Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Hi,
I have been reading this forum for last few weeks. My Dad has hypothyroidism. For the last few years, I have been having alot of symptoms(fatigue, weird throat aches, digestion problems, tingling, intolerance to heat, loss of apetite, headaches).
I went through many test (neuro & GI tests) and everything came out normal. I had a thyroid test a couple of years back and my doctor said it was normal.
Since I have family history of thyroid, I think that I need to dig more deeper. I got a thyroid test myself last week and here are results:
I would really appreciate if you can analyze these results for me. I know there are other tests out their (e.g antibodies) but the facility I went for testing didn't have all thyroid test available.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
I have just gotten my results back too...
Same reference ranges as yours.
TSH 2.39
Free T4 1.2
About a year and a half ago my TSH was 1.7 or so. They did the other T4 test, not the free T4 so it's hard to compare. But I asked my doctor if it was normal to fluctuate that much and she said it was fine?! I don't know...
I'm being tested for a lot of other things right now. My cortisol, CBC and metabolic panel all came back fine. It's so hard to figure this stuff out.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Confused,
You are below optimal but not out of range. You need a Ft3 run as well as the TPOAb and TGAb in my opinion. The facility may not have been able to do them, but any lab can draw the blood and send it out for processing. They just didn't want to do the tests.
TSH 3rd generation - 1.39 (Range 0.40-4.50 mIU/L) - optimal is between 0.89 - 1.1. I was having hypoT symptoms out the waz with my TSH this level and my FTs in the 40% range.
T-3 Uptake - 31 (Range 22-35%) - This is showing that you are converting T4 to T3 at an acceptable rate. If all is well with your adrenals and pituitary gland the T3 should be in balance with your T4. However this doesn't mean it is. A T3 Uptake is not a measure of your actual T3 levels. It is an indirect usage measure of T4.
T-4 Free - 1.1 (Range 0.8-1.8 ng/dL) This is 30%. Too low in my opinion. You need additional testing.
Knitty,
You are nto fine IMO. You are borderline thyroid failure given the new adjusted A A C E TSH range of 0.3-3.0. Optimal is about 1.. not 2.4.
TSH 2.39
Free T4 1.2 - This is 40%. Optimal for a female wanting to have children is 60-80% of range. Optimal in general is 50-80% of range.
You need an FT3 run as well as the hashimoto's antibodies. Do not let the MD brush you off until you have completely evaluated your thyroid.. ESPECIALLY if you have symptoms.
Sincerely,
MG
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Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Thanks mkgbrook. I am going to get these tests done next week. I have an apointment with my physian in first week of May. Hopefully I will have these result with me before the apt.
I'll post the results in this forum for more advice.
What do you guys think about the above results? Both antibodies are high. Does that mean I am hypo or hyper? I am going to see an endo soon. Please recommend me what questions I should be asking.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
The antibodies show you are rip roaring Hashimoto's thyroiditis. You will go hypoT in time. In the mean time you may have periods of hyperT mixed in with the hypoT. The greater than 1000 show that your Hashimoto's is in full gear and hammering the fool out of your thyroid.
T3, uptake- 32 (22-35) This is looking good.
T3, Free- 342 (230-420) pg/dL => 58.9% This is in optimal range
T4, Free- 1.2 (0.8-1.8) ng/dL => 40% This is almost 20% lower than your T3. You are trending hypoT in the T4 region. You need to keep an eye on the Ft4 and FT3 levels. If the T3 continues to climb and the t4 just gets lower you may be looking at adrenal insufficiency on top of hashimoto's.
You could use a small dose of T4 supplementation (25-50 mcgs). This might slow down the destruction and make you feel better. More than that will definitely drive you into hyperT land. You do not need T3 given your T3 is higher than your T4. I would push for a fasting blood serum (8am) ACTH and cortisol test.. just to see where your main adrenal hormone lies. Depending on what that shows I may recommend more stuff. given your levels, your Endo may blow you off and say you are too normal to medicate. Some Endos want you to suffer until Hashimoto's kills off the thyroid. I do not believe in that... to much can go wrong if left unchecked.
