He wouldnt treat me for anything until i had new test results he was a little concerned about the MCV, so i asked could they be sent out to me as soon as they got them. i recieved them in the post this morning,
09/09/04
Can somebody tell me what these mean? and what effects do these have on my thyroid? These tests were to confirm an underactive thyroid. Do they confirm it?
I'm concerned about the TSH being so high in the first test, and then it being a little high in the 2nd test. You definitely have something going on with your thyroid.
Looks like you could use some b12 in your diet. The best way to take it is sublingually, you can get "dots" to put under your tongue that dissolve and get sucked into your blood stream directly (they really do dissolve quickly, are flavored so don't taste bad etc.).
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PCOS+IR, Hypothyroidism
Sleep Apnea (cured by tonsillectomy)
30-Something Mommy of 2
Logan Scott born April 9, 2004!
Conor James born Nov 1, 2006.
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Thanks for your replies, i went to my GP last wednesday for him to tell me what is happening reguarding these results, well he said they were fine and no further action needs to be taken and that i am now being referred to a gynae for fertility advice or help. Should i wait and see what happens?, i felt such a fool on wednesday morning i was angry, upset and frustrated. I just wanted to cry.
Do i go back and ask him to review all test results in the past 6 months or do i just leave it? Does it look like i have a thyroid problem?
Since it was the endo who ordered the tests, I suggest you talk to him about the results. Since your MCV was high, he may have suspected anemia which is why he ran the additional tests. Anemia can cause symptoms that mimic low thyroid, and can even inhibit thyroid function. As Shena pointed out, your B12 (and folate) are low, and along with a high MCV can indicate anemia. You need to have a complete iron panel run (including ferritin, which is the measure of stored iron in the body). If you are taking Metformin, it can interfere with b12 absorption, and it is recommended to take b12 supplements to mediate that effect. My doc put me on a b12/folic acid supplement last year not only because of severe anemia (from excessive menstrual bleeding), but because of long-term Met use.
As Shena also pointed out, your TSH is high, which may indicate hypothyroidism. The difference in the test results after only a couple of months is not unusual. It is not uncommon for the TSH level to vary as much as 3 points during the day. To get a better picture of your thyroid status, it is important to get a Free T4 (which you had) and a Free T3. Your TSH should be around or under a 1, your FT4 and FT3 both should be about midway of lab range (I know you already had a FT4 run, but you didn't post the lab range, so it's hard to tell without it). Now, if the FT3 is very low (this could be from eating not enough carbs or calories btw), you may also want to then check to see if you have the antibodies for autoimmune thyroid disease. Presence of TPO antibodies may indicate Hashimoto Thyroiditis, which is the most common type of hypothyroidism, and is seen often in women with PCOS. Most docs won't run this test unless the other thyroid tests are suspect, but I'm glad that I insisted on my doc running it for me last year even when my other thyroid tests were normal, as it indicated presence of the antibodies (although a bit below the lab range).
If your endo is not open to running other tests, you can have these performed yourself through:
If you order the Thyroid Profile II (TSH, FT4, FT3), they will send you to a lab near you, and instead of paying the 300 dollar fee to a doctor's lab you can use the promotional code 12345 at checkout, and it's gonna be around 90 dollars or less. They will fax, or email you with the results.
So, discuss this with your endo (your gp probably has limited knowledge about thyroid problems), and ask him about further tests for your iron status and for your thyroid. You can and should begin B12/folic acid supplementation right away.
If your doc tells you that your 3.14 TSH test is normal, find another endo! You can find a list of top thyroid docs in the UK at this link:
__________________ 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
I received a letter 2 days ago from the endo saying that my results were very satisfactory and now i am being referred to a gynae. I am not to see the endo anymore.
The lab range on my T4 was9-26pmol/l so i guess this is normal. I am not on any meds or going to be until i see the gynae i suppose. i was going to go back to my GP this week but i have been so busy, do you think there is something wrong? Should i be worried?
i checked the uk website for thyroid doctors and i rang them and they said they will not comment on my results as they dont know my medical history.
The lab range on my T4 was9-26pmol/l so i guess this is normal. I am not on any meds or going to be until i see the gynae i suppose. i was going to go back to my GP this week but i have been so busy, do you think there is something wrong? Should i be worried?
Pam, your T4 looks ok, but your TSH numbers are high (both of them). Your doc has been trained to think that a TSH up to 5 is normal, and if it's a little above that (like your first reading of 8.25) it's still nothing to worry about. The new guidelines, at least in the U.S., were revised last year; the range for acceptable thyroid function, and thyroid treatment should be considered for patients who test between the target TSH levels of 0.3 to 3.04. There are some experts who believe the upper level of the range should be more like 2. And I as I said previously, most people feel best when it's closer to 1.
You most likely won't be able to get your regular doc to run a Free T3 or a TPO antibodies test, because he is not going to think your TSH number is a concern. You might want to get some testing at an independent lab. Sorry about posting the healthcheckusa link, since that is not available in the UK (wasn't thinking!).
There is a UK thyroid disease spot on the www.about.com Thyroid Disease site I do believe, there are several UK posters over there...you might sign up for their forums and start posting for help from other UK'ers. Good luck.
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
does these new results mean i have a thyroid problem? 
