I just got my blood test back and my TSH level is 24.77 (normal is .3/.5 up to 3/5), so it's a good bit over. I have been taking Synthroid for years now and my levels were good about a year ago. So, I am kind of surprised at this. My family doc did up my dose and said to restest in 6 weeks. I have the end of my 3 month program July 1st and was hoping for a July Insurance Approval and August surgery.

Has anyone else had this happen or had a high TSH level and had issues with getting surgery. I would think the surgery would help so hope it won't interfere with the plan me and my doctors office have been working on.

:blushing:

I'm a nurse, and I'm not sure if it will delay your surgery or not. Actually, I don't think it will, but you should call your surgeon in the morning and tell them what the situation is. I'm sure someone there will be able to help you. When your TSH level is high, you are getting to much thyroid medicine, so I hope your doc lowered your dose. Sorry I can't help you more, but I'm sure your surgeon's office can.

Joan

Hi Joan,

Thanks! I am gonna call them. Also, if your TSH levels are high they actually have to INCREASE your meds. It's confusing how it works, you might be confusing it with one of the other thyroid levels. Here's a good article that explains it (for anyone interested): Thyroid Blood Tests: Understanding Low TSH, High TSH, and Confusing Thyroid Test Results

Anyway, thanks and I will give the office a call. Just wondering if anyone had this or went through this with surgery coming up. :wink:

My TSH hasn't been that high, but it's definitely above normal. The main reason I got Lapband was to regulate my thyroid (moreso than losing the weight). Mine hasn't been below 9 in months, and I had no problem having surgery. If anything, since surgery, my thyroid has shrunk a little, although my TSH is still way up there. I'm on 300 now of Synthroid.

Of course you are right about having to increase your meds if your TSH is high. Plus, you are right about it being confusing. I was definitely not thinking well when I answered your post. I'm a nurse, so I do know what happens, just not thinking right. Thanks for the correction. Hope all is going well and your surgery isn't delayed.

Joan

Hi Joan,

Thanks! I am gonna call them. Also, if your TSH levels are high they actually have to INCREASE your meds. It's confusing how it works, you might be confusing it with one of the other thyroid levels. Here's a good article that explains it (for anyone interested): Thyroid Blood Tests: Understanding Low TSH, High TSH, and Confusing Thyroid Test Results

Anyway, thanks and I will give the office a call. Just wondering if anyone had this or went through this with surgery coming up. :smile2:

Prior to surgery, my levels had jumped up to 50. I haven't ever been able to get my levels to get to normal for a long period of time and the high levels didn't effect my surgery. They did retest the week before surgery and it was at 16, and they still did the surgery as scheduled. The surgeon just wanted to confirm that I had been in touch with my other doctor about the levels, but that's it.

On a side note, while the surgery waiting room, where they have you hooked up to the IV before surgery, the anesthesiologist came in, looks at me and goes "You have a thyroid problem, don't you?" And I was like "How can you tell?" and he tells me that he can see it in my neck - I've got a goiter (it's not huge, but it's puffy). It amused me.

Either way, good luck with your levels! I know how much of a pain it can be. And good luck with surgery!