Help. Inexplicable labs. My doctor thinks it's Graves.

[littlestbirds]

I was wondering if anyone had insight into my labs. My doctor has begun treating me for graves disease yet I am concerned it's the wrong diagnosis. My TSH is low yet so is my T3.
I have a history of pancreatitis and had my gallbladder removed. I've had several small bowel infections.
I'm 23 yr old female and have osteopenia.
Also, when they were running tests on my thyroid they did an ovarian ultrasound and found multiple cysts and said it was polycystic ovarian syndrome. How is it possible to have so many unrelated issues?

Thyroid Labs:
1st blood test: TSH .156 (.40 - 4.50)
free T3 1.7 (2.0 - 4.4)

2nd: TSH .26 (.40 - 4.50)
Total T3 62 (76 -181)
T4 free Normal
TPO Normal

I also have high cortisol 21.2 (2.3-19.0), testosterone 104 (6-82), and c-reactive protein 5.6 (0 - 4). I was started on a prescription vitamin for Vitamin D, as I was deficient. Oddly, my B12 was 1000s over what it should be yet I don't take B supplements or even a daily vitamin.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. :)

[Kadge]

I feel a bit like yourself, I'm currently having tests too! I had a dexamethasone suppressant test done to suppress my cortisol and the result was 28??? At 9 am when it should of been suppressed? Any ideas anyone??? Low? High? Normal?? My thyroid results are borderline hypo..... Have felt generally worn out, no energy, heart palps, Svt, hair loss, cold/sweats for last ten years

[Smilerdeb]

My guess would be Cushings Syndrome and not thyroid.

The high C- reactive protein means ...inflammation.

The high cortisol could be from stress but can also be found in Cushings Syndrome( also called hyperadrenocorticism or hypercorticism).
Cushing's syndrome is a rare disorder that results from abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol in the blood. Cortisol is secreted by the adrenal glands and is involved in the stress and anxiety response, in metabolism, and in regulating blood pressure, among other functions. It is commonly known as the "stress hormone".

High levels of cortisol can impair the body's hormonal systems and result in a variety of effects, including weight gain and fatigue, and serious complications, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, and hypertension.

Cushing's syndrome, also called hypercortisolism, is most common in young to middle-aged women. It can develop due to factors from inside or outside the body. Most commonly, it is caused by long-term use of synthetic corticosteroid hormone drugs that are used to treat inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Ask your Doc to be tested for it as you have had Pancreitis which is another symptom causing Hyperglycaemia.

[littlestbirds]

Thank you Stella and kjhfd. After my reaction to Methimazole, I put some research into thyroid disorders. I've been sick for 2+ years with GI problems, in severe pain, and have lost everything from my savings, career, and could no longer afford my little hole in the wall as I had reached the point I couldn't work. After I moved, my new GP decided to run extensive bloodwork for things that had never been checked before. My TSH, testosterone, and cortisol levels concerned her the most. She said my heart was tachycardic and I had developed a murmur. So, I was referred to an endocrinologist. This is the first time they've looked at anything outside my gastrointestinal system. So, it's very new to me and incredibly hopeful. Thyroid conditions can be treated. The GI disease I had either been diagnosed with on-the-border results had few treatment options and no cure. Learning that thyroid malfunction is related to pancreatitis has been a huge relief, provided the damage to my pancreas isn't permanent.

Back to the topic at hand. The first lab was taken around 1 pm and included:
-TSH .156 (.40 - 4.50) low
-free T3 1.7 (2.0 - 4.4)  
-cortisol 21.2 *2.3-11.9* high
-testosterone 104 (6-82) high
-c-reactive protein 5.6 (0 - 4) high
Sorry to repeat values ... It seemed less confusing this way.

I just relooked at the lab sheet and it said the normal range for cortisol in the pm is far lower than the one I originally listed.

Thank you for the link. When I was poking around the internet, I found a similar table to the one listed on labtestsonline.org.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid-stimulating_hormone#Diagnostic
Scroll down to the table. Anyhow, if this is correct, since my TSH & t3 are both low some form of hypopituitarism or pituitary (secondary) hypothyroidism

Thanks again for your help.
Hopefully, you guys or other lovely members will have further insight with this new info....

[kjhgfd]

There is a web site that may be able to explain your lab work results to you it's my favorite web site that helps explain my lab work to me since my doctor tells me next to nothing.

www.labtestsonline.org

[stella5349]

I don't feel Graves treatment is your issue at all.

Graves also for the record - requires a TSI blood lab and you haven't had that done to confirm it at all.

What time of day was that adrenal test done and was it an ACTH blood lab?

You're not getting proper labs to link this to any thyroid at all