New here - Results help

[anon99]

How would I know if I have CH , hypothyroidism , or hyperthyroidism based on my lab results ? Might seem dumb but I’m new to this . I had ft4 , TSH , ft3 and t4 tested . Also TPO

TIA

[MaisieGray]

Post your results, together with their reference ranges, and folks will help you interpret them.

[greygoose]

What is CH?

[MaisieGray in reply to greygoose]

Central Hypothyroidism perhaps? It seems to be being mistakenly presented as a midway (ie central) option to Hypo- and Hyperthyroidism.

[greygoose in reply to MaisieGray]

Do you think so? Midway between hypo and hyper would be euthyroid.

[MaisieGray in reply to greygoose]

Yes I know, but the OP says they're new, and seems from my reading of how it's phrased, to mistakenly believe that central hypo is a state midway between the opposite extremes of Hypo- and Hyper.

[greygoose in reply to MaisieGray]

Yes, I was just joking.

[MaisieGray in reply to greygoose]

😊😊

[Mary-intussuception]

Your symptoms and your blood tests results.

An Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid may also be helpful.

My TPO result was 300 which confirmed Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Also diagnosed with Hypothyroidism (FT3 & FT4 were low and TSH was high). Had already had the Ultrasound scan which revealed Thyroiditis.

If you add in all results in full with ranges in brackets, dates and any lab comments (such as Euthyroid or Hypothyroid ) people can then make informed comment.

Would also be helpful if you add to post any supplements or medication being taken and dose.

You may wish to ask your GP for blood tests to check some nutrients levels :

Vitamin D (especially )

B12

Folate

and Ferritin

Could also consider a test to check Adrenals.

[greygoose]

Anon99, to give a serious answer to your question:

Hypothyroidism = high TSH and low FT4/3

Hyperthyroidism = low TSH and high FT4/3

Central Hypo (if that's what you mean by CH) = low TSH and low FT4/3

But, if you post your results, with their ranges, we will explain more fully.

[anon99 in reply to greygoose]

Posted

[anon99]

Thankyou all for the replies , yes central hypo as I read it’s caused from pitituary problems is what I mean .. Here’s my results

FT4 1.1 (0.8-1.4)

TSH 0.82 (0.50-4.30)

FT3 3.0 (3.0-4.7)

T4 7.8 (5.3-11.7)

FSH 11.3 but no reference range

TPO 1 (<9)

B12 311 (200-1100)

Ferritin 26 (6-67)

VitD 24 (30-100)

Hope I typed these out correctly . From my point of view it seems like CH .. I’ve been hovering around here reading posts for a while . I’ve been supplementing iron , b12 , and D as they seem a little on the low side greygoose Mary-intussuception

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to anon99]

anon99

VitD 24 (30-100)

What is the unit of measurement for your Vit D result? If it is ng/ml then it is not Vit D deficiency and the recommended level is 40-60ng/ml. If it is nmol/L then it is Vit D deficiency and the recommended level is 100-150nmol/L and you will need loading doses of D3 prescribed.

When supplementing with D3, we need the important cofactors magnesium and Vit K2-mk7.

B12 311 (200-1100)

Your B12 is low. If the unit of measurement is pg/ml or ng/L then above 550 is recommended.

Because Folate and B12 work together, you should have Folate tested.

Ferritin 26 (6-67)

Your Ferritin is on the low side and needs to be 70 for thyroid hormone to work, our own or replacement hormone. You could ask for a full blood count to see if there is iron deficiency anaemia, also an iron panel. You can help raise Ferritin by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate and black pudding, as well as other iron rich foods.

[anon99 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Vit D is ng/mL & b12 is pg/mL . Thankyou I will request these to be tested

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to anon99]

For a Vit D level of 24ng/ml, the Vit D Council recommends supplementing 3,700iu D3 daily to raise your level to that recommended (50ng/ml). Retest after 3 months and if you've reached the recommended level you will need to find your maintenance dose, it may be 2000iu daily, it maybe more or less, it's trial and error. Retest once or twice a year.

Important cofactors: vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...

If you have any signs of B12 deficiency you need further testing - check here: b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

You need to be off B12 supplements if further test g is required.

When taking B12 we need a good B Complex as well to balance all the B vitamins. Delay starting B Complex if having further testing for B12.

[anon99 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thankyou , can I ask what you think about my thyroid results ?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to anon99]

Possible Central Hypothyroidism, can't say for certain as it's usual for FT4 to be low or below range with CH and yours is 50% through range; however, your FT3 is bottom of range so I wouldn't completely rule it out.

[humanbean in reply to SeasideSusie]

If the top of the range for ferritin is 67 then getting ferritin up to 70 will put it over the range. I think this is one of those times where the advice should be that ferritin should be mid-range or a smidgen over. In this case mid-range is 36.5, so a suggested optimal level would be around 37 - 44 perhaps?

