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Originally Posted by woj
yea, I was referring to ordering some meds and treating yourself based on a single blood test result... that's pretty foolish I think... her TSH or whatever is off, so that's why doctor ordered additional tests to figure out why her TSH is off to be able to treat the cause effectively... for all we know her TSH is off because she lacks vitamin b12 or zinc or something in her diet...
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TSH is the hormone signal sent by your brain to make your thyroid produce thyroid hormones. If it's high, it's because her thyroid gland isn't able to produce what is needed and her brain is pushing it harder and harder. Since cost is an issue there is no need for other tests right now. If she's hypo, she's hypo.
Most docs identify and treat hypothyroid by TSH labs only - they don't even order other labs. I don't agree with this as far as determining whether or not your treatment is working - but to identify a case of hypothyroidism if she's not on any thyroid meds, TSH is the first marker to look at.
Only she can determine if her treatment is working, and again, working with a GP will likely result in the doctor not really asking her how she feels but telling her she's "fine" based on what he reads on a piece of paper.
What is the point of that? To walk in and have someone tell her (or insist that) she's fine? Most people can figure that answer out for themselves. They don't all need a doctor to hold their hand when there is plenty of information out there on how to treat this condition yourself (or how to guide your doctor in treating you).
This isn't brain surgery, it's a thyroid deficiency due to an underactive gland that isn't going to go away by itself no matter how her diet or supplements change. She will need to replace these hormones for the rest of her life.