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What test is this? (New here)
My test result was called "TSH reflex to free T4" and the result (a year ago) was 1.7 (ref .5-4.7) units UIU/ML
So is this just a TSH or is this something different? This is also the only test she did.
This was done through an absolutely AWFUL ob/gyn who i hope to never see again. I just today had an appt with an endo who noted that my thyroid was "very prominent" so she ordered a bunch of tests (TSH, free T4 and TPO ab. nothing for T3.)She did order a bunch of other things not for thyroid like calcium iron and a few others i can't remember. she is also doing an ultrasound on my thyroid next week. Hopefully this will tell me why i have been feeling so crappy. Im constantly tired, depressed, cold, and my hair is falling out on the sides of my head and eyebrows. I just can't keep living in a constant state of exhaustion. I sleep about 10hrs a night and then another 1-2 hour nap when i get home.
One more question: The earliest I could get blood drawn was 11am fasting. Is that going to mess with my results at all?
Advise?
So is this just a TSH or is this something different? This is also the only test she did.
This was done through an absolutely AWFUL ob/gyn who i hope to never see again. I just today had an appt with an endo who noted that my thyroid was "very prominent" so she ordered a bunch of tests (TSH, free T4 and TPO ab. nothing for T3.)She did order a bunch of other things not for thyroid like calcium iron and a few others i can't remember. she is also doing an ultrasound on my thyroid next week. Hopefully this will tell me why i have been feeling so crappy. Im constantly tired, depressed, cold, and my hair is falling out on the sides of my head and eyebrows. I just can't keep living in a constant state of exhaustion. I sleep about 10hrs a night and then another 1-2 hour nap when i get home.
One more question: The earliest I could get blood drawn was 11am fasting. Is that going to mess with my results at all?
Advise?
Just wanted to update everyone and thank you again for all the help!
Saw my dr again and she went over my results. She was saying everything looks fine to her so I showed her some of the research I had done including a chart I had made showing where exactly I fall within the range which I guess changed her mind. So she is treating me based on symptoms and trying to get my levels to more of an ideal range. My US showed my thyroid is enlarged but no nodules thankfully. I am hoping that shrinks over time because it is causing me issues but we will see.
I went in armed with knowledge and I'm so glad I did!
Saw my dr again and she went over my results. She was saying everything looks fine to her so I showed her some of the research I had done including a chart I had made showing where exactly I fall within the range which I guess changed her mind. So she is treating me based on symptoms and trying to get my levels to more of an ideal range. My US showed my thyroid is enlarged but no nodules thankfully. I am hoping that shrinks over time because it is causing me issues but we will see.
I went in armed with knowledge and I'm so glad I did!
Gimel, thank you so much for all your help! This site has been such an amazing eye opening experience. I have felt like I was crazy for years when every dr tells me I'm fine when I know I'm not fine. I now need to push through and find a doctor who will listen to me. At least now I know it's worth jumping through the hoops.
Thank you everyone!
Thank you everyone!
With your symptoms and your Free T4 at 25% of its range, and your Free T3 at only 26% of its range, it is pretty clear that you are hypothyroid. Having a relatively low TSH along with those results indicates central hypothyroidism, which is a dysfunction of the hypothalamus/pituitary system. So you are going to need a doctor that will recognize and treat your hypothyroidism, even though your TSH is within range.
In addition your Vitamin D is very low. Should be about 55. B12 should be in the very upper end of its range, so you need to supplement for that also. D3 is good for supplementing D. I think about any B12 supplement will work for you.
In addition your Vitamin D is very low. Should be about 55. B12 should be in the very upper end of its range, so you need to supplement for that also. D3 is good for supplementing D. I think about any B12 supplement will work for you.
So I just got my FT3 back so my results are as follows:
FT4: 1.04 ng/dl (.73-1.95)
FT3: 2.8 (2.3-4.2)
TSH: 1.5 uiu/ml (.05-4.7)
TPO: 1 (<9)
VitD: 20 (up 6pts since last year)
Ferritin 211 (10-220)
B12: 325 (250-1100)
The ferritin is probably high because my birth control method stops my period (most months) so i only get a period once every 3 months. It was so heavy I was missing work. Now it lasts 10 days but is what I would call a normal flow. most recent period started just after this test was taken. My VitD has been supplemented for the last year with 2000iu/day but I guess it was a bad brand so I switched to a more potent/bio-available type. I hope that helps bring my level up.
As for my B12 what should my level be ideally? 50%range? Any good supplements?
And it looks like my dr is going to make me wait another week to US my goiter to figure out whats going on with that. The choking with food and laying down is awful.
