What are the different parameters/methods to assess the severity of Hypothyroid?
Hypothyroidism is clinically diagnosed with the low serum level of not only TSH but also T4. Keep in mind that you cannot use serum T3 level, since the conversion from T4 to T3 does not depend on the thyroid glands.
Suppose I had two newly diagnosed patients with TSH of 48 and 112 respectively with low serum T3 and T4 without any comorbidities, now whether starting dose of Eltroxin will be same or different in both these two patients?
In my opinion, the significant difference of patho-physiology underlies between the two different patient population. TSH receptor might exhibit constitutive active mutation and simultaneously the function of thyroid glands be damaged.
TSH is considered a reliable screening test for assessing thyroid function.However, it doesnt help much in assessing severity. Clinical parameters should be considered and also some lab parameters other than TSH like Lipid profile. Biological effects of Thyroid hormones in the peripheral tissue rather than TSH level reflects the severity of hypothyroidism.
Thank you Dr Tony, I think along with we have to look for associated comorbidities...
Yes, if the value of TSH is very high. However, it's preferable, for a more accurate assessment, dose the TSH and FT4.
My TSH level is more than 5 (5.11) but T3 (0.93) and T4 (6.04) are normal , that means i have Hypothyroidism. I want to " If thyroid hormone is elevated then how it back to normal ? Do you have any suggestion? "
Please also realise that TSH, like most pituitary hormones, has a diurnal variation with levels falling by about one third from early morning to midday. Reference limits are usually derived on morning sampling.