Thyroid Tests

Does anyone understand readings for thyroid. I got a paper back from my blood tests which shows this.

TSH 5.21 with lab normals of 0.340 - 4.820
Free T4 0.620 with normal of 0,590 - 1.610


My doctor told me when she called that one reading was going high, but that is all she said. Can anyone explain this better. I just got the paper late this afernoon. Maybe I should call her back on Monday. I welome input.

You should call your doctor back and ask her to explain what the numbers on your blood test mean. I don't know anything about Thyroid tests, sorry I couldn't have been more help.

Maybe this will help:

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5572406_high-tsh.html

It just basically explains what that means. I had the same problem with my thyroid tests and I had no clue. If your TSH levels are high, it means that your thyroid isn't working as well as it should. No need to panic. It can be cause by many things.

You may be sent for a thyroid ultrasound (NOT a big deal) or a nuclear test (again, not a big deal if you aren't claustraphobic..it's like an MRI and you go into a tube).

Like I said, it can be cause by many things, including goiters, which are basically holes in your thyroid which prevent it from working right. That is my problem so I have to take kelp supplements everyday (OTC, $5 every 6 months) and that regulates mine. There are other causes, most of which can be fixed with other meds, but it is not something to worry about too much.

Best bet though is to call your doctor and ask for a detailed explanation.

Calico pretty much summed it up. There are things that can impact your thyroid via diet (soy being pretty common), but it's best to talk with your doctor.

I'm actually surprised they just gave you the numbers and didn't explain further. But definitely call. If she brushes you off, you might want to see if you can get an appt. with an endocrinologist.

Good luck!

I ave an underactive thyroid due to having all of mine removed last April, I still find it hard to understand results, I joined a fab forum and I used to post my results there and you can get help with them, if you google thyroid forums there is quite alot and everyone is so helpful. I am on 150mcg thyroxin, I started on 25mcg and worked my way up, its been a long road but I can finally say I am just starting to "get there" and feel a bit more human. I think thyroid problems are very underestimated, especially here in England with the way that they affect you, I hope you get the help you need, good luck.xx

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

TSH 5.21 with lab normals of 0.340 - 4.820
Free T4 0.620 with normal of 0,590 - 1.610

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TSH lab levels have been changed and the new "normal" is 0.3 - 3.0, so your TSH is even more out of range than these lab results indicate. I'm glad your doctor ordered a Free T4 test, but should have also asked for a Free T3 test.

Many endocrinologists who specialize in thyroid function do not rely on TSH tests anymore; TSH tests assume that your pituitary gland is working fine (pituitary gland produces TSH). The fact is, if one hormone is out of range, then all of them get out of whack, and TSH doesn't really tell us anything about what's going on with the thyroid gland.

Doctors have used TSH tests for years, though, and change is slow.

Free T4 and Free T3 test measures how much actual thyroid hormone is in your blood. Your Free T4 is low and your are probably having some hypothyroid symptoms.

The good news is that taking thyroid hormone can help a lot, just try to get on natural or desiccated thyroid if you can, instead of synthetic. (The real hormone, as opposed to the synthetic, contains all the different types of thyroid that the body needs, whether discovered yet by researchers or not.)

You have some thyroid issues going on, definitely, you should ask your doctor to refer you to an endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid function (not diabetes). In my opinion you should also be tested for thyroid antibodies to see if you also have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, you really need a good thyroid doctor. Please don't let your doctor say your levels are "okay" - they are not and it will only get worse if ignored.

This is the best website for real information. We have to be proactive for our own health these days, and being armed with information when you talk to your doctors is important. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Ruthyb

I think thyroid problems are very underestimated, especially here in England with the way that they affect you, I hope you get the help you need, good luck.xx

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It's not that much better in the US Ruth. At least that's been my experience. I spent 2 years packing on the pounds, not having any energy or motivation to do anything, feeling distant and just not "me". My primary doctor ordered blood work and said that my TSH levels were high, but that was it. It wasn't until my MIL made an appointment for me with her endo doctor that I finally found out what the problem was.

My SIL is having the same symptoms and instead of sending her to a endo doctor, her PCP sent her to a psychologist who said she was depressed. So now she's on anti-depressants that make her feel like a zombie.

I firmly believe that a ALL thyroid levels should be included in basic blood work for anyone over 30.

I've been taking thyroid hormone replacement medication for hypothyroidism for 35 years. It's extremely common today, and there are a lot of theories as to why this is. For me, I know it's genetic and goes back as a problem for at least 4 generations.

It can be a complicated issue to deal with. Just finding a physician who really understands it all and listens has been very challenging at times.

With the right medication and dosage, I feel fine. But getting to that point hasn't always been easy either.

I'd ask for more info from your doctor. More tests. And a referral to an internist or an endocrinologist.

Good luck and don't worry because the condition can be treated and you'll feel better.

Robin

Originally Posted by calico2222

It's not that much better in the US Ruth. At least that's been my experience. I spent 2 years packing on the pounds, not having any energy or motivation to do anything, feeling distant and just not "me". My primary doctor ordered blood work and said that my TSH levels were high, but that was it. It wasn't until my MIL made an appointment for me with her endo doctor that I finally found out what the problem was.

My SIL is having the same symptoms and instead of sending her to a endo doctor, her PCP sent her to a psychologist who said she was depressed. So now she's on anti-depressants that make her feel like a zombie.

I firmly believe that a ALL thyroid levels should be included in basic blood work for anyone over 30.

Click to expand...

Our levels here are 0.5-5.0 so basically you have to feel awful until you get help, my friend has similar syptoms to me and her TFT was 4, so of course the doc said she is ok, I have told her to stick it out and fight, gosh if mine was 4 I'd feel terrible, when the rest of my thyroid collapsed my TFT was 80 something, I'm suprised I am still here, I am now down to 2.2 and feel fab, been a long time getting here though and for people to understand. x