Is T3 a necessary test?

[drwontlisten]

So I fired my other dr who would only order a TSH on me, and said i was fine when it came back normal, even though I complained of fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, dry brittle hair etc.  She blew me off.  My new dr. listened, and ordered again, TSH, but added on T4, and ABO and a thyroid ultrasound.  Will this be enough to catch anything?

Thank you in advance.

[Barb135]

There are 2 antibody tests they should be ordering; ABO doesn't even tell the lab what to do.  The antibody tests are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb).  

Most doctors don't think any kind of T3 test, let alone, Free T3, is necessary, because that's what they learn in med school.

[drwontlisten]

Yes, I just can't get them to listen to me.  ABO is antibody test.  Yes she only ordered a Free T4, TSH (which i already know is normal) and antibodies and US. I don't now why they keep refusing to order a T3! I swear, it doesn't hurt them!  Why do they have to argue?

[Barb135]

Yes, T3 is necessary... But it can't be "just" T3.  It needs to be FREE T3.  If the doctor orders T3, without specifying "Free", you will get Total T3, which is obsolete and of little value, so it's basically a waste of money.

What is the "ABO"? I'm guessing it might be an antibody test, but nothing that's customary to order; did he say anything about it?

Again, is the T4 specified as FREE or is it just T4?  If it's just T4, you're going to get Total T4, which like Total T3 is obsolete and of little value - waste of money...

When discussing T3 and T4, it's important to specify Free T3 (FT3) and Free T4 (FT4), otherwise we don't know if you're getting the right thing or outdated tests.  If the doctor only put T3 or T4, then you're getting Total and that's not good, because he's outdated and it's time to move on (again).

After I've thrown cold water on everything else (sorry), a thyroid ultrasound is great...