Re: These are my thyroid test results, can someone help?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 12:37:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

The number means that you are producing slightly less thyroid

stimulating hormone than is normally seen in that laboratory. Many labs

arbitrarily cut off normal just before the highest and lowest 5% of

results. Presumably, since you are not making very much thyroid

stimulating hormone, your pituitary gland believes that you have enough

or more than enough thyroid hormone. That means that your thyroid is

either OK or slightly toward the hyperthyroid side. If you truly have

symptoms of hypothyroidism (low body temp, slow pulse, wt gain,

menstrual irregularity) then you could in fact have secondary

hypothyroidism due to failure of the pituitary to produce enough TSH.

It is more possible, however, that your thyroid is fine, you happened to

fall just outside the normal range on the lab test, and your symptoms

are nonspecific. Consider repeating the test before getting too excited

about the result. Also remember that a TSH is only one piece of

clinical information that must be taken into account along with any

other available data before making a diagnosis. The body is a wonderful

machine, but it is not always consistent from day to day. Lab tests can

sometimes be misleading even when done absolutely correctly.

Jim

Hi Jim, thank you for responding so quickly. Well, this has been going on a

few years, since around 2001. I have had three tests come back abnormal. I

had lost my medical insurance twice, so that is why this has gone on for a long

time without being treated. I am extremely tired, not just tired, exhausted

every day. My blood pressure seems to come up low on the blood pressure

machines in the pharmacy, I have thinning hair and brittle hair, I have gained

30

lbs in the last five years and cannot lose weight, I have tried everything.

My eyebrows have even thinned out. My menstrual cycle is messed up, I am

currently 11 days late. Aren't these signs of an underactive thryoid?

What is secondary hypothyroidism? Is it serious? Can it be taken care of

with thyroid medicine?

Thanks

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 1:04:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

In this case you want to measure thyroid hormone directly, with either a

free thyroxine index or a T4. If the thyroid hormone is low, you may

well have secondary hypothyroidism. If it is normal your symptoms are

more than likely not related to your thyroid gland. Actually, the

menstrual abnormality most often associated with hypothyroidism is

shorter cycles with longer periods.

Jim

Would these results be on my paperwork that I have right now?

I am so confused, I have no idea what is going on. Here I have been thinking

all along that my thyroid is messed up and I do have so many symptoms, I

even have the " foggy brain " where I can't remember things and I never forgot

things ever! I feel sick, not myself for a few years now.

Does it possibly sound like secondary hypothyroidism? How is that treated?

Thank you so much!

Vicki

[Guest guest]

The number means that you are producing slightly less thyroid

stimulating hormone than is normally seen in that laboratory. Many labs

arbitrarily cut off normal just before the highest and lowest 5% of

results. Presumably, since you are not making very much thyroid

stimulating hormone, your pituitary gland believes that you have enough

or more than enough thyroid hormone. That means that your thyroid is

either OK or slightly toward the hyperthyroid side. If you truly have

symptoms of hypothyroidism (low body temp, slow pulse, wt gain,

menstrual irregularity) then you could in fact have secondary

hypothyroidism due to failure of the pituitary to produce enough TSH.

It is more possible, however, that your thyroid is fine, you happened to

fall just outside the normal range on the lab test, and your symptoms

are nonspecific. Consider repeating the test before getting too excited

about the result. Also remember that a TSH is only one piece of

clinical information that must be taken into account along with any

other available data before making a diagnosis. The body is a wonderful

machine, but it is not always consistent from day to day. Lab tests can

sometimes be misleading even when done absolutely correctly.

Jim

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of BSL1229@...

Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 9:18 PM

Subject: [ ] These are my thyroid test results, can someone

help?

Hi, I wrote in about two weeks ago and I think I typed in my thyroid

test

results incorrectly. I am sending another email now because I went on

vacation

and my emails were bouncing so I dont know if anyone responded to me or

not?

I am just wondering if this number means over or underactive thyroid? I

was

told it was overactive BUT I have all of the underactive thyroid signs

for the

last few years. I am not being treated as of yet, I am looking for a

good

endocronologist. Here are my results:TSH 0.26 L 0.40-5.5 mIU/L

If I am understanding it correctly, it is giving an L for low? I am

thinking it should be higher than 0.40-5.5 correct? I know nothing

about these

numbers and my doctor seems clueless himself! He just referred me to go

to a

endocronologist. I have had THREE thyroid test results in the last four

years come

back abnormal.

