TSH help please....

.3-3 is the standard my doctor and insurance use. It's been changed for years now. Your doctor should know that even if your insuranc company doesn't.

 Thanks for the advice Trooper!!

You should have been treated back in January.  There is no reason you should have such high TSH levels with no treatment. The new TSH levels according the Endocrine Society is .3-3.0 and unfortunately alot of PCP's havent' adopted that yet.  Is there anyway you can see an Endocrinologist?  They specialize in thyroid disorders and you would get much better care there and you could get additional testing including T3 and T4 testing, thyroid antibodies and a Thyroid sonongram to test for thyroid nodules which can indicate hashimotos - an autoimmune disorder.

Levels like yours can definitely slow down your weight loss.  You are exercising an incredible amount, I wonder if you are exercising too much - you are burning more than you are eating.  For that amount of exercise, you need to eat more or you are putting yourself into starvation mode slowing down weight loss also.

Please get a referral to an Endocrinologist and get this treated. When I first went on Synthroid (my levels were just like yours  - 4.2) I lost 30 pounds in 2 months without even trying.

Good luck
randi

Hi Randi,

You always have terrific information to share.  I really appreciate you.  I just took my first dose of meds and we'll see how I do over the next two months.  I think I will wait until I see the results of my test in two months and if I'm not happy with my scores, I'll ask for a referral.  My doctor is pretty good about referrals so it shouldn't be a problem.

I really hope this helps me with my weight loss.   As far as exercise, now that my son is gone, I'm more likely to work out for 1.5 hours a day, than 2-3 hours.  I do have to say though that my body got so much stronger this summer and even if it meant a slower loss, I built great habits both in exercise and eating.  I think the trade off was worth it.

Thanks for the great response!

I am so glad you got the synthroid.  Good luck with it.  Just know there are rules with it.  Some take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach which is fine but new research is out that it actually works better at night on an empty stomach.  I have done it both ways and it works fine both ways, so whichever is more convenient. Make sure you dont' take it within 2 hours of your iron, calcium or multivitamin and within 1 hour of any food.

Randi,  thank you for pointing out that you can take it in the evening.

Lee,
I am so glad that you got started on your meds. Just make sure you take it alone. Thyroid meds get easily bound to vits and minerals. I take mine first thing in the morning with some water.
I think you will be pleased with the results.
Maria

Thanks Maria, I'm really hoping to see some results!