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Adrenal gland
How concerned should I be about my single adrenal gland with a tsh level of 62.05? Had tsh level checked again in February and it's down to 37. They will retest in march to up my dosage of levothyroxine.
You don't necessarily need an Endo, just a good thyroid doctor. endos frequently specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. They also tend to be more rigid in the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and use "Reference Range Endocrinology".
What you need is a doctor that will treat clinically, as I described above. I did see a couple of doctors that might be the type needed. One is in Peoria. One is in Springfield. Would either be of interest?
What you need is a doctor that will treat clinically, as I described above. I did see a couple of doctors that might be the type needed. One is in Peoria. One is in Springfield. Would either be of interest?
Hi! Thanks for your input. This is all very helpful to me. I have never asked to see my lab reports. Maybe cuz i don't want to seem too pushy but i realize now that i have to be an advocate for my own health cuz the doctors are NOT! I'm not real sure i wanna stick with this endo guy. It's been over a week since i had my labs done and he doesn't seem the least bit concerned about any of it. My thyroid peroxidase antibody test was 380. If i'm not mistaken, any antibodies are bad antibodies. After all, it is ANTI body!!! I'm not a complete fool when it comes to medical stuff, i've been around the block a few times. Just not in the endo world. Thinkin about going to mayo. There aren't very many endos around here! I will definitely ask for my lab reports!!!
You should never walk away from the lab unsure of what tests are going to be done. You need to know from the doctor what tests he intends to have done. If you want more testing done, that is the time to work it out with the doctor. Then when you are in the lab, you need to confirm what tests are to be done. The lab personnel sometimes operate on auto pilot and do the tests they normally run, instead of the ones requested by the doctor. You are the only one that can check and be absolutely sure you are getting what you want and need.
When you do have new test results, please post them along with reference ranges shown on the lab report so that members can help interpret and advise further.
When you do have new test results, please post them along with reference ranges shown on the lab report so that members can help interpret and advise further.
i don't think they did the free t3 but my free t4 is 0.9. I have had severe body cramps for the past 3 years or so, crazy menstrual stuff, hot flashes (i'm 38), weight gain (15 lbs in the last year), ovarian cysts that come and go from month to month. Give me a few minutes and i can probably think of some more stuff...also just the one adrenal gland.
Yes, need to look at the reference range as well. Were you able to get the other testing done for Free T3 and Free T4? What symptoms are you having? With hypo symptoms and a high TPO ab, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is the likely diagnosis.
hi gimel! I had my cortisol tested and it came back at 16.9. Not sure if that's normal or not. My thyroid peroxidase antibody test came back at 380. I can't find any answers as to what the normal range is for that but I think that's high! I'm wondering if I may have Hashimoto's disease? Any thoughts would be appreciated...I haven't heard from my endo yet and those tests were done on wednesday the 14th.
Make sure they test you for Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH. The other tests are also advisable, but at least start with the FT3 and FT4. I would also suggest giving the doctor a copy of the link I gave you above and mention that you would like to be treated clinically as described in the letter. That might rile up the Endo, if he is the type that has the "Immaculate TSH Belief", and uses "Reference Range Endocrinology". But if that is the case you might as well find out up front and not waste a whole lot of time with him.
Please do keep us updated and post test results and their reference ranges when available.
Please do keep us updated and post test results and their reference ranges when available.
Hi! Thanks for your info. I was actually able to get into an endocrinologist this Wednesday! I'm stunned! I just got referred there on Friday. They said he wanted to see me "kinda soon" (which worries me just a skosh) but hey, I'm in!!! My TSH level was down from 62 to 37 on feb 16 so I'll be curious to see what he says. He's supposed to be really good. I'll keep you updated if you wish and thanks again for all the info.
If your doctor continues to base dosage on TSH only, it is very unlikely to be successful. TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that at best it is an indicator to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and Total T4). TSH supposedly reflects the levels of the thyroid hormones, but it cannot be shown to correlate well with either Free T3 or Free T4, much less with symptoms, which are the most important.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with from a distance. The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So the first thing I think you need to do is to request to be tested for Free T3 and Free T4. If the doctor resists and makes excuses that it is not necessary just insist on it and don't take no for an answer. It would also be a good idea to be tested for Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel. I would even go so far as to give the doctor a copy of the letter and ask if he is willing to treat you clinically as described in the letter. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.
As for your question about concern for your single adrenal gland, I can only guess that since you have had no adverse reaction to taking the levo, then that is a sign that your cortisol levels are adequate. If you want to be sure of that, then the best way to test is a 24 hour saliva cortisol test. Many doctors won't do that test, so from what I read the second best is 24 hour urine cortisol tests.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with from a distance. The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So the first thing I think you need to do is to request to be tested for Free T3 and Free T4. If the doctor resists and makes excuses that it is not necessary just insist on it and don't take no for an answer. It would also be a good idea to be tested for Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel. I would even go so far as to give the doctor a copy of the letter and ask if he is willing to treat you clinically as described in the letter. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.
As for your question about concern for your single adrenal gland, I can only guess that since you have had no adverse reaction to taking the levo, then that is a sign that your cortisol levels are adequate. If you want to be sure of that, then the best way to test is a 24 hour saliva cortisol test. Many doctors won't do that test, so from what I read the second best is 24 hour urine cortisol tests.
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