Hypothyroid question

[tame2]

Hi- I'm a 23 yo female (T1 diabetic).  I recently moved, went to a new endo and had some bloodwork (for A1c, etc), and recently got my lab results in the MAIL, with my TSH circled, with "You are hypothyroid" scribbled next to it, and a prescription for medication.  Phew.  You think he'd call!??

Anyway. I was hoping someone might be able to help interpret the results.. I left a msg for the endo but probably won't get a call back anytime soon since he is the ONLY endo in town.  My TSH was 7.3 and my free T4 was 1.1.  No T3 listed.  I've been looking around the web and can't seem to find how to interpret the results (except that the TSH is high).  Also, at the time I had the blood draw, I had just eaten and my blood glucose was 350.  Could this interfere with thyroid tests?   Help, anyone?  Thanks!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The elevated TSH means that the brain is interpreting the thyroid balance in the body as LOW and requesting (via Thyroid Stimulating Hormone - TSH) that the thyroid increase its production.  If this is the only abnormal TSH you have had (and you are feeling otherwise okay) then I would wait 4-6 weeks and repeat the TSH, free T4 and obtain anti-TPO and anti-Tg antibodies.  If the TSH is still high, then treatment should be considered.  The antibodies will confirm the anticipated diagnosis of Hashimoto's (increased risk in T1DM) which is an autoimmune attack against the thyroid.  The elevated glucose in most cases did not interfere with the TSH.

[tnt406]

Hi I had blood work done back in March,I remember my neurologist saying that I did not have lupus.I called mt neurologist all so to find out for sure.I have had the test done.I just didn't know the name for it,sorry.I have all so had my DNA strand she said.I didn't ask what that was.Do I need to be retested?I do not have a rash on my face though.And I am not sensitive to the sun.I looked up the symptoms.I have had a stroke,and heart attack.But I have all so done research on the thyroid gland.It to can cause strokes and heart attacks.Last year when I had my partial hysterectomy,my blood pressure was real low 102/45.My doctor said I would be o.k and went on and done the surgery.The anetisiologist was smacking my face to wake up,when he put me under and a nurse was shaking me.I came to dazed and confused I thought it was all over in stead they had me drink some thing bitter.Then put me back under.I was all so over dosed on morphine shots.I was out for 6 hours,I couldn't wake my self up.I have been having health problems for years.I just kept thinking they would get better on their own.My daddy died of cancer,I begged him for a year to get checked out.But he was stubborn.My mother tells me I am just like him.He kept on saying it would get better.I learned that saying from my daddy.You know what it doesn't get better it gets worst and then you are miserable and you want to get fixed.My 11 year old son asks my husband if I am going to die.Because I don't want to eat and don't feel hungry.My son has ADHD,and he is the one that is closer to me.I don't like watching him be scared all the time.It breaks my heart.I don't know what else to do.I just want to feel like my old self again.TNT406