Re: Complete Test Results...what is this????

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/30/02 1:17:52 PM Mountain Standard Time, wrkmnj@...

writes:

> Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

>

> T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

>

> T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

>

> Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

>

> Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

>

> Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

>

Hi Rhonda,

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies are high in more than 90% of people with

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 50-70% of people with Graves' disease. Usually,

the highest numbers are seen in Hashimoto's. Yours are pretty high, which

shows an active atuoimmune process, confirmint that you have autoimmune

thyroid disease. A test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies would show

that you have GD. Your low FT4 suggests that you're hypo. I can't remember if

you're on ATDs. If you are, the dose may be too low. The TSH, last test

listed, is low suggesting hyperT, but this is a pituitary hormone and can

stay low for some time.

When T4 is converted into T3, it follows two different pathways, regular T3

and reverse T3, a hormone with no biological activity. It's considered

protective and is produced in higher amounts in newborns who have no need for

as much T3 and in prolonged illness, like after traumas or surgery, when

little T3 is needed. This test is rarely ordered. It was used lots in the

70's and early 80's before methods to measure FT3 existed.

I think whoever sent the tests to the reference lab meant to send out TSH

receptor antibodies and accidentally sent out TSH antibodies. These are very

rare. Rarely, people can develop antibodies to TSH, T4 and T3. It would

explain low TSH results and it's only ordered when the TSH stays low for a

long period of time.

Your lab results suggest that either you're on ATDs or have Hashimoto's

thyroiditis. This can cause temporary hyper symptoms as thyroid hormone is

released from dying thyroid cells. When this goes on for a while, usually in

the early stages of Hashimoto's, it's called Hashitoxicosis. I have an

article on this on www.suite101.com.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/30/02 1:17:52 PM Mountain Standard Time, wrkmnj@...

writes:

> Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

>

> T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

>

> T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

>

> Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

>

> Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

>

> Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

>

Hi Rhonda,

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies are high in more than 90% of people with

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 50-70% of people with Graves' disease. Usually,

the highest numbers are seen in Hashimoto's. Yours are pretty high, which

shows an active atuoimmune process, confirmint that you have autoimmune

thyroid disease. A test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies would show

that you have GD. Your low FT4 suggests that you're hypo. I can't remember if

you're on ATDs. If you are, the dose may be too low. The TSH, last test

listed, is low suggesting hyperT, but this is a pituitary hormone and can

stay low for some time.

When T4 is converted into T3, it follows two different pathways, regular T3

and reverse T3, a hormone with no biological activity. It's considered

protective and is produced in higher amounts in newborns who have no need for

as much T3 and in prolonged illness, like after traumas or surgery, when

little T3 is needed. This test is rarely ordered. It was used lots in the

70's and early 80's before methods to measure FT3 existed.

I think whoever sent the tests to the reference lab meant to send out TSH

receptor antibodies and accidentally sent out TSH antibodies. These are very

rare. Rarely, people can develop antibodies to TSH, T4 and T3. It would

explain low TSH results and it's only ordered when the TSH stays low for a

long period of time.

Your lab results suggest that either you're on ATDs or have Hashimoto's

thyroiditis. This can cause temporary hyper symptoms as thyroid hormone is

released from dying thyroid cells. When this goes on for a while, usually in

the early stages of Hashimoto's, it's called Hashitoxicosis. I have an

article on this on www.suite101.com.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/30/02 1:17:52 PM Mountain Standard Time, wrkmnj@...

writes:

> Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

>

> T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

>

> T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

>

> Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

>

> Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

>

> Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

>

Hi Rhonda,

Anti-thyroglobulin antibodies are high in more than 90% of people with

Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 50-70% of people with Graves' disease. Usually,

the highest numbers are seen in Hashimoto's. Yours are pretty high, which

shows an active atuoimmune process, confirmint that you have autoimmune

thyroid disease. A test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies would show

that you have GD. Your low FT4 suggests that you're hypo. I can't remember if

you're on ATDs. If you are, the dose may be too low. The TSH, last test

listed, is low suggesting hyperT, but this is a pituitary hormone and can

stay low for some time.

