The normal laboratory range for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is around .3-3.0 according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists. Anything above that level is considered an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), and anything below an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
At first, it seems puzzling as to why a high level of something could mean something else is UNDERactive, but here's how it works.
In your brain, the region known as the hypothalamus keeps close tabs on the level of thyroid hormones (T4 and T3) in your blood. When levels of T3 and T4 become less than optimal, the hypothalamus releases a messenger called TRH (thyrotropin releasing hormone). The pituitary gland contains receptors for TRH, which stimulates the pituitary gland to produce TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). TSH then goes to the thyroid gland, telling it to produce more T4 and T3.
Therefore, when there are low levels of T4 and T3 in the blood, more TRH is produced, and thus more TSH is produced. Measuring TSH is a very indirect way of assessing thyroid function, but it does seem to work pretty well.
Your hypothyroidism seems to be quite mild. When I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, my TSH was 32.71. Still, the best course of action would be medicinal treatment.
You will probably be prescribed levothyroxine sodium in the form of Synthroid or Levoxyl or a generic equivalent. This is a simple pill (or two) that you take first thing in the morning before breakfast. You should definitely take it, because if you don't, you are at risk for all kinds of nasty thyroid symptoms such as hair loss, weight gain, depression, dry skin, and infertility. It is fairly inexpensive and is covered by virtually all insurance companies.
Your doctor will want to evaluate your progress fairly frequently in the beginning until he or she is sure that you are on the correct dose. After your dose is properly titrated (evened out), your doctor will likely only want to do bloodwork once every six months or so just to make sure things are still normal. The exception would be if you are female and get pregnant, in which case you should have bloodwork once a month for the duration of your pregnancy.
Be glad you were caught early and that your doctor is being vigilant about this.
2006-10-31 09:18:10
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answer #1
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answered by Elle Bee 3
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This Site Might Help You.
RE:
My doctor says I have a sligthly underactive thyroid, because my tsh level is 7.25. What does this mean?
I can't find a scale to explain what this means. How does this compare to someone whose thyroid is more underactive?
2015-08-14 07:53:25
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answer #2
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answered by Chandler 1
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The hypothalamus in the brain is the main controller of body's metabolism. It controls the speed of the body and orchestrates how organs function together.
The hypothalamus controls the rate of function of the thyroid gland by secreting a hormone into the blood stream called TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone). The hypothalamus can fail and become hyperactive or underactive..... it secretes too much and it can cause anxiety, weight loss, panic ..... if it secretes too little the body slows and tires easily, weight gain and depression can occur.
Thyroxine is normally prescribed for underactive thyroid and can be a revolutionary treament to most people - however - getting the dose correct for the individual can take a number of months.
2006-10-31 02:01:11
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answer #3
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answered by sean 3
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That's a good question, hah, my dr. never told me what my score was, just that I have an underactive thyroid, your tsh level means your thyroid stimulating hormone wich of course you need. I think everone has what is their :"normal range" you should look up in a search engine for Normal TSH level
2006-10-30 05:27:14
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answer #4
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answered by graciegirl 5
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TSH -- thyroid stimulating hormone -- as the name implies stimulates the thyroid. Typical cutoff values may range from 3.0 to 5.0 mIU/L depending on the test method and the population evaluated. Find out the specific value from the lab where you were tested by asking your doctor. In the end, the answer will be "somewhat elevated". The ultimate test will be determining how much hormone it takes to normalize your body.
2006-10-30 05:35:11
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answer #5
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answered by novangelis 7
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Thyroid disease is one of the most common health problems we face today. From a practical standpoint, there are many ways to approach this issue. Learn here https://tinyurl.im/aH6rK Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a very common problem, and there are many reasons for this, including drinking chlorinated and fluoridated water, and eating brominated flour. Chlorine, fluoride, and bromine are all in the same family as iodine, and can displace iodine in your thyroid gland. Secondly, many people simply aren't getting enough iodine in their diet to begin with. The amount you get from iodized salt is just barely enough to prevent you from getting a goiter.
2016-04-22 10:04:18
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answer #6
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answered by ? 4
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It means you will have to go on thyroid replacement hormone, which is a little pill you take each day to regulate your metabolism and other aspects of the body's timing. It is a harmless thing.
If you do not take the replacement hormone, you will gain weight, feel fatigued, may become depressed, etc.
2006-10-30 10:50:55
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Thyroid disease is one of the most common health problems we face today. From a practical standpoint, there are many ways to approach this issue. Learn here https://tr.im/uF8ly
Hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid, is a very common problem, and there are many reasons for this, including drinking chlorinated and fluoridated water, and eating brominated flour.
Chlorine, fluoride, and bromine are all in the same family as iodine, and can displace iodine in your thyroid gland.
Secondly, many people simply aren't getting enough iodine in their diet to begin with. The amount you get from iodized salt is just barely enough to prevent you from getting a goiter.
2016-02-08 09:53:06
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answer #8
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answered by ? 3
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If you are hyperthyroid then you need treatment. They can give you radioactive iodine treatment, surgery or thyroid supplements. If you get the radioactive iodine treatment the common side effect is hypothyroid. You will gain weight and will be more on the heavier side for the rest of your life. In time, you will just slowly gain more weight and find it hard to lose the extra weight.
2015-02-11 06:48:42
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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You should start by not wanting to get pregnant, just have sex everyday or every other day and don't think about getting pregnant, just have fun with your partner. Get more useful information and guides to get pregnant here https://tr.im/yugJi
after sex-put a pillow under your butt or prop your feet up on the wall so your pelvis is tilted
eat healthy
back off caffiene
workout, even if its just a 20 minute walk a day, be active.
2016-05-02 08:04:33
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answer #10
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answered by ? 3
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