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Need help deciphering test results
Just got test results from most recent visit to Endo. Here they are
TSH 1.46
T3 1.28
T4 .97
I have a 1.5 mm nodule on the right side of my thyroid and have antibodies to develop thyroid disease. Dr just says you are fine come back in a year. When I look up what is normal My numbers do not look normal. Know you are not doctors here but help! Is it time to find a new endo. Thyroid disease runs in family, mom, dad, both grandmothers and aunt!
TSH 1.46
T3 1.28
T4 .97
I have a 1.5 mm nodule on the right side of my thyroid and have antibodies to develop thyroid disease. Dr just says you are fine come back in a year. When I look up what is normal My numbers do not look normal. Know you are not doctors here but help! Is it time to find a new endo. Thyroid disease runs in family, mom, dad, both grandmothers and aunt!
Thanks for the info once I get all the results from 4 years of blood tests I will repost and see what your thoughts are - Then I will be looking for a new endo - also still waiting on results of new ultrasound to see where nodule is,
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh, I'm relieved to know they were Free T3 and Free T4, not total. When you get the report, please post the actual reference ranges, but since I know they are FT's, I can sort of "guess" at the range, based on what we often see. We normally see something like 0.8 - 1.8 for range on the FT4 and 2.2 - 4.2 on the FT3...... but the range on your FT3 must be quite different if your doctor said you were fine at 1.28, unless she's just looking at the TSH, sees that in range and not worrying about the others.
Anyway, "assuming" that your ranges are similar to what we see - your FT4 is nearly on the floor, which then doesn't surprise me that your FT3 would be low as well, since FT4 must be converted to FT3 in order to be used. You have so little FT4 to start with, there's nothing to convert.
FT3 is the actual usable thyroid hormone; FT4 is a "storage hormone" and must be converted to FT3 in order to be utilized. Most of us find the FT3 correlates best with symptoms (yours are classic), while FT4 and TSH do not. In that case, it's really important to know the actual reference range used by your lab to see exactly where your FT3 falls - remember, I was only "assuming/guessing" at ranges.
I am going to go out on a limb, though and say "yes, I think it's time to find a different endo". This one already said you have Hashi's, but doesn't seem to be concerned about it, or the fact that your actual hormone levels are low enough in the range to cause symptoms. This is particularly disturbing since thyroid issues run in your family.
Anyway, "assuming" that your ranges are similar to what we see - your FT4 is nearly on the floor, which then doesn't surprise me that your FT3 would be low as well, since FT4 must be converted to FT3 in order to be used. You have so little FT4 to start with, there's nothing to convert.
FT3 is the actual usable thyroid hormone; FT4 is a "storage hormone" and must be converted to FT3 in order to be utilized. Most of us find the FT3 correlates best with symptoms (yours are classic), while FT4 and TSH do not. In that case, it's really important to know the actual reference range used by your lab to see exactly where your FT3 falls - remember, I was only "assuming/guessing" at ranges.
I am going to go out on a limb, though and say "yes, I think it's time to find a different endo". This one already said you have Hashi's, but doesn't seem to be concerned about it, or the fact that your actual hormone levels are low enough in the range to cause symptoms. This is particularly disturbing since thyroid issues run in your family.
I just spoke to Dr office and they were Free T3 and 4 and they are mailing me copies of all my records from first visit in 8-08! With all that is going on I can keep good records for myself - thanks for the advice
COMMUNITY LEADER
You should try to get a copy of the report for your own records. By law, your doctor obligated to provide one upon request.
By keeping lab reports for your own records, you can watch your own levels and see how they rise or fall, and when you feel best/worst.
Okay, then you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and if not, already, will become hypo at some point, as the antibodies destroy your thyroid so it produces less hormones.
You have a lot of symptoms of being hypo already, and if the ranges for the T3 and T4 are near what we usually see, both are low in their ranges, which could easily make you feel badly.
Do try to get a copy of that lab report; since those ranges vary from lab to lab, we really need to know what they are. Once you get a copy of the report, note on it, what symptoms you are having. That can be the beginning of your record.
By keeping lab reports for your own records, you can watch your own levels and see how they rise or fall, and when you feel best/worst.
Okay, then you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis and if not, already, will become hypo at some point, as the antibodies destroy your thyroid so it produces less hormones.