When T4 is converted into T3, it follows two different pathways, regular T3

and reverse T3, a hormone with no biological activity. It's considered

protective and is produced in higher amounts in newborns who have no need for

as much T3 and in prolonged illness, like after traumas or surgery, when

little T3 is needed. This test is rarely ordered. It was used lots in the

70's and early 80's before methods to measure FT3 existed.

I think whoever sent the tests to the reference lab meant to send out TSH

receptor antibodies and accidentally sent out TSH antibodies. These are very

rare. Rarely, people can develop antibodies to TSH, T4 and T3. It would

explain low TSH results and it's only ordered when the TSH stays low for a

long period of time.

Your lab results suggest that either you're on ATDs or have Hashimoto's

thyroiditis. This can cause temporary hyper symptoms as thyroid hormone is

released from dying thyroid cells. When this goes on for a while, usually in

the early stages of Hashimoto's, it's called Hashitoxicosis. I have an

article on this on www.suite101.com.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/30/02 1:17:52 PM Mountain Standard Time, wrkmnj@...

writes:

> Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

>

> T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

>

> T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

>

> Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

>

> Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

>

> Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

>

Rhonda, I meant if you're on ATDs the dose may be too high, making your

levels too low. Sorry.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/30/02 1:17:52 PM Mountain Standard Time, wrkmnj@...

writes:

> Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

>

> T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

>

> T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

>

> Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

>

> Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

>

> Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

>

Rhonda, I meant if you're on ATDs the dose may be too high, making your

levels too low. Sorry.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/30/02 1:17:52 PM Mountain Standard Time, wrkmnj@...

writes:

> Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

>

> T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

>

> T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

>

> Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

>

> Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

>

> Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

>

Rhonda, I meant if you're on ATDs the dose may be too high, making your

levels too low. Sorry.

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I hope this message makes it out, because I have no idea what some

of this means.....

Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

Okay, why is that antithyroglob sooooo high???? If this is something serious,

or if I'm hypo instead of hyper, or any of that I'm going to call that doctor

and give him a piece of my mind....well, there's not much to give, so maybe I'll

just yell at him for not calling me about these results at all!

BTW, anyone see an endo in South Bend, Indiana....the name is (first or

last, can't remember)? I'm thinking about traveling to him. He's on the top

docs list you all have posted before.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I hope this message makes it out, because I have no idea what some

of this means.....

Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

Okay, why is that antithyroglob sooooo high???? If this is something serious,

or if I'm hypo instead of hyper, or any of that I'm going to call that doctor

and give him a piece of my mind....well, there's not much to give, so maybe I'll

just yell at him for not calling me about these results at all!

BTW, anyone see an endo in South Bend, Indiana....the name is (first or

last, can't remember)? I'm thinking about traveling to him. He's on the top

docs list you all have posted before.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone! I hope this message makes it out, because I have no idea what some

of this means.....

Antithryoglob (?what is this?) 1449 High (0-40 IU/mL)

T3 Reverse 138 Normal (90-350 pg/mL)

T3 RIA 125 Normal (60-181 ng/dL)

Anti-TSH Autoab Negative (Negative)

Free T4 0.6 Low (0.75-2.0 ng/dl)

Thyr. Stim. Hormone 0.09 Low (0.47-6.9)

Okay, why is that antithyroglob sooooo high???? If this is something serious,

or if I'm hypo instead of hyper, or any of that I'm going to call that doctor

and give him a piece of my mind....well, there's not much to give, so maybe I'll

just yell at him for not calling me about these results at all!

BTW, anyone see an endo in South Bend, Indiana....the name is (first or

last, can't remember)? I'm thinking about traveling to him. He's on the top

docs list you all have posted before.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

Hardly anyone uses the radioiodine immunoassay (RIA) test anymore, but some

places still do it. It's a method that used to be widely used in labs to

measure drugs, hormones, etc. The test you had is just a an assay for total

T3 using that method.

