I was told i was hypothyroid and my tsh was 4.22. should i start medication or is there an alternative?

Abnormal TSH: You can start checking also the iodine, and using t3-t4, like armour.Be sure have a thyroid ultrasound, others hormones levels, r/o cyst/nodule.Check if you are using diuretics , those can increase the tsh.A complete medical review checking autoimmune , pinneal gland , check with your pcp or endocrinology sp.

Perhaps not hypo: The TSH is a very sensitive test to assess thyroid status. 4.22 is normal by most cutoffs. I would look to other reasons to explain your symptoms if your TSH is normal. If your doctor is convinced you are hypothyroid i'd repeat the test to make sure it's not a lab error. Taking extra thyroid supplements when your TSH is normal could give you hyperthyroid symptoms and thats not healthy.

Symptoms?: Tsh alone is not diagnostic. Besides your TSH is not high, its close to cut off. Illness, meds, and stress can make TSH abnormal, however, your thyroid hormones maybe normal. That's known as subclinical hypothyroidsim. Subclinical hypothyroidism should only be treated if patient has symptoms and can benefit from thyroid hormone replacement! otherwise i wouldnt worry about it.

Medical criteria: For the last few years lab and md are in discussion the maximum TSH . Some md are considering no more than 3.5 , and the target with treatment no more than 2.If the patient is presenting symptoms and signs related to thyroid gland have to be address. The medical history is important and relevant , together with other test patient will be advise better. Is true the TSH value is to sensitivity.

Maybe: A TSH of 4.22 is high-normal. Reasons to treat with thyroid hormone would include pregnancy, symptoms (feeling cold, constipation, fatigue, recent weight gain), presence of a goiter (enlarged thyroid), or family history of hypothyroidism. Otherwise, waiting to see if this progresses makes sense before starting what is likely to be lifelong treatment.

Hypothyroidism: As physicians we treat patients not lab values. There are many reasons to start thyroid hormone replacement with a TSH in the elevated range. Symptoms of fatigue; weight gain; changes in hair, skin, and nails; an cold intolerance are common in patients with hypothyroidism and could be improved with initiation of thyroid homone replacement.

TSH range: Some scientific studies show that the opitmal range for TSH is 0.8-2.1 in fact a TSH >2.5 is associated with Insulin resistance, as the TSH increases (above 2.5) the LDL goes up and the HDL goes down. You definitely need to be treated for this or your long term health will suffer.