Any help will be so appreciated.

Thanks,

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In this case you want to measure thyroid hormone directly, with either a

free thyroxine index or a T4. If the thyroid hormone is low, you may

well have secondary hypothyroidism. If it is normal your symptoms are

more than likely not related to your thyroid gland. Actually, the

menstrual abnormality most often associated with hypothyroidism is

shorter cycles with longer periods.

Jim

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of BSL1229@...

Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 9:51 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] These are my thyroid test results, can

someone help?

In a message dated 8/5/2005 12:37:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

The number means that you are producing slightly less thyroid

stimulating hormone than is normally seen in that laboratory. Many

labs

arbitrarily cut off normal just before the highest and lowest 5% of

results. Presumably, since you are not making very much thyroid

stimulating hormone, your pituitary gland believes that you have enough

or more than enough thyroid hormone. That means that your thyroid is

either OK or slightly toward the hyperthyroid side. If you truly have

symptoms of hypothyroidism (low body temp, slow pulse, wt gain,

menstrual irregularity) then you could in fact have secondary

hypothyroidism due to failure of the pituitary to produce enough TSH.

It is more possible, however, that your thyroid is fine, you happened

to

fall just outside the normal range on the lab test, and your symptoms

are nonspecific. Consider repeating the test before getting too

excited

about the result. Also remember that a TSH is only one piece of

clinical information that must be taken into account along with any

other available data before making a diagnosis. The body is a

wonderful

machine, but it is not always consistent from day to day. Lab tests

can

sometimes be misleading even when done absolutely correctly.

Jim

Hi Jim, thank you for responding so quickly. Well, this has been going

on a

few years, since around 2001. I have had three tests come back

abnormal. I

had lost my medical insurance twice, so that is why this has gone on

for a long

time without being treated. I am extremely tired, not just tired,

exhausted

every day. My blood pressure seems to come up low on the blood pressure

machines in the pharmacy, I have thinning hair and brittle hair, I have

gained 30

lbs in the last five years and cannot lose weight, I have tried

everything.

My eyebrows have even thinned out. My menstrual cycle is messed up, I

am

currently 11 days late. Aren't these signs of an underactive thryoid?

What is secondary hypothyroidism? Is it serious? Can it be taken care

of

with thyroid medicine?

Thanks

Vicki

[Guest guest]

Go to 's Thyroid Syndrome on the internet.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 9:39:22 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

bizzymama@... writes:

Hi Vicki,

there's a good list on where you can post your thyroid results and get

some answers, hope this helps!

Carol

Thank you very much Carol, I appreciate it.

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 11:55:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

joyfulmelody5@... writes:

Go to 's Thyroid Syndrome on the internet.

Thank you, I will search right now, I appreciate your help.

Vicki

[Guest guest]

It's now called 's Temperature Syndrome. So you can look it up on the

Internet that way also.

[Guest guest]

Hi Vicki,

there's a good list on where you can post your thyroid results and get

some answers, hope this helps!

Carol

Here's their links from when I was on it:

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 7:45:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

By the way, I'm curious: have you had this chat with your doctor? As

medicine goes, this is not brain surgery, so I'm a little surpirsed to

see you searching an autism website for answers that you should be able

to get from your doctor.

Jim

Hi Jim, since I have medicaid, my doctors are limited and I found a doctor

around my neighborhood by he seemed clueless about thyroid issues and just

said I am referring you to a thyroid doctor. But of course I have to find one

from the book that I have on my own. I am awaiting a number from my Aunt that

said she knows of a good endocronologist around my area that might take my

medicaid.

Sorry to be asking so many questions but I trust my email group alot more

than this doctor I saw, who didn't have a clue.

Vicki

[Guest guest]

Some of your symptoms could be related to estrogen and progesterone

imbalance. If you suspect you have low thyroid try taking minerals to

help support the function. That helped me. I had used progesterone cream,

(natural) when my doctor tested me and found that my estrogen was too high.

This helped allot. Consider too you have adrenal issues.

Liz D.

>

>

> Hi Jim, thank you for responding so quickly. Well, this has been going

on a

> few years, since around 2001. I have had three tests come back abnormal.

I

> had lost my medical insurance twice, so that is why this has gone on for

a long

> time without being treated. I am extremely tired, not just tired,

exhausted

> every day. My blood pressure seems to come up low on the blood pressure

> machines in the pharmacy, I have thinning hair and brittle hair, I have

gained 30

> lbs in the last five years and cannot lose weight, I have tried

everything.

