Aa
Are these normal results?
Hello, I have been very sick and unable to work, have a few diagnoses but my health is not good.
my test results
TSH: 3,68mIU/L (0,3-4,2)
FT4: 15,9 pmol/L (12-22)
FT3: was tested earlier, I dont have the result now but it was right in the middle at the normal range given by the lab.
I am so lost and I know there is something that is keeping my down and I want to fix that and start living my life again
thank you :)
my test results
TSH: 3,68mIU/L (0,3-4,2)
FT4: 15,9 pmol/L (12-22)
FT3: was tested earlier, I dont have the result now but it was right in the middle at the normal range given by the lab.
I am so lost and I know there is something that is keeping my down and I want to fix that and start living my life again
thank you :)
My newest results are
TSH: 4.9mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4 pmol/l 17.0 (10.3-24.5)
My free FT4 is better but my TSH only gets higher. Still waiting for my endo doctors appointment in June. Is this a confirmation that my thyroid is going hypo?Is this a reason to take medication?
TSH: 4.9mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4 pmol/l 17.0 (10.3-24.5)
My free FT4 is better but my TSH only gets higher. Still waiting for my endo doctors appointment in June. Is this a confirmation that my thyroid is going hypo?Is this a reason to take medication?
My DHEA levels are 2.7ng/mL (27microgr./dL) and I am 30 so I should be at almost the top of my life in DHEA. My levels are normal for someone older than 80
Wow, thanks for this information. So hopefully I could raise my DHEA and then my thyroid will balance and I will get rid of some of my symptoms....hopefully
Excerpt from Life Extension: The DHEA Debate...
"Naysayer: What’s wrong with thyroxine?
Stephen Cherniske, MS
Stephen Cherniske: Nothing. It is a useful drug to treat hypothyroidism; but there is something wrong with a health care system that does nothing to prevent a disease, and only springs to action when the problem becomes acute. The data strongly suggest that hypothyroidism develops in part due to declining levels of DHEA, and there is good evidence that people with optimal levels of DHEA are at decreased risk for thyroid disease.27-29 Moreover, hypothyroidism is often caused by an autoimmune reaction, and high levels of antithyroid antibodies have been correlated with low levels of DHEA.30"
I added a lot of info about DHEA on another answer if you are interested. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/New-Labs--dumb-food-allergy-test/show/1911263
"Naysayer: What’s wrong with thyroxine?
Stephen Cherniske, MS
Stephen Cherniske: Nothing. It is a useful drug to treat hypothyroidism; but there is something wrong with a health care system that does nothing to prevent a disease, and only springs to action when the problem becomes acute. The data strongly suggest that hypothyroidism develops in part due to declining levels of DHEA, and there is good evidence that people with optimal levels of DHEA are at decreased risk for thyroid disease.27-29 Moreover, hypothyroidism is often caused by an autoimmune reaction, and high levels of antithyroid antibodies have been correlated with low levels of DHEA.30"
I added a lot of info about DHEA on another answer if you are interested. http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/New-Labs--dumb-food-allergy-test/show/1911263
I am aiming for 125-150nmol/L in D-vit (not sure about ng/ml, somewhere around 80), good to know about B-12 I will aim higher.
Lupus has never been mentioned, my doctor is not happy about fibromyalgia diagnosis because that would be only because he did not find another diagnosis. Since I was a child I have had joint pain and swelling in my fingers but last 6 years I have been good but recently it has become a lot worse and more intense.
I will ask about the Rheumatoid factor.
Thank you so much for all these informations :)
Lupus has never been mentioned, my doctor is not happy about fibromyalgia diagnosis because that would be only because he did not find another diagnosis. Since I was a child I have had joint pain and swelling in my fingers but last 6 years I have been good but recently it has become a lot worse and more intense.
I will ask about the Rheumatoid factor.
Thank you so much for all these informations :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Vitamin D of 18 is still way too low - your level needs to be at least 50 and 60-80 would be even better.
Iron is taken to increase ferritin levels. Just because hemoglobin is good, doesn't mean iron is. Iron should be taken under doctor supervision, but if you decide to do it on your own, make sure you get a non-constipating type of iron.
600-700 is not high enough for most of us on the B-12; we need to be much higher than that to alleviate the fatigue and other symptoms, particularly if we've had them for a while. B-12 is water soluble, so is not toxic if you get too much. It merely goes out in urine.
Typically, an ANA (Anti Nuclear Antibody) test, along with some others are done to diagnose Lupus; that particular disease is often questionable. My daughter has been diagnosed with it, but I do question that diagnosis, at times, as her symptoms too closely match those of hypothyroidism.
Many doctors believe fibromyalgia is simply untreated or under treated hypothyroidism, since symptoms are alleviated when adequate thyroid hormones are prescribed. I would not accept a diagnosis of fibromyalgia because that leaves you with a round of medications that merely treat individual symptoms, not the underlying problem and the medications can often be worse than the symptoms.
