Confused about lab results

[coppergirl]

I recently got a copy of the results for bloodwork and am confused as to what it all means. My doctor had  diagnosed me with graves disease (based on thyroid profile and radioactive iodine uptake/scan) and had ordered this additional testing.

T4, free                                            3.89         (0.8-1.8)
TSH - ultrasensative                        <0.01         (0.35-5.5)

Thyroid Microsomal Ab (TPO)             669         (0-35)
Anti-thyroglobulin antibody                  315         (0-40)

Thyroid-stimulating immunoglob, S       4.1          (<= 1.3)

Thyroxine-binding globulin, S                33           ( 11-27)


I understand the T4 and TSH, but the other four I'm not sure what exactly they are. When searching online, hashimoto's keeps coming up, but I've had the symptoms of hyperthyroidism for about the past two years now. I would greatly appreciate it if someone could explain to me what those last test are. Thanks

[coppergirl]

Thanks for the replies. It makes much more sense now. As for the FT3, I believe that it was run when I was first diagnosed a couple months ago, but I never got a copy of those results so can't be for sure.  

And as for going two years, I actually only first went to my primary doctor about the symptoms this past February, who then sent me to a cardiologist thinking there was a problem with my heart. For awhile I had attributed the symptoms to all the stress I had been under at the time.

Anyways, thanks again for the info!

[Smilerdeb]

I agree totally with Goolara.
You have Graves Disease and Hyperthyroidism and should be put on an antithyroid medication like carbimazole, methimazole or ptu.
Research all you can about hyperthyroidism and graves disease...as you will need to learn how to control those levels.
Your Doc should also prescribe you a beta blocker to help with the rapid heartrate and profuse sweating until the antithyroid meds kick in.

I am surprised you have gone 2 years with this and permanant treatment hasnt been suggested.
Usually RAI (radioactive iodine) or Thyroidectomy is needed in the long run as I am afraid to say...Graves antibodies are for life and while your thyroid works, they will always attack it.
The usual treatment is to abalte the thyroid and then work towards going into remission with the antibodies so that they lay dormant in your body.
I would also suggest to your Dic to get your Liver Enzymes checked as they can be elevated with Graves and still having a thyroid.
Hope that helps :)

[goolarra]

TPOab and TGab are the two antibodies that are associated with both autoimmune thyroid diseases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis (hypo) and Grave's disease (hyper).  TSI is the antibody associated with Grave's, and is considered the definitive test for Grave's.  People with Hashi's do not have elevated TSI.  So, yes, your doctor is right - you have Grave's disease.  TBG is a protein that binds with the two main thyroid hormones, T3 and T4, making them more difficult to eliminate from your body.  Elevated levels of this also indicate Grave's.  Did your doctor run FT3?