MG
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Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
mgk and others,
I am back! I had my Endo apointment on Monday. He looked at my results and said, even though I have the antibodies, my TSH, FT3 and FT4 are too normal for medication. He did agree that most people with antibodies will eventually become hypo T. Overall, he looked like a nice guy and listened to me. He also said that he is treating some patients with TSH between 2-3.
He ordered another round of Thyroid tests and some other tests which are as follows:
TSH 1.937 (3.1-22.4)
FT4 1.36 (0.61-1.76)
Cortisol 19.8 (3.1-22.4)
A bunch of other test were also done: Glucose,BUN. Creatininc, BUN/Creatinic Ratio, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride, CO2, Calcium, Protein, Albumin, Globulin, A/G ratio, Bilirubin total, Alkaline Phosphate, AST, ALT. All came out normal except ALT which was 61 (0-55).
So here I am again totally confused. I have many symptoms of Hypo T: fatigue, weakness, weak hair, muscle wasting, stomach issues etc. Doctor doesnot want to treat but I guess I can try to push him to put on a very low dose. What do you guys suggest? I have been suffering from these symptoms for last 4-5 years still my TSH has not gone up yet despite of all the antibodies. How long will it take before it gets there? Also what about this high ALT test result? Do I need to pursue that?
I will be calling the doctor tomorrow. Any advice on what I should say will be really appreciated.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
One more thing, I have family history of Hypo T. My Dad and a couple of my first cousis from my Dad's side are hypo T. But all of them had high TSH right off the bat. So I don't know why I am not like that
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Hi Confused888 - Have you checked Vit D, Ferritin and B12? These are three that come to mind that are commonly low because of Hashi's and can cause many hypo-type symptoms as well. If low in these areas, you'll need to start supplementing.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Letterer, thanks for the reply. I will get those test done ASAP. Do you know if it is normal to see fluctuations in TSH? My last three results were as follows:
2nd week of April - 1.39 (1130am)
1st week of May - 1.0 (1100am)
2nd of June- 1.9 (0830am)
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
That kind of fluctuation in TSH is extremely minor and doesn't mean anything.
Even though symptoms can occur at any TSH level, if the free T4/T3 levels are inadequate for your particular needs, it's very hard to get the majority of doctors - especially endos - to treat solely on symptoms without regard to excruciatingly "normal" lab numbers.
The only endo I saw treats when antibodies are high, no matter where TSH is. She says that treating sooner rather than later can prevent goiter and alleviate symptoms while the thyroid gland is in the process of failing from the autoimmune attack. That's the kind of doctor you need, and I suspect they are very rare birds. You may get earlier treatment if you see a holistic type of doctor. DOs (doctors of osteopathy) are holistic, but mainstream enough that most insurers will reimburse them. Lots of thyroid patients have gotten help from DOs when MDs failed to help.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Midwest,
Thanks for the reply. I think I can try convincing the Doc to put me on a low dose. I am thinking probably I need a T4 supplement (in the first two test FT4 came out to below normal, however it was normal in the third one).
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Let me correct one thing... Your FT4 didn't come out "below normal", which would be below .8 ng/dL. It was what would be "below optimal" for most people. It has to be said that even your first two results are optimal for at least some people.
For the reason MG stated, you probably do not need a T3 supplement. A T4 drug would be the best choice for you. If you decide to push your MD for it and get it, use it with caution. Watch for hyperT symptoms and overmedication. There will be a list of them on the rX patient information sheet.
I just have a feeling that your MD might be right that it's a little too soon to medicate, but if done with due diligence, it can be tried.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Thanks for clearing that. I actually meant below optimal.
Sometimes, I wish I was like my Dad and my cousins who were not hypo one day and other day they were hypo. That would be so easy! Anyways, I am going to keep a tab on this. probably, get another set of tests done in a month.
