[Anonymous]

#1076719

Unfortunately, nobody online is qualified to tell you what your lab results mean. Your doctor tells you that. And, if you do not trust the first doctor’s evaluation, you should take those labs to another, equally well-qualified doctor.

The problem is that different labs have different ranges of normal for their tests, depending upon HOW they analyzed the blood provided. On the results you have, it should tell you whether your results are within normal range or are outside of the normal range.

I can explain to you about TSH and other tests(just not what your specific results mean). TSH stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, and it comes from the pituitary gland. The endocrine system has checks and balances. If one gland starts to produce too much or too little of its hormone for the body’s needs, another gland (or more) in the system will activate ITs hormone production to try to bring the first gland’s production into line. The pituitary is one of the main “thermostats” if you will, of thyroid hormone production. If the pituitary determines that there is too little thyroid hormone, it will increase its production of TSH; conversely if there is too much thyroid hormone being produced (as there is in Graves’ disease), the pituitary will lower its production of TSH. (Think of a seesaw with thyroid hormone levels on one end, and TSH on the other, to help you visualize the relationship between the two hormones.) I believe that the lowest level of TSH that will register on a test is around 0.01 something-or-others. After that you will see a “less than” sign: <. That sign typically means that there is too little TSH in the blood to actually measure. And, again, the less TSH, the higher the thyroid hormone, typically. The “free” thyroid hormone that is measured means that amount of the circulating hormone (whether T3 or T4) that has not been bound to other proteins in the blood. Only “free” hormone is available to the cells for their functioning. Un”free” thyroid hormone is essentially inert/inactive. So, when our doctors are looking at blood test results when they think we might be hyperthyroid, they tend to be most concerned about the “free” hormone. TSI, thyroid microsomal Ab and Antithyroglobulin antibody all are antibody tests. As for diagnosis — you seem to be resisting your doctor’s diagnosis because you have had some symptoms for a while, and because you have not lost weight, etc. Well, it is possible to “be” hyperthyroid off and on for a while prior to diagnosis. Also, not everyone who ‘is’ hyperthyroid loses weight. Some individuals actually gain weight while hyperthyroid. There are a variety of explanations for that. The blood tests are definitive. The blood test absolutely tells you that you “are” hyperthyroid or not. Why — whether it is Graves or some other cause — is typically determined by the results of the uptake and scan. Sometimes there can be “hot” spots on the thyroid that show up from the scan; other times the whole thyroid looks to be extremely active. It is when the whole thyroid is involved that the Graves’ diagnosis is typically given. Whatever the cause, if your doctor has told you that you are hyperthyroid, you truly must cooperate with treatment. Being hyperthyroid over time causes heart damage, and while we are hyperthyroid we lose more bone than normal. So, earlier osteoporosis develops. Some individuals have strokes. It can, in other words, make you an invalid. The treatment options typically work, and work well to bring your thyroid hormone levels into the proper spot. This is a thumbnail of some of the information you need. I strongly suggest that you get one of the books recommended at the top of the bulletin board, and read up on hyperthyroidism, the treatment options, and explanations of the terminology you will see from time to time in the next few months. I found “The Thyroid Sourcebook,” by Sara Rosenthal to be very helpful. It is written in layman’s language, it is easy to find the specific information you need, and it contains very good information. I hope this information helps. Please know that with proper treatment, we do regain our health. Graves IS very treatable.
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1020323

I have been Dx’d with Graves Disease but it must be in the early stages, what prompted me to see my doctor was this crazy itching on my forearms bilaterally! I scratched until I bled! My TSH was 0.01 with a high Free T3, FT4 normal. I had antibody tests and RAI uptake scan with ultrasound. The RAI uptake was the deciding factor to the Endocrinologist. I havent lost any weight, in fact I think Ive gained! I have always been intolerant of heat, always warm when others were cold, my heart has been racing with occasional PVC’s for a few years…I have had a lifetime of very high stress situations but still….Im having a hard time accepting this Diagnosis. Can someone explain or send a link to a page that explains what the meaning of the antibody tests is? I have antibodies but they are low when they were expected to be high. My TSH was the above reading for a few months before my primary decided to do some more thyroid tests. Anything you can help me with?

[Anonymous]

#1076720

Thank you for the information. I resisted taking the meds, methimazole, for about a week, but after discovering the osteoporosis link, I decided to take the meds. The Doc also gave me Inderal and that has really helped the heart symptoms, little by little Im accepting this. Thanks again for the very prompt response. The RAI uptake scan showed the entire gland to be active.

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