My Little Sister- Testing Result Question

[dustybrown]

What does this mean? My 29 year old sister had a couple of tests. Her TSH was .982 (.350-5.5) and her free T4 was .88 (she only gave me the lower reference range, which was .89, so obviously she was low). They told her that her thyroid was low, but because her TSH was normal, they weren't going to do anything about it, and she was to come back in three months for retesting. I know for a fact 10 years ago she tested this same way- borderline they said. She is a little more passive than I am, but she called them back and convinced them to do one more test for the free T3. Will this help her at all? She is in so much agony with symptoms. She's always sick, sleeping, cranky or suffering from some weird affliction after another (kind of sounds like myself).

I just don't want to see her get the run around like I have for so long. Could anyone shed some light on the results of these tests. I am having them this week too and I will likely have a similar outcome. When I was her age I couldn't get pregnant. It bothered me so much I didn't try again. Thanks.

[TamraW]

Follow this link to find a good thyroid doctor in your area.
:) Tamra

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

[goolarra]

Doesn't deserve her medical license!  It's plain old b/s that most of the population would test positive for antibodies, and if they did (by some extremely long stretch of the imagination), does that mean they shouldn't be treated?  They're sick!  The medical community doesn't seem to have much trouble treating just about everyone (including children at this point) for high cholesterol.  Where's the price break?

It makes me incredibly mad that doctors spout this ***@****, mad, mad mad.  Tell your sister to see someone who has a clue.  This doctor should be put out of her misery.  Your sister's FT4 is too low...what about this doesn't the doctor get? And that horrible psychological manipulation "no one else would treat her either"...grrrrrr

I guarantee and doctor worth talking to WILL treat her...positive antibodies or not.

[dustybrown]

Ok you guys. I am upset. My sister's dumb doctor is an idiot! My sister was able to convince her to run the FT3, which came back normal. She was also able to convince her doc to run the antibodies tests. Not only did her doctor tell her she would refuse to treat her if they came back positive (even with a low T4), she also informed her that no one else would treat her either. In addition to this, she said that most of the population if given the opportunity to have the antibodies tests performed, would test positive for them.

I am right to gleen from that statement that she is saying that most of us are walking around with underdiagnosed hashi's and grave's? If that's the truth than that is absolutely crazy that doctors are aware, yet doing nothing about it. If not than that woman is a liar and doesn't deserve her medical license...

[goolarra]

I don't know why your sister's doctor bothered to order FT4 along with TSH; he obviously plans to ignore the results.  Because their bundled together on the lab order, and he just checks the box?  Sorry, this makes me mad as a hatter.

FT4 is much more important in determining thyroid status than TSH.  Because TSH is a pituitary hormone, it can be influenced by many factors besides thyroid hormone levels.  Your sister's FT4 is too low (below reference range) and with her symptoms, she needs to be treated NOW.  If her doctor insists on only looking at TSH, she either needs to educate him or find a new doctor.  

She should have FT3 tested; it's the thyroid test that correlates best with symptoms, and it should be ordered every time labs are done.  Will it help her convince her doctor that she needs treatment?  I have my doubts since an FT4 out of range did nothing to influence him.  Even doctors who understand and use FT4 often don't think FT3 is very important. However, if it comes in very low, it might bolster her case.

Tamra is right about the tests...FT3, FT4 TSH, TPOab and TGab.  The last two are antibody tests and will tell you if you have the autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  Since Hashi's runs in families, and you both suspect thyroid problems, antibody testing is indicated (inexpensive bloodwork).

Don't let your sister put up with three more months of thyroid he//.  She can spend that time starting to get herself well instead.

[dustybrown]

Thank you! I am really nervous about my own appt.with the endo, but when I get my test results I will post them. I see a different doctor than my sister this coming Wed. My sister only saw her PCP. She really needs to be referred to someone who knows the thyroid and I am learning even endo's don't really even know them as well as they know diabetes. Thanks again!!!

[TamraW]

TSH is a pituitary hormone and doesn't always paint the full thyroid picture. I have Hashimoto's and a normal TSH of 2.74. Therefore, I went undiagnosed for a long time until I became my own doctor and insisted on the TGAB and Anti-TPO Hashi antibodies test. With Hashimoto's, our TSH, FT4, FT3 fluctuates as the thyroid and the antibodies duke it out; therefore, if she has Hashi, TSH could be high one week and normal the next. Hashimoto's is the most common cause of hypothryoidism and is hereditary. It causes miscarriages, endometriosis, fatigue, constipation, GERD, heartburn, bi-polar symptoms, depression, anxiety, knee, feet, joint aches, low D  and B12 levels, irregular periods.....and LOADS more issues!

Your sister's FT4 is low. She would benefit from some thyroid hormone.  
Time for the both of you to start over. A new doctor if possible.

Your sister, and you, need these tests:
TSH
FT4
FT3
Anti-TPO
TGab

Also a thyroid ultrasound.

Take care...
:) Tamra

[dustybrown]

No one can interpret these results?

[dustybrown]

I had a miscarriage by the way...