What is borderline hypothyroidism?

The term “borderline hypothyroidism” typically is used when blood tests show that your body's level of TSH is slightly above normal, but your T3 and T4 levels are normal. Another name for this condition is subclinical hypothyroidism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org


What level is borderline hypothyroidism?

Most labs say that a normal serum TSH level is somewhere between 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L, and that a TSH level of 10 mIU/L or higher is indicative of hypothyroidism. A TSH level of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L is considered indicative of subclinical hypothyroidism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on endocrineweb.com


Can you have borderline hypothyroidism?

Subclinical (borderline) hypothyroidism

Some people have a mildly underactive thyroid, with few or no symptoms. Doctors call this subclinical hypothyroidism. If you have this, your blood test will show that your TSH is raised but your free T4 is normal. This is fairly common, especially in older people.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on bupa.co.uk


What causes borderline hypothyroidism?

The causes of subclinical hypothyroidism are the same as those of (overt) hypothyroidism and include chronic lymphocytic (Hashimoto's) thyroiditis, partial thyroidectomy, radioactive iodine therapy, and damage to the thyroid from radiation treatment.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on endocrinologyadvisor.com


Should you treat borderline hypothyroidism?

If your TSH level is higher than 10 mIU/L, you should start treatment, because you will very likely develop symptoms of an underactive thyroid, even if you don't have them now.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on health.harvard.edu


Subclinical Hypothyroidism - What is it and How to Manage?



Can you reverse borderline hypothyroidism?

Standard treatment for hypothyroidism involves taking a daily oral medication called levothyroxine, a synthetic form of thyroid hormone. It restores the body's hormone levels to normal, which reverses the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org


What are the symptoms of borderline thyroid?

These are the most common symptoms:
  • fatigue and tiredness.
  • increased awareness of the cold.
  • dry and coarse skin.
  • dry and thinning hair.
  • hoarse or croaky voice.
  • constipation.
  • muscle weakness, cramps and aches.
  • pins and needles in the fingers and hands (carpal tunnel syndrome)
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on btf-thyroid.org


How is borderline hypothyroidism treated?

Levothyroxine, in a dosage that maintains serum TSH levels within the normal range, is the preferred therapy in these patients. Hypothyroidism is quite common in older persons.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on aafp.org


How do you treat borderline underactive thyroid naturally?

Taking certain vitamin supplements can have an effect on your thyroid health. Low thyroid hormones can affect your body's vitamin B-12 levels. Taking a vitamin B-12 supplement may help you repair some of the damage hypothyroidism caused. Vitamin B-12 can help with the tiredness thyroid disease can cause.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


What is considered mild hypothyroidism?

Most labs say that a normal serum TSH level is somewhere between 0.4 to 4.0 mIU/L, and that a TSH level of 10 mIU/L or higher is indicative of hypothyroidism. A TSH level of 4.5 to 10 mIU/L is considered indicative of subclinical hypothyroidism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on endocrineweb.com


At what level of TSH is it considered hypothyroidism?

Normal and Abnormal TSH Ranges

TSH > 4.0/mU/L with a low T4 level indicates hypothyroidism. If your TSH is > 4.0 mU/L and your T4 level is normal, this may prompt your physician to test your serum anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on endocrineweb.com


What does borderline hyperthyroidism mean?

Subclinical hyperthyroidism is a condition in which you have low levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) but normal levels of T3 and T4. T4 (thyroxine) is a major hormone secreted by your thyroid gland. T3 (triiodothyronine) is a modified version of T4.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


What is the borderline?

Overview. Borderline personality disorder is a mental illness that severely impacts a person's ability to regulate their emotions. This loss of emotional control can increase impulsivity, affect how a person feels about themselves, and negatively impact their relationships with others.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nimh.nih.gov


Can hypothyroidism go away with weight loss?

Yes, you can lose weight with hypothyroidism through changes in diet, eating patterns, stress, and exercise. We're here to show you how. As many as 60% of people with thyroid disease don't know they have one. If you gain weight with no explanation, consider asking a healthcare professional about hypothyroidism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on primehealthdenver.com


What is a good TSH level for a woman?

An optimal TSH level in a woman is 0.4-2.5 mIU/L. For pregnant women, that upper limit is stricter than if you are not pregnant. A dangerously high level of TSH is above 5.0 mIU/L. High TSH means low thyroid hormones.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on primehealthdenver.com


What foods trigger hypothyroidism?

These foods contain goitrogens or are known irritants if consumed in large amounts: Soy-based foods: tofu, tempeh, edamame beans, soy milk, etc. Certain fruits: peaches, pears, and strawberries. Beverages: coffee, green tea, and alcohol — these beverages may irritate your thyroid gland ( 27 , 28 , 29 )
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


Does stress cause hypothyroidism?

Cortisol, the main hormone produced in response to stress, can suppress pituitary function and keep the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) from being released, thereby inducing hypothyroidism, according to Dr.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com


What vitamins should I take for hypothyroidism?

Here are specific nutrients that may be beneficial for hypothyroidism.
  • Iodine Is Needed to Make Thyroid Hormone.
  • Vitamin B Is Important for Thyroid Function.
  • Selenium Is Essential for Thyroid Hormone Metabolism.
  • Zinc Helps Synthesize Thyroid Hormone.
  • Tyrosine, in Combination With Iodine, Produces Thyroid Hormone.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on everydayhealth.com


What causes mild hypothyroidism?

These include: a family history of autoimmune thyroid disease, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis (an autoimmune condition that harms thyroid cells) injury to the thyroid (for example, having some abnormal thyroid tissue removed during head and neck surgery)
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on healthline.com


How do I get my TSH back to normal?

Treatment. Treatment for an underactive thyroid usually involves taking a synthetic thyroid hormone by pill daily. This medication will get your hormone levels back to normal, and you may begin to feel less tired and lose weight.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on webmd.com


What happens if you don't treat hypothyroidism?

Hypothyroidism may not cause noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Over time, untreated hypothyroidism can cause a number of health problems, such as obesity, joint pain, infertility and heart disease.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on mayoclinic.org


How does underactive thyroid make you feel?

An underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) is where your thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones. Common signs of an underactive thyroid are tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on nhs.uk


What is acceptable thyroid range?

Normal test range for an adult: 0.40 - 4.50 mIU/mL (milli-international units per liter of blood). T4: thyroxine tests for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, and used to monitor treatment of thyroid disorders. Low T4 is seen with hypothyroidism, whereas high T4 levels may indicate hyperthyroidism.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on my.clevelandclinic.org


What foods fix hypothyroidism?

Think leafy greens, whole grains, nuts, seed, and zinc-rich legumes like peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans. “These foods contain amino acids like tyrosine, B-complex vitamins, minerals like selenium, and antioxidants — all of which support thyroid health,” Norton says.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on endocrineweb.com
Previous question
What to wear to impress a guy?