I was recently dx with PCOS and had labwork done while at the endo. My TSH was 2.640, T4 was 8.7, and T3 was 22. From what I can tell my TSH is just a bit high and my T3 is a bit low. Could this put me at being hypo? I have several of the symptoms of hypothyroidism and my grandma had it. She had a goiter and my thyroid is enlarged. The endo did an ultrasound on it during the first visit b/c of the size. He says my thyroid is fine though (labwork #s fine too). Also, he didn't think I needed meds for anything although my sugar levels are not great (definitely pre-diabetic numbers), body hair, and acne.
Could you please post the lab ranges for your tests?
If you were not given a free T4 and free T3, it is impossible to rule out hypothyroidism, but most docs will only order the Full T4 and Full T3.
Since you have symptoms, an enlarged thyroid, and family history of thyroid disease, you should have an antibodies test (TPO antibodies). If you test positive for the antibodies, you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. There is a strong connection between Hashi's and PCOS, and many experts now say that women with PCOS should be screened for Hashi's as well. With Hashi's, the antibodies attack the thyroid gland, and the patient may not experience symptoms or be hypothyroid on their lab results for many years. Sometimes they go through periods of hyperthyroidism until the thyroid gland is destroyed and then hypothyroidism sets in. Some docs think treatment isn't warranted until the patient actually becomes hypo; others believe it's important to treat it early before it progressives. An enlarged thyroid gland is a common symptom of Hashi's.
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
Thank you for your reply! The only other number I have for my throid labs is the Free Thyroxine Index. It was a 1.9 on a scale of 1.2-4.9. Is this good?
FTI is calculated from the full T4 and the T3 uptake tests and gives a measure of the free T4 indirectly. The halfway mark in the lab range you gave would be 3.05. Your result was 1.9. Your T4 is well below the midpoint of the range. It should be midway to feel your best, and explains why you are having symptoms. This is why docs shouldn't go by the lab ranges alone.
I think the "T3" test you had was actually a T3 uptake test, since the lab range for this is usually 27 - 47 (Optimal Adult Reading: 37), yours is 22. That isn't an actual test of T3 levels, but an antiquated test for T4. Your T4 is low, and you need a free T3 test. You probably also need a new doc.
Linda
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
Yes, I agree. I didn't like this doctor at all. I called and made another appointment the very next day with a different doctor. The one I will be seeing is an endo that specializes in reproductive endo and thyroid. Also, he is the head of the dept at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Hopefully, this will go better. When I called they had just happened to have a cancellation so I will be there this coming Monday. Thank you for your help!
do I have hypothyroid? 
