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angeluv73 · 01-26-2005, 09:07 PM

I got my test results today. But they seem very general. My labs from 2003 say Free T4 0.93
TSH 2.54

My labs from July 2004 say:
All they say is....TSH 4.99 HH

Thats it! How can I read that, the two lab sheets dont even say the same lab things????
Can someone help me!!
Do I need new tests? Are these numbers in normal range?

I am taking .05 levoxyl now( once a day)

zekat · 01-27-2005, 06:29 AM

It would be easier to interpret if you were able to post the lab ranges. How are you feeling right now? I think if you are feeling ok, I would not push the issue, but if you are not feeling well, I would suggest you go back to your doctor (or find a new one). In order to get the "full picture" of your thyroid, you need to have your T3 & T4 tested (preferable the Free T3 & Free T4) as those are the actual thyroid hormones. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) is a pituitary response to how the T3 & T4 are acting. If your TSH is high, that typically means that your T3 & T4 are low. TSH is NOT a good indication of your actual thyroid health, however it's a tool that many doctors use to diagnose a thyroid problem as it can indicate how your thyroid hormones are acting. You state your current TSH is 4.99 which in most ranges is considered "normal", BUT a lot of people do not feel well until their TSH is closer to 1. But the bottom line is it's impossible to really tell you how your thyroid is doing when it's not known how your actual thyroid hormones are behaving.

I hope this helps and does not confuse. Just keep asking questions and you'll get it all figured out!!

---
I just noticed that your results are from July of 04 -- it's probably a good time for a recheck anyway.

dea4 · 01-27-2005, 06:56 AM

I agree you need more testing. The TSH at 4.99 is well above the AACE guideline of .3-2.5 and anything above 2 with symptoms is suspect for a thyroid problem or in this case an undertreated thyroid problem.
Your Free T4 from 2003 is even low.
Get the FREE levels tested.
FREE T3
FREE T4

You will have to specifically request those tests.

You need an increase in meds.
Keep us posted please.

angeluv73 · 01-27-2005, 06:05 PM

im so lost! But im gonna ask for new tests including the frees. Do u have to fast or anything?

zekat · 01-27-2005, 06:16 PM

No. You do not have to fast or do anything special. But, please tell us what part you are lost on and what parts you feel like you understand. We will be more than happy to explain the best we can.

Sometimes it's easy to forget how overwhelming it all is in the beginning, but I know it is. Just ask away sweetie!

angeluv73 · 01-29-2005, 08:29 PM

Ok, thank you so much for your help! Im just overwhelmed with all this. My doc isnt telling me anything and I come here and theres sooooo much information. Im learning that my hypo thyroid may be causing ALOT of things that are going on with me. The doc never told me all this. How do I feel?? Tired. I feel like I never get enough sleep. I could get 10 hours of sleep and still feel like sleeping. Im not depressed. I dont feel sad. I take anxiety meds cause i get anxious alot but the meds have that under control. I know i need to see a specialist but its hard with my insurence cause i need a referral from my current doc. By the way, my current doc is my OBGYN. They are my primary so they see me for everything. I dont think she knows enough to really treat me for thyroid. I dont know what testing to ask for to get a solid picture of my thyroid function. I dont understand the range thing cause it seems like the ranges are sooo big. On my lab paper it says...TSH 4.99 HH (0.35-4.94) mIU/ML 7/2004
Free T4 0.93 (0.70-1.48)ng/dL 11/2003
TSH 2.54 (0.35-4.94) mIU/ML
Reference Units
SGOT 80H abnormal (11-47) IU/L
SGPT 110H abnormal (6-66) IU/L

The last 2 were part of a liver/enzymes lab on the same paper-I dont know if that has something to do with my thyroid too??

I hope this helps alittle. Thank you for your help. I will call the doc on Monday to try and get a referral.

dea4 · 01-30-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by angeluv73

I dont understand the range thing cause it seems like the ranges are sooo big. On my lab paper it says...TSH 4.99 HH (0.35-4.94) mIU/ML 7/2004
Free T4 0.93 (0.70-1.48)ng/dL 11/2003
TSH 2.54 (0.35-4.94) mIU/ML
Reference Units
SGOT 80H abnormal (11-47) IU/L
SGPT 110H abnormal (6-66) IU/L

Your TSH first of all is too high. Most people with NO thyroid problems have a TSH closer to or even below 1
Your FREE T4 is way too low also, no wonder you feel so bad, it should be about 1.25, this is your 70% target range or upper 1/3 of the labs range. Most people feel best when the FREE levels are in the upper 1/3 or 70% target range, below this is where the hypo symptoms are present.

The tests you really need for a good picture of thyroid function are...
FREE T3
FREE T4
TSH
Thyroid antibody testing TPO, Tg (these indicate Hashi's)

Just a little info.....
The FREE thyroid tests measure your actual thyroid hormones, these are the ones available for your body to use, FREE levels are NOT bound by proteins.
The TOTAL blood levels measure both bound and active hormone, this does not tell how much is active and how much your body has available to use, only a small portion of Total levels are actually free.
T3 Uptake has nothing to do with YOUR T3, its T3 from a test tube used to measure the binding proteins.
TSH is a pituitary response and often tells what it thinks your thyroid is doing, once on treatment the TSH can be pretty deceiving and the FREE levels need to be watched for treatment and the TSH needs to be suppressed.
The ranges are gauges, being "in range" does not mean all is well, with thryoid levels, the FREE levels need to be in the upper 1/3 of the range for women and about mid range for men.

So, when you get bloodwork, specify you want the FREE T3 and FREE T4, otherwise they may do totals.

Keep us posted.

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