Here is what I know about TSH. This is a pituitary hormone, NOT a thyroid hormone. Its function is to stimulate the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone, so a high TSH level usually indicates that your body isn't getting enough thyroid hormone. This condition is hypothyroidism. Your TSH levels are higher than the "normal" range of 0.5 to 5.5 recommended by medical literature (range may vary from lab to lab), therefore, it would appear that in your case this test result indicates hypothyroidism.
One problem with going by TSH levels results ONLY is that because TSH is a pituitary hormone, sometimes it doesn't tell the thyroid story. If there's a problem with the pituitary gland, or the hypothalamus (which controls the pituitary), TSH could be at an optimal level, but your actual thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) could be too low, or too high. Using the TSH test alone to check for thyroid problems in any situation is like looking at the thermostat to check the temperature of a house when the thermostat itself is broken. I assume that is why your doctor ordered also the Free T4 (FT4) levels. This test is also known as Free Thyroxine. The literature I consulted refers to "normal" range for this test is approximately 0.7 to 2.0. Your result was 17.84 which is much higher than the ranges suggested for "normal" and as such, this result is more consistent with hyperthyroidism.
You have a TSF indicating possibly hypothyroidism and a FT4 indicating hyperthyroidism. Both contradict each other. So here are a couple of questions for you?
1. Where you taking the medication at the time of the test? For how long?
2. Did you have two separate tests? One to check TSF first and later FT4 levels? Or were they done together?
3. Are your symptoms more consistent with hyperthyroidism or hypothoridism? (see miscortes posting above)
4. Have you discussed your concerns with the contradicting results with your doctor? You may want to consider this first before going for a second opinion. Or ask the doctor to repeat the test.
Keep in mind that laboratory reference ranges and normal ranges can differ from lab to lab. Always go by your lab's reference range and your doctor's diagnosis.
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Dear Yasmeen:
From just a pure interpretation of the test results you shared with us, here is how I read your posting:
Your results were:
TSH 11.37 U1U/ML
FT4 17.89 PMO1/L (12.0-22.0)
Taking Thyroxin 50mcg
Here is what I know about TSH. This is a pituitary hormone, NOT a thyroid hormone. Its function is to stimulate the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone, so a high TSH level usually indicates that your body isn't getting enough thyroid hormone. This condition is hypothyroidism. Your TSH levels are higher than the "normal" range of 0.5 to 5.5 recommended by medical literature (range may vary from lab to lab), therefore, it would appear that in your case this test result indicates hypothyroidism.
One problem with going by TSH levels results ONLY is that because TSH is a pituitary hormone, sometimes it doesn't tell the thyroid story. If there's a problem with the pituitary gland, or the hypothalamus (which controls the pituitary), TSH could be at an optimal level, but your actual thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) could be too low, or too high. Using the TSH test alone to check for thyroid problems in any situation is like looking at the thermostat to check the temperature of a house when the thermostat itself is broken. I assume that is why your doctor ordered also the Free T4 (FT4) levels. This test is also known as Free Thyroxine. The literature I consulted refers to "normal" range for this test is approximately 0.7 to 2.0. Your result was 17.84 which is much higher than the ranges suggested for "normal" and as such, this result is more consistent with hyperthyroidism.
You have a TSF indicating possibly hypothyroidism and a FT4 indicating hyperthyroidism. Both contradict each other. So here are a couple of questions for you?
1. Where you taking the medication at the time of the test? For how long?
2. Did you have two separate tests? One to check TSF first and later FT4 levels? Or were they done together?
3. Are your symptoms more consistent with hyperthyroidism or hypothoridism? (see miscortes posting above)
4. Have you discussed your concerns with the contradicting results with your doctor? You may want to consider this first before going for a second opinion. Or ask the doctor to repeat the test.
Keep in mind that laboratory reference ranges and normal ranges can differ from lab to lab. Always go by your lab's reference range and your doctor's diagnosis.
Best of luck!
January 25, 2009 - 10:38pmThis Comment
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