Gary,
You have got me wondering if they might have done that test as part of my pre-surgery phyical. I'm going to have to ask. My new doc (the other retired) says one thing but does another. My test before the last test was an 8 and he would have left my Synthroid where it was unless I complained. He changed the Rx very slightly and the last test 2 months ago was 5.5 he thinks that is good enough and I still think it should be lower. I have even talked to my 3 brothers and they are willing to get theirs tested so I have something to go by.

I am told that the numbers do vary some over time anyway. They also tend to creep up as we age, and it is fairly common amongst seniors to have hypothyriodism (10%-20%) many do not know it.

Based upon how I felt between year 1 and year 2, the change was slow and almost unoticeable. The low thyroid also affects thinking processes (slows them down) so that you almost don't realize it is happening. When I had my first test it was 18 and I really was feeling bad. This is why I keep bringing the subject back up. Undoubtedly some people reading here will have this problem develop. Fortunately the fix is easy and the pills are fairly cheap. (A bit of a bummer to be having to take something daily for the rest of my life)