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tsh levels
My wife was diagnosed with primary hypothyroidism about 4 years ago and we no longer have her hormone levels at time of diagnosis. She is currently taking 100 mcg of synthroid, down from 150 6 months ago as her doctor was concerned about her low tsh.-- .02 in 4/08, .06 in 6/08, and .09 in 9/08. He has never measured t3 or t4. Why does she appear clinically euthyrid to me with normal heart rate, etc and have such a low tsh? I am concerned about secondary hypothyroidism and I think she looks cushingnoid to me and may have an acth producing tumor.
Definately have the doctor test those adrenals as AR suggested - and it wouldn't hurt to also ask for a serum cortisol test both AM and evening too.
Another possible test that is acurate to see if she is in adrenal distress is a 24 hr saliva test produced by ZRT labs. Some doctors will carry that test and have you do a home spit test and send it off for labs.
They will get the report and use that along with the serum levels as AR describe to maybe put the pieces together.
Another possible test that is acurate to see if she is in adrenal distress is a 24 hr saliva test produced by ZRT labs. Some doctors will carry that test and have you do a home spit test and send it off for labs.
They will get the report and use that along with the serum levels as AR describe to maybe put the pieces together.
You may be correct.
I'm not sure if Cushing's would cause this, but when the adrenal glands are overworked they have the capability of suppressing the TSH to slow the Thyroid down. This lowers the metabolism and the Adrenal glands are better able to keep up.
Ask the doctor to run a TSH, a Free T4, a Free T3, and an ACTH test.
If the Free T4 and Free T3 are between the middle of the lab range and a few points less than the upper limit, then she is getting the right ammount of thyroid hormone. If her hormones are correct or low but still within range, then the TSH is probably being suppressed.
If the T4/T3 are clear at the top of the range, then the TSH reading is probably correct. It seems hard to believe that she would not have any symptoms if she is hyper.
Seeing the results of the tests I suggested should answer some questions one way or the other. I'm not sure what would be the proper course if her hormone levels are good and an Adrenal issue is found.
Again, I am not sure Cushing's will suppress one's TSH. It would be worth running the tests to see what is found.
I'm not sure if Cushing's would cause this, but when the adrenal glands are overworked they have the capability of suppressing the TSH to slow the Thyroid down. This lowers the metabolism and the Adrenal glands are better able to keep up.
Ask the doctor to run a TSH, a Free T4, a Free T3, and an ACTH test.
If the Free T4 and Free T3 are between the middle of the lab range and a few points less than the upper limit, then she is getting the right ammount of thyroid hormone. If her hormones are correct or low but still within range, then the TSH is probably being suppressed.
If the T4/T3 are clear at the top of the range, then the TSH reading is probably correct. It seems hard to believe that she would not have any symptoms if she is hyper.
Seeing the results of the tests I suggested should answer some questions one way or the other. I'm not sure what would be the proper course if her hormone levels are good and an Adrenal issue is found.
Again, I am not sure Cushing's will suppress one's TSH. It would be worth running the tests to see what is found.
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