Understanding Test Results

Question

I has the TSH test done, they took 5 specimens of blood every 15 minutes for 1 hour. I received my results today and I need help understanding my results. On the prolactin, 5 speciments results read No1 was 7.7, No2 was 63.4, No3 was 62.2, No4 was 42.8 and No5 was 41.1mg/mL. Are these in normal range or what do they indicate? On the TSH, 34d generation the 5 specimens read No.1 was 1.88, No2 was 14.31, No3 was 16.60, No4 was 14.55 and No5 was 12.70 miU/L. Can you explain these results to me, please?

AR-10 · Answer

Why did they draw five samples?
Were you given a drug after the first draw?
What were they looking for?

kellie21 · Answer

Yes, I was given a drug after the first draw.  The test was a TRH Stimulation test, from what I understand was to test the effectiveness of how the throid is working.  Going on 5 years now my finger nails are brittle and lifting from my nail bed, I'm always tried and very despressed.  On my regluar test of T3 and T4 the results were in the normal range but on the low side.  So my doctor wanted to check into it a little futher, because in the past week I have been dieting and can't seem to loose any weight.  We've checked everything,   I just can't seem to figure out the test results, I have an appointment to meet with the doctor, but I want to be a little informed.  It's something I don't want to mess with (my thyroid) if theres no real problem.  I've looked up the normal ranges but as you see my numbers here are, well I just don't know which ones I should be concerned with.

AR-10 · Answer

Your Free T3 should be above midline of the range the lab uses.

If you are getting a Total T4 test and a Total T3 test run, those are old tests. The T4/T3 tests should be Free T4 and Free T3.

I read up about the TRH stimulation test, but I have no idea what the results mean. There are variables that have to be taken into account.

Good luck at your appointment.