I would really appreciate if some of the other veterans can give their opinion regarding T4 supplement.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Quote:
Originally Posted by confused888
One more thing, I have family history of Hypo T. My Dad and a couple of my first cousis from my Dad's side are hypo T. But all of them had high TSH right off the bat. So I don't know why I am not like that
With Hashimoto's it is very common to have TSH suppression. My TSH never went above 2.077, but my FT3 and FT4 levels were at the bottom of the barrel.
Getting the ferritin, B12, vit D tests run are a good idea. i also think that given the high optimal cortisol the T4 versus T3 ratio is not adrenal in nature. I think you would benefit from a 25-50 mcg T4 dose.
In the mean time make sure you have adequate iodine intake and selenium in your multivitamin.
There is no telling how long your family ran hypoT before they were caught. They could have lived at the stage you are at for years before an MDum stumbled on the right diagnosis. You may need to go around the Endo if you continue to have symptoms and the TSH doesn't climb too much higher. There is no reason you should be miserable when you have an obvious issue.
MG
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If we learn by our mistakes, I am working on one hell of an education.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkgbrook
Getting the ferritin, B12, vit D tests run are a good idea. i also think that given the high optimal cortisol the T4 versus T3 ratio is not adrenal in nature. I think you would benefit from a 25-50 mcg T4 dose.
MG
MG,
Thanks for the reply. I didn't understand the "given the high optimal cortisol the T4 versus T3 ratio is not adrenal in nature" part. Could you explain that.
So finally, after four rounds of tests, I have a TSH of greater than 2. I am so excited! I am going to push my endo for a T4 supplement. Which one should I ask for: generic or brand name? Should I ask for armour? Please advice on how to convince my endo to treat me.
Also: I know the T-3 Uptake test is mostly useless but does the high level has any significance?
So finally, after four rounds of tests, I have a TSH of greater than 2. I am so excited! I am going to push my endo for a T4 supplement. Which one should I ask for: generic or brand name? Should I ask for armour? Please advice on how to convince my endo to treat me.
Your TSH is an indicator of your bodies need for more/less thyroid hormone.. The fact yours is steadily climbing indicates you may need T4/T3 supplementation, but which do you need to supplement.
Initial test showed a 40% FT4 range with approximately a 60% T3 concentration. The next round showed a shift from 40% to
[1.36 - 0.61]/[1.76 - .61]* 100 = 66.08% This is a GOOD FT4 level.
Your FT4 is at 50% of normal range in these last results. You are fluxing and that can happen with Hashimoto's and diet shifts. This shifting implies that you are fluxing in and out of the bottom of the optimal range. Being at this level makes me think you may be developing an issue that is conversion based. I think you may be improperly converting your T4 to rT3 instead of T3. As a good practice you should always get the FT4 and FT3 drawn and run as a unti.
I wish you had gotten a FT3 run at this time as well. Your T3 Uptake shows you are converting your T4 at the top of the normal range rate. This would indicate that if the T4 was being converted at the proper ratio your TSH should be normal and your FT3 level would be balanced with FT4 or a bit higher. You didn't get an FT3 run so I can not comment further there. Something is up and warrents even more blood from you. Sorry about that. Something has changed for sure.
Have you had an rT3 run? You should get a FT3 and rT3 run for comparison. You may just need a T3 supplemental regime. Having your rT3 tested would go a long way to determine what is up. I am thinking you will need a T3 supplement. I am not sure how much a T4 supplement you can take. Given your T4 levels you do not have much wiggle room a 25 mcg T4 supplement may be your limit. It is possible that you will drive yourself hyperT in T4 while remaining hypoT in T3 if you are converting yout T4 to the inert reverse T3 in your liver.
Your cortisol is right at the top of the range it should reside at... IF your cortisol was LOW your T4 to T3 conversion would be running in over drive. Yours is not.. so your adrenal output is as desired. If your cortisol had been HIGH you would be suffering from Cushing types effects. Your cortisol levels are good so your adrenal function appears to be in good form.
MG
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If we learn by our mistakes, I am working on one hell of an education.
Re: Thyroid Test Result- Do I have thyroid? Please help 
