need help interprating these labs

[jenputs1984]

I went and obtained some labs that I had done exactly 2 years ago right after I had my son. I actually had them done by my nuerologist, I originally went to see him because I thought I had MS. He ran many many tests and I did read over them then, but I think there were some points I failed to see when I read over the hormone section of them. Here they are as follows:

Cortisol (untimed) 6.4 ug/dL (2-23)

Pituitary portion of the testing which is very interesting:

Alpha Subunit <0.3 ng/ml

Reference ranges for Alpha subunit:
Premenopausal Females:
1.5 ng/mL units or less
Postmenopausal Females
0.9-3.3 ng/mL
Pregnancy
1.8-360 ng/mL
Hypothyroid subjects
3.7 ng/mL or less

so if my Alpha Subunit is only 0.3 ng/mL and in premenopausal women have a 1.5 ng/mL or less and hypothyroid subjects have 3.7 ng/mL or less than I must be going through menopause and hypothyroid and the doctor said these were "normal" results?! I am pissed and confused. Does this look like I was hypothyroid 2 years ago or am I reading these labs incorrectly? I would appreciate any input, I am going on Monday to ask the doc, but I just need to know is it that I am crazy or are these saying I was hypoT 2years ago and premenopausal and was told these were NORMAL?? I was just tested last week and my results are as follws

Free t4 0.68(0.71-1.88)
TSH 1.97
and I was having HYPER symptoms with heart palps... Anyways I know I have hypothyroidism. But I wanna know what the heck the older labs mean, can anyone help? Thank you!

[Smilerdeb]

Basically the Alpha Subunits are saying that you were pre-menopausal when the test were done.

[jenputs1984]

Really, so is it just generally saying that I am normal or do you not know? I have been trying to research it for the past 2 days and am not having a freat deal of success.  Thanks for the response.

[Smilerdeb]

Alpha Subunits is testing for proteins.

[jenputs1984]

I can't wait! I think I will try the gluten diet. I have heard many good things about it. I don't know what it coud hurt. :) I am so happy for you!

[TamraW]

The antibody attacks and swelling stopped after I stopped gluten. My stomach feels WAY better. I've had to reduce my Synthroid from 150 to 125 and my Cytomel from 10 to 5 because my thyroid is WORKING AGAIN!

I lifted weights and ran yesterday. I go to the gym at least twice a week and lift weights to failure plus do some running. I also do a lot of walking or swimming when I'm not at the gym. I also have a bad sinus infection, yet, I'm still able to go to the gym despite the fact that this crap is now running down my throat and into my chest. A year ago, this infection would have forced me to stay in bed most of the day.

I spent four days at Disneyworld two weeks ago, 8-12 hours each day either at a theme park or swimming and going down water slides. I outlasted my six-year-old each day. The chefs at DW made me gluten free meals, even at the fast food restaurants. I did not go with my husband this time, and I handled everything myself, including carrying the suitcases. This is quite a feat for me, considering the shape I was in last year when I thought I was dying.

I met my Florida friend and her daughter there. I told her, "I feel like a 'normal' person, not like someone with a disease."

:) Tamra

[jenputs1984]

That sounds all too much like me... Crazy. Has the gluten diet really helped a lot? Do you feellike a normal person again? Can you jog and workout?

[TamraW]

BTW - These were my Hashimoto's and adrenals issues prior to treatment.
:) Tamra

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

[jenputs1984]

Thanks Tamra I will read your journal,I think that gluten has alot to do with the auto immune response of the thyroid and many other things. Thanks again! I would like to see how you have found recovery and success! Talk to you later!

[TamraW]

Most doctors will test for Lupus, Lymes, etc, and NEVER test for Hashimoto's. It's the sad test. They run the standard TSH test (A DARNED PITUITARY HORMONE) and never a thyroid antibody test.

Get BOTH:
TPOab and TGab antibody tests for Hashimoto's.

Hashi is an auto-immune disease, but, sadly, many doctors still look at us as just another case of low thyroid hormone.

We're not, and if you read my journal, you will see how I've recovered by treating this as an auto-immune disease, identifying the gluten/gut/thyroid connection and eating healthy, organic foods.

:) Tamra

[jenputs1984]

I wish my doc would do the timed or saliva test. I have read on stop the thyroid Madness website that is the best way to go. I had that test done at like 5:30 in the day so if it was only at a 6 then it maybe less in the morning! I just had that sametest done today at noon sooooo I hope that may show something. I could suggest the other test to my doc, he does seem open to my suggestions. Thanks I kinda wonder if I am not suffering from Hoshimotos disease. What is the test called that detects that? I may have had that done when I had the above test done a couple years ago. The doc tested for many other things, lupus, MS, ANA, and Lymes, many more diseases. Thanks for your help!

Jenn

[TamraW]

I have not seen labs like these before. Alpha Subunits, etc...

As for the thyroid labs that I do recognize, I can comment:

I can see that your FreeT4 is low, indicating hypothyroidism. Your TSH is climbing on the higher end, but TSH is a pituitary hormone and not always reliable in detecting thyroid disease. FreeT3 is far more important and I don't see that test. That is the active thyroid hormone and crucial in diagnosing hypothyroidism.

Also, since 90 percent of hypothyroidism in developed countries is caused by Hashimoto's, please get the Tgab and TPOab antibody tests. BOTH tests. Not all hypothyroids are alike. Hashimoto's is an auto-immune disease and must be treated as such. For more information on my Hashi treatment, read my journals.

You do have some hyper symptoms, such as heart palps. Commonly, in the first years of Hashimoto's, we swing hyper to hypo often. I would go a few weeks hyper and then swing back to hypo. I was a total nut case and sick like I had the flu every day of my life.

The heart palps can other hyper issues can also be caused by adrenal malfunction. Adrenal problems arise frequently alongside hypothyroidism/Hashi cases, so be aware and insist on the 24 hour saliva test to determine adrenal levels. The one cortisol test you had is not reliable as cortisol levels vary throughout the day. My blood cortisol test said I was 'normal', and my 24 hour saliva (NOT URINE) painted an entirely different picture. I am now on adrenal support and doing MUCH better.

:) Tamra