Lab tests- tell me about my results?

[SurgiMenopause]

Doctors aren't concerned about my shifting numbers & I've been told it is normal for TSH to fluctuate .  I have seen online TSH is like a thermostat regulating the thyroid.  I do have a pituitary tumor.  I was wondering what you thyroid patients think of these lab numbers?   The tests were done at different labs, thus the different ref. ranges.

9/14/2006                       2/19/2008            3/31/2009   9/8/2009

TSH  1.82      TSH 2.372            TSH 0.99   TSH 1.72
(Ref.  0.4-4.0 uIU/mL)     (Ref. 0.35-5.500)    (Ref. 0.30-3.04)            (Ref. 0.34-5.60)

T3 125                  Free T3 3.08
(Ref. 58-159 ng/dL) (Ref. 2.50-3.90 pg/mL)

T4 Free 1.09                  T4 Free 0.80               T4 Free 0.95
(Ref. 0.70-1.48 ng/dL)                                  (Ref. 0.58-1.64)    (Ref. 0.58-1.26 ng/dL)

[TamraW]

Your T4 levels are on the low side. Are you taking any medication for thyroid?

:) Tamra

[SurgiMenopause]

I'm sorry, it looks like it posted all messed up!
TSH 1.82 on 9/14/06
TSH 2.372 on 2/19/08
TSH 0.99 on 3/31/09
TSH 1.72 on 9/8/09

T3 (not free) 125 on 9/14/06
T3 Free 3.08 on 3/31/09

T4 Free 1.09 on 9/14/06
T4 Free 0.80 on 3/21/09
T4 Free 0.95 on 9/8/09

[SurgiMenopause]

Thanks for the reply!  No, I'm not taking any thyroid medication.  

[SurgiMenopause]

Sorry, I messed up again.  My brain isn't working so great.
T4 Free 0.80 was on 3/31 not 3/21 of 2009!

[shallie]

Hi Surgi,

I also am in surgical menopause. I no longer have ovaries, uterus, or any other female goods. They took everything out.

Are you on any HRT supplements? Estrogen can cause havoc to the thyroid.
Also, once our ovaries are removed our poor adrenal glands have to take over.
It's not uncommon to have adrenal fatigue with no ovaries.
My thyroid numbers were all over the place also.
I've discovered the importance of checking that hormones are balanced, B12 and ferritin are optimal also.
I feel for you.

did they also give you the ranges for the TSH, T4 etc?

[SurgiMenopause]

Thanks for the response!  Yeah, I posted them (the ref. ranges) in my original post here, but they got messed up from how it looked when I put them on my post to how it looked after it actually posted.  Everything is in normal range, just seems to me like they change a lot.   My hysterectomy was in Aug. 2006.

I don't take any HRT.  I had endometriosis as the primary cause of my total hysterectomy, and between that and other potential hazards of taking HRT, I opted not to.  

I have a pituitary microadenoma that I'm supposed to be getting referred to a neuroendocrinologist for after seeing a number of regular endocrinologists.  I don't know what kind it is.  Since TSH is one of those pituitary hormones, I thought I'd see if any expert thyroid patient veterans out here could tell if things looked like they are in order with my numbers.   They probably are as none of this waved any red flags to any docs I've seen.

A doc checked me for awhile for iron, since I used to be anemic, but decided I was stablized after awhile (post hysterectomy) and stopped ordering any f/ups.  I don't think I have ever had my B12 checked, but I think I take it in a multi-vitamin.  

My FSH was way up last time it was done (in March of this year): 169.11 mIU/mL
Ref. Range post-menopause  16.74-113.59

[ckelly6156]

Got this info from: http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyfunction.html

The thyroid gland is under the control of the pituitary gland, a small gland the size of a peanut at the base of the brain (shown here in orange). When the level of thyroid hormones (T3 & T4) drops too low, the pituitary gland produces Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) which stimulates the thyroid gland to produce more hormones.

The function of the thyroid gland is to take iodine, found in many foods, and convert it into thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. These cells combine iodine and the amino acid tyrosine to make T3 and T4. T3 and T4 are then released into the blood stream and are transported throughout the body where they control metabolism (conversion of oxygen and calories to energy). Every cell in the body depends upon thyroid hormones for regulation of their metabolism. The normal thyroid gland produces about 80% T4 and about 20% T3, however, T3 possesses about four times the hormone "strength" as T4

[SurgiMenopause]

Thanks for the info!  So, does it look like the TSH is tracking right, given my T4 levels (and the on Free T3 level)?

[SurgiMenopause]

It seems on my 3/31 numbers, my TSH was staying down even though my T4 was down compared to all the other readings.  Can any experience veterans tell me if that is perfectly normal for lots of people?