What is the normal range for TSH levels?

Can my TSH levels be in the "normal" range and I still have hyperthyroidism?

• I am a 22 yr old female with very irregular periods (very light bleeding where I have to wipe to see it or absent. Occasionally when I do have a period I bleed for 2-4 weeks at a time), newly diagnosed tachycardia (last doctors appointment my heart rate was 142 bpm, but normally ranges anywhere from 110-130 BPM on a regular basis...it has been YEARS since my BPM was under 100), normal blood pressure ranging from 117/78 to 120/80), anemia, "sweaty" palms / clammy skin, dry & itchy skin, mild acid reflux, frequent headaches, flushing of the face (worse with activity), history of chest pains, heart palpitations, I can not stand to be hot (I don't care to even eat "hot" food, I prefer it to be room temperature) and if I get over heated, embarrassed or the least bit nervous, I get heat rash. I get short of breath easily and in the past couple months have started to slowly lose weight (total of 4-6 lbs since May) without trying. I am under constant stress due to my job and constantly worry about everything. I went to the doctor in October who ran "baseline" blood work. Everything was "normal" except my CBC which indicated I had anemia. I take 75mg of Zantac at bedtime and 65mg of Iron in the morning before work. During the baseline blood work my TSH levels were in the "normal range" and they recommended that I see a cardiologist due to the tachycardia. I had my appointment with the cardiologist and he stated the even though my TSH levels were "normal" that I may still have a thyroid disorder. He ordered for my to have a T-3, Thyroxin Total Profile, Free T-4 and a 24 hour urine analysis. They preformed an EKG which showed no abnormalities except for the tachycardia. He said I have a really strong, steady heart beat. Is it possible to have normal TSH levels and still have hyperthyroidism as many of my symptoms are suggesting so?!

• Answer:

  You did not say if he ordered the antibodies tests...that is where most miss in diagnosing thyroid disease. Yours sound to me more like a hypER swing of Hashimoto's. Info for you: You need testing for thyroid ANTIBODIES as well as TSH. TSH ‘norm’ should be .3 – 3 (w/ most feeling best at < 2) but, for diagnosis, would not matter if ANTIBODIES are present. Indicative of Hashimoto’s Autoimmune Thyroiditis (cycles between hyper & hypo at start)…main cause of HypOthyroid & is worse (...OR Graves Disease - HypERthyroid). WARNING: Doctors seem not to want to find/treat thyroid disease. You may have to go to more than one doctor before you get the right tests, interpretation, and treatment. Best wishes. Ck these: http://thyroid.about.com/bio/Mary-Shomon-350.htm http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ http://www.thyrophoenix.com/index.html http://thyroid.about.com/cs/newsinfo/l/blguidelines.htm God bless