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Hypothyroidism blood test results. Do I need a second opinion?
I went to the doctor today once again for the ongoing symptoms of hypothyroidism. I am always cold, my hair is falling out, I'm using the bathroom once a week, I am always tried (sleep around 10hrs a day), can hardly get up in the morning, I was even diagnosed with depression and take wellbutrin, but it does not help one bit. Also it is impossible for me to lose any weight. I went up from 145 pounds January 2013 to 160lbs March 2013. I am now 5'3 and 160lbs. The symptoms have slowly gotten worse and worse over the past 8 months. In July these were all my blood results:
Cortisol, AM (baseline)= 23.9 (lab range 5.0 to 25.0)
Testosterone, free serum = 0.86 (lab range is 0.06 to 2.57)
Testosterone, serum = 44.5 (lab range is 8.4 to 48.1)
Thyroxine (T4) = 8.5 (lab range is 4.5 to 12.0)
Thyroxine, free (RIA) = 1.22 (lab range is 0.83 to 1.62)
TIBC, Component = 322 (lab range is 228 to 428)
TSH = 3.330 (lab ranges are 0.270 to 4.2)
I noticed that their TSH range levels are not .3 to 3.0... should I look for another doctor??
ALSO, I complained that not enough tests were done before and requested some new ones.
These are the ones I got tested for today:
Anti-thyroglobulin Antibody, Serum
Anti-microsomal Ab (THY.PEROX.)
T3, Total
T3, Reverse, Serum or Plasma
T3 uptake
T3 Free, Serum
Thyroxine, Free (RIA)
Thyroxine (T4, total)
TSH
Should those be enough to get accurate results? or is something important missing? Should I get a second opinion?
Cortisol, AM (baseline)= 23.9 (lab range 5.0 to 25.0)
Testosterone, free serum = 0.86 (lab range is 0.06 to 2.57)
Testosterone, serum = 44.5 (lab range is 8.4 to 48.1)
Thyroxine (T4) = 8.5 (lab range is 4.5 to 12.0)
Thyroxine, free (RIA) = 1.22 (lab range is 0.83 to 1.62)
TIBC, Component = 322 (lab range is 228 to 428)
TSH = 3.330 (lab ranges are 0.270 to 4.2)
I noticed that their TSH range levels are not .3 to 3.0... should I look for another doctor??
ALSO, I complained that not enough tests were done before and requested some new ones.
These are the ones I got tested for today:
Anti-thyroglobulin Antibody, Serum
Anti-microsomal Ab (THY.PEROX.)
T3, Total
T3, Reverse, Serum or Plasma
T3 uptake
T3 Free, Serum
Thyroxine, Free (RIA)
Thyroxine (T4, total)
TSH
Should those be enough to get accurate results? or is something important missing? Should I get a second opinion?
Best Answer
COMMUNITY LEADER
Iron is necessary for production of thyroid hormone; ferritin is an iron storage hormone, yours being low indicates low iron stores; your results bear that out.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause hypo-like symptoms. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause the most unreal exhaustion you've ever known, and if not treated can cause tingling, numbing, pain the feet and legs. Vitamin B12 deficiency doesn't mimic hypo symptoms (other than the fatigue), but many people who are hypo, are also deficient in B12. I take weekly shots to keep my levels up because I have Pernicious Anemia, which means I don't absorb B12 from pills or food.
High cholesterol can be another hypo symptom.
When I was really hypo, I had to take a stool softener to help relieve the constipation. Something gentle such as Senekot S or Phillips Stool Softener is best. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Exercise also helps. Magnesium supplements help some people; magnesium also helps with joint/muscle aches/pains.
It's unfortunate that you got sent to so many doctors, when all your symptoms point toward hypo. You may have to start looking for a different doctor unless you can get one of those doctors to let you try a trial of thyroid replacement.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause hypo-like symptoms. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause the most unreal exhaustion you've ever known, and if not treated can cause tingling, numbing, pain the feet and legs. Vitamin B12 deficiency doesn't mimic hypo symptoms (other than the fatigue), but many people who are hypo, are also deficient in B12. I take weekly shots to keep my levels up because I have Pernicious Anemia, which means I don't absorb B12 from pills or food.
High cholesterol can be another hypo symptom.
When I was really hypo, I had to take a stool softener to help relieve the constipation. Something gentle such as Senekot S or Phillips Stool Softener is best. Make sure you drink plenty of water. Exercise also helps. Magnesium supplements help some people; magnesium also helps with joint/muscle aches/pains.
It's unfortunate that you got sent to so many doctors, when all your symptoms point toward hypo. You may have to start looking for a different doctor unless you can get one of those doctors to let you try a trial of thyroid replacement.
Where do you live?!!? I need to find someone who will actually look deep into my results and see what the problem is, not just look and wait for a computer to say something is out of range!
My chloride is 100 (range is 96-108) I was diagnosed with IBS for my constipation and told to drink meralax or prune juice or Metamucil but all that did was make the situation worse. Half the time I just never feel like I even have to go, its like I don't even own a digestive track =/ and when I do get that "urge" which is like once a week that's when I become constipated. I can't pass it even though I feel like I have to go. Sorry if this is getting too gross! But with the supplements (miralax, metamucil, prune juice, etc) it just made me gassy and made my stomach hurt all the time (up to a point I cant move or get up) and it would be days of this pain before I can pass anything and then I'm back to feeling nothing for days, until I retake the stuff and then its a cycle of pain and suffering all over again. =/
For every hypo symptom the doctors sent me to different doctors for each symptom. For the extreme hair loss I got send to the dermatologist, for the constipation I got send to a gastrointestinal specialist, for the weight changes and heavy painful periods I got sent to a OBGYN doctor, for the tiredness and moodiness and depression I got sent to a Psychiatrist.
