Results from Thyroid tests

Shirlann46
Shirlann46 Posts: 430 Member
edited November 12 in Social Groups
I had blood work done Thursday and I got results back already. Haven't talked to Dr. yet.
It says my Value is: 1.16 Standard Range 0.34 - 4.82
Want to talk to him about switching from Synthoid to Armour.
Any opinions?????

Replies

  • kristy6ward
    kristy6ward Posts: 332 Member
    Your value according to which test?
  • incendia3
    incendia3 Posts: 57 Member
    I'm guessing that's a 1.16 TSH? If so, I'm jealous. How are you feeling??
  • tecallahan
    tecallahan Posts: 732 Member
    He will probably say that TSH of 1.16 is within the normal range and no need to change your medication. You have to talk about your symptoms and ask him to either allow you to have Armour or to do additional testing to figure out why you have "xxx" symptoms.
  • Shirlann46
    Shirlann46 Posts: 430 Member
    Thanks for all the advice. I will talk him into switching my meds. If I can't do it I know my Husband will. I'm just so tired of being tired. Went for my Weigh-in @ T.O.P.S. and I stayed the same. I am so tired of Exercising and knocking myself out and Nothing happens!!!
    Again, Thanks to All
    Shirl
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
    I'm sitting her reading my lab results and trying to make sense of everything. My TSH is 1.92, so I guess that's okay. The one that has me concerned is the T4 Free. My result was 0.63 and the reference range is 0.58 - 1.64. Is it just me, or is my result on that test very, very low? My doc says everything is normal. I feel differently. This is the second specialist I've been to. I need some guidance here. I'm lost.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
    My understanding is that ranges exist because some people feel fine at one end of the spectrum, while others need to be on the entirely other end to feel ok. Bottom line is, if you don't feel ok, something needs to change.
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
    My understanding is that ranges exist because some people feel fine at one end of the spectrum, while others need to be on the entirely other end to feel ok. Bottom line is, if you don't feel ok, something needs to change.


    Thank you, lme, for saying this! Because I don't feel okay. I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep in months, which isn't helping my weight loss troubles. My hair is falling out at rapid speed. It's freaking me out, actually. I'm dead tired and lethargic all the time. Sometimes I worry that I'm going to get hit by a bus or a car because I'm so out of it that I'm not really paying attention. I have no energy to play with my kids. I exercise as much as I can and track every single day, and nothing happens.
  • ginnylee74
    ginnylee74 Posts: 398 Member
    My understanding is that ranges exist because some people feel fine at one end of the spectrum, while others need to be on the entirely other end to feel ok. Bottom line is, if you don't feel ok, something needs to change.


    Thank you, lme, for saying this! Because I don't feel okay. I haven't gotten a decent night's sleep in months, which isn't helping my weight loss troubles. My hair is falling out at rapid speed. It's freaking me out, actually. I'm dead tired and lethargic all the time. Sometimes I worry that I'm going to get hit by a bus or a car because I'm so out of it that I'm not really paying attention. I have no energy to play with my kids. I exercise as much as I can and track every single day, and nothing happens.

    Check out the website stopthethyroidmadness.com There is a wealth of information on that sight that will give you insight on what to ask your doctor.
  • MmmDrop
    MmmDrop Posts: 160 Member
    My doc says everything is normal. I feel differently. This is the second specialist I've been to.

    I can totally relate. I actually ended up going through 3 endo's, and now I'm on my 4th. It finally took me totally breaking down, scheduling an emergency appointment, taking with me a list of all the symptoms I was still experiencing before my current doctor realized that the "regular" treatment wasn't working for me.

    Make a list so you don't forget. Talk to your doctor about it. Your symptoms aren't all in your head, and they're definetely NOT normal. If they refuse to do anything about it, find a new one. If you happen to live anywhere near Eastern NC, my doctor now is pretty amazing.
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
    My doc says everything is normal. I feel differently. This is the second specialist I've been to.

    I can totally relate. I actually ended up going through 3 endo's, and now I'm on my 4th. It finally took me totally breaking down, scheduling an emergency appointment, taking with me a list of all the symptoms I was still experiencing before my current doctor realized that the "regular" treatment wasn't working for me.

    Make a list so you don't forget. Talk to your doctor about it. Your symptoms aren't all in your head, and they're definetely NOT normal. If they refuse to do anything about it, find a new one. If you happen to live anywhere near Eastern NC, my doctor now is pretty amazing.

