Results need explaining

[Kittybaker]

Can someone shed some light on my results?

I posted three weeks ago saying I was seeing a private specialist. I have had a pituary gland test which came back normal

My blood results are

22/03/2108

Serum level tsh 0.06mU/L (0.30-4.40)

Serum free T4 5.4pmol/L (9.0-19.1)

24/07/3018

Serum free tsh 0.38 mU/L (0.30-4.40

Serum free T4 9.1 pool/L (9.0-19.1)

Platelet count 448 (150-409)

T3 8.2 (2.6-5.7)

27/4/2018

Serum free tsh 0.20mU/l (0.30-4.40)

Serum free T4 7.8 pmol (9.00-19.1)

I am on Riveroxoban for blood clots

Nothing for thyroid

B12 injections trimonthly

Iron tablets

Vit D ampoules

I have gained nearly 3 stone in a year and still no one will prescribe me or help me. I feel drained all of the time and I’ll. I thought seeing someone private would help but it’s been 4 weeks and still nothing. Just bloods!

No answers

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[greygoose]

What tests did they do for the pituitary? Do you have the results? Did they check the hypothalamus?

It is possible to have a problem with the pituitary where just the TSH is affected. Did they think of that?

That T3 result you have there, is that TT3 or FT3? It's actually very high. Is that correct or a typo?

[Kittybaker in reply to greygoose]

I had the synacthen stimulation test.

No no Typo. My serum free T3 was 8.2

I still have no idea what they do

[greygoose in reply to Kittybaker]

Well, to be honest, with a T3 that high, you don't need thyroid hormone replacement. But, with an FT4 as low as yours, treatment for hyperthyroidism isn't appropriate, either. So, I don't suppose thy know what to do with you.

I'm not certain, but I thought the synacthen stimulation test was a test for adrenals, not the pituitary. Can anyone elaborate on that?

What do you mean you still have no idea what they do? What what does?

[Kittybaker in reply to greygoose]

I mean I do not know what the tsh, T3 and T4 really do.

All I know is my symptoms.. I have put on weight, extremely tired and feel run down.

[ShinyB in reply to Kittybaker]

TSH is thyroid stimulating hormone, produced by the pituitary. It stimulates the thyroid to release T4, which is a 'storage' thyroid hormone. T4 has to be converted to T3. T3 is the active thyroid hormone. The thyroid does release some T3 itself too.

I don't understand your FT4 being so low yet your FT3 is high, with a low TSH. The ideal is to have FT4 mid range or higher, and FT3 in the upper part of the range, I believe. Hopefully someone else can cast some light on it!

[greygoose in reply to ShinyB]

Well, I can't. It's a mystery to me.

Kitty, do you only have one result for FT3? That could have been a freak one-off. Ask your private doctor to test it again, because it is not normal.

I think you should also question the so-called pituitary test. No-one else has commented, but I'm pretty sure that what you had is an adrenal test and sheds no light on the pituitary. ACTH is a pituitary hormone, but it's the serum level that should be tested, not the stress test, I'm pretty sure. The other pituitary hormones are as follows :

- Hormones Secreted by Anterior Pituitary:

Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)

Lutenizing Hormone (LH)

Human Growth Hormone (HGH)

Prolactin Beta-Endorphin

- Hormones secreted by Middle lobe of Pituitary:

Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone or Intermedins

- Hormones Secreted by Posterior Pituitary:

Oxytocin (OT)

Antidiuretic Hormone or Vasopressin (ADH)

FSH and LH should be tested as well as ACTH.

[Kittybaker in reply to greygoose]

I am hoping it is a mistake from the lab as the specialist I am seeing seems to be flummoxed

The test I had was a shot of adrenaline and then bloods taken 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1hour 30.

I was told they were seeing my pituary gland was working correctly

Thank you for your help

[greygoose in reply to Kittybaker]

This site explains the tests for the pituitary. I don't think that that test alone is at all adequate.

pituitary.org.uk/informatio...

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

SlowDragon just posted a link about Central Hypo that might interest you - you could give it to your doctor to read!

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kittybaker]

Unexplained weight gain is the commonest question and I am sure you will have lots of symptoms. Tick the ones in the link below that you have. GPs know none and don't know how to relieve them. They seem to only refer to the TSH. They believe that anywhere in the range is fine but we need a TSH of 1 or lower.

Weight is gained because, due to hypothyroidism, our metabolism has slowed right down and is difficult to lose as we aren't given sufficient thyroid hormones. Our pulse lowers as does temp.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[humanbean]

Your dates are interesting...

The first one is in the next century, and the second one is in the next millenium!

[shaws Administrator in reply to humanbean]

We often see the words 'brain fog' on the forum and it is no wonder when we have such 'experts' treating hypo patients.

[Kittybaker in reply to shaws]

Thank you. It really doesn’t help that I have an incurable illness that attacks my immunity and unfortunately my thyroid seems to be the next that’s attacked.

Brain fog is the largest side effects with Hughes. It’s nice though that someone wasn’t patronising when asking for help xx

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kittybaker]

I have heard of Hughes Syndrome and there's also a forum for that too:

healthunlocked.com/hughes-s...

[Hidden]

The synacthen test is done to see how the adrenals are responding, which is the test usually done for Addisons, however if you have put on weight, especially if it is around your tummy with your arms & legs remaining skinny, then he should have done a 9am cortisol blood test to see if you have Cushing's disease. Cushing's can also mess up with your thyroid results.

[Kittybaker in reply to Hidden]

I believe I was tested for Cushing last Nov but everything came back as normal.

I don’t feel normal. I feel tired, and breathless and cold, but then have hot flushes. It doesn’t help I have another illness that unfortunately seems to attack my immunity and bloods