In a message dated 9/21/2007 9:07:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: Everyone: I would like to get advice on options for treating subclinical hypothyroiditus. Here is my situation as far as bloodwork is concerned: TSH 5.18 Free T3 Normal Free T4 Normal Antibodies 662... Thanks -- dave>>>> In a word, YIKES. While it is not possible to make a Diagnosis off lab work alone, everyone I have seen with similar lab has qualified as pretty ill. I fear that your doc might treat the numbers rather than your health. And while you may not notice any "symptoms;" I would suspect that you will notice them, after you are treated. My Hypothyroidism crept up on me over several years with chronic fatigue, (great sleeping), diminished endurance, decreased libido, cold intolerance, muscle weakness, weight gain, and a host of other problems that I never saw as abnormal, until I got better. In addition to the slowness of the changes, a 10% decrease in thyroid function means a 10% decrease in brain function (Langer, MD in Solved: The Riddle of Illness). And, our self critical faculties are the first to go. Vigorous treatment of "Subclinical Hypothyroidism," in general, is a good idea. I have seen many people who lingered in untreated Hypothyroidism. Thyroid nodules are more common in a Thyroid Gland that has been over driven with TSH, and at time these nodules can become precancerous. In my experience, you don't even need to be that conservative in Thyroid replacement. If you give enough to totally replace the gland's output, the Thyroiditis often diminishes after years. Most importantly, you doctor needs to pay attention to your health than to your lab work. A prayer that this helps you get what you need to do well. Doc Don (AKA D. Michael, MD, PC) ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com _______________________________________________________________ Snip, Please If you "Reply" to a message, and *you* fail to erase or delete the previous message, *your* message cannot be distributed. Why not ask a question? If we're not currently talking about what *you* want to hear about, ask about another topic! Or make a statement. To be prepared, you might want to search the Thyroid Archives http://www.Emissary.Net/thyroid/index.html to see what has been said before about any thyroid-related topic. _______________________________________________________________