Aa
Lab results
Finally got the correct test after 6 times. Waiting another day for the free t3. Experiencing a lot of hypo symptoms and only seems to be getting worse.
Free T4 : 15.1 Range: 11.0-23.0
Hypo:
TSH:1.00. Range: 0.4-5.0
Free T4 : 15.1 Range: 11.0-23.0
Hypo:
TSH:1.00. Range: 0.4-5.0
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry, I was traveling and missed your latest posts.
Well, your doctor is right that your FT3 is too high and so is your morning cortisol, but a single cortisol doesn't really mean anything because cortisol rises and falls over the day.
The fact that your FT3 and FT4 are swinging back and forth tell me that you either have the subacute thyroiditis or Hashimoto's, which can be characterized by periods of hyper in early stages. Since you never did find out which thyroid antibody test was done, we can't really resolve anything there. You need to find out which antibody test got done, then make sure the other one gets done. You also need to get that scan done to determine if you have nodules on your thyroid.
In order to get an accurate cortisol reading, you need to do a 24 hour saliva test. Most doctors don't order this and it's quite spendy. It can be ordered online... I can give you some sites from which to order it, if you're interested.
I do suspect that your own anxiety is contributing to the higher cortisol level and if you work through the thyroid issue, you'll get a long way. That's not a bad thing - we all have anxiety to a certain extent, when we don't feel well and our doctors don't listen to us.
Well, your doctor is right that your FT3 is too high and so is your morning cortisol, but a single cortisol doesn't really mean anything because cortisol rises and falls over the day.
The fact that your FT3 and FT4 are swinging back and forth tell me that you either have the subacute thyroiditis or Hashimoto's, which can be characterized by periods of hyper in early stages. Since you never did find out which thyroid antibody test was done, we can't really resolve anything there. You need to find out which antibody test got done, then make sure the other one gets done. You also need to get that scan done to determine if you have nodules on your thyroid.
In order to get an accurate cortisol reading, you need to do a 24 hour saliva test. Most doctors don't order this and it's quite spendy. It can be ordered online... I can give you some sites from which to order it, if you're interested.
I do suspect that your own anxiety is contributing to the higher cortisol level and if you work through the thyroid issue, you'll get a long way. That's not a bad thing - we all have anxiety to a certain extent, when we don't feel well and our doctors don't listen to us.
Oct 22 nd lab results
Tsh 1.87 range is .45 to 4.5 previously tsh was 0.78
T4 1.34 range is 0.82 to 1.77
Free t3 4.8 range is 2.0 to 4.4
Cortisol 21.4 range is 6.2 to 19.4
Tsh 1.87 range is .45 to 4.5 previously tsh was 0.78
T4 1.34 range is 0.82 to 1.77
Free t3 4.8 range is 2.0 to 4.4
Cortisol 21.4 range is 6.2 to 19.4
COMMUNITY LEADER
I did some research on the HIV issue and this is what I found: "If you test negative on an antibody test taken 3 months or longer after your last possible risk of possible exposure to HIV, you can feel safe in assuming that you do not have the virus. If for some reason you feel anxiety about relying on the 3-month result, you could opt to have another test taken again at 6 months."
The first thing you need to do is find a new doctor, then get the other antibody test done.
The first thing you need to do is find a new doctor, then get the other antibody test done.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You need a new doctor. Do you know your FT3 level? If it's high, there's something wrong. She can't possibly know you don't have Hashimoto's when she didn't even test both antibodies.
I think you should be okay on the HIV think but I'm going to check into the it for you... I know someone who can give me info.
I think you should be okay on the HIV think but I'm going to check into the it for you... I know someone who can give me info.
Okay sorry for not answering back for sometime been caught trying to somewhat enjoy myself and deal/treat whatever is causing my symptoms. Never got the thyroid scan. Dr didn't check for other antibody. I did do another free t3/t4 and serum cortisol. My dr tells me when I visit that my coritsol is high and my free t3 is high. She then states I don't have cushings hashimotos or anything and that I'm stressing myself out and making myself anxious. Then prescribes Xanax for my anxiety and sends me on my way. I for one am not happy at all to tell me I have high cortisol and free t 3 and then brush it off saying my thoughts are causing this is just downright stupid. I have been dealing with severe dry mouth recently for several weeks now.
