L b test thyroid hormone explanations

[Fedupwithabuse]

Can anyone tell me what these mean  ? I had all three tested and cant seem to get clarification,what is thyroglobin quatitative?

TG ABS? (34)
Thyroid microsomal abs (251)
Thyroglobin quatitative (8.1)
TSH  (4.2)
Free t4 (1.07)

My results are in parenthesis, i wasnt given ranges.
Any help would. Be great

[Barb135]

You could try filing a complaint with AMA or whatever doctor's association you have in NY...

[Fedupwithabuse]

Yes in new york. My endo is. I have been going through this with him for a year now. When i saw the antibodies I pressed for reasons and he said they were normal which did not seem right to me.
It was only then I began to ask for additional immune tests and other thyroid functions as I kept  telling him they can not be normal. I basically had to beg and this took forever. as suspected  I became worse.
I filed a complaint with the state but I know they rarely do anything.
Thanks for your help

[Barb135]

Okay - that makes sense.  Anything labeled just T4 or T3 is for Total T4 or Total T3 and your endo is right that they are different.  Testing for totals is considered obsolete and of little value when one can do the frees and have all the information they need.

Which doctor is giving you a hard time about your lab reports?  Are you in the U.S?  

[Fedupwithabuse]

The 6.6 was labeled t4
They ran another test which was called free t4 which was 1.07 at a separate time a month later. My endo says that is different from t4 as he is no longer using that onlyTSH and free t4
They never ran a t3 test at all. I am asking my primary to help me obtain my copies because he is giving me a hard time. The lab which is in the hospital also said they are sending me copies once i send them a signature allowing them to do so.
Thanks

[Barb135]

I thought your Free T4 was 1.07?  I don't even look at the lab's range for TSH, because over 10 yrs ago, AACE recommended that range for TSH be adjusted to 0.3-3.0.  Labs and doctors have slow to transition.

Was the 6.6 a Total T4 or could it have been a T3?  Please verify that.

Your range for the Free T4 is what I suspected and that's what I used to calculate your percentage above.  Your FT4 is only at 27% of the range, which is considered low by everyone but doctors.

Your levels don't have to be below range, to be too low.

According to your antibody tests, your doctor should be diagnosing you with Hashimoto's.  

Regarding the lab report - if you are in the United States, your doctor is required, by law, to provide you with a copy of your records, lab and diagnostic reports, etc.

[Fedupwithabuse]

After begging, the doctor gave me such a hard time I was unable to get my labs so I called the lab to get the ranges myself

TSH: 0.40-5.00

Free t4: 0.80-1.80

TPO ABS: 0-35

Thyroglobin ab: 0-40

My t4 was also measured at 6.6 ranges are 4.9- 11 7

I thought if you Re hypo your t4 should be low ?

Thanks

[Barb135]

It's impossible for me to say for sure about your TG level, without a reference range, since ranges vary lab to lab.  From what I can find, some TG is normal in those with a functioning thyroid; however, TG is mostly used to monitor tumor growth or recurrence in those who have had thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer.  It's sometimes ordered when Graves Disease is suspected/present, but not, typically, even ordered for possible hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's, which is what your condition would be.  Again, from what I can find, anything less than 40 is normal.  At 8.1, yours would be very low.  

You should discuss all of this with your doctor.  Your symptoms are most certainly those of hypothyroidism and the thyroid doesn't have to completely fail for one to have hypo symptoms.  If your doctor would put you on a starter dose now, you might be able to avoid some of the worst symptoms and it may not take as long to get well, as it will when your thyroid has completely failed.

Using a range for FT4 that we commonly see, your FT4 is only 27% of the range and rule of thumb is for FT4 to be at least mid range.

You do have to keep in mind that without reference ranges from your own lab, I'm only going by what I can find online, which may not apply in your case.  Please try to get a copy of your labs, so we can see exactly what it says, rather than having to guess.

[Fedupwithabuse]

Sorry I forgot to ask , so if the tg abs are elevated is that what you called hypo  or is that the other one graves? I ask because while my mom has hypo she does not have the eye problems I do and i am not gaining weight. The tests were prompted because of stress and low white blood counts.

[Fedupwithabuse]

my endo did not put me on anything. He said he is waiting for the thyroid to fail first. I never had t3 tested.
Is the thyroglobin quantitative high that you can tell?
I have puffy skin, eyes, hair loss, no weight gain. Somewhat tired.my eyes feel weird like alot of pressure.
I do take my pulse and average about 68-72 daily but was athletic until I became ill.

Thanks, i am ordering my tests.

[Barb135]

Your microsomal antibodies, also known as Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) is elevated, indicating that you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease, in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to destroy it.

Hashimoto's is progressive, in that as the antibodies attack the thyroid, it will make less and less of the thyroid hormones, T4 and T3.  Of the Total T4 produced, most will be bound by protein and unavailable for use.  The unbound (Free) portion is what's available for use.  FT4 can't be used directly and has to be converted to T3.  As with T4, most of the Total T3 in your blood will be bound by protein.  The unbound (Free) portions is what's used by the individual cells.

TSH is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland to stimulate the thyroid to produce T4 and T3.  As the thyroid produces less and less T4 and T3, the pituitary will continue to send out TSH in an attempt to stimulate thyroid into production of the hormones.

Your TSH is elevated above the recommended maximum level of 3.0 and while ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report, your FT4 looks to be pretty low, according to ranges we, typically, see.  That, with the elevated TSH indicates that you may have hypothyroidism.

You should also have had a free T3 test, since Free T3 is the hormone used by the individual cells.

Thyroglobulin is a protein used in the production of thyroid hormones.  It's, typically, not tested unless cancer is suspected.

Do you have symptoms of hypothyroidism?  Those could include weight gain/inability to lose, constipation, fatigue, dry skin/hair, hair loss, muscle/joint aches/pains.

Are you on a thyroid replacement medication?  If so, which one, what dosage and for how long?  What prompted these tests?

Be sure to try to get a paper copy of your report to keep for your records.  If you're in the U.S, your doctor is required, by law to provide you a copy, upon request.