How do I interpret Hashi levels?

[TamraW]

Hi, all. I have many Hashi symptoms. My last TSH was a 2.74, so my endo put me on Synthroid.

My endo is expected to call tomorrow with Hashi results. What is the standard range for

T4
T3
Anti-tpo
TSO?

Thanks,
Tamra

[Barb135]

Labs use different reference ranges so it depends on YOUR lab.  

My lab uses the following: Free T4 - 0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL; Free T3 - 230 - 420 pg/dL; TSH - 0.4 - 4.50mIU/L; TPO - < 35 IU/mL.   I'm not familiar with TSO - did you mean TSH?

I know the TSH range that my lab uses is outdated, but that's what they use, so that's what my doctor goes by. The new reference range for TSH is 0.3 - 3.0.    

Remember - this is just MY lab; I've had blood work done at other labs that used different ranges and/or units, etc.  

[TamraW]

Thanks, do you know anything about Anti-TPO?

Some endos are treating any TSH above a 2.5 as hypo. Mine did, thankfully.

Tamra

[Barb135]

Anti-TPO or TPOab is the same as the TPO that I referenced above, I just neglected to put the "ab" behind it......That's antibodies attacking your thyroid.  

Since I've been seeing my endo, my TSH has not been up to 2.5, so I don't know how he'd treat it at 2.5.  Mine last one was only 0.14, which is the highest it's been since it plummeted from the original 55.51.........New labs tomorrow so will see where it's at....

[TamraW]

Isn't a 0.14 hyper? Have your meds been adjusted to bring it up? My mom had high TSH and now it is in the hyper range. I had her switch docs because he has not adjusted her Synthroid in over four years.

Does TPO have a reference range? Say for example, anything over a 10 means Hashi's.

Thanks,
Tamra

[dani2776]

The TPO or TPOab reference range is usually 1000 which happened to be the highest range my particular lab uses so according to my endo it could be 1001 or 3000.  Anyway let us know your result.

[Barb135]

I have not see a lab that uses 1000 as a reference range for TPOab, but that seems awfully high.  The reference range my lab uses for TPOab is < 35, which means anything over 35 means you have antibodies present........ My first reading was 195 and it went up to around 250 and has pretty much stayed there.  And yes, I do have Hashi's.  

Yes, most doctors would consider me hypER with a TSH of 0.14 and yes, my pcp was constantly cutting back on my med because of it, but the problem was he wasn't looking at anything else......... At one point, while my TSH was even lower than that, my Free T4 was still not even in range yet (low)........ and he refused to test Free T3, then left me for 6 months with no tests at all!!!  .  As it turned out, I found a lab that would run thyroid tests (TSH, Free T4 and Free T3) without a doctor's order, so I paid out of pocket to have them done.  My TSH was still very low, but so were my Frees.  Shortly after I had these labs done, I began seeing my endo and took the lab report with me.......He said at first too, that I was hypER, but when I pointed out how low the Frees were, especially Free T3, he agreed with me........We lowered my T4 med and he gave me a script for 10 mcg cytomel daily ----- that did wonders for the way I felt, BUT after a few months, I started having rapid heart rate and palps, even though my numbers were staying about the same.  So last time I saw my endo, we upped my T4 med and dropped the cytomel to only 5 mcg/day.  I still have hypo symptoms - mainly fatigue and constipation, along with some muscle/joint aches and some hair loss, but it's not horrible like it was .............I just had blood work done this morning, so hopefully will have results by the end of the week..........

[dani2776]

Clarification!!
I meant the referance range for my lab is 1000.  I can't wait for my appt on Monday as I obviously need my meds because I can't think stratight!!!!

[dani2776]

Ok my computer is not working properly so I am going to try this again!!!  Referance range for my lab is less than 35 and my result was greater than 1000!

[TamraW]

Thanks, Barb! My endo didn't seem concerned about T3, levels, but I begged her for a thorough thyroid spectrum of tests. Now my nurse tells me that I should get the results on Thursday.

My last TSH was a 2.74 and my last T4 was a 1.3. I was able to raise my D from an 18 to a 42. My symptoms are mostly hypo, but sometimes they swing to  hyper, so I asked for a Hashi's test. Also, I have four thyroid nodules and my neck sometimes hurts and feels swollen. I really don't know what is going on with me, and I wanted to be prepared in case she says that my Hashi's tests are normal because I know that some docs use different standards.

Tamra

[TamraW]

Dani, I think everyone on this forum can all relate to not thinking straight.

Thanks for your input.

:) Tamra

[Barb135]

That makes more sense - and yes, we can all relate to not being able to think straight - been there, done that----------

Tamra, was the T4 a Free or Total? And what was the reference range?  Your TSH might still be a tad too high.  It would definitely be wise to ask for antibody testing to make sure.  

Good Luck!!

[TamraW]

Barb, it was FT4 or 1.3, and I can't find the paperwork with the range references, but I remember it was smack in the middle. My doc did say the TSH (2.74) was a little high.

I feel better on the 50 mcg Synthroid. I am able to run errands again. Before, I would go to the grocery store and then come home wiped out. Now I can run three or four errands in one day, even though the temp outside is in the low 100s.

The results for the Hashi's test are still pending. I should hear from the endo any day.

Thanks everyone for your input.

:) Tamra  

[TamraW]

Oops, I meant FT4 OF 1.3