> My eyebrows have even thinned out. My menstrual cycle is messed up, I am

> currently 11 days late. Aren't these signs of an underactive thryoid?

> What is secondary hypothyroidism? Is it serious? Can it be taken care of

> with thyroid medicine?

> Thanks

> Vicki

>

[Guest guest]

Vicki, I'm not sure exactly what you mean by 'my paperwork that I have

right now' If you mean lab results, it will only be there if it was

ordered. If you mean a lab requisition, then probably it is on the

paper somewhere near where TSH is. Look to see if there is a 'thyroid

profile' or 'thyroid panel'. If you have secondary hypothyroidism, it

is no more serious than primary hypothyroidism, treated with the same

thyroid supplements (Synthroid, Levothroid, Armour thyroid, etc). In

the case of secondary hypothyroidism, though, it is sometimes helpful to

look for an additional, arcane hormone called TRH to see if this is

related to the failure of TSH production.

By the way, I'm curious: have you had this chat with your doctor? As

medicine goes, this is not brain surgery, so I'm a little surpirsed to

see you searching an autism website for answers that you should be able

to get from your doctor.

Jim

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of BSL1229@...

Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 12:00 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] These are my thyroid test results, can

someone help?

In a message dated 8/5/2005 1:04:06 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

In this case you want to measure thyroid hormone directly, with either

a

free thyroxine index or a T4. If the thyroid hormone is low, you may

well have secondary hypothyroidism. If it is normal your symptoms are

more than likely not related to your thyroid gland. Actually, the

menstrual abnormality most often associated with hypothyroidism is

shorter cycles with longer periods.

Jim

Would these results be on my paperwork that I have right now?

I am so confused, I have no idea what is going on. Here I have been

thinking

all along that my thyroid is messed up and I do have so many symptoms,

I

even have the " foggy brain " where I can't remember things and I never

forgot

things ever! I feel sick, not myself for a few years now.

Does it possibly sound like secondary hypothyroidism? How is that

treated?

Thank you so much!

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 9:43:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

watchingamiracle@... writes:

Just my experience, I've been a thyroid patient since 1988 and I had a

partial thyroidectomy in 1993. The TSH number you listed, by itself does mean

an

overactive thyroid. Except, you need additional tests T3 and T4 easpecially

to determine why. You can feel incredibly rotten when you're overactive as

well. ( I gained almost 40 pounds at one point - " overactive " ) Do yourself

a favor, look hard for an endorinologist who can look past the reference

range. I feel horrible with a TSH over .1 Its all about your own body. I

read

two good books a few years ago. One was " The Thyroid Source Book " and the

other " The Thyroid Solution " I would try to remember the authors, but I can't

remember the last time I read about anything besides autism.

I'm sure many people have answered you already. Hope I was able to help.

Hang in there!

Hi Lori, thank you so much, I feel better that other people understand how

sick I feel and what I am going through.

The other thyroid numbers seem normal except that one number which is

showing overactive. It's weird because I was thinking how in the world do I

have an

overactive thyroid with all of the UNDER active symptoms! I am going to make

sure I get a very good endocronologist because I cannot stand feeling this

sick and tired anymore. My mentrual cycle is messed up, currently I am going on

11 days late and I am not pregnant. I don't know what to do but at least I

know I am not going crazy.

These are the results I am copying them from my lab results.

TSH 0

Thank you so much,

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 9:43:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

watchingamiracle@... writes:

Just my experience, I've been a thyroid patient since 1988 and I had a

partial thyroidectomy in 1993. The TSH number you listed, by itself does mean

an

overactive thyroid. Except, you need additional tests T3 and T4 easpecially

to determine why. You can feel incredibly rotten when you're overactive as

well. ( I gained almost 40 pounds at one point - " overactive " ) Do yourself

a favor, look hard for an endorinologist who can look past the reference

range. I feel horrible with a TSH over .1 Its all about your own body. I

read

two good books a few years ago. One was " The Thyroid Source Book " and the

other " The Thyroid Solution " I would try to remember the authors, but I can't

remember the last time I read about anything besides autism.

I'm sure many people have answered you already. Hope I was able to help.

Hang in there!

Sorry, I hit send without finishing the test results.

