Meaning of blood result

[douganna]

Hello, I need some help understanding my blood results, not sure if Docs explanation is correct. They results are:

TSH high14.15

Free T46.9

Total T3 1.8

What does it mean, T3 is only one that is in middle of range and OK. I'm seeing her again on Thursday coming what is best thing to do and any ideas why its like this. I'm taking 1 1/4 Nature Throid 65mg. Just changed to this as other maker wasn't supplying any. Thanks to you all, you know so much and help so many of us

Anna

[Mary-intussuception]

Your TSH at 14.15 looks far too high. Do you have all the ranges?

Have you had the following nutrients levels tested :

Vitamin D; Calcium

B12 & Folate

Ferritin?

If not ask for these to be tested also.

Also FT3.

Have you had any tests to check your Adrenal function?

[douganna in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks for your quick response.

The only test I've had is the normal TSH, T4, T3 the results are the ones on my question. I have wondered about the adrenal fatigue but not very well up on all this

[Mary-intussuception in reply to douganna]

No, I'm not well up on Adrenals either. All I know is the Endocrinologist tested mine first , before starting me on Levothyroxine. It's important to get Adrenals sorted before starting Levothyroxine, however mine were OK. It is also mentioned on the patient information leaflet with the Levo.

You can ask for a copy (print out) of your full results and any medical records. So it will be helpful for others on here (with more experience than I have) to comment, with all ranges added.

Having said that, it does say TSH high, and this needs to come down a lot, hopefully your Doc will discuss adjustment in medication dose. I have no experience of Nature Thyroid though.

Have you had Thyroid Antibodies tested? Do you know if you have Hashimoto's? If not I would ask for TPO & Tg blood tests.

Make a list of questions you want to ask doctor and a list of symptoms. Hope it goes well on Thursday.

By the way, lovely photo! 🐾

[douganna in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thanks, you've given me some ammunition for next week, don't feel so lost now

Anna

[Mary-intussuception in reply to douganna]

Definitely ask for the FT3 test (and all the others) but it may not be done for a GP request. Where I am (Wales) the lab will only test TSH for GP. Even if GP requests others (FT3 etc) the lab ignore. Only Endocrinologists can get the FT3 tested. Having said that, mine said he will request it but they may not do it. They did test it, it's low in range and he's anti T3. Hasn't even got back to me. I'm asking to see a different Endocrinologist . At least he did another Ultrasound scan.

If I were you, I would ask for a referal to an Endocrinologist.

Weren't you under a Consultant in the past with your history? Any point phoning the Endo's secretary and saying how unwell you are and asking how long is waiting list?

[greygoose]

Sorry, but we need the ranges for those results. Results without ranges are meaningless because they vary from lab to lab. The ranges are usually found in brackets after the results. e.g. TSH 4.5 (0.5 - 4.8)

[douganna in reply to greygoose]

this is first results I've ever had

TSH 0.46=5.00

Free T4 9.9-20.7

T3 .9-2.5

The other thing I should have mentioned is that for the past 4 years I have been breathing in carbon monoxide from an incorrectly installed wood burning stove. Could this have any bearing on the results?

Thanks Anna

[greygoose in reply to douganna]

So, at 6.9, your FT4 is well under-range. Which is why your TSH is so high. Your TT3 is 1.8, which is just under mid-range. Unfortunately, the TT3 is not the right test. You need the FT3. But, I don't doubt that that will be too low, as well. And, as you're taking Nature Throid, you really, really need your FT3 tested.

I should imagine you're under-medicated, but difficult to say without the right test. What did your doctor say about your results?

Forgot to say that I doubt the carbon monoxide had anything to do with your results.

[douganna in reply to greygoose]

Hi Graygoose,

Doctor was concerned about first two but very happy with the T3 as she said it was in middle of range but couldn't understand why. I'm seeing her again on Thurs as she has sent another sample to the lab. I'll tell her about needing an FT3 test.

I don't know where I would have been without all of you as I was being pushed about by the medical profession and I only have a basic knowledge about the thyroid, it's far more complex than I ever thought

Thanks Anna

[greygoose in reply to douganna]

In an ideal world, it wouldn't be our job to know about the thyroid, it would be the doctor's. But, as they know nothing, we have to do their job for them!

In any case, even if that had been the right T3 test, middle of the range is not the right place for it to be. Most people need their FT3 right up the top of the range to feel well. I think your doctor has a lot to learn!