Question about lab results-please read on...

SueMaz · 04-15-2005, 01:17 AM

I'm hypothyroid for about 2 years, taking Synthroid 100mcg daily since I was diagnosed. I just had my second child 3 1/2 months ago and am nursing. I had a physical for a job 2 weeks ago and, since I was due to see my Endo, she offered to check my TSH and T4 levels. Both were very low. My TSH was 0.06 and my T4 was 1.8. Does that mean that my dose has to be adjusted? If not, what do you think of these levels? I'm going to be seeing my Endo soon but I'm hoping someone could tell me something prior to then. Thanks so much.

SueMaz · 04-15-2005, 01:40 AM

I think the T4 must be total as opposed to free because the nurse told me that it was low. HTHs!

SueMaz · 04-15-2005, 12:35 PM

I spoke with the nurse who gave me my results and it is the Free T4 that is 1.8 which is high (not low, sorry) according to her. I thought 1.8 was okay. Does this mean I'm hyperthyroid at this point?

nobimbo · 04-15-2005, 11:11 PM

Hi Sue,

You didn't give the lab range, but many of the lab ranges for FT4 indicate 0.8-2.0, so a 1.8 isn't above the lab range, just at the higher end of normal. If you aren't experiencing any symptoms and you're feeling fine, I wouldn't think your doc would feel the need to adjust your meds. The TSH is useless once you start on meds; your 0.06, while on the low side, isn't really a problem unless you're experiencing hyper symptoms. You might want to ask your doc to run a Free T3 to see what's going on with that just so you can get a full picture of your thyroid function.

Linda

SueMaz · 04-15-2005, 11:56 PM

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my post.

I appreciate it. My doctor finally called me and she recommended I keeping taking my regular dose 4 days per week but to only take 1/2 my regular dose the other 3 days. Then I'm to repeat my labs in 6 weeks. According to my doctor, the 1.8 is slightly high and the TSH and quite low so she did want to slightly lower my dosage. I don't have any symptoms except that I feel as though I had a bit too much caffeine lately. Otherwise, I feel fine, fortunately. Thanks again for your reply.

nobimbo · 04-16-2005, 08:59 AM

Sue, have you ever had a Free T3 a TPO antibodies test to rule out Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? The reason I ask is because if you did have it (Hashi's is very common with PCOS), most docs would want to keep the TSH suppressed. Also, if you did have it you may find that you're not converting T3 optimally and you may need some T3 med in the mix (adding Cytomel, or switching to Armour, for instance, would lower your T4 a bit).

Linda

Nektar75 · 04-16-2005, 01:48 PM

Sorry to butt in like that but you seem to know a lot about thyroid disorder and I would really appreciate your help. Do you think that with an anti TPO value of 106,5, a TSH of 3,2 and a FT3 of 5,1 (pmol/L) I could be a candidate for Hashimoto's as well? I have PCOS too. Doctor says my thyroid is fine. But I feel far from fine.
Hope you can help!
Thank you in advance
Katerina

nobimbo · 04-16-2005, 05:27 PM

Katerina, you need to find yourself a good endo who is knowledgable about thyroid problems. A person with a normal thyroid would not have a positive TPO test, and that is indicative of Hashi's. There are some docs who think it's best to wait until the thyroid eventually crashes (with Hashi's it will, it's just a matter of time) to treat Hashi's, but many believe that it is best to start treatment early to kill the antibodies and avoid permanent damage to the thyroid. Another reason to treat early is that one autoimmune disease is often linked with another, and early treatment may avoid other autoimmune complications.

. The typical lab range for FT3 is 1.4-4.4, so your FT3 is actually a bit above range (you'd have to see the lab range used for you to know for sure), so you are not having a conversion problem right now (not all Hashi patients have conversion problems). Your TSH is above what it should be (most people have a TSH of 1.0 or less, and 3.0 is now the suggested upper range), meaning your pituitary gland is working hard to keep up with stimulating your thyroid to release hormone.

Unfortunately, many docs are not properly trained in thyroid disorders. Here is a link to a list of top thyroid docs by state that may help you find a knowledgable doc:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/index.htm

I highly recommend you read through this very lengthy, informative thread from a low carb board concerning thyroid disorders, with tons of info especially about Hashi's:

http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=71576

HTH,
Linda

Nektar75 · 04-16-2005, 06:46 PM

I really appreciate your taking the time to write such a helpful and extensive reply! I come from Greece and the endocrinologists and gynaecologists I have visited in my little hometown seem to believe I'm a totally healthy if somwehat hysterical woman who blows this way out of proportion and needs to go home and stop worrying about it. Now I know I need to take my health into my own hands and seek help elsewhere. Thank you Linda and all the other ladies in this wonderful forum for making me realise that I'm not crazy or a hypochondriac.
I wish you all the best
Katerina