RA is diagnosed via a test called Rheumatoid Factor, along with symptoms.
We're all different, so optimal range for FT3 and FT4 varies with the individual, but rule of thumb is for FT4 to be about mid range (50%) and for FT3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range. The highest any of your FT4 levels were was 40% in January 2013 and 39% in December 2014. Your one FT3 was only 40% of its range.
Iron is taken to increase ferritin levels. Just because hemoglobin is good, doesn't mean iron is. Iron should be taken under doctor supervision, but if you decide to do it on your own, make sure you get a non-constipating type of iron.
600-700 is not high enough for most of us on the B-12; we need to be much higher than that to alleviate the fatigue and other symptoms, particularly if we've had them for a while. B-12 is water soluble, so is not toxic if you get too much. It merely goes out in urine.
Typically, an ANA (Anti Nuclear Antibody) test, along with some others are done to diagnose Lupus; that particular disease is often questionable. My daughter has been diagnosed with it, but I do question that diagnosis, at times, as her symptoms too closely match those of hypothyroidism.
Many doctors believe fibromyalgia is simply untreated or under treated hypothyroidism, since symptoms are alleviated when adequate thyroid hormones are prescribed. I would not accept a diagnosis of fibromyalgia because that leaves you with a round of medications that merely treat individual symptoms, not the underlying problem and the medications can often be worse than the symptoms.
RA is diagnosed via a test called Rheumatoid Factor, along with symptoms.
We're all different, so optimal range for FT3 and FT4 varies with the individual, but rule of thumb is for FT4 to be about mid range (50%) and for FT3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range. The highest any of your FT4 levels were was 40% in January 2013 and 39% in December 2014. Your one FT3 was only 40% of its range.
Yes, d-vit has been tested again and was now in december 18ng/ml
Did not know that about ferritin. What should I take to get it higher? My hemoglobin is 133g/L (118-152)
I have been taking B12, just started in december because I wanted to aim higher so work in progress :) My doctor said that under 400 people could get symptoms but I was aiming for 600-700.
Not Lupus, how is that diagnosed? It has ones been talked about maybe fibromalgyia. My CRP has always been in normal range, how can you diagnose RA?
What is the optimal range for FT4 and FT3?
Did not know that about ferritin. What should I take to get it higher? My hemoglobin is 133g/L (118-152)
I have been taking B12, just started in december because I wanted to aim higher so work in progress :) My doctor said that under 400 people could get symptoms but I was aiming for 600-700.
Not Lupus, how is that diagnosed? It has ones been talked about maybe fibromalgyia. My CRP has always been in normal range, how can you diagnose RA?
What is the optimal range for FT4 and FT3?
COMMUNITY LEADER
You said your vitamin D was only 12 in June of this year... that's way too low. Even if you are on a high dose of 10,000 IU, you need to have it checked again to make sure it's coming up properly. Just because you take the vitamins, doesn't mean your levels are now normal.
Ferritin of 54 is not high enough. It needs to be at least 70-80, to insure adequate iron stores.
Neither is your vitamin B-12 level high enough. My lab puts a note on the report stating that anything under 500 may produce symptoms and the low end of the range, in some countries is 500. The range my lab uses is 200-1100 and I have to keep my level right at the very top or higher in order to alleviate symptoms.
Too many doctors, tend to look at lab result and believe that anything within a range is "good enough" and that's not true for many different things.
Have you been tested for things like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus?
Ferritin of 54 is not high enough. It needs to be at least 70-80, to insure adequate iron stores.
Neither is your vitamin B-12 level high enough. My lab puts a note on the report stating that anything under 500 may produce symptoms and the low end of the range, in some countries is 500. The range my lab uses is 200-1100 and I have to keep my level right at the very top or higher in order to alleviate symptoms.
Too many doctors, tend to look at lab result and believe that anything within a range is "good enough" and that's not true for many different things.
Have you been tested for things like Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus?
I am on high doses of vitamin D 10.000IU
My ferritin levels are 54 micrograms/L (15-150)
B-12 from 426-470 pmol/L (210-800)
I am also sure that my sickness is not only because of one thing but many combined :)
My ferritin levels are 54 micrograms/L (15-150)
B-12 from 426-470 pmol/L (210-800)
I am also sure that my sickness is not only because of one thing but many combined :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
I do feel that you have hypothyroidism, but I'm thinking that's not all that's going on. Because of the fever, I have to wonder about subacute thyroiditis, which can sometimes become permanent. Getting the TgAb test will help determine that.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause many hypo symptoms and I've read that vitamin D is necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones.
You should also ask your doctor to test your ferritin levels. Ferritin is an iron storage hormone and iron is necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones, as well.
