Aa
What Blood Tests Should I Ask For?
I want to make sure I don't leave the doctor's office thinking that I should have asked for this test or that test. I want to know all of the tests I should ask for to rule out and possible problems with my thyroid. Any suggestons would be greatly appreciated.
The correct antibody testing you would need is to ask for a TPOab along with a TSH FT3 and FT4
Interesting stuff. Well, it seems like getting myself checked out for thyroid antibodies would answer some questions. I'm going to see the doctor tomorrow, I'll make sure to ask him for a complete thyroid panel and not just TSH.
Some doctors call it mild or compensated hypothyroidism.
The technical definition is an elevated TSH with the free t3 and freet4 still within the reference range.
It does not mean there are no symptoms.
It may or may not progress to overt hypothyroidism, but by treating it early (especially if thyroid antibodies are present) progression will not occur. It can actually prevent potential heart disease as it relates to hypothyroidism.
The technical definition is an elevated TSH with the free t3 and freet4 still within the reference range.
It does not mean there are no symptoms.
It may or may not progress to overt hypothyroidism, but by treating it early (especially if thyroid antibodies are present) progression will not occur. It can actually prevent potential heart disease as it relates to hypothyroidism.
It means you teeter on thwe verge of being classified as hypothyroid in reference ranges.
Some docs will treat sub clinical numbers - others refuse.
It has nothing to do with early stages per say- it is based on the TSH lab reference range.
Some docs will treat sub clinical numbers - others refuse.
It has nothing to do with early stages per say- it is based on the TSH lab reference range.
What exactly is subclinical hypothyorid? Is it considered an early stage of normal hypothyroidism, or is it a seperate condition?
The TSH is in the subclinical hypothyroid range. Meaning that the TSH is a little high and the free t4 is OK at this point.
It is usually hard to convince GP's to treat at these levels. I had to see an endo for a diagnosis. My free t4, however, was very low normal. Yours is good.
I also lose my hair when the TSH is over 2. My TSH recently jumped from 1.4 to 5.1 and one of the first symptoms to come back (after dizziness) was major hair loss again!
I was also dx'd with primary anxiety. It turns out that anxiety is common in subclinical hypothyroidism! My GP first put me on anxiety pills, sleeping pills and finally an antidepressant.
Let us know how you make out at the doctor.
It is usually hard to convince GP's to treat at these levels. I had to see an endo for a diagnosis. My free t4, however, was very low normal. Yours is good.
I also lose my hair when the TSH is over 2. My TSH recently jumped from 1.4 to 5.1 and one of the first symptoms to come back (after dizziness) was major hair loss again!
I was also dx'd with primary anxiety. It turns out that anxiety is common in subclinical hypothyroidism! My GP first put me on anxiety pills, sleeping pills and finally an antidepressant.
Let us know how you make out at the doctor.
Looking at your Free T4 test from June - I would recommend getting the FT3 test.
Free T3 is the component that after T4 converts into Free T3 - moves around in the system to promote good fuction.
To me - your FT4 is a bit high and IF you are experiencing symptoms your Free T3 may test out low.
If so there could be a problem b/c your TSH is at a level where subclinical hypothyroid could be Dx.
Free T3 is the component that after T4 converts into Free T3 - moves around in the system to promote good fuction.
To me - your FT4 is a bit high and IF you are experiencing symptoms your Free T3 may test out low.
If so there could be a problem b/c your TSH is at a level where subclinical hypothyroid could be Dx.
One very important one you should ask for is a vitamin and minerals test because I have just found out that a lot of people who have thyriod problems also have deficiencies in the vitamin area like vitamin D, B or calcium etc.
I'm cutting and pasting this from another thread I made a few days ago:
"I am having some symptoms, seems like the normal vague thyroid stuff. Fatigue, muscle pain, difficulty concentrating etc. My doc thinks it's just anxiety, which makes some sense because I do seem to feel better when I'm not as stressed. The symptom that makes me think of my thyroid is hair loss. My hair is definitely much thinner than it used to be, and I seem to lose a lot of hair in the shower. I think I'm a bit young to be losing my hair, and it doesn't seem to fit the normal profile of male pattern baldness."
I have a blood test from May with the following results:
TSH: 3.6 (0.34-5.6)
Total T4: 8.0 (5.0-12.0)
T-Uptake (don't know what this is): 33.6% (32.0-48.4%)
Free Thyroxine Index (don't know this one either): 7 (5-12 index)
And this one from June:
TSH: 2.96 (0.39-4.6)
Free T4 by dialysis: 2.1 (0.8-2.7)
Also, I'm seeing a general practice doctor, not an endo.
"I am having some symptoms, seems like the normal vague thyroid stuff. Fatigue, muscle pain, difficulty concentrating etc. My doc thinks it's just anxiety, which makes some sense because I do seem to feel better when I'm not as stressed. The symptom that makes me think of my thyroid is hair loss. My hair is definitely much thinner than it used to be, and I seem to lose a lot of hair in the shower. I think I'm a bit young to be losing my hair, and it doesn't seem to fit the normal profile of male pattern baldness."
I have a blood test from May with the following results:
TSH: 3.6 (0.34-5.6)
Total T4: 8.0 (5.0-12.0)
T-Uptake (don't know what this is): 33.6% (32.0-48.4%)
Free Thyroxine Index (don't know this one either): 7 (5-12 index)
And this one from June:
TSH: 2.96 (0.39-4.6)
Free T4 by dialysis: 2.1 (0.8-2.7)
Also, I'm seeing a general practice doctor, not an endo.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
