Thyroid test

[michellerace1986]

My last test my doc said my levels were high 65.

But I've been post where level is 13 and high so what Is normal I'm not sure what was 65 unfortunately my doc did not explain he just said really high and 65!!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It all depends on which thyroid test you mean.

Do you mean Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)?

Or Free T4 (Ft4)? Or even Free T3 (FT3)?

Sorry to say, without knowing at least a little more, we are into guessing rather than providing useful answers.

Also, it really does help if you know the reference interval (reference range) for the test.

[greygoose]

Ask at reception for a print-out. It is your legal right to have one. That will give you the name of the test, the result and the range.

Always, always get a print-out of your results, whenever you have a blood test. Don't just rely on your doctor to tell you what you need to know, because he won't.

[tattybogle]

The thing to understand first is that when doctors mention 'thyroid levels' ....it matters very much WHICH level they mean.. There are basically two opposite sorts ..;

one is the TSH level (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone).... when someone is HypOthyroid this becomes high.. because it's trying to stimulate more thyroid hormone production.

Lab range is usually [0.4 - 4.5 ] ish.

So if a doctor said "your thyroid level is high , its 13 " and he meant "TSH is 13 or 65" ... then that would mean the person was HypOthyroid...... 65 would be 'more' hypothyroid than 13, but they both need treating.

The other is levels of thyroid hormones T4 and T3 ... when someone is HypErthyroid these become high... So if a Doctor said "your thyroid level is high" , and he meant either your T4 /T3 were 65...then that would mean the person was HypErthyroid .

Because of the different ranges for T4 and T3 '13' would be high for T3 but not high for T4.

However 65 would be high for both T3 and T4.

In your case of hyperthyroidism the '65' will be either fT4 or fT3. (it is most likely to be fT4, i think)Most of the lab ranges for fT4 go from roughly 8 (ish) at the low end to around 20 (ish) at the high end ie. some are [8-14] some are [12-22].... so 65 would be high.... ie, 3x too much of the thyroid hormone T4.

If the 65 was fT3 then most of the lab ranges for that go from roughly 3 ish at the lower end to around 6 ish at the top end ie. [3.1-6.8] is a common one ....so '65' would be very high.. ie. 10x too much of the thyroid hormone T3.

Think of TSH and FT4/3 on opposite ends of a see-saw ;

when T4/3 go low the TSH rises.

When T4/3 go high the TSH lowers.

Hope this helps you understand why 'High' depends on knowing if its TSH or fT4 or fT3 you are talking about.

I remember your post from a few days ago....

How are you feeling now ? have you taken the carbimazole for a couple of days now ?

[michellerace1986 in reply to tattybogle]

Yes thank you I'm getting a print out if my results later if I post it will u interpret it for me please,??

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to michellerace1986]

Yes of course. We help to interpret lots of results on here, its how we all learn about how to read results, track our own progress how and advocate for ourselves.

Start a new post asking for help with results. In case it’s missed at the end of an older post.

It’s easiest if you write out the item, result & (reference range in brackets) if there are tests from different dates include the date or advise recent if done recently all together.

Example

TSH <0.01 (0.35 - 3.50)

If you decide to share an entire Image of your results make sure any identifiable details are excluded.

[tattybogle in reply to michellerace1986]

Yes but like PurpleNails say's... it's best to put a new post with them in .

That way more people will see, and people who've actually being treated with carbimazole will be able to help you too... i've never taken it, i went 'wrong' in the opposite direction .... Hypothyroid not Hyperthyroid.

It get's easier to understand this stuff.. it's just a lot to get your head round all at once when you feel ill anyway.... before long you will be able to understand result for yourself...

x

[shaws Administrator in reply to michellerace1986]

Put your results onto a new post for comments from members as a fresh post will get more comments than adding it to a previous one.