Question about my results?

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Question about my results?
5
Fri, 07-23-2004 - 11:32pm
Hi-

I know this information has been posted before and I have this vague memory that I once knew the answer to this (agh! my memory!) Anyway, my Dr. left me a message that he wanted to discuss my recent labs, but when I called back he was gone for the weekend... his nurse said that my TSH is 6.7 and free T-4 is 1.4. I haven't had T3 taken (that's another story, but I practically had to beg to get him to agree to run the T4). My question is:

If Free T-4 is OK but TSH is still high, what does that mean?

What should I ask him on Monday when he calls? (He is my GP... he has not referred me to Endo. I did manage to get a referral through my OBGYN, but that has me bogged down in fertility classes and labs for a while before I can get in to see the Endo in their department...that is also another story for another time)

By the way, this board has really been helping me through the last month. Thanks all!

Dee.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 07-24-2004 - 5:38pm
Hi Dee- I'm so glad that this board was able to help you get through the last month. That's what's so great about getting support from others that who understand what you're going through. I'm really happy that we have a nice group of women who check in regularly. It makes such a difference!

About your test results: The above normal TSH means that you're hypothyroid but the free T4 results, showing that you're normal, just means that your body is producing a good amount of thyroid hormone, just not enough to keep your pituitary from kicking in to get it to produce more. So treatment is still a good option, especially since you're above the normal lab ranges, as well. The top lab range is usually 5.5.

About what to ask the doctor, ask him when he's going to prescribe medication for you!! I don't know if you're trying to get pregnant, and I don't mean to be nosy, but having trouble concieving is a side effect of being hypothyroid. So it would be a good idea to get on the medication as soon as you can. Hope this all helps. Hugs, Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Sat, 07-24-2004 - 7:45pm
oops.

I left out some details! I was diagnosed last April and this is my 4th tsh test... I'm assuming on Monday, my Dr. will suggest increasing my Levothroid dose for the 3rd time, (to 0.1)

My husband and I are not actively trying to get pregnant---waiting for me to feel better and for my tsh to be more like 1 or 2. I'm trying to be patient, but it's hard. The fertility people are very nice but it isn't going to help me until I can actually start trying again. It took me 2.5 years and one miscarriage to conceive my daughter (now 3) and then I had a miscarriage after my daughter, which is what made me think to ask for the first TSH test last April (along with a few other fertility type ones). The tsh was 7 then.

I currently have most of the hypo symtoms, and daily life is hard. I'm becoming quite depressed because it feels like I'll never feel better and get to start planning my family again...

Thanks for your help, Cathy,

Dee.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 07-24-2004 - 10:55pm
Dee - you sound like the perfect candidate to take both Levothroid and a T3 hormone. Some people just don't feel well taking T4 alone and really need the addition of T3 to help them. Maybe you can talk to your doctor about it. Sorry I didn't realize that you were already diagnosed. You must have said that somewhere along the way!! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Sun, 07-25-2004 - 12:03am


Thank you...

I will talk to him on Monday. It makes me feel hopeful to think there might be something else I can take!

--Dee.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-22-2004
Mon, 07-26-2004 - 8:05pm


Ok, so now I'm starting to feel helpless...

I spoke with my Dr. today and when he suggested putting the Levothroid dose up again, I said fine and then asked at what point he might consider a different type of medication. He said "what do you mean?" and I said, "Like, uh, one of the combos with T3," (I turn into a stammering dufus when talking to my doctor for some reason) and he said, "WHAT?!" Like I had suggested woodland fairies with magic wands should come heal me...LOL! Then he explained that it is simply a matter of finding the right dose and implied that there really is no other course of action that can be taken.

All I really want is a referral to an Endo who will run a complete Thyroid panel. But it is clear that my MD won't give me one. Why don't they want to do that?? I really don't understand why it makes more sense to start with this TSH test/ dose increase trial-and-error method!

I don't know if I have the energy to keep trying though...

I'm really feeling miserable now between how hard it is to do my job at work and how having our 2nd baby is getting further from reach rather than closer... and etc., etc.

Thanks for letting me vent,

--Dee.