Interesting website on Thyroid Blood Tests

[bubblytoes]

http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/diagnosis.htm

I start reading this thyroid stuff and I do a bit overwhelmed. I found my lab report taken before surgery and was curious, now mostly confused. I am going to keep reading and hope it sinks in.

Happy Reading All..

Peace..Love and Joy...
Jean

[bubblytoes]

Thank you.

I am getting to the point where I just want this to all go away. I know it won't go away for a good long while but hey wishing is not a bad thing.. lol  My little pea brain is in a fog and can't even type put two thoughts together so I am going to sign off for now.. Take Care.  

PS I have been reading your other thread about surgery. I waited almost two years and then just about backed out. It is a tough decision. I did and right now can't say I am happy.. lol. I did find out it was Hashimoto's and not cancer big relief. but feeling so awful now.. Just sucks no other way to say it.. I had a PT and kind of kicking myself wondering if I should of just had TT and put on meds right away. I am playing the waiting game right now another 6 weeks to go before they test my blood..  GOOD LUCK..

Jean

[Nyxie63]

You're welcome! :)

I've cut&pasted a couple of things on thyroid testing.  Right now, I don't have the mental gymnastics available to put it into my own words.  I especially recommend reading the article that's linked just below.  You might also find it very useful to check out the rest of that site.  Lots of good info at thyroid-info.com. :)

This is an excellent article (and easy to ready too!) on understanding lab tests:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/woliner.htm


The stuff below is on specific tests...

This is from endocrineweb.org:
T4 by RIA (radioimmunoassay) is the most used thyroid test of all. It is frequently referred to as a T7 which means that a resin T3 uptake (RT3u) has been done to correct for certain medications such as birth control pills, other hormones, seizure medication, cardiac drugs, or even aspirin that may alter the routine T4 test. The T4 reflects the amount of thyroxine in the blood. If the patient does not take any type of thyroid medication, this test is usually a good measure of thyroid function.

Here's a C&P on T3 and T4 from about.com:

Total T4/Total Thyroxine/Serum Thyroxine
This test measures the total amount of circulating thyroxine in your blood. Thyroxine, a hormone produced by the thyroid, is also known as T4. A high value can indicate hyperthyroidism, a low value can indicate hypothyroidism. Total T4 levels can be elevated due to pregnancy, and other high estrogen states, including use of estrogen replacement or birth control pills.

Free T4 / Free Thyroxine
Free T4 measures the free, unbound thyroxine levels in your bloodstream. Free T4 is typically elevated in hyperthyroidism, and lowered in hypothyroidism.

Free or unbound T4 levels represent the level of hormone available for uptake and use by cells. Bound levels represent a circulating hormone that may not all be immediately available, because it is affected by other drugs, illness, and physical changes such as pregnancy. Because the free levels of T4 represent immediately available hormone, free T4 is thought to better reflect the patient's hormonal status than total T4 (below).

Total T3/Total Triiodothyronine
Triiodothyronine is the active thyroid hormone, and is also known as T3. Total T3 is typically elevated in hyperthyroidism, and lowered in hypothyroidism.

Free T3 / Free Triiodothyronine
Free T3 measures the free, unbound levels of triiodothyronine in your bloodstream. Free T3 is considered more accurate than Total T3. Free T3 is typically elevated in hyperthyroidism, and lowered in hypothyroidism.

I hope these help you to understand your labs. :)

[bubblytoes]

Geez, I had everything spaced far apart and after sending it, it all smashed together. I wrote everything down excatly as it was on the lab report. What do you mean T3 and T4 were total amount.. not free and what does this mean.. (T7) on the report. I am new to all this. Sometimes it over loads my fog filled brain.. LOL..

You really have been worked over. Hope you get some answers and get to feeling better. I am female 41..

Thanks for all your help..

Jean

[Nyxie63]

You're right.  Actually, your labs look pretty good.  All your Ts are in the mid to upper parts of the range.  Even though your levels for T3 and T4 were for total amount, not free, they look good.  Your TSH might be considered a little high by some, normal by others, depending on what range is used.

I've been doing a lot of reading on thyroid problems - many of which are by patients for patients.  I think the point that these sites, and Mercola, were trying to make is that many drs treat by TSH alone and completely disregard any symptoms.  Even though a lot of symptoms of various diseases may be similar to hypoT, the drs won't deal with them because the TSH is within range and therefore the symptoms are "all in your head".  I've encountered similar experiences with drs.

I've had symptoms of *something* since my teens (I'm 43).  I've brought this up to my drs at various times over the years and have basically been told "it's your nerves.  take this pill".  My TSH has always been under 2.  Now I have thyroid nodules (one's nearly the size of a lemon), been dx'd with CFS, and my dr also suspects adrenal fatigue, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, as well as mercury toxicity.  All these things have many of the same symptoms of hypoT.  I'm now going through testing to determine exactly what the problem is, including having my FT4 and FT3 tested, which my other drs never did or wouldn't do even after my asking for it.  It took me 25+ years to finally find a dr who would listen.

[bubblytoes]

Hi,

It was Dr. Mercola's website that confused me. My Dr. said my labs were normal. I haven't always felt normal but I believe my Dr. I will be curious about labs now that I have had a PT. I got some more waiting to do before they test. Here's before surgery labs.

T-3                             30                 reference range 22-35
T-4 (Thyroxine) , Total  8.7                                       4.5-12.5 mcg/dl
Free T4 Index (T7)       2.6                                       1.4-3.8
TSH                           3.74                                      mIU/L

See all normal.. that website can get a person thinking maybe not normal.  Thanks for the advice.

Jean

[Nyxie63]

I tend to take Dr Mercola's work with a grain of salt... and a lemon wedge and a shot of tequilla.  Sometimes, he's really "out there".

That being said, in that article, seeing as how he referenced Mary Shoman, it does give him some credibility.  The article is a brief summary of what a lot of thyroid patients are already talking about.  If you haven't read any of Mary's work, then definitely check out her thyroid pages on about.com.  She's a thyroid patient advocate.  Lots of interesting info there.

What are you confused about on your labs?  Maybe if you post them, we can help. :)