Additionally, because of the fatigue, trouble concentrating and brain fog, you should ask your doctor to test vitamin B-12 levels. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause a fatigue that makes hypothyroidism feel like a walk in the park.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause many hypo symptoms and I've read that vitamin D is necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones.
You should also ask your doctor to test your ferritin levels. Ferritin is an iron storage hormone and iron is necessary for the metabolism of thyroid hormones, as well.
Additionally, because of the fatigue, trouble concentrating and brain fog, you should ask your doctor to test vitamin B-12 levels. Vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause a fatigue that makes hypothyroidism feel like a walk in the park.
Forgot some symptoms: very low bp 80/50 pulse 70, feeling like blacking out, feeling like I have extra heartbeat
In february 2013, I did not feel normal, was tired, nauseated and feeling of being unwell but functional but not at my best, lost 6 kg.
In january 2014 I had been getting low grade fever regulary, sinusitis and more infections. Really tired and feeling sick, trouble with concentrating, eye pain and vision problems, nauseated, bone pain, dizziness, vertigo, ear pressure, muscle weakness, loss of energy and a lot more.
I was diagnosed with burnout because of these symptoms and the doctors did not find anything that they thought could explain this. I was diagnosed in oct 2013 with endometriosis and in june 2014 I was 12ng/ml in vitamin D so I have been supplementing since june. Have had MRI of my brain to rule out brain tumor, MS and bleeding, everything was normal.
I am feeling like my sickness is hormonal related, I am in program to help me getting my health back with professional help but we all agree there is something missing that is stopping me from getting forward :(
Now I have feeling of being sick, no energy, joint pain, nauseated, sleep for 10 hours and still tired, eye pain/eye tiredness, low grade fever every now and then but my normal temperature is 36,7°C
I will try to get the doctor to order TgAb next time and add the FT3, he always order TSH and FT4.
Thanks for the answers from you both :)
In january 2014 I had been getting low grade fever regulary, sinusitis and more infections. Really tired and feeling sick, trouble with concentrating, eye pain and vision problems, nauseated, bone pain, dizziness, vertigo, ear pressure, muscle weakness, loss of energy and a lot more.
I was diagnosed with burnout because of these symptoms and the doctors did not find anything that they thought could explain this. I was diagnosed in oct 2013 with endometriosis and in june 2014 I was 12ng/ml in vitamin D so I have been supplementing since june. Have had MRI of my brain to rule out brain tumor, MS and bleeding, everything was normal.
I am feeling like my sickness is hormonal related, I am in program to help me getting my health back with professional help but we all agree there is something missing that is stopping me from getting forward :(
Now I have feeling of being sick, no energy, joint pain, nauseated, sleep for 10 hours and still tired, eye pain/eye tiredness, low grade fever every now and then but my normal temperature is 36,7°C
I will try to get the doctor to order TgAb next time and add the FT3, he always order TSH and FT4.
Thanks for the answers from you both :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
You said that in Feb of 2013, you were still able to work and function, but how were you really feeling? Did you feel "good" or were you just functioning? At that point, your FT4 was only at 40% of its range, so was not what we would, typically, consider optimal. Over the past year, your FT4 has pretty much declined, until your December test when it was back up to 39% of its range - still not optimal by any means.
Your FT3 was only at 40% of its range, when it was tested, which, also, is quite a way from what we'd consider optimal.
What type of "sickness" did you start having in January of 2014... what were your symptoms?
What symptoms did you have in November and who "put you to bed" and for how long?
You said you have some diagnoses... what are they?
You said you had TPO tested - that would have been TPOab, which is one of the thyroid antibodies Red_Star mentioned. It "is" necessary to have the Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) tested since both, TPOab and TgAb are markers for Hashimoto's. If TPOab had been positive it wouldn't be necessary to test TgAb, but since it was negative, you risk missing the diagnosis if you don't get the TgAb. Both TPOab and TgAB are thyroid antibodies.
You also need to have Free T3 tested every time you have Free T4 and TSH because Free T3 is the hormone actually used by the individual cells so without testing it, you really don't know what's going on. Your latest TSH is higher than it should be, even though your lab range goes up to 4.2.
What symptoms are you having now?
Your FT3 was only at 40% of its range, when it was tested, which, also, is quite a way from what we'd consider optimal.
What type of "sickness" did you start having in January of 2014... what were your symptoms?
What symptoms did you have in November and who "put you to bed" and for how long?
You said you have some diagnoses... what are they?
You said you had TPO tested - that would have been TPOab, which is one of the thyroid antibodies Red_Star mentioned. It "is" necessary to have the Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) tested since both, TPOab and TgAb are markers for Hashimoto's. If TPOab had been positive it wouldn't be necessary to test TgAb, but since it was negative, you risk missing the diagnosis if you don't get the TgAb. Both TPOab and TgAB are thyroid antibodies.
