thyroid lab results

[bk76]

I have been on levoxyl for 1 yr, but the past 6 mo i have been in and out of ny docotrs office with worsening symptoms, he finally re tested my thyroid levels and they were the following;
t4- 0.5
t3- 1.6
TSH- 97.9
thyroglobulin- 1.2
antithyro ab - 160  - normal range (0-40 IU/ml)
t
I understand that I have hypothyroidism  but does the addition test  thyroglobulin and antithyro ab mean I have hoshimotos's disease or not? please help?

[gimel]

When you look closely at the test results you gave, and the ranges, I think they clearly have to be free T3 and free T4.  Regardless, the other members here are right on with their recommendations that you need more medication and a new doctor.  The best indicator is symptoms, followed by the levels of the actual, biologically active thyroid hormones, which are free T3 and free T4.  Those test results and your symptoms clearly show the need for more medication.  
In my opinion the very best way to treat a thyroid patient is to test and adjust FT3 and FT4 levels with whatever medication is required to alleviate symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Frequently this requires that the FT3 level is adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 is adjusted to at least midpoint of its range.  Symptoms relief should be all important.

If you start looking for a good thyroid doctor, before making an appointment, I suggest calling the doctor's office in advance and asking to speak to a nurse.  Then ask the nurse if the doctor is willing to treat a patient clinically (for symptoms), by testing and adjusting FT3 and FT4 as required to alleviate symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  If yes, then ask if the doctor is willing to prescribe dessicated T4/T3 meds, in addition to T4 only types such as Synthroid.   If the answer to either question is no, then you probably need to keep looking.

[Smilerdeb]

It may take time for the 50mcg dose to 'kick in' but personally I wouldnt be at all happy with your Doctor.
Either way, whether your levels are 'Frees' or not, you are being undermedicated.
It can take up to a week to start feeling right or better but personally I would be upping the dose alternating days between 50mcg and 75mcg and see how you feel on that dose.
Please dont think that anxiety and fast heartrate is just for HYPERS...its not. You can get BOTH on both ends of the scale.
For your TSH to be that, you have been undermedicated for some time.
I am no Doctor so maybe run it past another Doctor before you increase again but you know your own body better than anyone.
I'd be giving your Doctor  the boot.

[Barb135]

Do you know whether the T4 and T3 are free or total?  Totals are pretty much obsolete now and don't tell much of anything; however, your T4 is well below the range and your T3 is only in the lower 1/2.  With that high TSH, you are definitely hypo.

I don't understand why your doctor would give you lyrica to take when you obviously had symptoms of being hypo.  If you get in that situation again, please insist on having thyroid tests done before accepting any other med.  It's all too common for doctors to start passing out a script for something else, when it would be SO easy to get the lab work done and confirm or discount thyroid issues.  

I hope you get to feeling better quickly.  And yes, next time your doctor orders blood work, please make sure he puts FREE T3 and FREE T4 on the lab order, not total.

[6hashi]

ask for Free-T3,Free-T4 instead of T3,T4 !!

[bk76]

I was getting tested every 4- 6 weeks then my thryoid levels stablilized and I was feeling great ona low dose of 12mcg, but then I started feeling horrible  since august I complained of fatigue, chest pains, muscle pain, dryness in my skin on my face, and neck pain  my doctor gave me lyrica and said he thought I had neuralgia. after that didnt help I went back to my doctor and he decided to draw my labs.

My docotr has increased my levoxyl to 25 mcg for the past week and now I am up to 50 mcg but my heart is racing and I can do much activities without being short of breath, this is tough with 4 kids.... thank you all for repsonding so quickly, all the info I can get is very helpful!!


T3 normal rangel is 2.18- 3.98 - again mine is 1.60
T4 nomral range is 0.76-1.46 - mine is 0.51

[Barb135]

I agree with Deb -- you need to post the ranges for the FT3 and FT4, but if I had to guess, I'd say you are hypo with hashi.  

What dose of med are you on, and why is your doctor only checking your blood once a year?  You need to be checked every few weeks until your levels are stable and you no longer have symptoms.  

I'm sorry, but it looks like you need to find a doctor who is going to watch your levels closer than that.  I find it very disturbing that your TSH was allowed to get that high and I will be anxious to see the ranges for the FT's, as I'm betting they are very low...........

[Smilerdeb]

I had anti AB come back at over 4000 and I was diagnosed with Graves Disease as my FT3 and FT4 levels shot through the roof.
The AB test checks to see if you have autoimmune antibodies (which you have).
The TSI test checks for Graves Disease.
I cant comment on your Ft3 and FT4 levels as you havent posted the ranges.
These are all different in every country and every pathology centre.
Maybe if you post the ranges..others could comment but going by your TSH, I would take a guess that you are HYPO.

[6hashi]

it does mean that !
ask your doctor to adjust your dose !