Help with reading results

[Purple45]

HI My daughter got her thyroid checked they did her t4 and tsh level but it doesn't look like her t3 was done. They also checked her anti bodies. The surgery said her results where in the normal range. I asked for a print out as all her syptoms scream out under active thyroid or Hashimoto's. By looking at the print out it looks to me as if she is in range but nearly at the low side (she is only 9 and these tests are based on a adult) and her anti bodies look high but I am not a expert.

the results

"Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc" 14 IU/mL (< 18)

"serum free T4 Level 12.8 pmol/L (12.5 - 21.5)

"serum TSH level" 1.45 mU/L ( 0.6 - 4.84)

it also said that the reference range was for thyroid function in pregnancy which I thought was strange.

[Jazzw]

Those results aren’t showing hypothyroidism. The ranges for a 9 year old would most likely be the same as for an adult. It’s a pity they didn’t test thyroid antibodies or FT3 as that would have provided more information.

You say her symptoms scream “hypothyroidism” - sometimes other conditions like iron deficiency anaemia, B12 deficiency or Vit D deficiency can cause similar symptoms. It would be worth asking for all of these things to be tested. Your doctor ought to be taking note that you’re concerned and considering other problems - but it doesn’t always seem to work like that, does it?

What would you say are her most troubling symptoms?

[Purple45 in reply to Jazzw]

She was tested for iron, calcium and blood sugars etc. She was tested for antibodies, I thought that was the "Se thyroid peroxidase Ab conc" 14 IU/mL (< 18) was. If its not maybe that test is not back yet. What way would the antibody test show on the print out.

My daughter has been extremely tired and has a lot of food allergies. She has had to stop all after school and weekend activities because she is so tired. She also has reflux, bowel issues ( mainly backed up bowel) and migraines. She also has nogels on her throat so a horse voice a lot, and her skin is very dry and her joints are aching all over. She is also getting very down because she wants to do all her activities but just feels exhausted.

[greygoose in reply to Purple45]

They are the TPO antibodies, yes. And, although negative, they are high in range. Antibodies fluctuate so you can't rule out Hashi's on one negative antibody test. Especially when the result is that high in range. It could easily go over-range and become positive.

[Purple45 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you, I am going to try and talk to the Dr about. X

[greygoose in reply to Purple45]

Well, don't be surprised if he knows nothing about it.

[Purple45 in reply to Jazzw]

thankyou

[MaisieGray]

You are right to raise the issue of child-specific reference ranges, and if confirmed that adult ranges have been used, you should ask for a re-test. As a for instance, you can scroll down this link to NHS Gloustershire Hospitals to see the age-specific ranges used by them gloshospitals.nhs.uk/our-se...

[Purple45 in reply to MaisieGray]

thankyou I will have a look x