Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
I am hoping for some input before my first appointment with the endocrinologist next week. A regular blood screening produced the results below. After I got the results, so many of my symptoms made sense. I had attributed them to aging (I'm 53).
I tend to put on a brave face at any doctor's office and under report symptoms (ex. now-a-days isn't everybody tired all the time?).
If you have any thoughts on my lab results, I would appreciate it. I need to get over my fear of being a whiner so that I can get some relief.
I have had to wait 6 weeks for this appointment, so I want to make the most of it.
TSH: 5.3 mcIU/mL (Range 0.30 - 5.00 mcIU/mL)
Free T4: 0.86 ng/dL (Range 0.80 - 1.80 ng/dL)
Thank you!
I tend to put on a brave face at any doctor's office and under report symptoms (ex. now-a-days isn't everybody tired all the time?).
If you have any thoughts on my lab results, I would appreciate it. I need to get over my fear of being a whiner so that I can get some relief.
I have had to wait 6 weeks for this appointment, so I want to make the most of it.
TSH: 5.3 mcIU/mL (Range 0.30 - 5.00 mcIU/mL)
Free T4: 0.86 ng/dL (Range 0.80 - 1.80 ng/dL)
Thank you!
But in the meantime, you might want to take a look at the website for "Stop the Thyroid Madness" and the resources here on this website.
From what I can tell, unfortunately, you are missing some critical information to evaluate your thyroid function. Did you get tested for T3 and Free T3? This is the form of thyroid juice that is available to use in your cellular level. You would need to know how your body is producing and processing T3 for a clearer picture.
I would ask for a Free T3 test for your information - I'm sure the endo will run a new set of tests, just ask him/her to get a Free T3 test along with the rest (free t4, tsh). Just be aware that Free T3 is typically NOT addressed until Free T4 is taken care of with levothyroxine or synthroid. Endo's typically want to balance one level (Free T4) first because Free T4 is converted to Free T3 and sometimes, Free T3 will increase once Free T4 is stabalized. So, it's not absolutely necessary at this juncture, but if you want to know...get the test done. If not, it's not a deal breaker at this point. I expect it will be quite low. Why? Because you have almost no Free T4, so there's nothing to convert yet.
Since you haven't been diagnosed yet as having a thyroid issue - your TSH matters (in this case) because it's over the range. High TSH means you have hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism means lots of different things for many different people, but fatigue is almost always a big symptoms for everyone.
A high TSH coupled with a low Free T4 (the available hormone for use by the body) is absolutely hypothyroidism and requires thyroid replacement drugs (usually synthroid/levothyroxine).
As you can see - your Free T4 is quite low:
Free T4
Range:0.800 -1.800
Result: 0.860
Percent of range: 6.00%
Where most people feel well: 1.55-1.80
Let me just say: If I had a TSH as high as yours and a Free T4 as low as yours...I'd be unable to draw a breath without extreme effort. I know I wouldn't be upright at any point during the day. I am NOT kidding.
So, the bottom line is: You need replacement hormones pronto. If you strike out with the endo, revisit your doctor and COMPLAIN !!! Then, firmly but gently suggest a trial run of levothyroxine. (Try that with the endo as well, but just be aware that some people have had zero luck with endos - I am one of them, but you have all the tests to back you up...so there's no good reason to refuse you treatment).
Keep us posted!
http://hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypothyroidism-symptoms-yes-really/
I'm still educating myself about what the numbers mean. My oby/gyn's office (where the original blood work was done) said that my TSH is "just over the normal range" and my T4 is normal, but barely. I took that to mean that my numbers aren't too bad and my situation is marginal. They acknowledged though that they don't treat this, which is why they referred me to the endo.
MButterfly, your comment about how fatigued you would feel with my numbers brought tears to my eyes because I thought that I was being a wimp. The tears were happy tears too because someone understood, and maybe, with proper treatment, I can feel better again.
I work full time and have been burning through my limited vacation days because I'm just too fatigued and achy to make it through the week sometimes. So I have been taking some Fridays off when I can't get through the week. There are so many things that I used to do that I don't do anymore. The exhaustion, and associated crabbiness, are so unfair to my husband and son.
Well, that's a lot of complaining for someone who claims to be stoic, but I needed to get it off my chest and I know that you understand.
Thanks for listening and being here.
Let it all out at the doctor's office, k?
I was told I was "within normal limits" for years -but it wasn't normal for me! Just over the limit TSH with a very low Free T4 would put me down but good. I know, because I've had a low Free T4 and it.was.hell.
The bottom line is: You're not functioning. those are the words you need to use: I am not functioning, and if I don't get some help I'm going to lose my job.
They listen to these words. And I'd never recommend you use them if you weren't so obviously hypothyroid. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Onward!!!!