I wrote in another thread about my results...I wrote something wrong I think...my I think said Free T3 Total RE and it was 105 and my Free T4 was 1.2. How are these levels? Does it look like I have to be on anything, my endo says they're in good range, but I'm wondering about the Free T3?
I hope I got it right when I talked to here.
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Hi there! I'm not sure if perhaps it's different ranges or measurements from Canada to USA (I'm here in Canada) but from what I was told normal ranges are TSH .35-5.00 and T4 Free 10-20 and T3 Free 2.6-5.7 HTH.
Hi there! I'm not sure if perhaps it's different ranges or measurements from Canada to USA (I'm here in Canada) but from what I was told normal ranges are TSH .35-5.00 and T4 Free 10-20 and T3 Free 2.6-5.7 HTH.
While the TSH ranges are pretty standard no matter what lab is used (because the units of measurement used are the same), that isn't true for other thyroid tests. US ranges for FT3 are usually stated in "pg/ml" units (picograms per milliliter...typical range is 1.4-4.4 pg/ml); FT4 ranges are usually stated in "ng/dl" (nanograms per deciliter...typical range is .8-2 ng/dl). Your Canadian lab is using "PMOL/L" units (picomoles per liter).
Here's a blurb about how confusing the Free T3 lab ranges can be:
The National Academy for Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) published a consensus statement in November 2002 with guidelines stating that the normal range for Free T3 should be 3.5-7.7 pmol/L (0.2 - 0.5 ng/dL).
In other sources, such as a web site called Family Practice Notebook, they list a reference range for Free T3 of 230 – 619 pg/dL.
Meanwhile, Diagnostic Automation, Inc, one company that makes a lab test for Free T3, lists their reference range as 1.4 – 4.2 pg/mL.
__________________ 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
On the T3 ranges - all I can tell you is my DR said he likes to see them around 400 in people with Hashimoto's and Hypothyroidism. I would assume he is using the pg/dL erference there.
Armour is the best thyroid medication for T3 problems I have found so far.
My T3 is currently around 94 which is double what it was a month ago. Still along way to go.
I have a question- I asked to have my FT3 checked based on research, my TSH is .7, so they said with it that close to the low end there is nothing wrong with my FT3, it doesn't need to be checked. Sound right, or should I get a second opinion??
I have a question- I asked to have my FT3 checked based on research, my TSH is .7, so they said with it that close to the low end there is nothing wrong with my FT3, it doesn't need to be checked. Sound right, or should I get a second opinion??
If you are having symptoms, I would pursue more testing. You can have low FT3 and have a normal or even low TSH. Here's some info:
Quote:
If one measures the Free T3 and Free T4 levels the only accurate measure of the actual active thyroid hormone levels in the blood, as well as the TSH, one will find out how often a low normal TSH does NOT exclude hypothyroidism. It is relatively common to find the Free T4 and Free T3 hormone levels below normal when TSH is in its normal range, even in the low end of its normal range. When patients with these lab values are treated, one typically finds tremendous improvement in the patient, and a reduction of the classic hypothyroid symptoms.
There are a significant number of individuals who have a TSH below 1.5 but their Free T3 (and possibly the Free T4 as well) will be below normal. These are cases of secondary or tertiary hypothyroidism, so, TSH alone is not an accurate test of all forms of hypothyroidism, only primary hypothyroidism.
__________________ 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
OK, so my next question- is there any way I can just go and get tested myself since my endo doesn't think it's necessary? Like can I walk in to a lab and ask them to do it?
NOt likely - you just have to urge your endo to look at it. I mean after all your insurance and you are the ones paying for the bloodwork - so what is it going to hurt. TSH is not the end all be all of thyroid diagnosis.
OK, so my next question- is there any way I can just go and get tested myself since my endo doesn't think it's necessary? Like can I walk in to a lab and ask them to do it?
Yes, you can order the tests online at healthcheckusa.com, they send you to a lab near you, then they send you the results. The cost for Thyroid panel II (FT4, FT3, and TSH) is $75.00 (it costs much more when ordered by your doc). Here's the 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
What about TPO Antibodies Testing? Can you order that online, nobimbo? I am being treated for hypothyroidism based mostly on my elevated TSH level. After reading about the TPO Antibodies test on this website, I requested it at my endo's office. They said that particular test was not one listed under their diagnosis "code" for hypothyroidism, and that my insurance would most likely give me a lot of grief if I demanded the TPO Antibodies test without the doctor's recommendation.
I could be wrong, but isn't the Antibodies testing an important one in the diagnosis of thyroid disorders?
Yes, you can order the antibodies test at healthcheckusa, but they only run those at selected labs (called "Lab One"), so you'd have to see if there is one of those located near you (you can find out on their website). Here's the link for the antibodies test (they are not expensive at all; you can get both antibodies tests for $60):
Many expert recommend that all women with PCOS get screened for Hashi's, and that is usually done with the antibodies tests. Here is a link for more info about that, and maybe you can use the info there to convince your doc and/or insurance company that it's important for you to have a thorough thyroid eval:
__________________ 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
Free T3 and Free T4 results...need advice again? 
