i dont understand my test results

[jax190]

hi i have been reading loads of your queations and answers and im confused i have been diagnosed with an under active thyroid for 2 years i had my thyroid removed aug 2006 as it had dislodged and i had trouble breathing i was found to have a small amount of papillory cancer and was told i needed a supressive dose of thyroxine i now take 150mg i only get tested for tsh and t4 i havent heard of the other tests everyone else seems to have had done and dont know if they do them in the uk also it seems that when your on a supressive dose your tsh levels have to be low but i was informed that my t4 level needed to be supressed my test results are t4 0.08 and the tsh is 22 does any one know why my tsh level is so high from what i have been reading these levels should be similar does it mean im not converting to t3.  also does anyone know where i could get a t3 test done and if i would need one? have seen an endo and was told he didnt believe in t3 and refused to test me i am still wailting to feel better and cannot seem to lose the 3 stone that i put when originally diagnosed although i have been steady since op cant seem to lose it i would appreciate any help and advice thanks

[jeblondon]

Sorry don't mean to hijack your thread jax but wanted to clarify something with AR

For the UK ranges does that mean you should be in either range or are you comparing them to US ranges?  Sorry, don't mean to be bit 'thick' but my head is all over the place trying to work these out.
The only thing I have been givem so far was my TSH reading prior to the surgery to remove the nodule and left lobe and that was1.88 in November of last year then 1.42 begining of March this year.9Us this good?).  I don't know any other numbers yet - but I am going to ask for them!
thanks so much

[jax190]

sorry meant to add thanks for your help

[jax190]

i think maybe your right  im going to go back to the doctor and check my levels
good job i never told my doctor what i thought of him although if he still refuses me a t3 test i might still think it

[AR-10]

Maybe you have TSH and Free T4 mixed up?
Maybe your doctor's not a wanker?

[AR-10]

The ranges I find for the UK are;

TSH    0.35-3.3  or   0.35-5.5
Free T4  10-25   or   11.2-22.7
Free T3  3.0-7.0 or    3.5-6.5

Your ranges vary somewhat from lab to lab, as do ours.

[jax190]

hi i have been looking at some sites but cant say have found any that i have found that great the best has probably been ask.com if i do find any i will let you know.    like you i find it hard for someone to explain things it would be interesting to know what your results are and what tests your dr does i find it really hard to get anything other than tsh and t4 have sent reply note hope you get it i am new to this site and not sure it works yet

[jeblondon]

Hi, I have sent you a note as I think you are in the UK.  I believe we have different numbers here for the tests - am new at this so just getting my head round it all!  Can you recommend any UK sites to make these readings any clearer for me.
Thanks so much
J x

[jax190]

hi thanks for your comments this is what i find confusing you see when i was on 175mg my t4 level0.02 and my tsh was 24 i was told by endo that i was going over active and he reduced my dose which brought my t4 level up and tsh down was told i should reduce again to get my tsh to 17 and my t4 up which means i wont be on a supressed dose so i refused now endo has discharged me.  so when i increase my thyroxine my tsh level goes up too and i become overactive but no symptoms of it and still cant lose weight do you think this is my dr or are the english tests different havent had tests for anything else told these are all they do and are all i need i am going to find out the range but think they are t4  0.1-5.5   and tsh 12-20    

[AR-10]

Ok, your doctor has you hypo. your TSH is 22.0, and it should be below one, as low as you can stand without being hyper.

Your T4 is practically non-existant, which is why your TSH is so high. When your hormones are low, your TSH is high. When your hormones are high, your TSH is low.

Your doctor has it backwards. You need an increase in your meds.

Your doctor may have been referring to the old Total T3 test, which is worthless. When the time comes, you should ask for a Free T3 test, which this guy has probably never heard of.

But you don't need a Free T3 test for a few months.
You need a dosage increase. And checked in six weeks. and probably another dosage adjustment and re-testing in six weeks.

You need a new doctor.

[redhed87]

I had a tt for cancer last May.  Did you have RAI at all?  My tsh is .011 lab range is .350-5.500 so mine is low.  I am on 250mcg of synthroid for supression.  Your tg (thyroglobulin) levels should be monitored.  That can show if there is a recurrence.  If you are correct and your tsh is 22- you are hypo.  Check those #'s and give me the lab ranges.  Maybe .22?  If you tsh is supressed, you should be able to lose weight with diet and exercise.  I recently lost 10 pounds.  It took me many months to feel good.  I haven't had a T3 test either.  I am now off of my meds in preparation for the WBS to check for cancer or thyroid tissue.  My cancer wasn't an incidental finding and I also had lymph nodes involved.  You might want to check with another doctor for a second opinion.  It's your right.  Be your own advocate.

[jax190]

thanks for that at least you cheered me up though not sure wether to laugh or cry seems like a pretty big mistake to me if your right

[AR-10]

The British term may be wanker. Whatever that means, he's that.

[AR-10]

I've not had thyroid cancer, but I think your TSH is supposed to be suppressed, not your hormones.

Hopefully someone with experience will come along, but I think your doctor has it backwards.

On second thought, if you are seeing an Endo that does not believe in running Free T3 tests EVER, run, far, far away.
You're being treated by an idiot.