I asked nurse in surgery what my thyroid reading was and she told me Free t4 18. 6 and TSH 0.1. Can any one tell me if this is normal.

[jenamac7]

[Mia1057]

Do you know ranges used by your labs

[jenamac7]

Not for T4 only below the TSH it says range 0.3-6

[greygoose]

There's no such thing as a general, all-envelopping 'normal'. Every individual is different, and what is 'normal' for one person, isn't for another. The question to ask is 'how do you feel'? If you feel well, no hypo symptoms then one imagines that is 'normal' for you.

It's a shame you haven't got a range for the T4 because that's the one that differs from lab to lab. That TSH looks nice - although it would look low to a doctor - BUT you don't give us any information. Have you been diagnosed as hypo or hyper? Are you on any medication for thyroid?

Hugs, Grey

[jenamac7 in reply to greygoose]

I always feel tired. Feel cold then too hot Hair falling out. I was overactive. I think Dr said I had Graves disease. Eventually I had to have radio active iodine. It made me under. I had to take 150 mcgrams. Its now reduced 2 years ago to 125 mc grams. I hope to get a print out when i go next week. It was only because i had to go and get my blood pressure checked as its been high last two months. I asked the Phlebotomist what the last reading was. My sister has Hashimotos. I am diabetic. When I said to doc I was tired all the time, she said been diabetic didn't help

[greygoose in reply to jenamac7]

I suppose they reduced it because of a low TSH. Never allow them to do that. The TSH is not a reliable test. You need to have your FT4 and FT3 checked before you let them lower your dose. High blood pressure is a symptom of low thyroid. Unfortunately, the average GP knows nothing about thyroid. But it sounds as if you could do with having your dose put up again. Of course, being diabetic doesn't 'help'! lol But that is no reason for her to neglect your thyroid.

Hugs, Grey

[jenamac7 in reply to greygoose]

My doc retired and have a new Doc. It will be interesting to see what she says when I speak to her. I feel when I have thyroid and diabetes I should be sent to endocrinologist to see what he has to say. Even if its only once. I would feel he knew what to do. I will ask nurse for print out next week when i go for my diabetic review. Thanks again for replying

[greygoose in reply to jenamac7]

An endo would certainly know more than a GP about diabetes. But, yes, I think you're right, you should see an endo.

Lots of luck next week, Grey

[jenamac7 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you Grey

[jenamac7 in reply to jenamac7]

Hi Grey this is the print out I got when I was at surgery yesterday, for anything else I have to see my doc.

Nov 2011 T4 20.3

July 2012 T4 15. 1

Nov 2012 T4 21.4

April 2012 T4 18.6

(9 - 24 range)

TSH 0.1 for last 2 years

(01-5 Range)

Cholesterol 5 . 2

HDL 1.02

Ratio 5 .1

Triggs 2.63

LDL 3.0

[shaws Administrator]

It is always better if you ask for a print-out of your blood tests, then you can keep them for your own reference. Labs throughout the country have different ranges for some reason so it makes commenting a problem sometimes.

The main question, if you are taking thyroid medication is, "How are you feeling". If well, you are on enough meds - if not you need an increase. Dr Toft says it is o.k. to have a suppressed TSH..

[jenamac7 in reply to shaws]

Yes I will ask nurse for a print out next week. Thanks for your reply.