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Does this indicate my thyroid has stopped functioning and/or thyroid cancer?
Was in hospital a couple days 2 mths ago because my throat hurt so bad felt like broken glass when I swallowed. Couldn't speak, couldn't swallow. They said it was my thryoid. I went and get blood tests and trying to understand results:
My TSH level was 243.70 - highest s/b 4.500
T4 was 14 s/ob 4.5 range (and said "Alert" under ranges.
T3 was 20 s/b 24 range
and my Free Thyroxine was .03 - level s/b 12
Does this mean my thyroid has stopped working or the possibility of thyroid cancer?
My TSH level was 243.70 - highest s/b 4.500
T4 was 14 s/ob 4.5 range (and said "Alert" under ranges.
T3 was 20 s/b 24 range
and my Free Thyroxine was .03 - level s/b 12
Does this mean my thyroid has stopped working or the possibility of thyroid cancer?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, they all mean something...
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your A1c indicates that you need you should try to get better control. You can often do this with diet, but it might require medication. Look into the low glycemic diet - that's eliminating foods like breads, pizza, pasta, pastries, sugary snacks/drinks, etc that spike your blood sugar creating a need for more insulin. Concentrate on veggies, meats, healthy fats, etc - things that will keep your blood glucose stable. If you're not on medication, you might need to talk to your doctor about starting something. Metformin is often the first med tried.
As I noted above, high RDW means that your red blood cells are too large; this is macrocytic anemia. The 2 main causes are low vitamin B-12 or excess alcohol intake. There are numerous causes of B-12 deficiency.
High cholesterol/triglycerides (lipids) are often a symptom of hypothyroidism.
Low carbon dioxide can be caused by hyperventilation, aspirin or alcohol overdose, diarrhea, dehydration, or severe malnutrition. Liver or kidney disease, a massive heart attack, hyperthyroidism, or uncontrolled diabetes.
If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your A1c indicates that you need you should try to get better control. You can often do this with diet, but it might require medication. Look into the low glycemic diet - that's eliminating foods like breads, pizza, pasta, pastries, sugary snacks/drinks, etc that spike your blood sugar creating a need for more insulin. Concentrate on veggies, meats, healthy fats, etc - things that will keep your blood glucose stable. If you're not on medication, you might need to talk to your doctor about starting something. Metformin is often the first med tried.
As I noted above, high RDW means that your red blood cells are too large; this is macrocytic anemia. The 2 main causes are low vitamin B-12 or excess alcohol intake. There are numerous causes of B-12 deficiency.
High cholesterol/triglycerides (lipids) are often a symptom of hypothyroidism.
Low carbon dioxide can be caused by hyperventilation, aspirin or alcohol overdose, diarrhea, dehydration, or severe malnutrition. Liver or kidney disease, a massive heart attack, hyperthyroidism, or uncontrolled diabetes.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What was your RDW result with reference range?
High RDW indicates that your red blood cells are too large, which, in turn, indicates B-12 deficiency, also known as macrocytic anemia.
High RDW indicates that your red blood cells are too large, which, in turn, indicates B-12 deficiency, also known as macrocytic anemia.
1 Comments
my HbA1C is 6.0 and says s/b between 4.8 and 5.6 and ,\my RDW was18.2 and highest s/b 15.4 and all of my Lipid results were high and my carbon dioxide level was 17 and lowest s/b 18. Do any of these mean anything?
If you don't take your thyroid med regularly, then you really don't know what your thyroid hormone levels are. I suggest that you take your meds religiously for a month and get re-tested for Free T4 and Free T3 (not Total T4 and Total T3) and see what is needed. That way you will know how much of an increase is needed for your daily dosage. Along with that you need to test for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin and then supplement as needed to optimize as outlined above. When you have new test results, please post them, along with reference ranges and we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
Based on limited test results, your thyroid hormone levels could be dangerously low. Don't hesitate to go to ER if you start feeling worse.
Based on limited test results, your thyroid hormone levels could be dangerously low. Don't hesitate to go to ER if you start feeling worse.
1 Comments
TY. You're right about the Vitamin D too. Here is the result that was on my blood test. Also my Lipid tests were all off and my carbon dioxide and my Rdw was high and my HBac1 was high.
Here's the Vit D results:
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Total, Serum Below Low Normal
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 6.3 NG/mL 30.0-100.0 NG/mL
Mine is 6.3 and s/b between 30 and 100. So I guess that's very low, huh?
Here's the Vit D results:
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy, Total, Serum Below Low Normal
Vitamin D, 25-Hydroxy 6.3 NG/mL 30.0-100.0 NG/mL
Mine is 6.3 and s/b between 30 and 100. So I guess that's very low, huh?
