Can I get a thyroid blood test at my GP or do I have to go to a specialist?
as opposed to, say, insulin, the effects of thyroid hormone are extremely long-lasting -- days rather than minutes -- so a daily dose is more than adequate. A pump would be completely unnecessary and not provide any benefit above a well-selected daily pill.
if the T3 and T4 are normal, then there's little reason to think there's a problem. TSH should be normal to low when those other tests are normal. It's when TSH is high and the T's are low that there's a problem, or when the TSH is low and the T's are high. Generally speaking. TSH tells the thyroid to make T's. If the thyroid is not responding because it's damage, the TSH keeps going up. If the thyroid is overproducing, as in Grave's disease, the TSH shuts off. Mosts tests have a range of normal, and when the thryoid is producing the right amount, that's the bottom line.
Hello Surg...& thanks so much for your posts. I have a Q for you? What is your opinion of the normal range for TSH? And do you also think that a pill a day can compensate for your thyroid. I have been hoping for many years that someone will come up with a pump to administer the drug ~ "Synthroid" (to act more like a natural thyroid) do you think that this will ever happen? :) I appreciate any info you may have... Teri
I am now beggining to understand more about the thyroid test. The doctors said low thyroid and thats what I asumed. The TSH serum is .06 and the test report shows out of range. The T4 and the T3 both seem to be within normal range. I am realy not sure what that means as far as my thyroid goes, from what I am reading the TSH represents the pituitary hormone which over compensates when the thyroid is low. So I am not sure what is going on now, but I will have to push the issue with my doctor until I do understand. Thank you for all the help.
I always thought we were talkng about the TSH, as it is most always what the doc's give you for the test results. I have to wonder now if the other level results are as important when you are on a mantinence plan as I am? I have more Q's for my Doc....you can never have too many :)
you need to understand that there are several tests done to measure thyroid function. The number .06, without knowing which test it represents, and without knowing the value of at least one -- and often two -- more tests makes any assessment impossible.
Hi Again...I found a good web site I hope will help http://www.ithyroid.com/thyroid_test_interpretation.htm
You are right you are on the low end...I misunderstood...must be my thyroid..lol! I also wanted to correct what my Dr.wants my norms to be...between .02 - 1.9 You know it could an individual thing for the patients and I am sure each Dr has their own opinions for what is the normal range and treatment. Maybe you should get a 2nd opinion. I tell ya what... I need to go and have my annual check up in the next month or so...I will ask my doc about normal ranges and if the normal range is universal and right for everyone...I'll let you know :)
Thank you Teri, but I don't understand your comment. I am under the impression that .06 is very low thyroid. The report showed that I was not in the normal level but far below normal.
Greetings...I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 10 years ago. at the time my thyroid level was 86. It took quite awhile to get it down into the normal range (with medication) which at the time she said was between .02 - .09 I have it checked yearly now and it usually is .06 I hope this helps. I have heard that there are Dr's out there that treat high normals, when symptoms are present. The best advise I can give you is get educated...there are great books out there and so much to learn about thyroid disorders. Let me know if you need a recomendation...good luck to you :) Teri