1. Got tested for hiv 3 months post any possible exposure is it safe to rule that out
2. Should I continue looking into thyroid disorders
3. Need some help and the forums and symptom searching has elevated my anxiety and stress greatly
1. Got tested for hiv 3 months post any possible exposure is it safe to rule that out
2. Should I continue looking into thyroid disorders
3. Need some help and the forums and symptom searching has elevated my anxiety and stress greatly
COMMUNITY LEADER
Which of the thyroid antibody tests did your doctor order? You need, both, TPOab and TgAb, because they are both markers for Hashimoto's and either one can be the basis for a diagnosis. Without them both, a diagnosis can be missed.
Your result of 11, with a range of 0-34 would mean that you're negative for whichever antibody that is. Since you didn't have the other one, we still don't know.
Viral thyroiditis, also known as subacute thyroiditis is quite rare. It follows an viral infection of upper respiratory tract, such as mumps, influenza or a common cold. The most obvious symptom is pain the neck. It sometimes includes symptoms of too much thyroid hormone, then later symptoms of not enough. It sometimes resolves on its own, but often settles into permanent hypothyroidism. IMO - your doctor is barking up the wrong tree, particularly since she didn't even test both antibodies.
When do you get the thyroid scan?
Your result of 11, with a range of 0-34 would mean that you're negative for whichever antibody that is. Since you didn't have the other one, we still don't know.
Viral thyroiditis, also known as subacute thyroiditis is quite rare. It follows an viral infection of upper respiratory tract, such as mumps, influenza or a common cold. The most obvious symptom is pain the neck. It sometimes includes symptoms of too much thyroid hormone, then later symptoms of not enough. It sometimes resolves on its own, but often settles into permanent hypothyroidism. IMO - your doctor is barking up the wrong tree, particularly since she didn't even test both antibodies.
When do you get the thyroid scan?
Got my antibodies test back
11 range 0-34
Idk what that means. Just saw an endo n she said my levels look fine which I don't get. Then she said were going to observe because she thinks I have a viral thyroiditis. I asked what about the chronic hives I've been experience she said she didn't know. And to get a thyroid scan
11 range 0-34
Idk what that means. Just saw an endo n she said my levels look fine which I don't get. Then she said were going to observe because she thinks I have a viral thyroiditis. I asked what about the chronic hives I've been experience she said she didn't know. And to get a thyroid scan
COMMUNITY LEADER
Can you go ahead and ask your current doctor to test the thyroid antibodies and the vitamin B12, so you'll, at least have those results in hand and know if they are an issue? They are for many of us.
It's important to note that if you have Hashimoto's, symptoms often appear long before actual thyroid labs show out of range, so the antibody tests would be important, at this point.
It's important to note that if you have Hashimoto's, symptoms often appear long before actual thyroid labs show out of range, so the antibody tests would be important, at this point.
Still looking for an sffordable endo since I don't have insurance. I have developed a hives like rash has anyone dealt with this.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ask to get Vitamin B12 tested... B12 deficiency causes horrible fatigue. Anxiety could be causing the sleeplessness.
Have you already found another doctor?
Have you already found another doctor?
Thank you so much for taking the time to respond to me I truly appreciate it. However I did forget to mention the fatigue in my above symptom paragraph. I have terrible fatigue and that's been present for a few months. The only think I take now to help with all this is a thyroid complex which is high in selenium and magnesium. That at least lets me stay awake throughout the day. Yes I'm going to see another doctor because my GP is not very knowledgeable on thyroid treatment obv.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Sorry I haven't been able to be online to help you with this.
Apparently, your doctor is looking more at TSH than anything else, which is very unfortunate, because TSH doesn't tell the whole story by any means. Your FT4 is at 34% of the range, which is lower than we'd, typically, recommend for someone on thyroid replacement hormones, but you aren't on replacement hormones. Your FT3 is at 58% of its range and we typically recommend (for someone thyroid replacement hormones) that FT3 be in the upper half to upper third of its range and yours is.
Your labs are all in range, so on paper, it all looks good; in spite of all your hypo symptoms and it will probably be hard for you to find a doctor to treat you for hypothyroidism.
