I am very familiar requesting then interpreting blood tests for hypothyroidism but what about hyperthyroidism? Other than very low TSH what else determines hyper. Does one have all the same tests for hyper as we do for hypo. then look for different characteristics (Low TSH, High T4 and T3..... anything else?)? What about antibodies, do they have different characteristics in hypers?
I have a friend who I suspect is very hyper and I would like her to get tested but I am not sure of all of the tests she should request. Any help would be appreciated.
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Hey there, I would check antibodies for Graves, I think they are called TSI or something? Also you could check SHBG, normally elevated in hyper, but it's not the only marker. Some hypers have low cholesterol. When I was overdosed my BP was falling to low while my pulse was up and down, always low grade fever or more. Potassium can be really low too and magnesium etc it's because of increased metabolism, flushing stuff out. From memory by red blood cells are quite high including hematocrit and hemoglobin during overdose episodes. That's all I can really contribute I'm afraid. Also, your friend may also want to be checked for Hashis (tpo antibodies) since you start Hashis withh a hyper swing normally
Thank you very much, I will make sure she takes that info to the doc. Your last sentence makes complete sense, she has a lump on her thyroid that we can feel. I am so use to lumps being a precursor to hypothyroidism that it makes sense that she might be starting hypo with this hyper "swing". I really want to help her, she was in "desert storm" in the military and got awfully messed up with the terrible toxic air quality there.
Sorry, made a mistake it is TRAB like Greekchick said!
Yeah check her for all antibodies, and thyroid scan is an excellent idea, and the sooner the better.
I am so sorry to hear my gran, who had hypothyroidism, got hers by being by Nazi labour camp during war, all the stress and terrible conditions caused it. Along with lymphoma. It's terrible what people get exposed to
No no, please, don't be! I just remembered it, I have never met her, poor woman was so sick, she died at 46. She was the bravest woman I have heard of it, escaped from the camp three times and was lucky not be brought to Auschwitz, which you normally went for death sentence. She worked there for 6 years and once the war was over returned home. When I hit a really though moment I think of her and how much she went through.
You have already mentioned the basic thyroid panel of tests. She should have Tg and Tg antibody tests (you need both), TRAb antibodies, and also TPO antibodies (this detects antibodies for both Graves and Hashimotos). Additionally, she should have a neck ultrasound as a baseline and definitely if swelling in the neck, a thyroid uptake scan, and if required, a FNA biopsy of any nodules if they are present in the neck.
The blood work is only one part of the diagnosis and comes first - after that, more testing is necessary. Some doctors like my endo will also do airway testing if there is a goiter as well as an EKG should there be heart palpitations.
Early diagnosis is helpful because the sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can get treated with drug therapy like carbimazole or PTU and hopefully go into remission. There are others like fruitandnutcase who have gone into remission with diet and lifestyle change as well, so this is an option for some people also.
Hope this helps and wish you and your friend the very best of luck. There is a wealth of information on Elaine Moore’s website on all things Graves and hyperthyroid and it would help her to go there and read up on the disease. All the best.
It was 1970 when I was sent to GP by my mum when she noticed my neck and eyes were swollen. I had noticed rapid loss of weight despite being ravenous and non-stop- urgency eating of high callory foods. Also becoming increasingly nervous, agitated, irritable and paranoid with a sitting still heart rate of 160 and breathlessness when climbing stairs. Also heavy sweating constantly even in the winter. And palpitations at night in bed.
I was told nothing about blood tests but did have a radioative contrast injection before having an Isotope scan.
I did look rather gaunt and my shaky hands meant I could not hold a cup or spoon up soup.
When I read up on it it appears I had all of the symptoms but older people usually get less of them.
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my gran, who had hypothyroidism, got hers by being by Nazi labour camp during war, all the stress and terrible conditions caused it. Along with lymphoma. It's terrible what people get exposed to 
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