Blood test results...please help me to understand them!

[Rbmagolf]

Thyroid peroxidase antibody Value 407.3 Ref range <=5.5 Units IU/mL

Free T4 Value 0.8 Ref range 0.7-1.5 Units ng/dL

TSH Value 2.83 Ref range 0.40-5.00 Units uIU/mL

Total T3 Value 93 Ref range 58-159 Units ng/dL

[Clutter]

Hi,

I replied to your previous thread without the lab ref ranges. Your FT4 is low in range but I doubt it indicates hypopituitarism as I suggested before I saw the range. I'm sorry if I worried you.

Your TSH isn't very elevated but can be enough to make many people feel very unwell. It probably fluctuates as your thyroid comes under attack from lymphocytes that cause the antibodies and causes periods of hyper and under activity as attacks wane and wax.

[Rbmagolf in reply to Clutter]

Can you please tell me what the high perodoxidase means??

[Rbmagolf]

Oops peroxidase.....

[Clutter]

Thyroid Peroxidase elevated antibodies means you have auto immune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). Treatment is with Levothyroxine, the same as for hypothyroidism, but may be a little more difficult to stabilise due to the fluctuations caused by attacks on the thyroid and the thyroid sputtering in and out of usefulness.

[Rbmagolf in reply to Clutter]

Is that bad that it sputters in and out of usefulness?

[Rbmagolf in reply to Clutter]

Hi, I went to endo today and she said, nope your thyroid is fine, I don't care about the high antibodies. Then she said, well let me examine u. She said, you haVe nodules, we will do a ultrasound. See u in 6 months. I can't stand how I feel and look, what do i do???????

[Clutter in reply to Rbmagolf]

Sorry, Rbmagolf, I didn't see your question about thyroid sputtering in and out of usefulness. It's only bad in the sense that it makes it harder to stabilimize meds. If you're taking a certain dose and doing ok, thyroid bursts into life and makes you over medicated. Decrease your dose and it goes back to sleep leaving you undermedicated.

Your options are to put up with it for another 6 months or self medicate. You can buy Levothyroxine (T4), Liothyronine (T3) and Natural Dessicated Pig Thyroid (NDT) on line. Plenty of people will happily guide you if you decide to do this. PM me if you need links.

[Rbmagolf]

Thank you.

[Rbmagolf]

HELP!!! Like I said, went to endo, she said she didn't care what antibody test number was and said u don't have thyroid problem, then said, let me feel your thyroid. Said oh, u have nodules, you have hashimotos.. But no medicine for u. Then she said to go have ultrasound and do it within a month. I hated her.....that afternoon I called my gp, she got me in at 9 am the next day. Referred with another endo and said they needed to get my antibodies to 0. And do ultrasound for nodules. Put me on levothyroxine 50 mcg...went in for ultrasound 3 days ago and haven't heard result yet. My neck hurts, hard to turn it, like when backing up a car. I'm so scared. Please any words of wisdom will be soooo appreciated...xoxo

[Rbmagolf]

They put me on levothyroxine 50 mcg and ordered ultra sound. The ultrasound came back showing 2 nodules, one at 3cm and one at 4 cm. they are doing an aspiration biopsy in the next month. Are those large? Is there a reason to believe they could and maybe are cancerous? Also, my neck hurt on the left side by the thyroid for many months, I always thought I slept wrong. After taking levo for one week, my neck has stopped hurting. Any help will be hugely apprececitaed.....thanks so much.

[Rbmagolf]

ARMOUR IS GIVING ME MY LIFE BACK!!!!!!! I was on the levothyroxine 50mcg for about 10 days. It was a living hell for me, tired, depression, aches, didn't sleep much, crabby, bloating like I was 9 mos pregnant...all the signs of hashimotos but 10 x magnified. I called Dr, they then took me off levo and put me on Armour 1 GR (60mg). I put it under my toungue and let it dissolve about 11 pm and go to sleep. After 4 doses, I am actually starting to feel human again. Last night is the first night I slept (on and off, but actually stayed in bed) for 7 hrs. I have aspiration as soon as they have a cancellation or August 12, whichever comes sooner. Has anyone else had this good reaction to Armour?