New and confused!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-05-2003
New and confused!
2
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 10:02am

Hello everyone!


I recently went to the doctor and had my annual blood test done.  The doc told me before hand that she was a little concerned that something might have been up with my Thyroid (she thinks it is fast) since my pulse was up in the 90's (Although I did try to convince her that it was because I was nervous!), my weight hasn't fluctuated at all since I was 16 (I'm now 25) and I talk fast (which my mother will tell you I have done my entire life)..


Anyway my TSH count came back at 1.4 which she said is good.  But my T4 count came back as 13.1 which she said is HI.  She said that birth control pills can somehow "scew" the test restults with false numbers - but that since I have other symptoms I should have it checked out just in case.    When I called to make the appointment they asked me what my T4 # was - and the recept. said that it wasn't high enough to get me in right away - so my appointment to see the endocrinologist the middle of next month...


Here's where I am confused....  I've been reading up on this T4 thing - and I keep finding that the average count should be between 4.5 and 12.0...  so to me 13.1 doesn't seem that high? (But what do I know!).. Not to mention the recept said it wasn't high enough to get me in right away...  I've since found out that the women in my Dad's family have a history of slow thyroids - which I guess is genetic - and since the doc thinks mine might be fast - where would I get that from?  Is it possible to just be genetically pre-disposed to thyroid conditions - and just depending on your lifestyle etc that it can go one way or another?


I'm just so confused?!


~Becky~

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Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Tue, 08-17-2004 - 9:31pm

Hi Becky,


From what I've read, thyroid problems can be inherited and I don't think it necessarily matters if your family members are hypo or hyper.


I would tend to think

 

Calley7

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2004
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 3:43pm
hey becky,

i was diagnosed with hyper and graves disease about 4 years ago when i was 16. i had the surgery and not i'm hypo. i recently went to the doctor and my TSH was 29.3! wayyy out of range. it turns out that my birth control had something to do with it too and all he did was give me a higher dosage. i'm still able to take the synthroid and BC

it is absolutely possible to be genetically pre-disposed to thyroid conditions. my mom was diagnosed with hypo and thats the only reason i have it. she got it later on in life when most women do i just happened to get it earlier. she was diagnosed with hypo and when i got it it was hyper. so it doesnt matter what relatives have.

either way i'd say don't fret too much. you're doctor knows what he or she is doing.

if you have any other questions i'll be happy to help!

liz