    At my insistence, the nurse told the doctor of my concerns. The nurse called back and said this from the doctor: that since my antibody levels tested low, that there is nothing wrong with my thyroid. That I should be concerned if the antibody level was high. And that I could see another endo for another opinion. I'm already on my second specialist. So, what do I do? Go to another doctor?
  • tecallahan
    tecallahan Posts: 732 Member
    <<sigh>> I think you should tell your doctor that you need him to treat your symptoms, not your lab tests!! If he continues to say you are "normal" you do need to find a new doctor. Low antibodies just mean you don't have hashimoto -- it doesn't mean that your thyroid is ok!! Your Free T4 is on the low side -- since your thyroid is supposed to use Free T4 to convert it to T3, chances are your T3 is low also -- but most docs don't test for that. T3 is the "active" thyroid hormone -- without enough of it, we feel like CRAP!!

    Stopthethyroidmadness.com is a great site -- they do have a list of doctors that prescribe Natural Dessicated Thyroid (NDT) or T3 only solutions. But there are more doctors that may help you that might not be on this site. I asked my Pharmacy to help me to locate a doctor that would prescribe NDT... they couldn't really help me so I went to a Naturopath. He's wonderful, however not covered by my insurance -- I am blessed with a good job, so I just foot the bill to have my symptoms treated.

    Sorry they are giving you the runaround, but it's very common and good docs that will treat your symptoms are hard to find.

    Terri
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
    Terri,
    Thanks so much for your reply. What I'm gonna do right now is keep tracking and keep exercising every day. I'm going to have my resting metabolic rate tested next week. I'm going to work on my iron deficiency and get that under control. If after a month, I'm still not seeing any results or feeling any better, I will see my doctor again. If she still won't help treat my symptoms, I will go somewhere else. I refuse to give up and I refuse to let whatever this is get me down.
  • missigus
    missigus Posts: 207 Member
    <<sigh>> I think you should tell your doctor that you need him to treat your symptoms, not your lab tests!! If he continues to say you are "normal" you do need to find a new doctor. Low antibodies just mean you don't have hashimoto -- it doesn't mean that your thyroid is ok!! Your Free T4 is on the low side -- since your thyroid is supposed to use Free T4 to convert it to T3, chances are your T3 is low also -- but most docs don't test for that. T3 is the "active" thyroid hormone -- without enough of it, we feel like CRAP!!

    Stopthethyroidmadness.com is a great site -- they do have a list of doctors that prescribe Natural Dessicated Thyroid (NDT) or T3 only solutions. But there are more doctors that may help you that might not be on this site. I asked my Pharmacy to help me to locate a doctor that would prescribe NDT... they couldn't really help me so I went to a Naturopath. He's wonderful, however not covered by my insurance -- I am blessed with a good job, so I just foot the bill to have my symptoms treated.

    Sorry they are giving you the runaround, but it's very common and good docs that will treat your symptoms are hard to find.

    Terri

    Yes, this I agree 100% You need your t3, t4, Rt3 and Rt4 levels checked. I've been in this battle for 26 years. I didn't feel better until I got the t3 I needed by switching to a natural thyroid. and vitamin D. I take p-thyroid, (compounded) my son takes Naturethroid. My new doc that has helped me immensely won't use Armour any more since they changed the fillers. It doesn't absorb as well so those are the two he uses. Naturthroid is easier to find...perscribe. I agree you need to find a doc who will treat the symptoms and look at your other #s.
  • tecallahan
    tecallahan Posts: 732 Member
    Yep -- my new labs just came back and my Vitamin D is almost non-existent. They have me on 10,000 MG per day!! It's D3 -- so I think any of us could easily add 5,000 MG per day of D-3... it's not prescription. Unless you are outside for 30 minutes every day, you are probably low.

    Also you may want to take 1,000 MG of Vitamin C every day, too -- I think we need it.
  • Shirlann46
    Shirlann46 Posts: 430 Member
    I e-mailed my Dr. asking him to change my meds from Synthoid to Armour Thyroid. Boom!!! Done!!!
    I was surprised that he did it sooooooooo quick. Now I have to go for Blood work-papers in the mail.
    I hope this works-I have been a veggie all day-no energy whatsoever. Synthoid just no working!!! UGH!!!!
    Can't lose weight unless I move!!!!!:frown:
  • Shirlann46
    Shirlann46 Posts: 430 Member
    Started my new Armour Thyroid Meds today. Will have to wait to see any results. He put me on 90 MGS. I thought he would put me on a lower dosage and build it up. Oh, well, I'm not the Dr.!!!!!
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    TSH doesn't tell you much of anything. You need to find out what your Free T3 and Free T4 are at least.
  • tecallahan
    tecallahan Posts: 732 Member
    This article is pretty good about thyroid hormone ranges and what's "normal". http://tiredthyroid.com/optimal-labs.html
  • MrsEb79
    MrsEb79 Posts: 42 Member
    Started my new Armour Thyroid Meds today. Will have to wait to see any results. He put me on 90 MGS. I thought he would put me on a lower dosage and build it up. Oh, well, I'm not the Dr.!!!!!

    How's it going? Are you feeling any differently?
This discussion has been closed.