I know that we should not copy in complete posts to the list, but I never got a response to these inquiries and my next visit with the doc is coming up, so I am going to try again to see if I can get some advice as to what to seek in my next blood test.  Thanks -- dave


Anyone who wishes to help:

I need a little help on what to ask my doctor for.

History -- about 3 months ago I had a routine blood test that came up with a TSH of 5.98; a repeat test a few days later got a 5.66.  I understand that the normal range used to be 0.4 to 6.0, but it has recently been reduced to 0.3 to 3.0.   I have no other symptoms that I can detect.

My doctor wanted to prescribe someting that she described as "life-long treatment."  I decided against it and she set me up for a repeat test in three months (which is coming up now).

I have read up a little on it, but not being of medical background, a lot of it is very difficult to understand.

I would like anyone's help to answer the following questions:

*      
        Should I ask for special T3 and T4 tests to be run ... apparently they were not run last time so this does not seem to be part of the normal testing. 
*      
        Should I get the updated TSH first and then follow up with the T3 and T4 only if it is still abnormal.
*      
        Can excessive workouts prior to testing drive the TSH results up?
*      
        Does taking the standard prescription for a high TSH tend to shut down your thyroid?  If so, I would very much prefer to determine if I really need it, or to perhaps seek alternatives.
*      
        Would getting referred to a specialist help?

I am 63 and otherwise in very good health.  I am not asking for a diagnosis, just advice on what to ask my doctor to do.

Thanks -- dave





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