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Will Lack Of Iodine Causes TSH Level To Be 6.7?
My TSH level is 6.7 which is high and my T4 1.08 which I was told it is in the normal range. In a year I have gained around 22 pounds, from weighing around 132, now weighing around 154. My height is 4 10 1/2 I ve already gone thru menopause, started at age 47, I ll be 60 soon. My doctor does not seem to be concerned. Should I be concerned because of the TSH level being high and could it be that I m lacking iodine.
Thu, 31 Mar 2016
Hello,
I carefully read your situation and I am trying to give you some information.
By the result of the hormonal examination that you reported your diagnosis is subclinical hypothyroidism, the etiology of which is probably an autoimmune process rather than a iodine deficiency. Any way it has to be confirmed with AntiTPo antibodies.
TSH is slightly increased and weather to start a treatment or not depends by the symptoms: Weight gain, dry skin, constipation, high cholesterol level ect. Anyway not always weight gain should be attributed to the low thyroid function.
If I were your treating doctor I would start a low dose of levothyroxine 12.5 mcg and check the TSH after 6 weeks.
Hope the suggestion will be helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr.M.Guni
I carefully read your situation and I am trying to give you some information.
By the result of the hormonal examination that you reported your diagnosis is subclinical hypothyroidism, the etiology of which is probably an autoimmune process rather than a iodine deficiency. Any way it has to be confirmed with AntiTPo antibodies.
TSH is slightly increased and weather to start a treatment or not depends by the symptoms: Weight gain, dry skin, constipation, high cholesterol level ect. Anyway not always weight gain should be attributed to the low thyroid function.
If I were your treating doctor I would start a low dose of levothyroxine 12.5 mcg and check the TSH after 6 weeks.
Hope the suggestion will be helpful.
Kind regards,
Dr.M.Guni
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