Blood work

[katekos]

Hello again everyone.  I am scheduled to have more bloodwork done in two weeks but was just looking over the paperwork and here is what she is testing for:
Thyroglobulin Ab (Anti-Tg)
Thyroglobulin, Comp (w Anti-Tg)
TSH
Thyroxine (T4) Free, Direct

The tests she did not circle for testing are:
Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin
Thyroxine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3), Free
Triiodothyronine (T3), Total
TPO Antibodies
TSH Receptor AB
Should she be testing any of the above?

Other bloodwork being done is for parathyroid Hormone, Vitamin D, Serum Ca, & Mag. - all b/c of TT in January.

Any thoughs on why she isn't testing T3 or the others I mentioned?  You would think that after dealing with hypothyroidism for 10 years I would be more knowledgeable here.  
Thanks!!

[AR-10]

My doctors have always run a TSH and a Free T4. Makes more money for the lab. :-)

Running both acomplishes a couple of things. They should compliment each other, so if one looks good and the other looks bad, then one of the tests may be an error.

So it's an easy way to verify test results.

Also, knowing exactly what your Free T4 is gives a better indication of if the hormone level is correct or the med dosage, if that's the case.

Your Free T4 should be two thirds up the scale of the low/high limits of the lab ranges.

Your TSH should be low, between 0.5 and 2.0
Most of us are shooting for 1.0, but everybody is a little different.

"Within lab ranges" is too broad a definition to keep us feeling well all the time.

Hope that doesn't sound like a lecture.
Good luck with the tests.

[katekos]

Thank you AR.  I was wondering about the T3 - I kinda assumed it always went hand in hand for testing.  It looks like I have had it checked in the past year (with a different Dr. but she has copies of all the tests).  I did no have RAI, TT was due to numerous goiters but no cancer.  Also have Hashimotos.
Is it always a good idea to have TSH and Free T4 each time my levels are checked.  All my Dr.'s in the past have really only done TSH to check that I'm "in the normal range".

[AR-10]

The tests she is running are to see if the RAI worked.
You had RAI after the TT, yes?

That's what the first two tests are about.

She is also checking your levels, and TSH and Free T4 are good enough for that.

The tests she did not order;
The first one is an antibody test for Grave's, you don't need it. The second is an old, outdated T4 test, and you don't want it. The third is Free T3, which needs to be looked at from time to time, but not every time. The fourth is another outdated test that would be a waste of money. The fifth and sixth are antibody tests that you don't need at this time.

You've probably had the TPOab test run at some time in the past, and rechecking it may not hurt, but it won't affect how you are treated.

The free T3 should be checked once or twice a year, but it doen't need to be run every time you have a Free T4 run. She is looking to get your meds balanced, and Free T4 and TSH will tell her what she wants to know.

When your hormones are brought to a good level and you are stable, then she should check your Free T4 and Free T3 both, to be sure they are in sync with each other. She's not ready to fine tune you just yet.

It's good to see that she is checking other things like your calcium and vitamin D.

[ChitChatNine]

I just wanted to say hello .. I'm not the resident lab expert but I'm sure others will be able to help!

C~