Hi there
I've got an appointment with my doctor next week so I will try and find out more about the results, as the ones above were given by a receptionist and they're only given so much information and can say so much at the time.
Ordering lab results online isn't a bad idea although it's more of a question of money. I guess if I find an afforable enough test I'll go for that.
Thanks
What's the range for the TPOab and did you have a TGab? Both are needed since some people have one or the other, some have both; and TPOab can be present in small amounts in other autoimmune diseases, as well. However, an elevated TPOab would indicate Hashimoto's.
Many doctors only run TSH and they think that's enough, but truthfully, it's not. It's entirely possible to have a normal TSH, with very low levels of thyroid hormones, and it's the lack of thyroid hormones that causes symptoms, whereas TSH does not cause symptoms. TSH is an "indicator" at best and should not be used alone to diagnose a thyroid condition.
For that reason, alone, I'd suggest that you either find a different doctor or find another way to get the Free T3 and Free T4 tests. There are web sites online from which you can order them, they send you to a local lab for the draw, then send you the results in a couple of days. Some doctors will actually pay attention if you have results in hand; others won't.
Hi there thanks for your help.
I went to the doctor today to ask for the test results. Here they are:
TSH - 1.10 with normal range between 0.27 - 4.30
T4 and T3 were not done as TSH came back normal. Doctor also confirmed this was the case.
TPOab - 84 KIU/L
Thanks
We need to see some lab results, in order answer most of your questions. All of your symptoms can be attributed to hypothyroidism, but there are also other things that can cause them.
What antibody test(s) were done? There are 2 tests you need to diagnose Hashimoto's. Those are TPOab and TGab; if you've had those done, please post the results, here and be sure to include the reference ranges, which vary lab to lab.
Along with TSH, you should also have had Free T3 and Free T4 tested. Those are the actual thyroid hormones, while TSH is a pituitary hormone. We'd need to have the exact levels of all 3 of those tests, to be able to tell what's going on. Again, be sure to include reference ranges, since they vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
In addition, many labs use outdated reference ranges for TSH, so if yours is, your TSH could actually be over the recommended level.
Many doctors refuse to start treatment based on symptoms and want to wait until TSH is quite some (some want it at least 10), but by then patients usually have horrible symptoms.
If you have Hashimoto's, it's not unusual for symptoms to show up, long before TSH, FT3 and FT4 indicate a problem. If you have a good thyroid doctor, s/he will start you on a trial dose of replacement hormones to see if helps alleviate your symptoms. Hashimoto's is progressive, and if you have it, you will need periodic adjustments to medication, as thyroid function declines.
As noted, please post whatever thyroid labs you have, so we can get a better picture of your situation.