Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Can you help me understand my test results?

Hello!  I am new here and would appreciate any assistance you can give me.  I have just seen a second Rheumatologist after I was informed I had Scelroderma.  Knowing my body for the past 2 years I have asked every doctor I have seen to check my thyroid and each has told me it was normal.  Now I received the following test results from the new Rheumatologist.  I am scheduled to see him in 2 weeks.  They post your test results for you to review prior to your next visit.  SO...I am doing research and in my opinion this looks like autoimmune issues with my thyroid, however, I could be wrong.  Any insight you can help me with would be greatly appreciated.  I am not patient to wait until my visit to ask the doctor.  I do realize there are so many factors when looking at the results.  I hope this post correctly for you to see.

Thanks for you help!


Name                                           Value                                                    Reference Range
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Ab          611                                                       0-34
Antithyroglobulin Ab                       144                                                        0-40
TSH                                              3.378                                                     0.350-5.500
Thyroxine (T4)                                5.7                                                        4.5-12.0
T3 Uptake                                      34                                                          24-39
Free Thyroxine Index                      1.9                                                          1.2-4.9

10 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
523918 tn?1244549831
This is what I read about:
"The ANA results are just one factor in diagnosing, and must be considered together with the patient's clinical symptoms and other diagnostic tests. Medical history also plays a role because some prescription drugs can cause "drug-induced ANAs"."


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I hope you get some answers soon.  Like you I just want to know what I have I have been getting the run around for 2 years now.  Some days I am so bad that my husband just lets me crash for a couple of days. He has gotten so good at being able to tell when I am going to get a "flair-up"  Still don't don't what I flair up with but it has gotten old.

I do know I do not have Lupus even though at first I would have thought I did when conducting searches on symptoms only.  I have had several blood test rule it out.  
Helpful - 0
523918 tn?1244549831
Scelroderma can give positive ANA's (60%-90%). So it's why you have them positives
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry for not being clear my hormone replacement is due to having to have a hysterectomy last year and is not thyroid related.  I just didn't think when I sent my post when I mentioned I was on hormone therapy.  I am still trying to find a doctor who can tell me why I have the high ANA and what is wrong with me.  As of right now I can not seem to find one.  But hopefully soon.  
Helpful - 0
523918 tn?1244549831
Hi again, this ANA's are really confused, they can be positive in patients with hashimoto, like AR-10 said  "It indicates autoimmune activity" but it isn't a marker for thyroid. I got a question to Dr. Lupo : hashimoto and ANA's and he told me that patients with hashimoto  can have positive ANA's but usually not so high as I have (1:640). I'm checking in hospital this ANA's cocktail and I will know the results on the 30 th. So, no one wants to treat me (I have Hashimoto, high titer of TPO and my TSH is 2,9), and I feel so tired, insonias sometimes, can't do exercise. Positive ANA doesn't mean is LUPUS, many autoimune diseases can give positive ANA's (fibromyalgia, etc). But 95% of people with Lupus have positive ANA's....
Helpful - 0
213044 tn?1236527460
If you are taking thyroid hormone replacement already, then your dosage needs to be bumped up just a little. Your TSH needs to be under 2.0, and being off one full point can give you hypo symptoms.

The problem is finding just the right dose that won't make you hyper.

The ANA thing needs to be tracked down with further testing. It indicates autoimmune activity, but not thyroid related. It may take several tests and a process of elimination to figure out why your ANA is high.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Wow!  Thanks for the information.  I am on hormone replacement therapy now wonder if it needs to be adjusted.  My main complaints have been fatigue, weight gain, numbness and tingling this has been going on for 2 years trying to get a answer as to what is wrong.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for such a quick response. From what I could figure out I was thinking Hashimoto.  I also have elevated ANA as well. That is why a neurologist thought I may have had Lupus and referred my to the first rhemey.  I have a feeling this doctor is one I am going to have to push to do anything.  How does Hashimoto usually get treated?
Helpful - 0
213044 tn?1236527460
The first two tests are thyroid antibody tests. They show that you test positive for an autoimmune thyroid condition.

Your TSH is within lab limits, but it is too high. It should be between 0.8 and 2.0.

The last three tests are old style thyroid hormone tests. They are not very acurate. They show your hormones are low, which is probably true or you TSH would be lower.

You are slightly hypothyroid, or low on thyroid hormones. The antibody tests indicate you have Hashimoto's, which is autoimmune hypothyroidism.

TPOab is also found in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis and several other autoimmune diseases as well. The other antibody is only found in autoimmune thyroid disease.

Whether or not you should be put on thyroid meds at this time is debatable. You are not extremely hypo, and your hormone levels could go either way in the next month or two. A low dose of replacement hormones may be beneficial, but most doctors would test again in a month or so to see if your TSH is going up or down.
Helpful - 0
523918 tn?1244549831
Wellcome
Looks like you  have another autoimune disorder "hashimoto", do you have symtoms of hipo? My first lab values were a little like yours except my TPO was higher. I had symptoms with TSH 3.5, and still now (TSH 2,9 measured in a different lab, 1 month later, and Free T4 1.0). I'm waiting for some results of other autoimune diseases (I have high positive ANA's). Now it is important to ask the doctor for a ultrasound of your thyroid.  
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
649848 tn?1534633700
FL
Avatar universal
MI
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.