TSH autoantibodies are very rare. Other than you, I'm the only person I know

who had the test, and I had it for research purposes. It's usually used when

someone with autoimmune thyroid disease has labs that make little sense.

Maybe your doctor did suspect that your low TSH was caused by antibodies

destroying it, but given how rarely this test is ordered, it's unlikely. A

test for TSH receptor antibodies would have been a better call. A positive

test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies would show that you stil have

active Graves' and just need your ATD dose lowered. A negative test here with

a positive test for blocking antibodies would show that you moved into

hypothyroidism.

Why don't you call your doctor's office and tell them you're experiencing

hypo symptoms after your dose and ask if you can lower it. You're better off

lowering it slowly then just stopping it because if you are still hyper,

abrupt withdrawal can cause your symptoms to come back full force. Good luck,

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

Hardly anyone uses the radioiodine immunoassay (RIA) test anymore, but some

places still do it. It's a method that used to be widely used in labs to

measure drugs, hormones, etc. The test you had is just a an assay for total

T3 using that method.

TSH autoantibodies are very rare. Other than you, I'm the only person I know

who had the test, and I had it for research purposes. It's usually used when

someone with autoimmune thyroid disease has labs that make little sense.

Maybe your doctor did suspect that your low TSH was caused by antibodies

destroying it, but given how rarely this test is ordered, it's unlikely. A

test for TSH receptor antibodies would have been a better call. A positive

test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies would show that you stil have

active Graves' and just need your ATD dose lowered. A negative test here with

a positive test for blocking antibodies would show that you moved into

hypothyroidism.

Why don't you call your doctor's office and tell them you're experiencing

hypo symptoms after your dose and ask if you can lower it. You're better off

lowering it slowly then just stopping it because if you are still hyper,

abrupt withdrawal can cause your symptoms to come back full force. Good luck,

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

Hardly anyone uses the radioiodine immunoassay (RIA) test anymore, but some

places still do it. It's a method that used to be widely used in labs to

measure drugs, hormones, etc. The test you had is just a an assay for total

T3 using that method.

TSH autoantibodies are very rare. Other than you, I'm the only person I know

who had the test, and I had it for research purposes. It's usually used when

someone with autoimmune thyroid disease has labs that make little sense.

Maybe your doctor did suspect that your low TSH was caused by antibodies

destroying it, but given how rarely this test is ordered, it's unlikely. A

test for TSH receptor antibodies would have been a better call. A positive

test for stimulating TSH receptor antibodies would show that you stil have

active Graves' and just need your ATD dose lowered. A negative test here with

a positive test for blocking antibodies would show that you moved into

hypothyroidism.

Why don't you call your doctor's office and tell them you're experiencing

hypo symptoms after your dose and ask if you can lower it. You're better off

lowering it slowly then just stopping it because if you are still hyper,

abrupt withdrawal can cause your symptoms to come back full force. Good luck,

Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine! Thanks for the quick reply. I was actually going through your book

and trying to piece things together, when I received your email.

Does this mean I have Hashimotos? (I was wondering about being able to have

both, and when I was catching up on my emails I saw 's email about this very

thing.)

I am taking PTU 50 mg. 2x day. I have felt more hypo....cold, instead of

burning hot is my biggest noticeable symptom....I also feel good when it becomes

the " scheduled " time for my ptu, whereas before I knew the time because I felt

bad at that time. I'm thinking I should take less...my doctor didn't call me,

but I've learned a lot about myself and think I may try it and just see. How

many days do you think it would take to see a difference? Also, if I'm going

Hypo, when should I have my labs run again?

Do I understand that you think the Anti-TSH Autoab was the wrong test that

was run?

Also, was is T3 RIA?

Thanks so much for your help.

