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Hashimoto's thyroiditis lab results
Hi,
New to forum. Have a few questions...
I have been treated by my endo for Hashimotos for the last year. Prior to this I showed symptoms for about 2 years but was unable to see an endocrinologist. My most recent results came back as T3 uptake: 21 (range 22-35, told that it was low because I take birth control), T4 thyroxine total: 10.0 (range 4.5-12), free T4 index T7: 2.1 (range 1.4-3.8), TSH: 1.0 (range .4-4.5). My Dr is now saying because my tsh is at an optimal level we will just continue as is. I am a bit frustrated as I am still having symptoms (heavy weight gain w/o weight loss, hair loss, body temperature imbalances,etc). Any recommendations? I would like to feel better and get back to a healthier size. I follow a vegetarian diet as well so I do not feel like it is my eating habits.
New to forum. Have a few questions...
I have been treated by my endo for Hashimotos for the last year. Prior to this I showed symptoms for about 2 years but was unable to see an endocrinologist. My most recent results came back as T3 uptake: 21 (range 22-35, told that it was low because I take birth control), T4 thyroxine total: 10.0 (range 4.5-12), free T4 index T7: 2.1 (range 1.4-3.8), TSH: 1.0 (range .4-4.5). My Dr is now saying because my tsh is at an optimal level we will just continue as is. I am a bit frustrated as I am still having symptoms (heavy weight gain w/o weight loss, hair loss, body temperature imbalances,etc). Any recommendations? I would like to feel better and get back to a healthier size. I follow a vegetarian diet as well so I do not feel like it is my eating habits.
COMMUNITY LEADER
If you can let us know where you're located, we can see if we have a patient recommended doctor in your area. Otherwise, you can try checking out Top Thyroid Doctors.
Oh ok That does make sense. I do like my doctor as a person (great bedside manner and willing to answer questions) and he is highly rated online however I do not know how open he'd be to having me ask for tests - my next appointment is a year away and I'm unwilling to wait that long. Is there a list on here of doctors in different areas?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Free T4 index (T7) is an outdated (calculated) measure of Free T4; why not just order a straight FT4, which is much more accurate, to begin with?
If you like your doctor and think it might be possible to "educate" him, by asking for specific tests, we can help guide you... if not, we can help guide you to a new, "improved" doctor.
If you like your doctor and think it might be possible to "educate" him, by asking for specific tests, we can help guide you... if not, we can help guide you to a new, "improved" doctor.
I was afraid that was the case. Is the free t4 index t7 a different hormone than the free t4 that you are referring to? I will look into getting a different dr
COMMUNITY LEADER
Unfortunately, most of the tests your doctor ran are obsolete and of little value. You should ask him to test for Free T3 and Free T4, which are the actual thyroid hormones.
Free T4 is a storage hormone and must be converted to Free T3 in order to be used by the individual cells. Of the total T4 in your blood, some of it will be bound by protein and will be unavailable for conversion to T3; that's why we need to know the amount of Free T4 you have. Additionally, part of the T3 in your system will also be bound by protein, and will be unavailable to your cells. Free T3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells.
It really sounds like you need a different doctor. Not all endos are good thyroid doctors; many specialize in diabetes or don't stay up on current practices. You don't have to have an endo to treat thyroid disease; any doctor can do it, so long as they are willing to test and treat adequately, which means testing FT3 and FT4 with every set of blood work, being willing to ignore TSH and being willing to treat by symptoms, not just TSH or labs in general.
Free T4 is a storage hormone and must be converted to Free T3 in order to be used by the individual cells. Of the total T4 in your blood, some of it will be bound by protein and will be unavailable for conversion to T3; that's why we need to know the amount of Free T4 you have. Additionally, part of the T3 in your system will also be bound by protein, and will be unavailable to your cells. Free T3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells.
It really sounds like you need a different doctor. Not all endos are good thyroid doctors; many specialize in diabetes or don't stay up on current practices. You don't have to have an endo to treat thyroid disease; any doctor can do it, so long as they are willing to test and treat adequately, which means testing FT3 and FT4 with every set of blood work, being willing to ignore TSH and being willing to treat by symptoms, not just TSH or labs in general.
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