Posted by Barbara Cat on July 12, 2003, at 11:32:38
In reply to Barb, Re: Hormonal info!!, posted by McPac on July 11, 2003, at 22:35:36
TSH of 2.1 is a good level. The lower, the better (.5 - 2.0 being ideal). If your levels are high it means that the pituitary keeps pumping out Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) to prod the thyroid into action because it doesn't detect enough of the hormone in the blood. Lower levels means that pituitary detects adequate blood levels of thryoxine and doesn't have to keep trying to stimulate the thryoid to produce it.
However, TSH alone does not measure how the thyroxine is getting into your cells or if you have an autoimmune form, thyroiditis or Hashimoto's. A thorough thyroid workup includes free T3 and T4 levels, thyroid antibodies, and reverse T3 tests, but few docs will order these unless you insist.
Are you already taking thyroid pills of T4 only (synthroid, levothroid)? If so, you might want to add T3. It makes a huge difference for some people, myself included, who have problems converting T4 into T3, the active form. If you're not taking thyroid meds then it's best not to start if you don't really need them. Your own thyroid will stop producing in the presence of outside sources.
If all other tests are normal, especially anemia, then I'd suggest finding a real good naturopath or someone who could work with you closely. Fatigue is a tricky thing to hunt down and most primary care facilities don't have the time or knowledge. - Barbara
> Barb, I just got results back from a recent TSH test---it was 2.1
> Don't know much about thyroid levels as this was never a problem before (my TSH test 9 months ago was 3.1)
> Isn't this 2.1 level LOW? I have felt very, very sluggish this past year...unmotivated, lethargic.
> Thanks!
poster:Barbara Cat
thread:238742
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030708/msgs/241163.html