My first suggestion will be to start looking for another doctor, but you should ask to be tested for thyroid antibodies to determine if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world. The tests you need are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb). You need them both, because some people have one or the other, some have both, but either can be the basis for a diagnosis for Hashimoto's. Once doctors are able to diagnose Hashimoto's, "some" are more sympathetic and are more willing to treat symptoms; others are not... if yours isn't; it's certainly time to move on.
The second thing is that there are some other things that can cause hypo-like symptoms, as well, so you might as your doctor further testing to rule out other issues. Vitamin D deficiency causes some hypo like symptoms, as does vitamin B-12 deficiency. One thing to note, however, is that B-12 deficiency causes sleepiness/fatigue, not sleeplessness. For most people, hypothyroidism does the same thing. Sleeplessness is, typically, something we associate with hyperthyroidism. Both Vitamin B12 deficiency and hypothyroidism cause brain fog and mental confusion, etc. Vitamin B12 can cause easy bruising.
You might also ask for ferritin test, which would indicate iron stores, but since you don't indicate fatigue or sleepiness, this may not be an issue for you.
These are just some suggestions to keep the ball rolling to get your treatment underway, but, of course, I go back to my first suggestion - start looking for a new doctor and ask your current one to test the thyroid antibodies in the meantime just to keep the ball rolling.
Apparently, your doctor is looking more at TSH than anything else, which is very unfortunate, because TSH doesn't tell the whole story by any means. Your FT4 is at 34% of the range, which is lower than we'd, typically, recommend for someone on thyroid replacement hormones, but you aren't on replacement hormones. Your FT3 is at 58% of its range and we typically recommend (for someone thyroid replacement hormones) that FT3 be in the upper half to upper third of its range and yours is.
Your labs are all in range, so on paper, it all looks good; in spite of all your hypo symptoms and it will probably be hard for you to find a doctor to treat you for hypothyroidism.
My first suggestion will be to start looking for another doctor, but you should ask to be tested for thyroid antibodies to determine if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world. The tests you need are Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb). You need them both, because some people have one or the other, some have both, but either can be the basis for a diagnosis for Hashimoto's. Once doctors are able to diagnose Hashimoto's, "some" are more sympathetic and are more willing to treat symptoms; others are not... if yours isn't; it's certainly time to move on.
The second thing is that there are some other things that can cause hypo-like symptoms, as well, so you might as your doctor further testing to rule out other issues. Vitamin D deficiency causes some hypo like symptoms, as does vitamin B-12 deficiency. One thing to note, however, is that B-12 deficiency causes sleepiness/fatigue, not sleeplessness. For most people, hypothyroidism does the same thing. Sleeplessness is, typically, something we associate with hyperthyroidism. Both Vitamin B12 deficiency and hypothyroidism cause brain fog and mental confusion, etc. Vitamin B12 can cause easy bruising.
You might also ask for ferritin test, which would indicate iron stores, but since you don't indicate fatigue or sleepiness, this may not be an issue for you.
These are just some suggestions to keep the ball rolling to get your treatment underway, but, of course, I go back to my first suggestion - start looking for a new doctor and ask your current one to test the thyroid antibodies in the meantime just to keep the ball rolling.
Can someone please help with my result just left my GP and he wouldn't help me saying everything was in range on paper. Also my TSH is at a 1.00
O I have all the hypo symptoms that's why I'm seeking treatment. For the past 4 months I've had them all. Sleeplessness, dry hair and skin, digestive problems, brain fog, confusion. So many symptoms its hard to name them all. The free T3 results will be in today, so hopefully ill get prescibed some medicine today! It's been a rough journey
COMMUNITY LEADER
Meant to say "Hypo symptoms can appear before your results get to the bottom of the range.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hypo symptoms can appear before your get to the bottom of the range. What symptoms do you have?
Did you have a free T3 test done? If not, ask your doctor to order it. If s/he refuses, you should start looking for another doctor.
Did you have a free T3 test done? If not, ask your doctor to order it. If s/he refuses, you should start looking for another doctor.
It messed up when I typed it.
The range under the free t4 was
Hypo: less than 12.3
Hyper: more then 22.0
The range under the free t4 was
Hypo: less than 12.3
Hyper: more then 22.0
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