blood test results...

[Nat_16]

Ok, so I had this blood work done and the results are below.  What do people think??  My dr is sick and the woman who gave me the form for the blood test didnt explain much to me.  Bloods were done 12/3.  The dr has booked the test to be repeated in 8 weeks and she has included a thyroid antibodies test from reccommendation from the lab.

TSH 4.0     (0.40 - 3.50)
Free T4 13.1     (10.0 - 23.0)

The people from the lab commented on the results and said "Possibly mild hypothyroidism boarderline TSH level.  Suggest repeat TSH and free T4 in 8 weeks.  Consider also performing thyroid antibodies test".

So, because the TSH is high, im slightly hypo...is that right???  What is a thyroid antibodies test - what are they testing for???  

Thank you

[Nat_16]

Thanks for the info!!!!

Thyroid problems are hereditary in my family, my maternal grandmother and her siblings and cousins all have thyroid issues.  My mum and dad have been tested and all is good with them, thyroid is working well and blood results are fine and they dont show any symptoms (except my dad has heartburn and reflux) but the endo said its all fine and not connected to the thyroid in his case.

Thanks again...Nat :)

[TamraW]

If your family has any of these hyper/hypo symptoms, then please advise them to get:
TSH, FT4, FT3 bloodwork. Plus the TGab and TPOab blood work to determine if Hashimoto's is behind it.

If your family has only hyper symptoms: skinny, anxiety, diarrhea, then also advise them to get the TSI for Graves in addition to the other tests.

:) Tamra

[TamraW]

Nat, early on I'd swing hypo to hyper as my nodules leaked hormone, making me hyper. Below is what my life was like as I would by hypo one week, hyper the next. This was all before I was on the CORRECT dosage of thyroid hormone. I am now on 150 Synthroid and 5 Cytomel. My heartburn is GONE!

I'm glad your endo is understanding and concerned with FT3. After your Synthroid dosage is maxed, the endo should consider your symptoms and FT3 levels and add an FT3 drug like Cytomel and adjust the Synthroid as needed.

BTW - Your DAD and your ENTIRE family needs to get their thyroids checked! It can be hereditary. I have several family members whom I've helped get diagnosis and treatment.

Hypo problems:
Mild weight gain even while dieting
Extreme fatigue in the morning and throughout the day/napping
GERD/Heartburn/chest pain
constipation Abdomen swells for no apparent reason
Depression
forgetfulness/brain fog
Neck/jaw pain/swelling/pressure
Scratchy voice
Very cold feet and hands and sometimes a feeling like ants are biting my feet
Endometriosis (2 years ago – cured after one year of birth control)
Irregular/heavy periods and menstrual-like cramping in between periods
Voice is sometimes hoarse
Knee/joint pains – finger swelling and pain
Rash or scaly skin on neck, hands, chest, chin, nose, right armpit down to waist
Dry, gritty eyes
Chills
Muscles in legs sometimes go wobbly and weak when I am standing
Body temp ranges 97-97.5
Hair clumps in shower
Decreased sex drive
Aches all over body like the flu
Enlarged lymphnodes in neck and armpit
Legs feel heavy and swollen at times
Pain in the soles of my feet like muscle cramps
Toe nails feel painful and brittle

Hyper Problems:
Weight loss when not dieting
GERD/Heartburn/chest pain
diarrhea
anxiety
Abdomen swells for no apparent reason
Neck/jaw pain/swelling/pressure
Scratchy voice
Migraines, dizziness and back of neck/head pain
Ear pressure/pain
Rash on back of head
Voice is sometimes hoarse
Sore eyes
Hot flashes
Night throbbing/pounding in ears that wakes me
Tingling feet/hands/lips
Shaky hands
Stabbing pain below right ribcage
Pain in kidney and lower back area
Increased thirst, urination and a feeling like I have a bladder infection
Blood pressure changing
Feeling like heart is beating fast
Enlarged lymphnodes in neck and armpit
Legs feel heavy and swollen at times
Pain in the soles of my feet like muscle cramps
Increased sex drive

:) Tamra

[Nat_16]

Just an update, I have been in contact with my endo, he has put me on 50mcg thyroxine daily.  We'll see how that goes over the next few months and go from there.

[Nat_16]

hi, thanks for your reply, it wasnt my endo I saw for these blood results, it was just a GP who was supposed to do what the endo said.  My endo is furious they didnt test for free T3 because the endo told this dr T3 had to be tested as well but it wasnt on the results.

I cant go back to the endo for 6 weeks because hes currently away for a course and then when he gets back in 4 weeks he is booked out for another 2 - thus the 6 week wait.

The GP I was being looked after by wont tell me anything, wont explain what the results mean or what she is testing for.  Im having constant communication with my endo via email and he is explaining quite a bit and looking after me as well as he can via email and he just feels bad he cant get me in earlier.  

Currently I havent been put on thyroid meds...but I am feeling quite fatigued and i have been suffering heartburn for about 3 years now, ive had heartburn since before the thyroid so im not sure if its from my thyroid or just regular heartburn - my dad suffers heartburn alot and we just thought I was like dad.  I always seem to have alot of hair coming out onto my brush when I do my hair, so it could all be because im hypo.  Im going ot email my endo again either today or tomoro so I'll put it to him and see what he says.

Thanks again!!  :)

[TamraW]

BTW- My last three endos did not test FT3 levels, either. I was sick and miserable under their care. My new endo treats the FT4, FT3, plus symptoms, and NOT TSH levels. TSH is a pituitary hormone. Treating the TSH can sill leave us feeling miserable. Below is where I found my new endo.

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

:) Tamra

[TamraW]

I CAN'T BELIEVE you had your thyroid lobe removed and the doctors DID NOT test for antibodies. Geez!

Hashimto's is the primary cause of hypothyroidism in the US and other developed country. Hashimoto's causes nodules!

Yikes! Yes, get that TGab and TPOab blood test for Hashi.

Are you on ANY thyroid medication now? Why not give you some or up it to get your FT4 up? Are you having any hypo symptoms. Everyone is different, but if I had your FT4 levels, I'd feel like doo doo.

WHY is the doctor not testing FT3  levels??? That's just as important.

Why wait another six weeks to treat you??? Are you having hypo symptoms?
Fatigue, depression, constipation, brain fog or dizziness, loss of memory, dry skin and eyes, heartburn, GERD, hair loss, joint and muscle pain, leg pain, foot pain??? If so, then you need thyroid meds or a higher dosage in your current meds.

I'm not always able to be on this forum, so if I don't respond next, or if someone else doesn't help, then please send me a message.

:) Tamra

[Nat_16]

oh, I go back to see my endo in about 6 weeks.  Ive also had the left portion of my thyroid removed 29.01.10 because of rather large and painful nodules.