Hello Eveyone, I recently went to an "Endo" doc for the first time, He sent me for a thyroid and other test "since I have been Hypothyroid for 17 years now". My family doctor has been treating my thyroid problem and said all is good. I got a copy of the blood test that my "Endo" doc ordered and it stated in bold that my TSH is 12.50 H (range levels .47-4.68). Is this bad im not familiar with "blood test levels". I have been Very Depressed, irritable, Extremely tired, and after 8 hours of sleep I still feel like I haven't had any sleep at all, No sex drive, loss of libido (poor erections). Other test my "Endo" requested was "Free T-4 1.13 (range level .78-2.19 ng/dL), Free T-3.57 (range level 2.77-5.27 pg/mL), LH .06 mIU/mL (no rangel level), FSH 1.8 mIU/mL (no range level), Prolactin 18.4 (range level 4.1-18.4 ng.mL), Serum Testosterone 202 ng/dL (range level 241-827), Free Testosterone (Direct) 4.1 pg/mL (range level 8.7-25.1). If someone has some "info" or can help me to better understand this test, I would Greatly Appreciate your help. Thanks
Last edited by ShannonRex33; 06-03-2009 at 10:22 PM.
your test results show that you are still hypothyroid - many people feel that TSH should be around 1, no higher than 2, regardless of the lab values. Your FT4 and FT3 are also low. If you post these test results on the thyroid board here there are some very knowledgable people who can help you much better than I can. I suggest posting your labs, and the meds you are taking there. Do you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimotos?) have they tested your antibody levels? Your symptoms very much reflect your lab results and need for higher thyroid hormone supplementation. what is the endo suggesting you do? increase your meds/ start supplementing?
Im am taking 50mcg of levothyroxine 1 a day. I have been on this medication for over 5 years now. I "ask" my family doctor if I could get referred an endocrinologist because I am feeling "Very" tired, sleepy, depressed, no interest in sex, dry hair & skin, etc...(Family doctor only test my "TSH") This was my first appointment to the "Endo" doctor and he talked about "Testosterone" therapy & "Thyroid levels", requested that I have these blood test done early in the morning. I haven't heard back from him (Endo) since this test (Labs were taken on 5-11-09). I also have been having feeling of "pressure" behind my eyes, would that have something to do with the thyroid? Thanks for taking the time and replying to my post.
Your TSH has been high so you definately need a med increase. Your symptoms are very likely thyroid related. I'd increase the daily dose by 25 mcgs, have follow up labs after 6 weeks and see where it has gotten me.
my TSH is 12.50 H (range levels .47-4.68)
Free T-4 1.13 (range level .78-2.19 ng/dL)
Free T-3.57 (range level 2.77-5.27 pg/mL)
These are the tests related to your thyroid, and they certainly are not all good as your family doctor believes.
A healthy person without thyroid disease would have TSH around 1, no more than 2. So your nearly 13 is very high, a sure sign that you aren't being given enough levothyroxine.
A healthy person would have a free T4 of at least 1.5 (on that lab range). Your 1.13 is way too low.
A healthy person would have free T3 of at least 4 (on that lab range). You're closer to "normal" there, but that might be only because your body is converting more T4 to T3 in an attempt to hold that level in an adequate range.
Bottom line is that you are very hypothyroid at this time. (I can't comment on the other-than-thyroid hormones.) I hope that the endo is going to substantially increase your levoT dose. You really need it.
Thanks you for reading my thyroid levels and helping me Better understand, I got an increase on my Levothyroxine today from 50mcg to 75mcg. Thanks Again, Shannon
