I am very proactive about my health. I like to be informed and knowledgable. I don't just listen to doctors blindly (I trust doctors in general, but I know they are human and don't know everything). I do my own research as well (if I hadn't I'd still be living in misery!). So Thursday I posted that my thyroid hormone (TSH) levels are normal/stable. Well, I decided to do a little research since that's what I do :P And since I finally got some actual numbers this time instead of just a "your levels are too low" I did some searching on normal TSH levels. And I've read a lot about newer standards for diagnosing hypothyroidism. My doctor is still using older standards (and even then I'm on the high end). With the new standards/range my levels are too high...meaning my med dose is too low! And I feel like I've had more hypothyroid symptoms lately at my lower dose. So, I'll be calling my doctor back and talking to him about it. And maybe get a 2nd opinion if need be. I know my levels aren't way out of control and dangerous. But I still want to feel the best I can and truly get this under control. When I was originally diagnosed my levels weren't actually out of range...just on the high end. But that was a different doctor. So, we'll see where things go from here. I have read that TSH is not always the most accurate way to assess thyroid function anyway. So maybe there will be more testing involved. Only time will tell.
I've had that conversation with both my family doctor and my OB - they both still use the old ways and don't place much faith in the new ways. I have had finding a specialist on my list of to-dos for a very long time now... for at least a year now... but I never really think about it.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised you haven't known about the new standards and advances in this area for awhile now, with all your research you do. I would have mentioned it a long time ago if I had thought you didn't know about it. I found out from my BFF Sara - she has a lot of thyroid issues and found out a couple years ago when she started seeing a specialist that she had been on the wrong dose of meds for ages... no wonder her symptoms were never really controlled! The problem is that there are so very few specialists for the new ways. But she has been soooo much better and she's very comfortable that hers is now under control if/when she does get pregnant... which was always such a strong fear of hers...
It also depends on the lab and the tests/values they use.
ReplyDeleteAlso, we aren't really sure in general that TSH levels are the best way to assess thyroid function. The best thing would be if the patient really feels symptomatic, to increase their levels even if this puts them into the higher range of normal. Or something.
Thanks, Shannon. I was actually going to email you to ask your thoughts. I'll call my Dr. tomorrow to ask some questions.
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