hypo or hyper?

Hey guys,
      When it comes to the thyroid, does one want to be hypo or hyper?  My last test results done on 11/28/06 are as follows:

Thyroid Panel with TSH
  
     TSH      3.146         uIU/ml                      Range 0.350-5.500
      Thyroxine   (T4)     9.1                           Range:  4.5 - 12.0
     T3 Uptake    27                                       Range:  24-39
     Free Thyroxine Index  2.5                        Range: 1.2-4.9
     Amylase Serum           52                         Range:  0-99

I don't understand these values?  I am pre-tx. and will be tx on Jan 23rd.  If anyone has any insite would you please share?

In Him,
Rick

[AMAZED]

P.S:  My doc didn't seem to concern about them in that she stated that when it came to my thyroid everything seemed OK.  I am one the worries quite a bit, and try as I may, I question everything.  Do these seem OK?

[lackalustre]

i have had to learn about the thyroid.  a very good place to start is www.stopthethyroidmadness.com        you need to get the proper tests and find the right dr. for your thyroid.  im now on a low dose of Armour thyroid.  good luck

[ladybug52]

I think those lab values look good. I don't think you want to be hyper or hypo, just within normal limits. I left a message on your home phone. I'm feeling kinda yucky today, I was going to go into work again today but I blew it off. Take care.
Still loooking up
Janice

[willows]

During tx and after, I had sooo many thryoid tests that came back with one number out of whack and the next month, another number would be out of whack.  I had a good talk with one of my docs about it finally.  Hep C causes strains on all of our organs and when you add tx, the thyroid can go from hyper to hypo in months, and if you are not tested during those months, a doc would never know it.

My trouble finally resolved itself, after 6 months of additional fatigue and some gained weight and then some months of hyper activity, giving me a rapid heartbeat, etc.  The only thing I found to help was to walk a little every day, no matter how thrashed I was.  

All in all, my experience with my thyroid was fairly frustrating, but if it helps any for you, the whole situation finally resolved itself, but not with any help from my docs.  It took about two years after I STOPPED tx for my tests to normalize.  Hope you don't have to go so long, if you are still concerned, I would find a good doc that specializes in glands.  Which is not that easy, especially when you throw Hep c in the mix.  Doctors are getting more educated about Hep C and tx, but it can still be a chore, just finding someone knowlegeable to talk to.  Hope it works out for you.

Willows

[DoubleDose]

I agree, your thyroid values are just fine.  Therapy often causes the TSH to elevate, and if you move above 6 or 7 on the TSH during tx, you may want to discuss thyroid replacement therapy.  Its better than adding Hypothyroid related symproms to your tx symptoms.  Its common to experience Hypothyroidism while on tx, and after ending therapy many people see their TSH values return to normal.  Some continue to experience permanent Hypothyroid TSH values after therapy, indicating that the thyroid gland was damaged or compromised while taking interferon. Remember, the higher the TSH value, the more Hypothyroid one is, or LACKING in thyroid hormone. You would then need to take thyroid replacement medication (synthroid, or similar) on a permanent basis.  Ideally, the TSH number is most normal when it is in the 1.0 to 2.0 range.  Some people experience Hypothyroid symptoms when their TSH gets into the 4 to 5 range or above.  The new cutoff point for the upper TSH value is now a little above 3.0, according to the Endocrinology Assn.

Have your doctor keep an eye on the TSH value during your ongoing, regular tx labwork.

Good Luck on Tx.  

DoubleDose

[Pdilly]

The ranges differ person to person.  Your thyroid works with your purtuitory (sp)  glands.  THey have mine on high as in the normal range I went very hypo and gained weight eating salads and vegies.  Really a bummer.  Now I don't gain weight anymore.  Exercising and doing weights did not make any difference other than I felt great.

[FLG8R]

what does tx mean?

[crsrph]

your numbers look fine . would worry about high t3 and t4 levels  or hyper thyroid activity  or thyroid storm these are dangerous . also tsh is not that good of an indication of t3 or t4 levels would have those checked also during tx normaly they pull only tsh and sometimes t3 .just my thoughts

[ladybug52]

I have been worried about SFBayGirl. She hasn't been around much since the holidays and right around the appt with the specialist. Hope she's just takin it easy and everything's o.k. Thanks for the input, I'm just sippin gingerale and reading a novel. My girls are home (28 and 23)and my little grandaughter Taylor spent the night. I have so much to be thankful for.
Hugs from Bug
Janice

[MissMiss]

I'm going to do a search for the new low values for TSH but if you happen to have a link, I would appreciate it.  I'm 5 mos post.  December saw my tsh at 12.75, Jan it is 7.36.  My GP is not worried about it cause the free T4 was 1.1 and 1.0 respectively, said all is normal.  I was the one who suggested we check cause of how I was feeling.  

I need to show him the new normal since PAML still has the old values as normal.  

Thanks.

miss