Need help interpreting Thyroid Panel results

[theturboexpress]

This is my first time being tested for Thyroid. Hypothyroidism runs in my family (Aunt, Grandmother) and I had been having similar symptoms, so I ordered the tests myself from Accesa Labs. My results came back today and I'm confused as to what they mean.

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies       2        Reference Range  or = 20 yrs .40-4.50        

The "Flag" column is completely empty. Am I to take this to mean that my results are normal?                          

[gimel]

Since those tests were very recent, go ahead and test for Free T3 only.  If possible I also suggest testing for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.

[theturboexpress]

When you say to test again for TSH, Free T4 and Free T3, is it neccessary to do the TSH and T4 again? Or can I simply order a Free T3 test? The lab I use will allow me to just have my blood drawn and have only the Free T3 tested, which is considerably cheaper than testing all three. The results I posted above were from the "Thyroid Panel" test that I ordered previously.

[theturboexpress]

Thank-you so much for your response!

My maternal aunt and grandmother both have/had hypothyroidism (grandmother has since passed). Neither case was Hashi that I know of.

I haven't been myself for the past two years, but in the last year I have really noticed a remarkable difference. I have always been prone to being a little colder than everyone else, and needing more sleep than most people. In the past year, it's gotten ridiculous.

My standard body temp used to be around 98, now it's around 95 and rarely rises above 96.

My skin on my face has gotten incredibly dry, flakey, and looks saggy, rough, and wrinkled. It's like I woke up and aged ten years overnight

I'm tired all the time, some days I have periods where I can barely stay awake. Yet, no matter how tired I am, I can't sleep. Lately I'm lucky to sleep a few hours a night.

I used to be irregular, period wise, but now it's ridiculous. The new norm is 70-80 day cycles! (if you can call them that).

My eyes are dry all the time. I used to be able to wear contacts without trouble, now they bother me alot.

I have a burning pain under my shoulder blades that moves from side to side. Lately it's lodged itself in the left shoulder blade and sends aching pain down my left arm. Sometimes it feels like someone is shocking me between my shoulder blades. Recently we realized that when my husband gives me a massage, I don't feel it the same way on both sides. For the longest time I thought he was going easier on the left side than the right. Last night he informed me he was using all his strength on the left side and we realized I wasn't feeling it. I mean, I feel it, but it feels like he is barely applying pressure when he says he is digging in so hard it makes his hand hurt.

My grip and hand reflexes are off. I drop alot of things, and find myself cleaning up after myself more often.

My fingernails are rough, pitted, and dry.

Sometimes I get a burning pain in my jaw, teeth, pulling feeling on my ears, etc

wonky digestive system, but I've always had that. Lots of mucus from the bowel region. Don't know if that means anything.

In short, I feel like my body is falling apart. I've had MRI's done of my cervical spine, all normal. I've had shoulder xrays. All normal. I've had blood work done, only thing of note was slightly elevated cholesterol (this was at the beginning of the year). I've been tested for celiac and gluten intolerance. So normal I could cry, not even a hint of a problem there. I've been told my problem is carpal tunnel, or trigeminal neuralgia, or anxiety, or fibromyalgia, or an ear infection (?!), or.......really, the number of things they try to pin on me, but none of them really fit.

Mostly I feel on my own. I moved recently, and can't get in to see a primary care doctor till Jan 20. So I've been ordering my own tests online through Acessa, trying to figure out what is wrong.

[gimel]

When you say that hypothyroidism runs in your family are you talking about Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?  If you were testing for the possibility of Hashi's, there are two tests required, since it can manifest in either TPO ab or Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG ab).  

From the test results you posted there is no indication yet of Hashi's in those numbers.  I say that because with Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously sees the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland.   Along the way to destruction, typically TSH starts to rise as thyroid output is diminished.  

So far your TSH is unremarkable.  Your Free T4 is at a good level.  The only potential issue with those tests is that you should have tested for Free T3 instead of Total T3.  Only a very small portion of Total T3 that is not attached to protein molecules (thus free) is biologically active.  If your Free T3 is low in the range similar to your Total T3 then that would be a potential  cause for hypo symptoms.  

I think it would be a good idea to get your doctor to test you again for TSH and Free T4 and Free T3.  Also, if you will tell us about specific symptoms you are having perhaps there may be other tests we would suggest.  

[theturboexpress]

One more try
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 2 (less than 9)
T3 Total                                  88 (76-181)
T4 Free                                  1.2 (0.8 to 1.8)
TSH                                       1.81 (0.4 to 4.5)

[theturboexpress]

I don't understand why my posts keep getting cut off. The Reference Ranges (in same order as results)

or =20 years 0.40-4.50

[theturboexpress]

Somehow half my post got cut off. The complete results are below:

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 2
T3 Total                                  88
T4, Free                                 1.2
TSH                                       1.81

The reference ranges for the above were (in same order):
or = 20 years 0.40 - 4.50