I posted a couple of weeks ago about feeling generally rubbish - utterly exhausted, gaining weight, pins and needles, I suppose just generally feeling not great despite improving diet and diabetes control (though still not perfect but still working on it). I saw my GP who was pretty dismissive and said it must be either my diabetes or depression (which I know it isn't) but agreed to check my thyroid with my annual review bloods. He didn't check anything like b12 but I think the full blood count came back normal. Went today and TSH came back at a little bit above normal at 5.35, but T4 was normal. It seems that this is fine but may need rechecking later, but some sites have said that that could still cause symptoms? Anyone have any experience with this? I also want to try for a baby soon and last time I posted I think someone suggested a target for TSH but I can't remember what it was!
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Thyroid?
- Thread starter jodysd6
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Alanp35
Well-Known Member
Normal for TSH is between 0.3 and 3.0. Has been since 2003 therefore your level could appear to be somewhat high. Your thyroid is requiring heavy stimulation in order,to produce sufficient thyroxine to give you a satisfactory T4. Just a thought.
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phoenix
Expert
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Jody,
As Alan says, your TSH is at the higher end of normal range.
I can only speak from my own, fairly recent experience and I'd just be careful about trying to put everything down to the thyroid.
I was diagnosed with overt hypothyroid . It was followed up by finding antibodies and then a scan showed an atrophied thyroid . (I can have no complaints about my investigations, though a friend who is a UK GP thought the scan rather over the top.)
Like you I looked at many internet sites . What I found was many people with lot of varied symptoms, that were in some cases I thought just people looking for an answer, any answer.
The symptoms given for hypothyroid are so many and so diverse that anyone feeling less than OK would find that some of the symptoms match. I began to feel I really ought to feel far worse than I did!
Since you have type 1, it is worth drawing your docs attention to the fact that people with T1 have an increased risk of autoimmune hypothyroid and that the 2006 UK guidelines suggest that:
Patients with type-1 diabetes should have a check of thyroid function included in their annual review
Women with type 1 diabetes are three times more likely to develop post-partum thyroid dysfunction.
• Women with type I diabetes should have their thyroid function, including serum TSH, FT4 and thyroid peroxidase antibody status, established, preconception, at booking when pregnant and at 3 months post-partum (III,C)
http://www.british-thyroid-associat...ocs/TFT_guideline_final_version_July_2006.pdf
So its certainly something that you should keep an eye on.
The actual step by step procedure for docs in each case from NICE are on this website here:
http://cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroidism
As Alan says, your TSH is at the higher end of normal range.
I can only speak from my own, fairly recent experience and I'd just be careful about trying to put everything down to the thyroid.
I was diagnosed with overt hypothyroid . It was followed up by finding antibodies and then a scan showed an atrophied thyroid . (I can have no complaints about my investigations, though a friend who is a UK GP thought the scan rather over the top.)
Like you I looked at many internet sites . What I found was many people with lot of varied symptoms, that were in some cases I thought just people looking for an answer, any answer.
The symptoms given for hypothyroid are so many and so diverse that anyone feeling less than OK would find that some of the symptoms match. I began to feel I really ought to feel far worse than I did!
Since you have type 1, it is worth drawing your docs attention to the fact that people with T1 have an increased risk of autoimmune hypothyroid and that the 2006 UK guidelines suggest that:
Patients with type-1 diabetes should have a check of thyroid function included in their annual review
Women with type 1 diabetes are three times more likely to develop post-partum thyroid dysfunction.
• Women with type I diabetes should have their thyroid function, including serum TSH, FT4 and thyroid peroxidase antibody status, established, preconception, at booking when pregnant and at 3 months post-partum (III,C)
http://www.british-thyroid-associat...ocs/TFT_guideline_final_version_July_2006.pdf
So its certainly something that you should keep an eye on.
The actual step by step procedure for docs in each case from NICE are on this website here:
http://cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroidism
FlashManDo
Member
Hi I had similar issues to you, but bloods came back like yours, luckily my consultant decided to put me on thyroid medication anyway. I won't say I'm perfect now but certainly feel better. Ask the question see if they'll put you on it
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I have an endo appointment on 2nd April so may see what they say. I mostly think that it's not that out of range so probably can't be causing the symptoms while also thinking that a lot of the symptoms do fit so kind of wishing it was more 'abnormal' if you know what I mean as at least then it would be more of an explanation for how I've been feeling.
calamitygayn
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hi. I have very similar problems. feel ill constantly, diagnosed with depression. then fibromyalgia....then told it must be my thyroid....bloods tested and all normal. had type 1 for 30 years and im now 40. im sick and tired of being sick and tired...been doing some research myself. I am now convinced im wheat intolerant (seriously, read up on it. is as common as thyroid problems in type 1s) and am also taking vitamin D (lots). been wheat free for a while, am lowering my antidepressants and feeling great! urge you to loook into this also.
Unfortunately gps aren't always right. goid luck xx
Unfortunately gps aren't always right. goid luck xx
Totto
Well-Known Member
I posted in an other thread about reference ranges, but basically, our thyroid levels are individual so the reference ranges are of little value for the individual and the range is far too wide anyway. There are thousands of undiagnosed thyroid sufferers out there, mostly women, who are chronically fatigued, over weight, in pain, suffer from memory loss, high cholesterol, hair loss, inability to conceive, etc.
Hypothyroidism is a terrible disease in it self and nothing is helped by the medical establishment´s unwillingness to actually look at the science, or patients come to that.
When planning a pregnancy you want your TSH below 2.5, preferably a bit lower.
Going grain free can help a lot.
Hypothyroidism is a terrible disease in it self and nothing is helped by the medical establishment´s unwillingness to actually look at the science, or patients come to that.
When planning a pregnancy you want your TSH below 2.5, preferably a bit lower.
Going grain free can help a lot.
