[jaqeinquotation]

#1059515

November results: TSH: 0.01 and T4 is 13

I KNOW noone here is a doctor but can someone kindly share based on Experience what this may mean to me pls?

[vanillasky]

#1175293

I think you are very hyperthyroid but I do not understand the T4. Did they do a Free T-4?

[Kimberly]

#1175294

Hello – Different labs can use different “normal” ranges, so your results are really only useful in the context of your lab’s range. Are you right in the middle? At the upper end? The lower end? And where are you compared to your last set of labs?

I would suggest asking your doc’s office for a hard copy of your labs, so you can see for yourself where you fall in comparison to that lab’s “normal” range. Hopefully, you have a follow up appointment with your doc to further discuss the results and get input on next steps.

[jaqeinquotation]

#1175295

I think I am hyperthyroid also. I met with my family doctor (who doesn’t know jack) and next appt with my endo is 19/12/2012.

They did do a free T-4 and that was 13….

Kimberly, I didnt understand a word of your response because I’m still learning about the T’s. I do have photocopies
In comparison to these results, my lab result in July were:TSH 0.02 Free T3: 22.2 Free T4: 51
In August: No TSH results but Free T3: 5.0 and Free T4: 14

I have been trying to search the internet for what the normal levels should be but I’m still so confused
So I have decided to up my Tapazole from 10g’s to 20g’s per day (the family doctor didn’t suggest anything) and I’ll do more blood work about a week before I see the endo mid December to see if upping the meds made any difference

[Carito71]

#1175296

Hello.

The copies that you have should tell you the result and right next to it it should tell you the normal range. Some times the normal range is in ( ). Mine is in ( ) under Reference Value. For the lab that does mine the normal range for TSH is 0.27 – 4.20 but yours can be different so I would recommend only using the “normal range”/”reference value” used by the lab that did your labs.

Increasing the dose without your Dr. knowing about it is dangerous. Going from 10 to 20 is doubling the dose. At the beginning you need time for the dose prescribed to work. It took me about 3 weeks to feel a positive change. An increase in dose might require an earlier lab and if your Dr. thinks that you are taking the 10 prescribed but you are really taking 20, he/she will adjust your dose incorrectly. I strongly recommend calling the Endo and sharing your concerns with the nurse, even if your appointment is until December.

Hope you find the answers you need and that you feel better soon.

Caro

[vanillasky]

#1175297

Lab ranges drive me nuts because they seem to be different everywhere I go.

Here in upstate NY, my lab goes by .035-5.50 TSH as normal range! Big span if you ask me.

In Cleveland Clinic, it is .040-4.50 TSH as normal range.

But one thing for sure, if you have a TSH that low, you are definitely hyperthyroid. Still not sure about FT3 and FT4, but sometimes they are within normal range and here, they call it “Subclinical hyperthyroidism.” It’s so confusing. It’s maddening!:mad:

[Kimberly]

#1175298

@jaqeinquotation – Did the other explanations make sense? The point is that without knowing both the acceptable *low* end of “normal” and the acceptable *high* end of normal (called a “reference range”) for your lab, the single result itself won’t give you useful information.

Obviously, your TSH is completely suppressed, but that value can stay suppressed for quite some time in Graves’ patients. Your T3/T4 are the most important numbers at this point in making dosing decisions — and you need your lab’s reference range in order to know if your levels are normal, too high, or too low.

Absoutely agree with Caro that making an adjustment without a doctor’s advice can actually do you more harm than good.

By increasing the dose on your own, you not only make things more difficult for your doc to help you (as Caro noted), but you also run the risk of serious side effects (which are more common at larger doses) — or you could send yourself severely hypO.

I would really encourage you to see if you can bump up your next appointment before doing anything on your own. If your schedule is flexible, see if you can get on a cancellation list, as many people have good luck using that approach to getting a quicker appointment.

[Kimberly]

#1175299

Another side note – if the issue is that you aren’t happy at all with your medical team, I would encourage you to check out the “Looking for a Doctor?” thread in the announcements section at the top of the forum — and seek a 2nd, 3rd, even 4th opinion if needed.

Your relationship with your doctor is going to be a long-term one, and you need to have someone that you really trust.

It seems like what you are really seeking is medical advice. This forum is a great place for giving/getting support, sharing experiences, and learning about general concepts related to thyroid issues and Graves’ disease. But if the GDATF started crossing the line into giving medical advice with this forum, our small (but dedicated) organization could end up in a lot of trouble — perhaps even to the point that we would not be able to offer this online forum any longer.

[snelsen]

#1175300

Hi, my post is to reinforce Caro’s and Kimberly’s posts.
As has been said, each lab has their own range, and they do vary a little bit.
The machines for that particular lab are calibrated to that machine. So, the major point, that CAro made, is that you should look on your lab results. MOST lab results have the result, the the range is in ( ) parentheses.
IF your own lab is formatted this way, then you know the state range they are using. NOW AND THEN, for some dumb reason, someone will configure the results without the ranges, which, as I said, is dumb and silly. IF this is the case on your labs, I suggest calling whomever you think has the right computer access, and ask them to print your labs results with the ranges listed. Generally, it is a matter of clicking a different key.

And, as was mentioned, I don’t think you realize that your decision to double your methimazole is a pretty big step. Better that way. AND, I know it seems impossible, but in my experience, hyPO is terrible. Just as hypERTHYOID IS TERRIBLE. If you pitch yourself into hyPOthyroid state, you are in for a different world of hurt.
Best to you, try to get an earlier appointment, or short of that, TRY to get a return call. I know that is difficult, cause you never know when they will call, or if they will call. But it has to be the doc, cause probably anyone else who returns the call, cannot make any medical decisions.
Shirley

[jaqeinquotation]

#1175301

Thans everyone.

I should have mentioned that the family doc who gave me the results said the dosage should be increased. The lb results before this one was normal and that time my dosage was 30gs. Endo decreased it to 10gs and said that the levels almost never stabilized and needs to be tweeked often.
I did call the endo and spoke to the receptionist-told her I was raising the dose and no earlier appt was offered. I will try to call again since I will run out of my prescription before my next scheduled appt.
I meet with another surgeon for a 2nd opinion so with any luck this hell will be over soon.

AsI’ve said several times before and I can’t stress enough that I DO NOT visit this site for medical advice. I visit simply for support, to my share my experience and the occasional venting session:|.

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