Help making sense of labs...

[JMC72]

I posted in an Expert forum and then realized that most of you are experts because you have lived thru this h#@l!!!

So here are my latest labs from mid January but take note that my FT4 has been consistant since 2009 and my TSH has risen from 1.72 to 3.93 since 2009... I don't have any other labs to compare T3 or T4.

My TSH is 3.93
My T3 is 201 - ELEVATED
My T4 is 8.35
My FT4 is 0.80

...and I did test positive for antibodies but they are only slightly elevated although when tested back in Dec 2010, I didn't present any...

TPO - 69 (25-60)
ATA - 46 (0-30)

I do not have Lupus, RA, or anemia, as far as I was told...

I also do not take estrogen or any birth control. I had a tubal ligation due to pregnancy issues with my only child...

Among a long list of symptoms, these are the ones that most concern me...

1) hoarseness
2) on and off again throat and neck pain
3) tiny bumps on the gland that unfortunately, only I can feel
4) swollen lymph nodes found on a CT scan that will not go away
5) swallowing issues that are not caused by acid or other issues because I have been to those doctors...
6) extreme fatigue

I had an US in November and after getting a second opinion, they found my gland to be hetergenous with a small cyst...

One of the docs on here recommended I see a specialist who can perform imaging tests in the office so I have an appointment at the end of February but I feel like it's a long time to wait if something is wrong but I don't want to jump to any conclusions either, although I really do not feel well.


What do you make of it...

Thanks for your help.

[JMC72]

Thank you so much for answering! You made me feel sooo much better!

[JMC72]

I realize that and did say that in my post...

[Barb135]

Antibodies are either positive or negative; if they are elevated by even a little bit, you have an autoimmune disease, regardless of the actual number.  I don't get the idea that they aren't "elevated enough"..

I'm a little confused......... You said: "My T3  - only tested once...
12/2011 - 201 - ELEVATED according to the report but they didn't provide the range... I have to call them back and get it..."   I understand that's total T3, not free, but it's odd that T3 would be high, when everything else indicates hypo.  Did you have a chance to call back and get that reference range?  If not, maybe you could ask about the "elevated"........

[goolarra]

You have several threads going here.  I answered this question on your other thread that relates specifically to antibodies:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Thyroid-antibodies-elevated-but-not-significantly-high/show/1675646

[JMC72]

I meant to say that before being diagnosed, if you compared our symptoms mine are more severe, whether that matters or not I guess is irrevalent..

I'm not comparing it to now because I know she is being treated but my doc said I didn't have Hashis because they weren't "ELEVATED ENOUGH"...

Do you disagree with this? Are you saying that just having them probably suggests Hashis?

Thanks!

[goolarra]

"...my sister has it and my symptoms are so much worse than hers..."  I agree with the posts so far, but just want to add that It's being HYPO that makes you feel worse, not having Hashi's per se.  If your sister is being treated and her meds are adjusted properly, there's every reason for her to be feeling better than you are.  Symptoms depend on FT3 and FT4 levels, antibody levels have very little effect on symptoms.  People with low antibody counts can feel worse than people with very high counts.

[JMC72]

LOL! Thanks!

[JMC72]

Thanks!

I agree totally! It's so frustrating! You can relate I am sure! I made an appt with my sister's doc who is an hour away from me because hopefully she can help!

Not only my sister but my maternal aunt has Hashiss and my mom and grandmother (passed) are hypo and we think my mom might have it and want her to get tested for antibodies... I don't know if they ever tested her but she has all the same symptoms as the rest of us and is only on T4 meds...

[Vortexeng]

Sorry I missed your family history in your post. As my Dr would say, "you have a normally functional thyroid. Unfortunetly for you ,in your family it means its quite dysfuntional."

[Vortexeng]

Your sister has Hashi's and with your numbers a Dr. isn't treating? I'd go on the Armour website, they have a section to find doctors that prescribe Armour. Usually a doc open to Armour is pretty savy and will treat the symptoms. Endos are usaully the worst. My doc is an allergist that figured out that alot of his patients "allergy" symptoms were thyroid related.

[JMC72]

Thank you! The other doc I went to said that my antibodies werent high enough for Hashis but my sister has it and my symptoms are so much worse than hers so I am just confused and frustrated! I have been to sooo many doctors to rule out other things and it keeps coming back to the thyroid!!!

Thank you for your response.

[Vortexeng]

You have hypo symptoms and your labs confirm it. A savy thyroid Doc will consider a TSH over 2 with suppressed FT3 and FT4 hypo. I couldn't function at your levels. Your FT4 is in the basement and you need to have FT3 tested. Total T3 and T4 tell you nothing. Your elevated antibodies indicate you could have Hashimoto's, doesn't matter as its treated the same as hypo. Its not unusal for nodules to shrink or go away once treatment is started. You don't need imaging, you need treatment.  If your Dr won't treat at your levels, I'd find a new Dr. Please remember that I'm not a Dr. and my opinions are just that...my opinions. That being said I've seen alot, paternal grandpa-hypo, maternal grandma-hypo, mom-hypo, 2 sisters-hashi's hypo, brother-hashi's hypo, Me-hashi's hypo.

Good Luck!!

[JMC72]

Thank you for responding...

My TSH is 3.93 (.36 - 5.04)  but has gone up since 2009...

12/2009 - 1.72 (.270 - 4.2)
12/2010 - 2.77 (.4 - 4.50)
11/2011 - 2.86 (.4 - 4.50)
12/2011 - 9.1 dont have range just told it was High
1/2012 - 3.93 (.36 - 5.04)

My FT4 has been pretty consistant...
12/2009 - 0.88 (.88 - 1.70)
11/2011 - 0.8 (0.8 - 1.80)
12/2011 - .870 dont have range


My T3  - only tested once...
12/2011 - 201 - ELEVATED according to the report but they didn't provide the range... I have to call them back and get it...

My TT4
12/2011 - 8.35  dont have range
1/2012 - 8.00  (4.80 - 13.90)

I never had a FT3 because the doc said it wasn't necessary... ???

TPO - 69 (25-60) HIGH
ATA - 46 (0-30) HIGH


I know something's up... My grandmother had low thyroid, my mom as well... My sister and aunt had a goiter and Hashis, and my cousin, (aunts daughter) has a thyroid condition too...

I also was found to have a hetergenous gland with a cyst but it was too small to do anything AND since then I can feel hard firm little bumps. I also have swollen lymph nodes.

I hate to repeat all my info but I figured it would be easier...

Thanks!

[Kristina538]

Sorry to hear you're having such a hard time.   I'm pre-empting the more knowledgeable replies because I know they'll ask you the reference ranges for you TSH and FT3 (and did you get the T4 or FT4 tested? - I believe the FT4 is the one needed)..

Once you post the reference range, it may save some time on getting a reply that will give you something to go on. (I got pretty demanding with my Doc after good advice from here!)