TSH 0.26

T4, Free 1.5

T4, Total 8.3

T3 Total 166

I had a low number for my HDL Cholesterol that I was told I need to bring

the number up. I was asked if I do exercise everyday and I almost fell over

laughing because I am telling the doctor I am SO exhausted, I am lucky I am

functioning at all!!!! Exercise! Yeah right! When I feel better but I can't

exercise right now, I am lucky I can get out of bed, run errands, clean my

house,

cook and take care of my 8 year old Autistic son. And my triglycerides were

high, I don't know if that is connected with the thyroid or not? Meaning, I

don't know if it is effecting that also.

Thanks

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/5/2005 8:33:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

If I may ask, where do you live? I might know someone near you. Is

medicaid in your area a closed panel, HMO model?

Jim

Hi Jim, I am in Queens New York.

I have HIP/Medicaid.

Thanks

Vicki

[Guest guest]

If I may ask, where do you live? I might know someone near you. Is

medicaid in your area a closed panel, HMO model?

Jim

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of BSL1229@...

Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 5:28 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] These are my thyroid test results, can

someone help?

In a message dated 8/5/2005 7:45:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

By the way, I'm curious: have you had this chat with your doctor? As

medicine goes, this is not brain surgery, so I'm a little surpirsed to

see you searching an autism website for answers that you should be able

to get from your doctor.

Jim

Hi Jim, since I have medicaid, my doctors are limited and I found a

doctor

around my neighborhood by he seemed clueless about thyroid issues and

just

said I am referring you to a thyroid doctor. But of course I have to

find one

from the book that I have on my own. I am awaiting a number from my Aunt

that

said she knows of a good endocronologist around my area that might take

my

medicaid.

Sorry to be asking so many questions but I trust my email group alot

more

than this doctor I saw, who didn't have a clue.

Vicki

[Guest guest]

Vicki-

Just my experience, I've been a thyroid patient since 1988 and I had a partial

thyroidectomy in 1993. The TSH number you listed, by itself does mean an

overactive thyroid. Except, you need additional tests T3 and T4 easpecially to

determine why. You can feel incredibly rotten when you're overactive as well.

( I gained almost 40 pounds at one point - " overactive " ) Do yourself a favor,

look hard for an endorinologist who can look past the reference range. I feel

horrible with a TSH over .1 Its all about your own body. I read two good books

a few years ago. One was " The Thyroid Source Book " and the other " The Thyroid

Solution " I would try to remember the authors, but I can't remember the last

time I read about anything besides autism.

I'm sure many people have answered you already. Hope I was able to help. Hang

in there!

Lori

bizzymama@... wrote:

Hi Vicki,

there's a good list on where you can post your thyroid results and get

some answers, hope this helps!

Carol

Here's their links from when I was on it:

[Guest guest]

Vicki,

My TSH was lower than the normal range every time it was measured for

many years. It turns out that I am hypothyroid and have been for a

very long time. I think I must have secondary hypothyroidism, but I

don't really have a diagnosis. Ever since I started to take thyroid

hormone, about 3 years ago, I feel way better.

Try taking your temperature in the morning before rising. If it is

low that is another clue. Mine was about 36.2 C, but went even lower

in the middle of the night.

I think free T4 and free T3 tests might help. Mine were in the normal

range. One doctor did find that I have anti thyroid antibodies.

It is not easy to find doctors who understand how to treat the

hypothyroid symptoms instead of the blood tests. Don't be surprised

if the endocrinologist doesn't understand. Mine didn't.

>

> Hi, I wrote in about two weeks ago and I think I typed in my

thyroid test

> results incorrectly. I am sending another email now because I went

on vacation

> and my emails were bouncing so I dont know if anyone responded to

me or not?

> I am just wondering if this number means over or underactive

thyroid? I was

> told it was overactive BUT I have all of the underactive thyroid

signs for the

> last few years. I am not being treated as of yet, I am looking for

a good

> endocronologist. Here are my results:TSH 0.26 L 0.40-5.5 mIU/L

> If I am understanding it correctly, it is giving an L for low? I am

> thinking it should be higher than 0.40-5.5 correct? I know nothing

about these

> numbers and my doctor seems clueless himself! He just referred me

to go to a

> endocronologist. I have had THREE thyroid test results in the last

four years come

> back abnormal.

> Any help will be so appreciated.

> Thanks,

> Vicki

[Guest guest]

> Sorry, I hit send without finishing the test results.

>

> TSH 0.26

> T4, Free 1.5

> T4, Total 8.3

> T3 Total 166

Vicki,

What are the numbers for the normal range for these tests (should be

on the report)?