From those test results I can understand why you are having severe symptoms. Your Total T4 is way below range, and your TSH is way above range. All together, it appears you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies your thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland. As this proceeds, the output of natural thyroid hormone is diminished and has to be replaced with thyroid medication. Note that the T3 Uptake and Free Thyroxine Index tests are outdated and not nearly as useful as tests for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3 (not the same as Total T4 and Total T3). In the future you should make sure they test for both Free T4 and Free T3 every time you go in for tests. You really need to know Free T3 levels because that is the thyroid hormone metabolized in all the cells of the body to create the energy you need.
Are you sure you are taking 125 mcg of Synthroid daily? The reason I ask is that I have never seen anyone with such low test results for Total T4 when taking that much T4 med. Assuming that 125 mcg is correct, that would mean you are not absorbing much of the med at all. For best absorption T4 med should be taken on an empty stomach about one hour before eating. Also, some supplements can affect absorption. Can you think of anything that you are doing that might adversely affect absorption? If not, then you need an immediate, significant increase in your thyroid med. Our experience is that you will need thyroid medication to ultimately get your Free T4 at least at mid-range, and Free T3 in the upper part of its range, adjusted as needed to relieve symptoms.
In addition, hypothyroid patients are frequently too low in stomach acid, and that can cause poor absorption. That frequently results in deficiencies in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin. If not tested for those you should do so and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50. B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 70.
If that test date of 1/21 is correct, it is way past time for your doctor to take action. What response did you get from the doctor?
Are you sure you are taking 125 mcg of Synthroid daily? The reason I ask is that I have never seen anyone with such low test results for Total T4 when taking that much T4 med. Assuming that 125 mcg is correct, that would mean you are not absorbing much of the med at all. For best absorption T4 med should be taken on an empty stomach about one hour before eating. Also, some supplements can affect absorption. Can you think of anything that you are doing that might adversely affect absorption? If not, then you need an immediate, significant increase in your thyroid med. Our experience is that you will need thyroid medication to ultimately get your Free T4 at least at mid-range, and Free T3 in the upper part of its range, adjusted as needed to relieve symptoms.
In addition, hypothyroid patients are frequently too low in stomach acid, and that can cause poor absorption. That frequently results in deficiencies in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin. If not tested for those you should do so and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50. B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 70.
If that test date of 1/21 is correct, it is way past time for your doctor to take action. What response did you get from the doctor?
1 Comments
no, the date was 11/21 not 1/21. nd, yes, I had been taking my synthroid (butr not steadily, regularly every day). The other results of the blood tests says I'm anemic and diabetic if I'm reading that right. ANd I believe this all started w/undiagnosed lyme 20 yrs ago. Took them 8 yrs to diagnose, and had heart attack, stroke, gall bladded removed, memory loss, pain in joints, exhaustion, and now this.
Please check the lab report for the T4, T3, and Free Thyroxine reference ranges. All the ones I have seen listed a low limit and a high limit like this: 10 - 19. If you have those please post them as well. Also, please tell us about any other symptoms you have.
1 Comments
1/21/2016 Thyroid Panel, Serum
Above High Normal Tsh 243.700 uIU/mL RANGE: 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL Final
Alert Low Thyroxine (T4) 1.4 ug/dL RANGE: 4.5-12.0 ug/dL Final
Below Low Normal T3 Uptake 20 % RANGE: 24-39 % Final
Below Low Normal Free Thyroxine Index 0.3 RANGE: 1.2-4.9 Final
The numbers BEFORE the "RANGE" are what my blood test results were. I also am lethargic. When I comb my hair, it comes out in clumps. My throat feels like I'm swallowing glass and can't swallow. And when I lay down I feel like my throat is closing and can't breathe. And I am already on SYNTHROID .125, but these were still my blood test results on the medication.
Above High Normal Tsh 243.700 uIU/mL RANGE: 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL Final
Alert Low Thyroxine (T4) 1.4 ug/dL RANGE: 4.5-12.0 ug/dL Final
Below Low Normal T3 Uptake 20 % RANGE: 24-39 % Final
Below Low Normal Free Thyroxine Index 0.3 RANGE: 1.2-4.9 Final
The numbers BEFORE the "RANGE" are what my blood test results were. I also am lethargic. When I comb my hair, it comes out in clumps. My throat feels like I'm swallowing glass and can't swallow. And when I lay down I feel like my throat is closing and can't breathe. And I am already on SYNTHROID .125, but these were still my blood test results on the medication.
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