Feeling Confused - TSH Variation

[dwaterstorm]

Hello,

Im a 22 Y/O female living in Canada. I have been seeing a naturopath for extreme tiredness, hair loss and weight gain of about 15 pounds in 2 years for no specific cause.

My original blood test was:

TSH 4.25 (range: .32-5.04 mU/L) Ferritin 7 (range: 15-247ug/L)

They did not test my other thyroid levels so within one week I went back but my new TSH was:

TSH 1.17 (range:.32-5.04 mU/L) ...this seems good? am I not hypothyroid?

My other levels with the second test were:

T4 Free 11.9 (range: 10.6-19.7 pmol/L)

T3 Free 4.71 (range: 3-5.9 pmol/L)

Thyroperoxide Ab 12 (range <35) IU/mL

I am being treated for low iron and I realize it is very low. Thank you for any input/experience! <3

[Nanaedake]

TPO is not elevated but you don't have a TgAb (thyroglobulin) result to rule out thyroid antibodies for Hashimotos.

It seems odd that you had two very different results within a week if you have no antibodies present. Are you taking any medication or supplements that could interfere with the laboratory assays?

Are you taking any thyroid medication?

[dwaterstorm in reply to Nanaedake]

My GP prescribed Synthroid .025mcg so I took a 2 does of that before seeing my naturopath and her telling me to stop before we have the results from the further testing. I did not think it would impact as it was only 2 doses taken. I started taking the iron supplements at the same time so 2 doses before the second test.

My report does not show any testing for TgAb.

[greygoose]

Were both tests done at the same time of day and fasting?

[dwaterstorm in reply to greygoose]

Yes both fasting and the second one two hours later than the first.

[greygoose in reply to dwaterstorm]

Well, that seems rather a large jump for two hours, but you never know! The TSH is rather an unreliable test, I'm afraid.

[dwaterstorm in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for the reply. Yes..it seems that way. I will wait to see what the doc thinks.

[tartpief]

I had the similar result! My TSH went from 4-ish (first test) to 1-2 (second test) and my T3 has been consistently low the whole time. But the doc dismissed the low T3 because TSH was also low especially on the second test. (Arrghh) But I had a few more tests afterwards and my TSH has been consistently on the higher end of reference range (more than 3 at least) when not on medication. So I consider the second test to have been not very credible. I found a sympathetic doc and my symptoms are largely gone when on medication (Armour Thyroid).

[dwaterstorm in reply to tartpief]

Good to hear I'm not the only one! I guess further testing is required to really know. Thanks for your input.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Were the tests done at the same time of day and under the same conditions (fasting or not fasting)?

[dwaterstorm in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Both fasting and one at 830AM the other at 1030AM

[Phoenix605]

Do you take any supplements that include the bvit biotin? The testing equipment at some labs use a biotin assay so taking biotin can fox the results, sometimes quite significantly. A basic multivit needs leaving off for a couple of days but one of the high dose ones like many hair and nail supplements need to be avoided for up to 8 days before a test. If you look at my history there is a fairly recent post with a link to a research paper on the subject if you are interested

[dwaterstorm in reply to Phoenix605]

Wow, that is really good to know! Yes I started taking multi-vitamins right after my first test (so for 6/7 days before the second test). I will have a look at the paper, thank you.