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine! Thanks for the quick reply. I was actually going through your book

and trying to piece things together, when I received your email.

Does this mean I have Hashimotos? (I was wondering about being able to have

both, and when I was catching up on my emails I saw 's email about this very

thing.)

I am taking PTU 50 mg. 2x day. I have felt more hypo....cold, instead of

burning hot is my biggest noticeable symptom....I also feel good when it becomes

the " scheduled " time for my ptu, whereas before I knew the time because I felt

bad at that time. I'm thinking I should take less...my doctor didn't call me,

but I've learned a lot about myself and think I may try it and just see. How

many days do you think it would take to see a difference? Also, if I'm going

Hypo, when should I have my labs run again?

Do I understand that you think the Anti-TSH Autoab was the wrong test that

was run?

Also, was is T3 RIA?

Thanks so much for your help.

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine! Thanks for the quick reply. I was actually going through your book

and trying to piece things together, when I received your email.

Does this mean I have Hashimotos? (I was wondering about being able to have

both, and when I was catching up on my emails I saw 's email about this very

thing.)

I am taking PTU 50 mg. 2x day. I have felt more hypo....cold, instead of

burning hot is my biggest noticeable symptom....I also feel good when it becomes

the " scheduled " time for my ptu, whereas before I knew the time because I felt

bad at that time. I'm thinking I should take less...my doctor didn't call me,

but I've learned a lot about myself and think I may try it and just see. How

many days do you think it would take to see a difference? Also, if I'm going

Hypo, when should I have my labs run again?

Do I understand that you think the Anti-TSH Autoab was the wrong test that

was run?

Also, was is T3 RIA?

Thanks so much for your help.

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

Much of this is a bit over my head, not having had all those tests, but I can

comment

on a more practical level. You say...

I am taking PTU 50 mg. 2x day. I have felt more hypo....cold, instead of

burning hot is

my biggest

noticeable symptom....I also feel good when it becomes the " scheduled " time for

my PTU,

whereas before

I knew the time because I felt bad at that time.

I remember being in this exact same place. Then I read the package insert for

the PTU.

It says it works for 8 hours. So before reducing my amount, I tried taking it

every 8 hr.

This worked very well for some time in my journey. I broke a tablet in 1/2 and

took 1/2

tablet in the morning, then 1/2 in the afternoon and the full one at night.

My next step after this was 1/2 tablet at night instead of the full one. I was

more

comfortable with this very gradual decrease, because of what I have read here.

So you could try this approach, and not fear hurting yourself, as you too seem

to be aware

of what your body is telling you.And to start, you are not changing the amount.

Before I

learned this breaking of pills and the 8 hr. fact, I had way too much up and

down, and

really extended the time that I was not right. ( though that part is still

questionable,

LOL )

-Pam- we will discuss the best way to break into 1/4 pills at a later time. :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

Much of this is a bit over my head, not having had all those tests, but I can

comment

on a more practical level. You say...

I am taking PTU 50 mg. 2x day. I have felt more hypo....cold, instead of

burning hot is

my biggest

noticeable symptom....I also feel good when it becomes the " scheduled " time for

my PTU,

whereas before

I knew the time because I felt bad at that time.

I remember being in this exact same place. Then I read the package insert for

the PTU.

It says it works for 8 hours. So before reducing my amount, I tried taking it

every 8 hr.

This worked very well for some time in my journey. I broke a tablet in 1/2 and

took 1/2

tablet in the morning, then 1/2 in the afternoon and the full one at night.

My next step after this was 1/2 tablet at night instead of the full one. I was

more

comfortable with this very gradual decrease, because of what I have read here.

So you could try this approach, and not fear hurting yourself, as you too seem

to be aware

of what your body is telling you.And to start, you are not changing the amount.

