Aa
TSH = 3.187
I have been experiencing numerous hypothyroid symtoms for the last few years. My TSH has risen from 1.9 to 3.187 during this period (2000-2008). My 12/08 readings were TSH = 3.187, T4 = 8.3, & T3 = 128. Everythiing else in the complete blood work was normal, except for elevated Cholesterol. Tracking my Cholesterol back to 1999, it was normal when TSH was 1.6. Every year since then it deviates in sync with my TSH, which is steadily rising, except for 2003 when it dipped to 1.8 with a corresponding Cholesterol dip. Current doctor indicated the Lab levels are within range and wants to treat Cholesterol with Simvastatin. I prefer to run additioanl tests to determine if I have a Thyroid or related problem. Any suggestions?
As you can see from the responses above, it helps a lot to list the lab ranges when you list a test.
TSH is measured and tested the same way all over the world. The test range for that is well known. Any of the other thyroid blood tests have ranges that vary from lab to lab, so just listing the result makes it confusing.
You are sub-clinical hypothyroid. Putting you on cholesterol meds would be counter-productive. Your cholesterol level is tied to your hypothyroidism.
Yes, the doctor can lower your cholesterol with medication. He can give you anti-anxiety drugs if you need them, and heart drugs when your heart starts acting funny, and blood pressure meds if you need them.
Or he could address the root problem and treat your thyroid hormones.
Ask him/her to run several thyroid antibody tests, if you have not had them run yet.
TPOab
TGab
TSI
Have you had a thyroid ultrasound?
Ask for one.
Ask for a Free T4 test and a Free T3 test along with another TSH test.
Ask the doctor what TSH he/she would try to hold a hyothyroid patient at once treatment was started. If the answer is above 1.5, you may have to find another doctor after all the tests are run.
TSH is measured and tested the same way all over the world. The test range for that is well known. Any of the other thyroid blood tests have ranges that vary from lab to lab, so just listing the result makes it confusing.
You are sub-clinical hypothyroid. Putting you on cholesterol meds would be counter-productive. Your cholesterol level is tied to your hypothyroidism.
Yes, the doctor can lower your cholesterol with medication. He can give you anti-anxiety drugs if you need them, and heart drugs when your heart starts acting funny, and blood pressure meds if you need them.
Or he could address the root problem and treat your thyroid hormones.
Ask him/her to run several thyroid antibody tests, if you have not had them run yet.
TPOab
TGab
TSI
Have you had a thyroid ultrasound?
Ask for one.
Ask for a Free T4 test and a Free T3 test along with another TSH test.
Ask the doctor what TSH he/she would try to hold a hyothyroid patient at once treatment was started. If the answer is above 1.5, you may have to find another doctor after all the tests are run.
TSH is the putuitary send the signal to the thyroid to produce hormones.
T4 Totals measure inbound hormones that will store
Free T4 is the hormone needed to convert into the needed Free T3
T3 is another inbound stored hormone which goes nowhere
Free T3 is the converted hormone from the free T4 or after a conversion of medication to supply the body with normal function associated with the thyroid.
It looks like form you lab basing it on mostly the TSH reading that you could be indicating a sub clinical hypothyroidism situation.
Most doctor will approach this as a wait and see situation - few others may trial you on a medication to see if you respond.
With a higher elevated TSH a Cholesterol reading mostly will indicate abnormal levels and other tests may need to be ran. Iron - Vit D - and Vit B testing would be helpful to rule some other things out.
There are really no other tests besides antibody testing that would indicate a thyroid problem other than what you had done - except a possible Free T3. The tests you had done with T4 and T3 - I would assume are Total value labs, so moving forward on Free T4 and Free T3 tests may be helpful. The antibody testing you could have done are TPOab (Hashi) and TSI ( Graves.. unlikely in your condition I assume)
Either way it will depend on how you approach your doctor and how your doctor preceives your condition. If s/he chooses to ignore your complaints and says you don't need further testing you may have run into a road block with that doctor.
I think you should approach your doctor with the confidence that you strongly feel you want more testing- a trial run of meds may tell alot here for you too.
T4 Totals measure inbound hormones that will store
Free T4 is the hormone needed to convert into the needed Free T3
T3 is another inbound stored hormone which goes nowhere
Free T3 is the converted hormone from the free T4 or after a conversion of medication to supply the body with normal function associated with the thyroid.
It looks like form you lab basing it on mostly the TSH reading that you could be indicating a sub clinical hypothyroidism situation.
Most doctor will approach this as a wait and see situation - few others may trial you on a medication to see if you respond.
With a higher elevated TSH a Cholesterol reading mostly will indicate abnormal levels and other tests may need to be ran. Iron - Vit D - and Vit B testing would be helpful to rule some other things out.
There are really no other tests besides antibody testing that would indicate a thyroid problem other than what you had done - except a possible Free T3. The tests you had done with T4 and T3 - I would assume are Total value labs, so moving forward on Free T4 and Free T3 tests may be helpful. The antibody testing you could have done are TPOab (Hashi) and TSI ( Graves.. unlikely in your condition I assume)
Either way it will depend on how you approach your doctor and how your doctor preceives your condition. If s/he chooses to ignore your complaints and says you don't need further testing you may have run into a road block with that doctor.
I think you should approach your doctor with the confidence that you strongly feel you want more testing- a trial run of meds may tell alot here for you too.
OK-Answered my own question...Learn something new every day.LOL
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
This test is used to identify primary hypothyroidism and to differentiate it from secondary (pituitary) and tertiary (hypothalamus) hypothyroidism.
Thyroxine (T4)
This test is used to evaluate thyroid function. T4 is decreased in hypothyroidism and in the third stage of subacute thyroiditis. T4 is increased with hyperthyroidism, subacute thyroiditis in its first stage and with thyrotoxicosis due to Hashimoto disease. T4 is also used to diagnose toxicosis.
Thyroxine (T4) Free, Direct
This test is used to evaluate thyroid function in individuals who may have protein abnormalities that could affect total T4 levels. It is used to evaluate thyroid function and monitor replacement and suppressive therapy.
Tri-iodothyronine (T3), Free, Serum
This test is used to evaluate thyroid function. It is primarily used to diagnose hyperthyroidism. It is also used to assess abnormal binding protein disorders and to monitor thyroid replacement and suppressive therapy
Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
This test is used to identify primary hypothyroidism and to differentiate it from secondary (pituitary) and tertiary (hypothalamus) hypothyroidism.
Thyroxine (T4)
This test is used to evaluate thyroid function. T4 is decreased in hypothyroidism and in the third stage of subacute thyroiditis. T4 is increased with hyperthyroidism, subacute thyroiditis in its first stage and with thyrotoxicosis due to Hashimoto disease. T4 is also used to diagnose toxicosis.
Thyroxine (T4) Free, Direct
This test is used to evaluate thyroid function in individuals who may have protein abnormalities that could affect total T4 levels. It is used to evaluate thyroid function and monitor replacement and suppressive therapy.
Tri-iodothyronine (T3), Free, Serum
This test is used to evaluate thyroid function. It is primarily used to diagnose hyperthyroidism. It is also used to assess abnormal binding protein disorders and to monitor thyroid replacement and suppressive therapy
My lab sheet only shows free T4. What is the difference between the two? Should both of these test be done? and I wonder why my doctor did not have it done. Do not mean to get away from the 1st posting.
I think that range is for free t4.. My t4 was 10 and the range was 8-22! I could be wrong it just says that on my lab sheet
The range for T4 is (.08-1.5) is your T4 8.3? What did your doctor say about that?
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