You have a lot of symptoms of being hypo already, and if the ranges for the T3 and T4 are near what we usually see, both are low in their ranges, which could easily make you feel badly.
Do try to get a copy of that lab report; since those ranges vary from lab to lab, we really need to know what they are. Once you get a copy of the report, note on it, what symptoms you are having. That can be the beginning of your record.
Don't know if they are free t3 and t4 or not left another message for Dr
Symptoms,
fatigue, joint pain, cold all the time, no weight gain but cannot lose despite low cal diet, hair breakage and loss walking issues. She said the antibodies are for Hashitmotos Thyroiditis
I know there isn't much to go on when the girl called me yesterday - she was very short and seemed like she did not have time - I called today and left a message for someone to go over in more detail!
Symptoms,
fatigue, joint pain, cold all the time, no weight gain but cannot lose despite low cal diet, hair breakage and loss walking issues. She said the antibodies are for Hashitmotos Thyroiditis
I know there isn't much to go on when the girl called me yesterday - she was very short and seemed like she did not have time - I called today and left a message for someone to go over in more detail!
COMMUNITY LEADER
What are the reference ranges for the T3 and T4? Reference ranges vary from lab to lab, so must come from your own lab report. Does your lab report indicate whether they are FREE T3 and FREE T4 (could so say FT3/FT4).
If they aren't free they, would be total, which is considered to be obsolete and of little value.
I wouldn't worry about the nodule; it's very small, and as ThyroidHunter said, most of us have nodules and they usually aren't a worry.
Regarding the antibodies, it would be nice to know which ones were tested. Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thryoglobulin Antibodies (TGab) indicate Hashitmoto's Thyroiditis. Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) indicates Graves Disease.
Both Hashitmoto's and Graves are autoimmune diseases in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to attack and destroy it. This destruction often takes years to complete, but as the thyroid is destroyed, it produces less and less hormones, ultimately leaving you hypothyroid.
Please post the reference ranges for the T3 and T4, plus whether they are FREE or not, along with the type of antibodies tested. This will help members better assess your situation and comment more fully.
If they aren't free they, would be total, which is considered to be obsolete and of little value.
I wouldn't worry about the nodule; it's very small, and as ThyroidHunter said, most of us have nodules and they usually aren't a worry.
Regarding the antibodies, it would be nice to know which ones were tested. Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thryoglobulin Antibodies (TGab) indicate Hashitmoto's Thyroiditis. Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin (TSI) indicates Graves Disease.
Both Hashitmoto's and Graves are autoimmune diseases in which the body sees the thyroid as foreign and produces antibodies to attack and destroy it. This destruction often takes years to complete, but as the thyroid is destroyed, it produces less and less hormones, ultimately leaving you hypothyroid.
Please post the reference ranges for the T3 and T4, plus whether they are FREE or not, along with the type of antibodies tested. This will help members better assess your situation and comment more fully.
I think most people on this Board, including myself, are hesitant to take too much from these results because they do not include the Free T-3, and Free T-4, which most conisder much more important and indicative.
Thyroid disease is highly suspected to be hereditary, my whole family has it, but more importantly - what are your symptoms? What indications and observations has your Endo made, if any?
Many Endo's are really diabetes docs and don't know the thyroid as well, some specialize in it. Your thoughts about a 2nd opinion seem to be well in order. I would certainly get one after "just fine, come back in a year", and you have any symptoms and a family history of thyroid disease. But that's your call.
A 1.5mm nodule is nothing to worry about at this point, it is suspected that almost 40% of the american population, including children over 6, have at least one small nodule on the gland. The antibodies are a natural body defense but your white blood cell count could help the diagnosis by many on the Board.
Best in Health!
ThyroidHunter
Thyroid disease is highly suspected to be hereditary, my whole family has it, but more importantly - what are your symptoms? What indications and observations has your Endo made, if any?
Many Endo's are really diabetes docs and don't know the thyroid as well, some specialize in it. Your thoughts about a 2nd opinion seem to be well in order. I would certainly get one after "just fine, come back in a year", and you have any symptoms and a family history of thyroid disease. But that's your call.
A 1.5mm nodule is nothing to worry about at this point, it is suspected that almost 40% of the american population, including children over 6, have at least one small nodule on the gland. The antibodies are a natural body defense but your white blood cell count could help the diagnosis by many on the Board.
Best in Health!
ThyroidHunter
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