FT4: 1.04 ng/dl (.73-1.95)
FT3: 2.8 (2.3-4.2)
TSH: 1.5 uiu/ml (.05-4.7)
TPO: 1 (<9)
VitD: 20 (up 6pts since last year)
Ferritin 211 (10-220)
B12: 325 (250-1100)
The ferritin is probably high because my birth control method stops my period (most months) so i only get a period once every 3 months. It was so heavy I was missing work. Now it lasts 10 days but is what I would call a normal flow. most recent period started just after this test was taken. My VitD has been supplemented for the last year with 2000iu/day but I guess it was a bad brand so I switched to a more potent/bio-available type. I hope that helps bring my level up.
As for my B12 what should my level be ideally? 50%range? Any good supplements?
And it looks like my dr is going to make me wait another week to US my goiter to figure out whats going on with that. The choking with food and laying down is awful.
Your D is much too low. Likely you will need to supplement with about 3000 IU of D3 to reach optimal of about 55. B12 should also be supplemented to a target of the high end of the range. Unless you know of a reason for your ferritin being that high, I suggest that you should be a full iron test panel done (serum iron, % saturation, TIBC, and ferritin (again).
i did get those too but i wasnt sure if that would be relevant .
VitD: 20 (up 6pts since last year)
Ferritin 211 (10-220)
B12: 325 (250-1100)
VitD: 20 (up 6pts since last year)
Ferritin 211 (10-220)
B12: 325 (250-1100)
Test results are back. There are a bunch so for right now im just going to post the thyroid results
FT4: 1.04 ng/dl (.73-1.95)
TSH: 1.5 uiu/ml (.05-4.7)
TPO: 1 (<9)
I go back to this dr on thursday to have my goiter (as it is listed on my chart) ultrasound. I am thinking i should insist on a FT3 test and the other antibody test. is there anything else I should have them test? nothing on these results screams hypoT to me but im just still learning all this stuff so if you see something im missing let me know.
FT4: 1.04 ng/dl (.73-1.95)
TSH: 1.5 uiu/ml (.05-4.7)
TPO: 1 (<9)
I go back to this dr on thursday to have my goiter (as it is listed on my chart) ultrasound. I am thinking i should insist on a FT3 test and the other antibody test. is there anything else I should have them test? nothing on these results screams hypoT to me but im just still learning all this stuff so if you see something im missing let me know.
Just a quick note on the TSH from a year ago, that test was done around 4pm right after eating so im not sure how accurate that is compared to my levels from the rest of the day. Hopefully I will get my results of this new test early next week and when I do I will post them here to see if anyone has any insight. I have decided that no matter what the results say i am going to demand that more tests are done such as the FT3 and the other antibody test just so we can get the full picture.
I appreciate all your help. I am very glad I found this site.
That was a great link by the way! Very informative :)
I appreciate all your help. I am very glad I found this site.
That was a great link by the way! Very informative :)
You have a number of symptoms that frequently relate to being hypothyroid. Your TSH is low in the range, so it is not likely to be primary hypothyroidism (Hashimoto't Thyroiditis). I expect that your TSH will be low enough that you may not even be tested for Free T4. So when you go back next week you should do whatever is necessary to get tested for both Free T4 and Free T3, and then make sure they are done every time you go for tests.
The best you can hope for is a doctor that will treat clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. In preparation for your doctor appointment you can get a lot of info from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
The best you can hope for is a doctor that will treat clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. In preparation for your doctor appointment you can get a lot of info from this link written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
Thank you for your response!
They said they couldn't do that since it was done at an outside lab but if my other tests came back abnormal they could order it next week when I come in for my ultrasound. I just hope this isn't going to be another run around again where they tell me there is nothing wrong when there obviously is.
They said they couldn't do that since it was done at an outside lab but if my other tests came back abnormal they could order it next week when I come in for my ultrasound. I just hope this isn't going to be another run around again where they tell me there is nothing wrong when there obviously is.
TSH w reflex to Free T4 means if the TSH is above range, then a Free T4 is done.
If possible I would call the Endo's office and say that you noted that Free T3 was not being tested. Since it is very important, request that they find enough blood to run the Free T3 test also. They might comply and by doing so save you from making another trip to eventually get a Free T3 test done.
You really need to know both Free T4 and Free T3.
We need to discuss further, but I'll post this so you can perhaps get it in time.
If possible I would call the Endo's office and say that you noted that Free T3 was not being tested. Since it is very important, request that they find enough blood to run the Free T3 test also. They might comply and by doing so save you from making another trip to eventually get a Free T3 test done.
You really need to know both Free T4 and Free T3.
We need to discuss further, but I'll post this so you can perhaps get it in time.
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Also if not tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin I would try to get those done as well.