Questions about Test Results

[Guest guest]

Good Morning, Everyone-- I recently had my thyroid levels taken and I want to get some clarification: TSH Result: 0.032L uIu/mL Range: 0.350 - 5.500 Thyroxine (T4) Result: 9.6 ug/dL Range: 4.5 - 12.0 My new doctor recommended that I start taking PTU. I told her however, that I haven't felt this good in a long, long time. (This past year was the worst I've ever had with my thyroid--being over and under medicated, and several ER visits.) I am hesitate to start taking meds again when I feel so much better. She understands, but is concerned that I'm reaching a hyper state again. My understanding, however, is that the TSH test is not especially

helpful as a standard once thyroid disease has been diagnosed. So, here are my questions: Am I well within a normal range? Should I take the PTU, even if I feel great? Does the TSH matter? By the by, she agreed to take my antibodies and Free T3. Thanks, Caroline

[Guest guest]

>

> Good Morning, Everyone--

>

> I recently had my thyroid levels taken and I want to get some

clarification:

>

> TSH

> Result: 0.032L uIu/mL

> Range: 0.350 - 5.500

>

> Thyroxine (T4)

> Result: 9.6 ug/dL

> Range: 4.5 - 12.0

>

> My new doctor recommended that I start taking PTU. I told her

however, that I haven't felt this good in a long, long time. (This

past year was the worst I've ever had with my thyroid--being over and

under medicated, and several ER visits.) I am hesitate to start

taking meds again when I feel so much better. She understands, but

is concerned that I'm reaching a hyper state again. My

understanding, however, is that the TSH test is not especially

helpful as a standard once thyroid disease has been diagnosed.

>

> So, here are my questions:

>

> Am I well within a normal range?

> Should I take the PTU, even if I feel great?

> Does the TSH matter?

>

> By the by, she agreed to take my antibodies and Free T3.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Caroline

>

If you are feeling great than I am thinking you might do better to

just have the doctor monitor you with an agreement to start meds if

your FT4 rises above the limit.

TSH in someone with grave's is usually suppressed and can remain

suprressed due to blocking TSH receptor antibodies. SO although it is

indicative that you have a thyroid problem it is not indicative of

your actual thyroid status.

Ask your Doctor what he/she expects PTU to accomplish and what level

he/she thinks your T4 should be at before the PTU dose is lowered?

Generally speaking when the T4 is in the normal range a patient is

considered eurothyroid and the dose is reduced to keep the T4 in the

mid to higher end of the range..

So with the range the lab gives 4.5-12 the half way mark is 8.25..the

3/4 mark is 10.125..so proper treatment to keep you from going hyper

or hypo should be between 8.25-10.125..your T4 is 9.6..

( I hope this make sense)

You do need to wait for antibody testing..hopefully this will show

the doc why you have a suppresed TSH and the T3 test considering your

symptoms should be in the proper range..

Kats3boys

[Guest guest]

>

> Good Morning, Everyone--

>

> I recently had my thyroid levels taken and I want to get some

clarification:

>

> TSH

> Result: 0.032L uIu/mL

> Range: 0.350 - 5.500

>

> Thyroxine (T4)

> Result: 9.6 ug/dL

> Range: 4.5 - 12.0

>

> My new doctor recommended that I start taking PTU. I told her

however, that I haven't felt this good in a long, long time. (This

past year was the worst I've ever had with my thyroid--being over and

under medicated, and several ER visits.) I am hesitate to start

taking meds again when I feel so much better. She understands, but

is concerned that I'm reaching a hyper state again. My

understanding, however, is that the TSH test is not especially

helpful as a standard once thyroid disease has been diagnosed.

>

> So, here are my questions:

>

> Am I well within a normal range?

> Should I take the PTU, even if I feel great?

> Does the TSH matter?

>

> By the by, she agreed to take my antibodies and Free T3.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Caroline

>

If you are feeling great than I am thinking you might do better to

just have the doctor monitor you with an agreement to start meds if

your FT4 rises above the limit.

TSH in someone with grave's is usually suppressed and can remain

suprressed due to blocking TSH receptor antibodies. SO although it is

indicative that you have a thyroid problem it is not indicative of

your actual thyroid status.

Ask your Doctor what he/she expects PTU to accomplish and what level

he/she thinks your T4 should be at before the PTU dose is lowered?

Generally speaking when the T4 is in the normal range a patient is

considered eurothyroid and the dose is reduced to keep the T4 in the

mid to higher end of the range..

So with the range the lab gives 4.5-12 the half way mark is 8.25..the

3/4 mark is 10.125..so proper treatment to keep you from going hyper

or hypo should be between 8.25-10.125..your T4 is 9.6..

( I hope this make sense)

You do need to wait for antibody testing..hopefully this will show

the doc why you have a suppresed TSH and the T3 test considering your

symptoms should be in the proper range..

Kats3boys

[Guest guest]

>

> Good Morning, Everyone--

>

> I recently had my thyroid levels taken and I want to get some

clarification:

>

> TSH

> Result: 0.032L uIu/mL

> Range: 0.350 - 5.500

>

> Thyroxine (T4)

> Result: 9.6 ug/dL

> Range: 4.5 - 12.0

>

> My new doctor recommended that I start taking PTU. I told her

however, that I haven't felt this good in a long, long time. (This

past year was the worst I've ever had with my thyroid--being over and

under medicated, and several ER visits.) I am hesitate to start

taking meds again when I feel so much better. She understands, but

is concerned that I'm reaching a hyper state again. My

understanding, however, is that the TSH test is not especially

helpful as a standard once thyroid disease has been diagnosed.

>

> So, here are my questions:

>

> Am I well within a normal range?

> Should I take the PTU, even if I feel great?

> Does the TSH matter?

>

> By the by, she agreed to take my antibodies and Free T3.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Caroline

>

If you are feeling great than I am thinking you might do better to

just have the doctor monitor you with an agreement to start meds if

your FT4 rises above the limit.

TSH in someone with grave's is usually suppressed and can remain

suprressed due to blocking TSH receptor antibodies. SO although it is

indicative that you have a thyroid problem it is not indicative of

your actual thyroid status.

Ask your Doctor what he/she expects PTU to accomplish and what level

he/she thinks your T4 should be at before the PTU dose is lowered?

Generally speaking when the T4 is in the normal range a patient is

considered eurothyroid and the dose is reduced to keep the T4 in the

mid to higher end of the range..

So with the range the lab gives 4.5-12 the half way mark is 8.25..the

3/4 mark is 10.125..so proper treatment to keep you from going hyper

or hypo should be between 8.25-10.125..your T4 is 9.6..

( I hope this make sense)

You do need to wait for antibody testing..hopefully this will show

the doc why you have a suppresed TSH and the T3 test considering your

symptoms should be in the proper range..

Kats3boys