TSH Numbers: Are you Hypothyroid?

Your thyroid is very important to regulate your activity levels. When you have a too high TSH level in your blood, you are often a very active person. If your TSH numbers are too low than you are probably not a very active person. Sometimes the levels are elevated above a certain threshold and that is when we call it hypothyroidism.

The symptoms that are involve with Hypothyroid are very serious but the disease itself is hard to diagnose at first.  Low thyroid symptoms affect many aspects of your emotional and physical well being. Very basically the thyroid controls your energy level and when you are hypothyroid you have a lack of energy. This lack of energy affects many aspects:

* Heart Problems
* Anxiety and Depression
* Weakness and Fatigue
* Problems with your weight
* Imbalance of blood sugar level
* Dysfunction of the immune system
* Sensitivity for cold
* Infertility and Miscarriages
* Problems with Cholesterol levels
* Osteoporosis

The list goes on but these are probably the most important and serious symptoms associated with low TSH numbers/ hypothyroidism.

The best way to find out if you have a low functioning thyroid is by doing laboratory testing.  Normally your TSH levels will fluctuate between 0.35 and 5.5.  This wide range has chosen because in research many people with extreme values still functioned normally. Your levels could also be elevated or lowered without you noticing it. Recently there has been some discussion if the range is not too width. People that approach the upper range (4-5) are in fact in danger of developing hypothyroidism. We should not use a very rigid interpretation when it comes to diagnosing this disorder.

Rigid interpretation has caused a misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism in the US. Luckily extended testing often gives better results and conclusions if someone has a low functioning thyroid.

There are many choices when it comes to the treatment of hypothyroidism. Basically there is a choice between synthetic hormones and natural hormones which both have their advantages and disadvantages. In order to find out what is the best option for you, consult your doctor for the best advice. If you have any doubts if your TSH numbers are too low because you have some of the symptoms associated with hypothyroidism than also consult your doctor. He can do a lab test that gives you the answer you need.

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