Before I

learned this breaking of pills and the 8 hr. fact, I had way too much up and

down, and

really extended the time that I was not right. ( though that part is still

questionable,

LOL )

-Pam- we will discuss the best way to break into 1/4 pills at a later time. :-)

[Guest guest]

Rhonda,

In going back through my mail , I see the FT4 at .6. I am no expert, but I

know for a

fact that when mine is that low, I am over medicated and hypo. Keep in mine that

we are

all different, but after you try breaking the tablets, as per my last message,

if it were

me, I would then change that full amount at night to an equal half tablet, as in

the day

time. Thus three half tablets spaced every eight hours.

Good luck, -Pam-

[Guest guest]

Hi Rhonda,

Much of this is a bit over my head, not having had all those tests, but I can

comment

on a more practical level. You say...

I am taking PTU 50 mg. 2x day. I have felt more hypo....cold, instead of

burning hot is

my biggest

noticeable symptom....I also feel good when it becomes the " scheduled " time for

my PTU,

whereas before

I knew the time because I felt bad at that time.

I remember being in this exact same place. Then I read the package insert for

the PTU.

It says it works for 8 hours. So before reducing my amount, I tried taking it

every 8 hr.

This worked very well for some time in my journey. I broke a tablet in 1/2 and

took 1/2

tablet in the morning, then 1/2 in the afternoon and the full one at night.

My next step after this was 1/2 tablet at night instead of the full one. I was

more

comfortable with this very gradual decrease, because of what I have read here.

So you could try this approach, and not fear hurting yourself, as you too seem

to be aware

of what your body is telling you.And to start, you are not changing the amount.

Before I

learned this breaking of pills and the 8 hr. fact, I had way too much up and

down, and

really extended the time that I was not right. ( though that part is still

questionable,

LOL )

-Pam- we will discuss the best way to break into 1/4 pills at a later time. :-)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pam. I remember seeing you all talking about this schedule a few weeks

ago or so. That's what started me taking them 8 hrs. apart to start. I'm going

to try the splitting like you said tomorrow. I do remember splitting to 1/4

before going off meds completely in the fall of 2000...loads of fun! lol

Thanks again!

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pam. I remember seeing you all talking about this schedule a few weeks

ago or so. That's what started me taking them 8 hrs. apart to start. I'm going

to try the splitting like you said tomorrow. I do remember splitting to 1/4

before going off meds completely in the fall of 2000...loads of fun! lol

Thanks again!

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pam. I remember seeing you all talking about this schedule a few weeks

ago or so. That's what started me taking them 8 hrs. apart to start. I'm going

to try the splitting like you said tomorrow. I do remember splitting to 1/4

before going off meds completely in the fall of 2000...loads of fun! lol

Thanks again!

Rhonda

[Guest guest]

One thing I've always wondered since taking T3 exogenously is what happens

to those of us that get ill and would normally convert T4 into reverse T3 if

we could convert it ourselves. We can't do that so are we doing something

negative to our bodies during those times?

We don't have much of a choice if we can't convert T4 to T3 but to take T3

exogenously. Doesn't seem like much of a choice to me. Take care,

" When T4 is converted into T3, it follows two different pathways, regular T3

and reverse T3, a hormone with no biological activity. It's considered

protective and is produced in higher amounts in newborns who have no need

for

as much T3 and in prolonged illness, like after traumas or surgery, when

little T3 is needed. "

[Guest guest]

One thing I've always wondered since taking T3 exogenously is what happens

to those of us that get ill and would normally convert T4 into reverse T3 if

we could convert it ourselves. We can't do that so are we doing something

negative to our bodies during those times?

We don't have much of a choice if we can't convert T4 to T3 but to take T3

exogenously. Doesn't seem like much of a choice to me. Take care,

" When T4 is converted into T3, it follows two different pathways, regular T3

and reverse T3, a hormone with no biological activity. It's considered

protective and is produced in higher amounts in newborns who have no need

for

as much T3 and in prolonged illness, like after traumas or surgery, when

little T3 is needed. "