BLOOD TESTS

[Liz1900]

Hi,

   Just a quick question - I have had hypothyroid for many years and on treatment with Armour.  Never had any problems until recently.  It has been recommended on the message boards that I ask for additional tests other than TSH.  Could you tell me what tests to ask for - T3?  T4?  I don't know much about all of these since I never had any complaints when I went for my annual physical.

Thanks,
Liz

[Liz1900]

Thanks for the input on the tests I need to ask for.  I will do that.  With regard to the Armour - as I posted in my original posts on this board, I have been on Armour for 40 + years with no problem at all other than a few minor adjustments and no side effects.  I consider myself lucky with what I have read on the boards.  Also seems that people have trouble with Synthroid too - and not enough or too much T3 and T4....so changing medications isn't that appealing either, but who knows what blood work will show next week.  Having been reduced from 135 mg to 120 mg to 90 mg and lowering my dose to 75 mg myself about 5 weeks ago, I am still feeling some heart palpitations and some days I feel somewhat normal - but never really what I know is my normal, if you know what I mean?  I am usually waking up to my heart feeling like it is beating fast - some days it isn't beating that fast, but today it was in the 80's all day and I am getting discouraged about it all.  I thought perhaps 75 mg was going to be the answer, but I really don't think so.  That is the main symptom - I am not feeling tired or anything - just the heart palpitations some of the time and feeling slightly "off"..... I guess that isn't too bad compared to some things I have read - but the heart palpitations drive me crazy.  There have been days when I don't have it too much - and others I do - but I don't know what that means with regard to the medication.  Oh, well - we will see what the bloodwork shows.

Thanks,
Liz

[stella5349]

Don't let them talk you into a TSH reflex and say it is the same as a Free T3 and a Free T4. It isn't -- Tell them you want each serum level done seperate.  Trust me on that with Armour - you need the 3 seperate tests not the roll TSH reflex.

And post them - how's the Armour doin for you ?

[Liz1900]

Thanks so much for the info - I needed to have this for my appointment on Monday so it looks like I know what I am talking about:)  Yes, I plan to get a copy of my results after this visit.
Will let everyone know how things go.

Thanks,
Liz

[kitty9309]

Hi,
Ask for TSH, FREE t4, FREE t3, Thyroid Antibodies.
Also, have the ferritin (iron storage protein) checked. A CBC, iron is not enough to diagnose iron deficiency. A lot of us here have low ferritin.
Also, a b12 level would be helpful since b12 def. is common among hypo patients.

Then ask for a copy of your lab results so you can see for yourself, instead of just being told that all is "normal".

Hope this helped,
Kitty

[kitty9309]

Hi,
Ask for TSH, FREE t4, FREE t3, Thyroid Antibodies.
Also, have the ferritin (iron storage protein) checked. A CBC, iron is not enough to diagnose iron deficiency. A lot of us here have low ferritin.
Also, a b12 level would be helpful since b12 def. is common among hypo patients.

Then ask for a copy of your lab results so you can see for yourself, instead of just being told that all is "normal".

Hope this helped,
Kitty