I must admit I've never seen such a low level for the top of the range for ferritin. I wonder if the units of measurement are different to UK ones.

I would be interested in seeing a full iron panel to be honest, just in case there are any other unusual things going on that are iron-related.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to humanbean]

Yes, you're right HB . And it's always good to see units of measurement with vitamin/mineral results, helps us to interpret them.

[greygoose in reply to anon99]

I think you should definitely be tested for other pituitary hormones, because that does look like Central Hypo. Your FT3 is right at the bottom of the range, and one would expect the TSH to be higher with that FT3. FT4 is just mid-range, which is strange, but doesn't rule out Central hypo.

Have you had a bang on the head at some point? Or excessive bleeding in child-birth? The problem is that most doctors have never heard of Central Hypo, and just go by the TSH. Goodness what they'll make of your TSH, because it is low. You will have to insist they take it seriously.

[anon99 in reply to greygoose]

I’ve had a bang on the head when I was younger .. what do I say when I go to doctors app ? Do I take meds ? Where do I go from here

[anon99 in reply to anon99]

Does this straight away mean a tumor ?

[greygoose in reply to anon99]

No, it doesn't necessarily mean a tumour. And even if there were one, it would more than likely be benign.

So, difficult to know what to say to doctors. It depends so much on their individual personalities. Do you know your doctor well? I suppose you could start by telling him your symptoms, and that you believe they are symptoms of low thyroid. Then if he suggests blood tests, you could say well, I've already had some done privately, and show him. Point out how low the FT3 is, and that with such a low FT3 it's your understanding that the TSH should be a lot higher. See what he says to that, play it by ear from there. But, I wouldn't barge straight in with Central Hypo, etc. if I were you, because he probably doesn't know what the hell that is, and it would be showing up his ignorance. But, it does depend on his depth of knowledge of thyroid, and if he knows what T3 is. Unfortunately, a lot of them don't!

The treatment for all forms of hypothyroidism is the same: thyroid hormone replacement. There's not much else can be done. But, the thing is with the pituitary that it doesn't just produce TSH, it also produces a lot of other hormones, and controls the adrenals as well as the thyroid. And, all these other hormones could also be low. It is possible that it's just the TSH, but usually, it's all of them. So, it does mean investigation. And, if your doctor digs his heals in and insists there's nothing wrong with you because 'all levels are within range', the only other solution is a private endo. But, you'd have to chose very, very carefully!

[anon99 in reply to greygoose]

I’ve got another set of labs to post if you wouldn’t mind looking at them ?

[anon99 in reply to anon99]

Also just saw I did have other antibodies tested

[greygoose in reply to anon99]

The TPOab, you mean? There's also Tg antibodies.

Yes, if you post the other results, with ranges, I'll have a look.

[Nanaedake]

Were you taking vitamin D supplements when you got these blood tests? Your vitamin D is too low. Have you had a full iron panel as your ferritin is on the low side? Vitamin Deficiencies can affect the way your thyroid hormone is utlilised. I don't know anything about CH so will leave that to others to comment. Just looks like low vitamin level affecting thyroid function to me. B12 is on the low side too. Have you ruled out pernicious anaemia and coeliac disease or gut dysfunction?

[anon99 in reply to Nanaedake]

I was not , doctor has not put me on any supplements . My mom saw the results and said I needed them . Doctor told me the vitamin levels were normal , so no action taken . I see a new doctor tomorrow .. how can I rule out PA test wise ? I was also concerned about that , my moms been anemic all her life

[Nanaedake in reply to anon99]

Good luck with the new doctor.

[Mary-intussuception in reply to anon99]

Your doctor should have prescribed Vitamin D. You should have been diagnosed with Vitamin D deficiency and treated appropriately.

Was Folate tested? Your B12 is on the low side but your doctor will probably say it's in range. You could ask for tests to eliminate Pernicious Anemia. However I have heard that the Intrinsic Factor test, if negative, is not necessarily conclusive as their could be a false negative. Have you looked through posts on Pernicious Anemia Society forum?

Have you had any other Antibodies tested?

[anon99 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

No folate tested or antibodies .

[Mary-intussuception in reply to anon99]

Your Folate result given in your new post in Pernicious Anemia Society forum is good. Are you taking Folic acid or any B complex supplements?

Your TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies ) result given here is negative so no indication yet of Hashimoto's Autoimmune Thyroiditis. You could ask for Tg (Thyroglobulin ) test also you could ask for an Ultrasound scan of your Thyroid.

Are you on any supplements or medication?

[anon99 in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thankyou , I just found the labs and posted them . But no I’m not

[Mary-intussuception in reply to anon99]

Your B12 improved with diet then ?(result on PA higher than result on here)

[apayett24]

What was the TSH level