not sure what to expect......am scared

[Dot1942]

I have an appt. with an endocrine specialist on April 16. my T3 total is 2.26, my TSH is 0.01, and my free T4 is 1.04. I understand this is considered hyperthyroidism. What kind of tests am I looking at?

[GravesLady]

Hard to tell what the doctor will do. The doctor might want to retest because there could be a chance of Lab mistake, for whatever reason.  Then if they show warrant, he will do other test. As they are now, they don't indicate autoimmune.

However, your levels could indicate adrenal fatigue or other problems such as allergies, hormonal imbalance, yeast, etc. He should check these out as well.

If its thyroid and none of the above, he might treat you with ATDs to see if TSH come into Lab reference range, with remission.

It's up to the doc.

Just my personal opinion and/or experience. Always discuss your health issue with your doctor , always adhere to your doctors advise and, you always have the right to a second opinion. Nothing is a 100% or a 100%, 100% of the time. However, we are not all alike!

GL,
1990 - Hyper/Graves'
1997 - Dia/RAI
1999 - TED - slight Thyroid Eye Disease
1999 - Visible Nodule (suspect Marine-Lenhart-Syndrom/hyper-functioning nodule)
2000 - SAS  - Short Attention Span (short, spaced paragraphs, sweet and to the point helps)
2002 -  IED  - Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Graves' Range)

[Dot1942]

Thanks for answering back. You know, I have always considered myself in good health. I had no insurance until my Medicare kicked in, so I could not afford to go to the Doctor. I had a physical coming and since I was suffering from high blood pressure,I decided to have the physical done. The only signs that I have that I have read from other people are 1> I have a lot of trouble falling asleep and staying asleep; I am overweight and the doc has said I had to lose the lbs. I am 5 ft. 6 in. tall and right now I weigh 179lbs. I have lost only 4lbs. in 2 weeks. My back hurts, but, I took several falls down a flight of stairs. My eyes are in excellent health. So, I am really disturbed about this.I feel great physically and mentally; have no lumps that I know of, have a good appetite,etc.If you dont mind, I would like to continue to talk with you when I get down. God bless you.

[GravesLady]

Hey, you can talk with me anytime. I am going out of town this weekend, other than that I'm here most of the time.  
I know what you mean, I felt healthy, in fact just before being diagnosed, I felt my best ever.
The sleeping was a problem with me too, for 6 years. I finally broke down and took prescription sleeping pills for a couple of months. Over the county ones didn't work for me, however for some that is all it takes. I took the pills 4 nights out of 3 as not to get addictive and didn't have to wing myself when I was healed.  I think when we get thyroid issues it does something to our brain patterns and we have to retrain our brain again to fall into the correct pattern. I had the same problems with BMs and had to retrain for a few months. Those two issues for me have pretty much subsided for the most part.

Don't get yourself up set over this, it could be worse and you sound pretty healthy otherwise, other  than the weight issue, and how many of us don't have that issue. ;)

You have anymore questions I'm here and I'll try to answer them to my best knowledge and experience, otherwise we can just talk.

Just my personal opinion and/or experience. Always discuss your health issue with your doctor , always adhere to your doctors advise and, you always have the right to a second opinion. Nothing is a 100% or a 100%, 100% of the time. However, we are not all alike!

GL,
1990 - Hyper/Graves'
1997 - Dia/RAI
1997 - MVP - Mitral Valve Prolapse
1999 - TED - slight Thyroid Eye Disease
1999 - Visible Nodule (suspect Marine-Lenhart-Syndrom/hyperfunctioning nodule)
2000 - SAS  - Short Attention Span (short, spaced paragraphs, sweet and to the point helps)
2002 -  IED  - Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Graves' Range)
2007 -  A/ITP (suspect)

[Dot1942]

I hope you have a good and safe trip. I will be leaving to go on vacation March 20 and wont be back until April 12. 4 days later I have my appointment. I will let you know how things go. I try to keep busy; it does help some. My hubby is very supportive and that also helps.You know, there is one other thing I have noticed: my left ear was hurting me quite often, but , my doc gave me some medication, a beta-blocker, upped my dosage after about a week, and I have noticed my ear does not bother me anymore. By the way, where are you from? I think I would like to meet you someday. You seem so sweet. Help me hang in there.

[k9gang]

The tests to run are Free T3, Free T4, TSI and TPO antibodies tests, iodine loading test.
If the  TSH is run it should be almost zero, regardless of the lab range for it (0.3-3.0).

Tere is no way to know if you have Graves or Hashioto's unless the antibodies tests are run. Period. If a doctor deems you hypErthyroid merely because you TSH is low and your Free T4 is high, maybe it's time to seek a better doctor.

In general, we want our "Frees" to be near the top or a bit above the high normal range. We do not want to see any antibodies, and we do NOT want to be iodine deficient.

So, look at your test results, and the ranges.
If you have "symptoms", listen to them. If you are NOT symptomatic, please do not let anyone talk you into something you do not need.

My 2 cents...

www.altsupportthyroid.org/dt.php
www.stopthethyroidmadness.com
www.laurapower.com/iodinedeficiency.htm
www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/opt_Research_I.shtml
www.helpmythyroid.com/IOD4.htm
www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/loadTest.htm
www.breastcancerchoices.org/loading.html

[Dot1942]

actually,my freeT4s are normal; 1.04,reference range of 0.61-1.4-5; my TSH is0.01, reference range of .40-4.20; my T3 total is 2.26, reference range of .87-1.78.What is a TSI and TPO test? I have not heard of it.I am sorry, this is all new to me

[k9gang]

Your Free T4 of 1.4 in a range of 0.61-1.45? It's just a teensy weensy bit over midrange, however ideally it should be at least 1.50 or so. Free T3 should realy be closer to the top. People usually feel good when their "frees" are high. The total T3 test isn't necessary.

TSH looks good, but the new reference range as of 2yrs ago is 0.3-3.0.

TSI = Graves Disease Antibodies
TPO = Hashimoto's antibodies

Here is a really good site to learn about all this:
www.stopthethyroidmadness.com
They have a spectacular set of links. references, books, and websites listed, plus actual real life info about info about thyroid stuff. It's pretty matter-of-fact and gets right to the point. Learn as much as you can so that you will be aware of what is and is not proper treatment and testing.