Like come on, anyone would see this is crazy for me to have 5 different things wrong with me. I am 99.9% sure it is all linked to one thing. :(
My chloride is 100 (range is 96-108) I was diagnosed with IBS for my constipation and told to drink meralax or prune juice or Metamucil but all that did was make the situation worse. Half the time I just never feel like I even have to go, its like I don't even own a digestive track =/ and when I do get that "urge" which is like once a week that's when I become constipated. I can't pass it even though I feel like I have to go. Sorry if this is getting too gross! But with the supplements (miralax, metamucil, prune juice, etc) it just made me gassy and made my stomach hurt all the time (up to a point I cant move or get up) and it would be days of this pain before I can pass anything and then I'm back to feeling nothing for days, until I retake the stuff and then its a cycle of pain and suffering all over again. =/
For every hypo symptom the doctors sent me to different doctors for each symptom. For the extreme hair loss I got send to the dermatologist, for the constipation I got send to a gastrointestinal specialist, for the weight changes and heavy painful periods I got sent to a OBGYN doctor, for the tiredness and moodiness and depression I got sent to a Psychiatrist.
Like come on, anyone would see this is crazy for me to have 5 different things wrong with me. I am 99.9% sure it is all linked to one thing. :(
It's really good that your antibodies were negative! That's one sigh of relief you can take:) I found an endo that is willing to treat within the newer ref. range that Red Star commented about. So your TSH being above 3, she would've treated your hypo symptoms with thyroid replacement meds. Also, this (fresh on my mind because it was brought up in another post) may be of little help, but may offer you some albeit small relief until you find better treatment... you mention that you are only going to the bathroom once a week (definitely, a hypo symptom) and your sodium is low as well as your iron. What does your chloride level look like? If it is low, too you may be suffering a bit from low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria) causing constipation, bloating, tightness in stomach. There are many homeopathic remedies for this and your body will be able to process those vitamin supplements mentioned above to relieve a lot of those hypo symptoms.
also my colesterol was at a 100 (range is - <100)
Iron was 42 (range is 30-160)
Platelets at 359 (range is 144-400)
Im not sure if those are of any use either :(
Iron was 42 (range is 30-160)
Platelets at 359 (range is 144-400)
Im not sure if those are of any use either :(
No my doctor said that everything is within range and sent me home to deal with my symptoms. :(
He did not go over any of the results but just looked at the computer to see if any of these tests were highlighted in red (indicating a problem) =/ What happens when those things are low? Would they mimic hypo or does it cause hypo? or something else?
He did not go over any of the results but just looked at the computer to see if any of these tests were highlighted in red (indicating a problem) =/ What happens when those things are low? Would they mimic hypo or does it cause hypo? or something else?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Free T4 is the same as the Thyroxine, Free. Free T3 is also sometimes reported as Triiodothyronine, Free. It's much easier to refer to them as "T's" rather than their complete, formal names. The frees are much more reliable because they measure those hormones that can be used by the body (T4 to be converted or T3 to be used by the cells), whereas the Total T3 and Total T4 measures all of each hormone, when not all can be utilized, since some is bound by protein and can't be used.
Your ferritin, Vitamin D (Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy) and B12 are all too low, even though they are within the ranges. Ferritin should be at least 70, Vitamin D should be between 50-80; preferably closer to 80 and B12 should be near the top of the range, though many doctors feel that "in range" is good enough. Many of us don't function well with levels that low. Has your doctor suggested that you supplement them?
Your ferritin, Vitamin D (Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy) and B12 are all too low, even though they are within the ranges. Ferritin should be at least 70, Vitamin D should be between 50-80; preferably closer to 80 and B12 should be near the top of the range, though many doctors feel that "in range" is good enough. Many of us don't function well with levels that low. Has your doctor suggested that you supplement them?
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I would recommend that you also get tested for Vitamin D3 and Vitamin B-12 as well as Iron and Ferritin.
All of these also if low in any one or more leave you very fatigued.
My guess and that is all it will be until you get back your labs is that I suspect you have a conversion issue. That is you're not converting the ample Free T4 you have in your blood into the useable Free T3 that your body uses at the cellular level.
A conversion issue is determined by comparing the FT4 to the FT3 levels in terms of there reference ranges. For example. Many people have found that they need their FT4 to be 50% of the range (which you are at or very nearly so) and also their FT3 levels will be 66% of the range. The FT3 levels being HIGHER in the range than the FT 4 when there is plenty of FT4 avaoiable is what would indicate proper conversion.
It is not uncommon for someone to have this ratio flipped. That is their FT4 level in the range that is higher than the FT3 level. Clear indication that a conversion problem exists.
If conversion problem exists, there are two ways to go. One is to continue to raise the FT4 levels until the FT3 levels are raised enough to feel well. However this usually doesn't work as if you get your FT4 levels too high in the range people don't generally feel well either. The preferred choice would be to add in a T3 medication. SLOWLY with small increments.
You could also have your Selenium levels checked. It is known that Selenium can help with conversion. But it is a small boost and not a miracle cure. Just an aid.
We'll be looking for your latest labs to help us help you for things to talk about with your Dr.