You also need to have Free T3 tested every time you have Free T4 and TSH because Free T3 is the hormone actually used by the individual cells so without testing it, you really don't know what's going on. Your latest TSH is higher than it should be, even though your lab range goes up to 4.2.
What symptoms are you having now?
This is info from Medscape - Hashimoto's Thyroiditis in Patients With Normal Thyroid-stimulating Hormone Levels...
"Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is characterized by the presence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and/or antibodies against thyroglobulin (TG-Ab). It is one of the most common autoimmune endocrine disorders of the female population and the most prevalent cause of subclinical or overt hypothyroidism in areas with sufficient iodine intake.[1] It is associated with a wide range of organ-specific and non-organ-specific autoimmune diseases, some malignant diseases, and others.[2] Moreover, it has also been shown to substantially affect a patient's quality of life.[3,4]"
"Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is characterized by the presence of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and/or antibodies against thyroglobulin (TG-Ab). It is one of the most common autoimmune endocrine disorders of the female population and the most prevalent cause of subclinical or overt hypothyroidism in areas with sufficient iodine intake.[1] It is associated with a wide range of organ-specific and non-organ-specific autoimmune diseases, some malignant diseases, and others.[2] Moreover, it has also been shown to substantially affect a patient's quality of life.[3,4]"
My TPO has been tested and was negative. I had a hard time getting TPO and FT3 tested so I am not sure I wil get my doctor to test thyroglobulin antibodies and thyroid antibodies :/ If TPO is normal is the other test also needed?
Your first lot of labs is your gauge for normal thyroid function. When you are ill this affects TSH function tests. For instance, my sister had dengue fever which affected her TSH; TSH of 0.4 (0.4 - 4.0) with a free T4 of 12 (10 - 20). She has Hashimoto's thyroiditis as well.
From your labs and how you are feeling, you can see your free hormone levels dropping as you feel worse and rising again as you start to feel a bit better. I would recommend testing thyroid antibodies - thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies to see if you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
From your labs and how you are feeling, you can see your free hormone levels dropping as you feel worse and rising again as you start to feel a bit better. I would recommend testing thyroid antibodies - thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies to see if you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
Here are my older results and a little bit of my story
February 2013
TSH:1.9 (0,4-4)
FT4:16.1 (10,3-24,5)
This was a routine check, still working and functional in life
january 2014
TSH: 3 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 14,9 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)
In january 2014, everything started to collapse, no energy, sick all the time, felt terrible. Only able to work 2-3 days a week
May 2014
TSH:2,2 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 13,4 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)
FT3: 4,2 pmol/L (2,8-6,5)
October 2014
TSH:2,0 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 14,7 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)
In october I started to feel a lot better, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel :)
December 2014
TSH:3,68mIU/L (0,3-4,2)
FT4:15,9 pmol/L (12-22)
in november something went wrong and was put to bed again and feeling awful :(
February 2013
TSH:1.9 (0,4-4)
FT4:16.1 (10,3-24,5)
This was a routine check, still working and functional in life
january 2014
TSH: 3 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 14,9 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)
In january 2014, everything started to collapse, no energy, sick all the time, felt terrible. Only able to work 2-3 days a week
May 2014
TSH:2,2 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 13,4 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)
FT3: 4,2 pmol/L (2,8-6,5)
October 2014
TSH:2,0 mU/I (0,4-4)
FT4: 14,7 pmol/L (10,3-24,5)
In october I started to feel a lot better, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel :)
December 2014
TSH:3,68mIU/L (0,3-4,2)
FT4:15,9 pmol/L (12-22)
in november something went wrong and was put to bed again and feeling awful :(
My TSH is normally around 1.4 to 1.6. My TSH rose above that range due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis (both thyroid peroxidase antibodies and thyroglobulin antibodies elevated). A TSH of 2.8 and free T4 of 15.5 is not my normal.
TSH - 1.5 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
Free T4 - 16.6 pmol/L (10 - 20)
TSH - 2.8 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
FreeT4 - 15.5 pmol/L (10 - 20)
TSH - 3.7 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
Free T4 - 15 pmol/L (10 - 20)
Free T3 - 4.7 pmol/L (2.8 - 6.8)
TSH - 6 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
Free T4 - 13 pmol/L (10 - 20)
TSH - 1.5 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
Free T4 - 16.6 pmol/L (10 - 20)
TSH - 2.8 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
FreeT4 - 15.5 pmol/L (10 - 20)
TSH - 3.7 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
Free T4 - 15 pmol/L (10 - 20)
Free T3 - 4.7 pmol/L (2.8 - 6.8)
TSH - 6 mU/L (0.4 - 4.0)
Free T4 - 13 pmol/L (10 - 20)
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