PUZZLING LAB RESULTS

[fiftyone]

My TSH used to be 0.01 and myT4 used to be around the top of the range. Then a couple of years ago my lab results changed dramatically to 0.0005 and several points above T4 range, even though I've been taking the same dose of medication for years, even though my physical state has never changed at all. ( my T3 has remained normal throughout). Doctors now keep trying to label me hyper because of these numbers, even though I have absolutely no physical or mental symptoms (my resting heart rate is 66!). Could this sudden change in numbers be due to lab changes, new machines, different ways of presenting results etc. It's certainly not due to any changed state of health.

[greygoose]

Don't your doctors know that if you're hypo, you cannot suddenly become hyper? The thyroid cannot suddenly start over-producing hormone.

You could be over-medicated, but if your FT3 has stayed the same, then you aren't. It doesn't really matter about the TSH and the FT4, it's the FT3 the most important number - and how you feel.

[fiftyone in reply to greygoose]

The doctors think I'm over medicated, but they refer to me as being 'hyper'. But how could the lab results be so misleading?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

Lower vitamin levels can affect results

Common for B12 levels to drop as we age

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested?

Do you supplement any vitamins

[greygoose in reply to fiftyone]

You haven't given the exact numbers, but it doesn't really sound to me like the differences are worth worrying about. What's worrying is ignorant doctors that don't understand T3. This is not an exact science, and you can't expect the numbers to stay the same year after year after year. There's bound to be some variation, there are so many variables. Did, for example, you have all the tests done under the same conditions: exact same time of day, not eating or drinking coffee before the blood draw, etc.?

If the lab had changed their machines, as you suggested above, the ranges would have changed, too. So, I don't think it's that. But, even if your state of health hasn't changed, there are bound to be small changes in your body as you age.

[shaws Administrator]

Before your blood test do you allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose of thyroid hormones and the test? Do you have your blood drawn at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water). If not your results may not be optimal.

[fiftyone in reply to shaws]

I always have blood taken under the same conditions each time.

[shaws Administrator in reply to fiftyone]

That's good.