> I had a low number for my HDL Cholesterol

My cholesterol is always low on tests. I think it has to do with the

mercury.

> that I was told I need to bring

> the number up. I was asked if I do exercise everyday and I almost

fell over

> laughing because I am telling the doctor I am SO exhausted, I am

lucky I am

> functioning at all!!!!

That's EXACTLY how I felt before I got treated with hormones.

>Exercise! Yeah right! When I feel better but I can't

> exercise right now, I am lucky I can get out of bed, run errands,

clean my house,

> cook and take care of my 8 year old Autistic son. And my

triglycerides were

> high, I don't know if that is connected with the thyroid or not?

Meaning, I

> don't know if it is effecting that also.

> Thanks

> Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/2005 12:01:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

lindajaytee@... writes:

Vicki,

What are the numbers for the normal range for these tests (should be

on the report)?

Hi , all of the other three tests seem to be in the normal range, it

was that one TSH that was not normal.

Let me type them out as I see them on the lab results.

T4, Free 1.5 Reference Range 0.8-1.8 ng/dL

T4, Total 8.3 Reference Range 4.5-12.0 ug/dL

T3, Total 166 Reference Range 60-181 ng/dL

The out of range one was TSH 0.26 Reference Range 0.40-5.50 mIU/L

Thanks

Vicki

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/2005 12:01:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

lindajaytee@... writes:

My cholesterol is always low on tests. I think it has to do with the

mercury.

I believe that I am mercury Poisoned also. I had 4 big amalgams put in my

mouth in August 2000! That is before of course I knew of the Mercury Poisoning

or I would have NEVER put them in, EVER!

Vicki

So do you think it's from the mercury? Is your HDL low?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/6/2005 12:01:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

lindajaytee@... writes:

That's EXACTLY how I felt before I got treated with hormones.

What are you being treated with now? What were you diagnosed as officially?

Under or Over active thyroid?

Thanks so much!

Vicki

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi , all of the other three tests seem to be in the normal

range, it

> was that one TSH that was not normal.

> Let me type them out as I see them on the lab results.

>

> T4, Free 1.5 Reference Range 0.8-1.8 ng/dL

> T4, Total 8.3 Reference Range 4.5-12.0 ug/dL

> T3, Total 166 Reference Range 60-181 ng/dL

>

> The out of range one was TSH 0.26 Reference Range 0.40-5.50 mIU/L

Hi Vicki,

These are the test results I got just BEFORE I got thyroid hormone:

Free T4, 13.4 (range 9.0 - 19.0 pmol/L)

Free T3, 3.90 (range 2.63 - 5.70 pmol/L)

TSH, 0.27 LOW (range 0.3 -5.50 mIU/L)

I think that I am living proof that it is best to treat the patient

instead of the blood test. I got thyroid hormone and cortef (from an

exceptional doctor!) based on symptoms. At a later date another

doctor gave me a list of hypothyroid symptoms and I checked off 75% of

them or more. He also tested antithyroid peroxidase and mine is

higher than the normal range.

No one has ever actually told me what my official thyroid diagnosis

is.

First I was on Synthroid, then something similiar to armour, and now I

am on a combination of Synthroid (synthetic T4) and slow release

synthetic T3.

For years every time I went swimming I would get so cold that I

couldn't get warmed up. That completely turned around after I started

thyroid hormone. It's a good thing because I love swimming and now I

am finally able to do what I enjoy. I even tolerate heat way, way

better now. Good thing, because now I am doing long hot saunas. Lots

of other good things happen when a person feels better.

[Guest guest]

Vicki, do you have access to the Institute for Urban Family Health?

This is a series of outpatient clinics associated with Beth Israel

Hospital with several sites in Manhattan and the Bronx. I don't know

anyone there personally, but the Institute has a fine reputation and

every resource you might eventually need. I do know an endocrinologist

who was formerly at Columbia-Presbyterian, but he is now here in

California. He told me Beth Israel is more accessible from Queens than

Columbia would be. By the way, on a separate post you listed your T3

and T4 results. It does not appear to me that your thyroid is abnormal.

If you need another resource let me know.

Jim

________________________________

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of BSL1229@...

Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 9:17 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] These are my thyroid test results, can

someone help?

In a message dated 8/5/2005 8:33:19 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

JPopplewell@... writes:

If I may ask, where do you live? I might know someone near you. Is

medicaid in your area a closed panel, HMO model?

Jim

Hi Jim, I am in Queens New York.

I have HIP/Medicaid.

Thanks

Vicki