it’s not wrong though, because even though I don’t have many of the symptoms, I have since read that high cholesterol is a symptom (otherwise I don’t know why my cholesterol would be high, I’m not unhealthy) and endometriosis is linked too, which I also have. So I think the test is probably right, but of course I will take another to be sure. But the reason why I’m on here is because I have a ton of questions which I didn’t get to ask the doc about, and am not seeing her until Friday. I’m very anxious and can’t wait that long for answers.

Firstly, can you have under-active thyroid just ‘because’, and not because you have one of these diseases such as Graves disease?! Because when I Googled reasons why you might have an under-active thyroid, all I got were diseases that can cause it!
Secondly, can you get it postpartum and have it just go away on its own? Or will I be on meds for life?
Thirdly, the doctor did not give me the actual results on the phone, but when I looked at the report on my online medical file, I saw that the results were as follows -

Serum TSH level (XaELV) 97.29 miu/L [0.3 - 5]
Serum free T4 level (XaERr) 5.9 pmol/L [7.9 - 16]

Anyone know what the 97.29 means?! Didn’t seem to make much sense to me if it should be between 0.3 - 5.

I’m not looking for medical advice and of course I’ll talk to my doc about all of this, I'm just really worrying! I know it’s common enough for there to be some people here who know a little about it.

And my final question - is it really that bad a thing to get?!

Thanks a lot for your help.
Lauren

Sorry, it's unclear if you have an under or over active thyroid? I can advise on underactive

You first said over-active, then later under-active. Which is it?

I have underactive with antibodies and it was diagnosed before pregnancy which is why I was treated. Most GPs / midwives don’t bother even testing regularly in a routine pregnancy unless you have symptoms so I imagine it’s likely you had it during pregnancy too.

Yes high cholesterol can be a sign, but it’s rarely the only sign. There are often others.

There’s lots of info on here (although it can seem a little overwhelming at first) and you can post your blood results for advice:

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

Hi op. Graves disease is related to overactive thyroid so I assume that's what you have? I have an underactive thyroid that is not related to any disease, I don't have hashimotos or anything else like that.

Your gp is spot on about the breastfeeding. When I was breastfeeding both of my daughters, my thyroid swung between underactive and overactive. And only settled back down to underactive when I finished bfing.

Thyroid problems are a pain in the beginning and it can be tricky to get your levels under control, but once this happens, most people manage with few symptoms. You just have to keep on top of regular blood tests. There are implications during pregnancy though, especially for when with overactive thyroid or graves, so you will have to be monitored closely during subsequent pregnancies if your problems persist past breastfeeding.

especially for women with

You can develop post-partymanager thyroiditia. (It’s really common). You could also have Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (most common cause of under-active thyroid) Your GP will clear this up with you. They haven’t tested your T3, so they don’t suspect Grave’s Disease. The T4 & TSH results are kind of paradoxical to the diagnosis. The high TSH value (measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone produced by pituitary gland in brain. This is currently working overtime because thyroid isn’t doing what it should, hence high number.) is a response to the low serum T4 (measurement of thyroxine produced by the thyroid in the blood).
If you are given medication to balance your thyroid hormone, your TSH will come down in response.

*post-PARTUM (not partymanager, ffs!)

sorry for the confusion. it is under active thyroid, not over.

Thanks for your responses. Now looking at all the bad stuff as usual, but can't help but be worried that I had under active thyroid during my pregnancy, as that can cause problems with the baby's development, IQ etc, can't it? :-(

I always thought that the risk of underactive thyroid in pregnancy is a lower level of progesterone and higher chance of miscarriage? And that the low iq and development problems is what happens if your baby is born with in underactive thyroid that is left untreated/undiagnosed? The heel prick test looks for congenital hypothyroidism so shouldn't be a problem if your baby has had it. Plus, chances are you didn't develop it until after your pregnancy.