Hypothyroid? 4.18 TSH level?

Question

I have a TSH level of 4.18 or 4.24 or something around there I remember. I took the test about a month ago but my doctor doesn't seem to think I have hypothyroidism but it is very hard for me to lose weight and I am 5'9" and 235 pounds...That's pretty overweight so I wanted some Armour or something because I really do think I have hypothyroid. Any opinions?

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

It all depends.

Yes, there are Endocrinologists who may desire to get your TSH level down to around 1.0 (this is what I set as a goal for my patients), but the TSH level is VERY tricky as well. Guaranteed, you could have a TSH that is in the 4s one day, and 2s the next. Additionally, there is symptomatology that is involved as well: Increased fatigue, hair thinning, dry skin, difficulty loosing weight. All should be accounted for. Fact is, most people who have difficulty loosing weight don't eat the right things, and rarely exercise. You might want to keep a diary of your daily intake and see if you are exceeding what you need to maintain weight or lose weight all the same.

Because Armour Thyroid is so poorly regulated (compared to Synthroid), I usually avoid using it at all costs. Most patients do VERY well on Synthroid or Levoxyl to get their TSH in check.

Going to an Endocrinologist is NOT a necessity by ANY means. Your regular GP should be able to handle this on his/her own, and seeing an Endocrine doc is only going to take you a good 3-4 months to get in.

When push comes to shove, you may have better luck in discussing your concern with your regular doc than someone else.

Best of luck! :)

Source(s):

I'm a Family Practice NP

Answer 2

With a TSH of 4.18 you are hypothyroid according to AACE. They changed the range to 0.3 to 3.0 a few years back, but chain labs like Quest still have the range at 0.3 to 5.5. Look up AACe and TSH range and you will find the info to show your doctor. Doctors do not know about every change and chances are your doctor is simply going by the ranges at Quest or some other chain lab.

You can't compare some elses TSH to yours because we all are different and the TSH is a lousy test for diagnosing ecause of the constant fluctulations throughout the day. Better tests are the free t4 and free t3.

Next tme you test, test first thing in the morning for the TSH will be higher then verses an afternon testing. Testing in the afternoo stopped a diagnosis for me with reading of 2.6. I tested again 9 months later and it was a 6.8 and I finally got diagnosed.

Armour is a gret thyroid medication because it contains both T4 and T3. If you go on it, make sure the dosage is adjusted by free t4 and free t3, not by TSH. TSH is a test developed my the makers of Synthroid to adjust Synthroid. Many doctors wil say Armour isn't regulated as well as Synthroid. This is wrong and most likely info spewed tothem by the makers of the T4 meds. Armour is inspected just like Synthoid. I finfd Armour was so much better than the T4 meds. I was on Levoxyl and it did nothing for my symptoms. Now on Armour, I feel great. I have been on the same dosage for 3 years, so it is consistent.

Answer 3

Your TSH levels are within "normal .5-5.0" range. There are many, many other conditions that can make weight loss difficult. However, something you can do on your own is simply look at how much (or how little) you eat.

Try keeping a food diary for 2 weeks. Write down EVERYTHING you eat. You might be surprised at what you find out. I was having a hard time losing weight and made an appointment with a nurtitionist. She had me keep a food diary and I found out I was not consuming enough calories per day....something that actually makes weight loss more difficult.

Answer 4

Wow...4.18 or 4.24...If you are hypothyroid, it is extremely mild. Most docs won't prescribe synthroid or levothyroxine unless your TSH levels are around 8 or 10. My TSH is around 465 typically. No, NOT 4.65, **four hundred and sixty five!** My doctor wanted to know how I'm still ALIVE!

My weight is only slightly more than it should be though. I mean, I could stand to lose 10 or 15 pounds, but that's it. And I can honestly say that if I would just take the initiative to be a little more active, the weight would probably come off.

Answer 5

Now endocrinologists are saying that a level above 3 is considered hypothyroid.

I am going through the same thing. I'm being treated for hypothyroidism and my latest TSH readings came back as 5.30. I've been dieting and exercising and not losing weight at all. And my doctor told me to hang in there - that my metabolism is slow. Yeah - right.

I'm going to find a good endocrinologist and get this straightened out. I recommend you do too.

Good luck! I know exactly what you're going through!

Source(s):

Go to www.thyroid.org - there's lots of good info there.

Answer 6

Hypothyroid isnt just about weight... other factors come into play. You also need to be tested for blood sugar, insulin levels and other hormone levels.
Ask to see an endocrinologist... they can better examin your levels for everything.

Source(s):

paramedic