My naturopath interpreted the results yesterday, but I wasn't convinced she's in the know on the latest insights about thyroid health.

Since hypothyroidism, some say, can lead to peripheral neuropathy, I wonder if anyone here would venture an opinion on the numbers?

(I've also heard the range doctors use for what is "normal" isn't necessarily valid.)

The results don't seem so extreme that they could cause PN (?), but perhaps could affect it?

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--the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) is definitely high, indicating your body thinks it is not getting enough thyroid hormone, despite the levels listed, and that through the feedback loop the pituitary is signalling your thyroid to make more.

You're right about the controversy of "normal" ranges. About five years ago now, the American Academy of Endocrinology recommended that the "normal" range for TSH should be revised downward, from the old .5-5.5 range to .3-3.0 or so. The feeling was that there were subtle cases of hypothyroidism being missed in that 3-5.5 range; and that optimal ranges of TSH for many people (there is considerable variation in how people feel and what symptoms of hypothyroidism--fatigue, brittle hair, weight gain, etc., they feel at the upper end of the old range) were around 2 or lower. But many doctors, it seems, haven't "gotten the memo". (Mary Shomon talks about this at her About.com thyroid sites--she's a fountain of information about thyroid issues.)

Still, your TSH reading warrants further investigation, especially if you are symptomatic. Tests for autoimmune antibodies to thyroid tissue/hormone and an investigation by ultrasound to look for nodules would be warranted. Are you experiencing hypothyroid symptoms?

ILf this bloodwork was ordered by your primary doctor I would suggest getting an appt with an endocronolgist. They look at thyroid levels a little differently.

Body temp on arising, and carotene deposition in the skin
are both really strong symptoms.

Other symptoms are more vague.

Low thyroid also leads to elevated cholesterol levels.
If yours is normal, that suggests your thyroid is working still.

You have to call around, and ask THE QUESTION. "Does this doctor treat according to the new scale?"

In the end you can beg. I have been known to beg convincingly.
If you frame your request conservatively, and ask to try, low dose for a few months, there is no harm really. The body will adjust to any externally given hormone and even out. Staying below 100mcg is considered safe for your bones.

How do we know that the thyroid functions exactly the same way every day?

Has anyone ever got two different sets of results in a short time span (say a week) for their thyroid?

It seems to me that a thyroid could behave differently depending on many different factors related to stress and what's going on in your life.

My body functions very differently after eight hours of sleep and a normal work day than it does after six hours and surprise stress. Would the bloodwork be the same for both days?

I'm interested in further testing, esp. since it's only $25/draw.

I've answered these comments in red.

The long term signs of elevated cholesterol and skin color changes do not change rapidly...and indicate to the doctor hypo states. Splitting fingernails, scaly dry skin, eyebrows that are only half visible anymore, loss of hair, enlarged tongue, are other signs that are longer term also.

Thanks. I have Mary's book, but need to go back and finish reading it. She's done a tremendous amount of work and I like the way she writes.

As far as my symptoms, possibly due to hypo:

* core temperature consistently low (96s, sometimes 95s)

* fatigue

* decreased sweating

I still think it could be ATP-related. I'm not going to start any meds for it until I know. A lot of doctors seem to assume it's primary/secondary without seeing if it's tertiary.

I asked the doc, "Is it primary, secondary, or tertiary?" She didn't give me a straight answer.

My concern is that if I raise the core temperature with thyroid meds, it will increase my already high skin temperature, and that cause worse PN/more damaged nerves.

I'm planning to do more testing, incl. oxidative injury &/ mitochondrial damage.

I'm revising my earlier opinion after further reading, including:

"peripheral circulation to the extremities (especially the skin, hands, and feet) may decline by 40% or more as a result of hypothyroidism."--Dr. Mark Starr, Hypothyroidism Type 2, p. 138

Dr. Ken Blanchard, endocrinologist and doctor for 40 years, in his book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism, summarizes his protocol after treating of thousands of hypo patients:

Today I have a compounding pharmacist weigh out natural thyroid extract and put it into time-release capsules. I always prescribe synthetic T4 to balance the ratio in order to achieve 98 percent T4 and 2 percent T3.

Do follow up on the iron. The easiest way to reduce it is to give blood. Iron will get stored in your endocrine system as well as the pituitary gland, heart and liver. Long term iron overload is dangerous. Getting rid of the iron can go a long way to reducing inflammation and improving your overall health. Bacteria thrives in an iron rich environment.