-
AuthorPosts
-
We can’t interpret labs here, that’s a job for your doctor, but it’s a good thing you’re getting hard copies of your labs. That way you’ll know what questions to ask when you see or talk with the doctor. (Better yet, I love email contact with doctors, it is very efficient ~ if they’re used to using it, you can take the time to ask the whole question, and it doesn’t take much of their time to answer.)
That said, any levels outside the normal range need to come into the normal range somehow. It’s true, though, that TSH levels lag behind your T4 levels by a couple of weeks at least (depending on your stage of illness/treatment), so do yourself a favor: make note of this date and what you feel are your "optimum" feelings, as kind of a "symptom diary." Now, each day or two, update with how you are feeling that date, what has changed, and be specific. Something like that is EXTREMELY helpful while you zero in on your best dose.
Thanks Ski!
I will keep a diary, although I feel good almost everyday. But maybe once I start the diary I will notice days when I am not feeling so good. I will be talking to my dr. tomorrow to discuss the results.
Why would my TSH levels lag behind my T4?
Thanks again Ski!
Maria
TSH lags behind T4 because TSH is released from the pituitary in response to the T4 it "senses" in your bloodstream. It calculates something of a "running average," rather than an immediate level, in order to keep thyroid hormone from fluctuating wildly, so it takes a couple of weeks *after the T4 stabilizes* before it will "read" accurately.
Oh and one more thing ~ if you’ve been hyperthyroid for a long time, your pituitary can take a little bit of time just to "wake up and smell the thyroid hormone," if you know what I mean. Not sure what time period to allow for that, but we need to be aware that it can happen.
Thanks Ski!
I think you are saying that my TSH levels could get higher in a few weeks? Or maybe not.
Thanks for this information! I feel more educated for my discussion with my dr tomorrow.
Maria
Hi Everyone,
I just received a copy of my blood work today and I am wondering what you all might think.I have been feeling really good lately, so I assumed my blood work would be normal.
My TSH is .03-very low and my Free T4 is 1.46-normal range.
Could this be my normal range. I feel really really good and I am afraid to mess with my dosage.
What do you think?
Thanks!
Just wanted to add a quick note for other posters that I *believe* Maria is several years out from RAI and on replacement hormone. (Please feel free to jump in if I am off base!)
For those of us who are taking ATDS, TSH can remain suppressed for months – or even years. So it’s important to make our dosing decisions based on whether our Free T3 and Free T4 are in range, even if the TSH is below normal.
Thanks Kimberly! You were right ,I had RAI in 1995. Felt great for years, last June everything changed. Now finally I feel fantastic. I did speak with my dr today and she is not worried at all about my TSH level. My Free T4 is normal so I am normal (for now).
Thanks so much!
Maria -
AuthorPosts
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.