Low TSH and thyroglobulin

[quilter221k]

I had a TT because of papillary thyriod cancer. I've been on .175 mcg synthroid for 8 weeks, my TSH was .19 and my thyroglobulin was less than .2---I'm not sure what this means, I am expecting a note in the mail from my endo any time. but worried that my results are very low.
Do my results suggest that I'm hypo or hyper? my Free T4 was 1.6, I didn't have a T3, should I have one of those. I'm so new to this and don't understand the results.

I'm also type 1 diabetic, for 39 years. but in good control.
thank you for any help.

[hypogirl80]

Looks like you are OK. your TSH and FT4 are both normal(cancer patient usually needs low TSH.) Since you are taking 175mcg Synthroid, so you are hypo(of course after TT), but with good control...     More important, how do you feel ? if you feel OK, then fine, if not, need to tell your doctor.

[quilter221k]

My family practice doctor thought I needed to lower my Synthroid, I'll see this week what my endocrinologist says. I've been seeing him for 25 years. he is the one who has been watching my thyroid all this time. It was a miracle that we found the .5 cm cancer nodule when we did. If I had taken my biopsy in February this year, when he wanted me to, it would've been too small and they would've tested only the large benign nodule, then I would've waited another 2-3 years to have another "test." but, because I didn't go in until August to do the biopsy, it was large enough to see by the radiologist, he said this one looks suspious, I'll test it, too. he was only asked to test the large benign nodule...so, you see there were two instances that were miracles in my life this year! My endo was surprised that they could biopsy the .5 cm nodule, which had the papillary cancer.

I'm feeling so much better having no thyroid, and feel pretty much the same once I started the synthroid, 8 weeks ago. I don't know how so many people can have side effects from the pill....not sure why I don't, since I tend to be a little more sensitive with meds. I'm NOT taking the generic, it practically killed my sister in law.

thanks for your response!  

[Justin1967]

Your TSH should be lowered as it is still too high.. For TSH suppression after cancer it  should be below 0.1 or less.. The only way to do that is INCREASE your synthroid dosage..
Your Tg result is fine..

[utahmomma]

Justin is right on the mark.  Your TSH (for cancer patients) should be maintained at roughly .1 or less (without going into thyroid storm, of course).  A Tg of <.4 is what you want.  These levels will need to be maintained to watch for cancer recurrence.

Welcome to the world of thyroid cancer - you're in good company with all of us "Pez heads"  -)

[quilter221k]

so my blood tests, TSH will not be "marked" in the normal thyroid levels anymore? I still haven't heard from my doctor, it could be his "nurse" not getting back to me...I'll need to call on Monday to find out what he wants to do. Thanks for your help, everyone. I couldn't find anywhere on the internet to find out what the results meant on my blood test. is there a place that describes where I should be?

[utahmomma]

"Normal" isn't normal for us thyroid patients.  They want to keep your thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from your pituitary as supressed as possible so *if* there is any remaining cancer in your body it won't be stinulated to grow.

a web site that I use for general information about my lab results is:  www.labtestsonline.org

if you live in the UK add .uk at the end of it - Austrailia use .au

another site is:  http://www.amarillomed.com/howto.htm

Remember that these are just generalized results and ranges and that your lab may have different ranges.  Your doctor (or nurse) should give you your results and you can always ask for a copy of them (that is your right)

[utahmomma]

Oops - I meant to say: Normal isn't normal for us thyroid *cancer* patients.  Sorry, screaming headache.