Weird lab results
in [Thyroid]
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From: amyinthewoods on 17 Sep 2008 10:27 Hi all. This is my third post here. I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's but my tests (except for the very first one I ever had about two years ago which indicated hypothyroid) always come back normal. But then, about two weeks ago, I got a second lab result that indicated I was hypothyroid. It was ordered by my primary care doctor. My TSH was 6.298, T4 was 1.24 (normal). That's all they tested. Her nurse called me and said they wanted me to start Synthroid. I didn't go for that, but instead called my endocrinologist and asked for a second test. I just got the second test results and they indicate normal TSH (2.946), normal T4 (1.35), and normal T3 (1.30). (I hope i have all the decimal places right - I know the numbers are right :). The two tests were about 2 weeks apart. The only thing I changed between the two tests was modify my diet and removed what little sugar and refined foods I was eating. I also started eating smaller amounts more often instead of three meals a day. I've had no real symptoms of hypothyroidism (well, frizzy, dry, falling-out hair and weird finger/toenails). I am still having weird pains in my chest and upper back and thyroid area and sometimes feel dizzy like I'm onboard a cruise ship. These aren't symptoms of hypothyroidism are they? Otherwise I'm healthy, slim, active. Have any of you tested hypothyroid and then normal two weeks later? Does this happen normally? I'm scheduled for a third test next month. I guess I'll just be grateful for what it is and wait and see. I guess I should go see the primary care doctor about the weird pains and dizziness, but she'll just tell me I worry too much like she did before.
From: Elizabeth on 17 Sep 2008 10:33 That is strange! If it were me, I would simply wait another 6 weeks and test again, always watching for my symptoms. Keeping a health diary is useful, although I always forget about my own. Elizabeth <amyinthewoods(a)gmail.com> wrote in message news:4f6c12f2-1edb-4c49-94d5-273d49a41f62(a)l43g2000hsh.googlegroups.com... > Hi all. This is my third post here. I have been diagnosed with > Hashimoto's but my tests (except for the very first one I ever had > about two years ago which indicated hypothyroid) always come back > normal. But then, about two weeks ago, I got a second lab result that > indicated I was hypothyroid. It was ordered by my primary care doctor. > My TSH was 6.298, T4 was 1.24 (normal). That's all they tested. > > Her nurse called me and said they wanted me to start Synthroid. I > didn't go for that, but instead called my endocrinologist and asked > for a second test. I just got the second test results and they > indicate normal TSH (2.946), normal T4 (1.35), and normal T3 (1.30). > (I hope i have all the decimal places right - I know the numbers are > right :). The two tests were about 2 weeks apart. > > The only thing I changed between the two tests was modify my diet and > removed what little sugar and refined foods I was eating. I also > started eating smaller amounts more often instead of three meals a > day. > > I've had no real symptoms of hypothyroidism (well, frizzy, dry, > falling-out hair and weird finger/toenails). I am still having weird > pains in my chest and upper back and thyroid area and sometimes feel > dizzy like I'm onboard a cruise ship. These aren't symptoms of > hypothyroidism are they? Otherwise I'm healthy, slim, active. > > Have any of you tested hypothyroid and then normal two weeks later? > Does this happen normally? I'm scheduled for a third test next month. > I guess I'll just be grateful for what it is and wait and see. > > I guess I should go see the primary care doctor about the weird pains > and dizziness, but she'll just tell me I worry too much like she did > before.
From: kgrhoads on 17 Sep 2008 12:13 On Sep 17, 2:27 pm, amyinthewo...(a)gmail.com wrote: > Hi all. This is my third post here. I have been diagnosed with > Hashimoto's but my tests (except for the very first one I ever had > about two years ago which indicated hypothyroid) always come back > normal. But then, about two weeks ago, I got a second lab result that >.... First, a TSH of 2.946, while within the lab reference range is not really "normal". It really looks like you are hypo-thyroid, and it has been caught just as beginning. You can try the "no meds" route for a while, perhaps you will luck out. If so, make sure you have adequate intake of iodine and selenium, but not excessive levels of either. 100 mcg to 200 mcg of selenium (that is MICROgrams NOT MILLIgrams) and at least two to three times the RDA for iodine should be about right. In addition, adequate nutrition is critical. Any stress on your body will likely worsen any mild hypo- symptoms that you may have. Also, in hypo- absorption of vitamins and minerals tends to worsen. B12 deficiency due to inadequate absorption is common in hypo-s. It may be that you have had a thyroid hiccup -- sometimes it will go south transiently, illness or whatever, then recover. If so, nutritional support may suffice. More likely, even if this is a hiccup, it is the first of many as the thyroid gland slowly gets offed by your immune system. In either case, so long as things are very mild, minimal to no symptoms, you can try to get along without thyroid hormone. Just don't get hung up on that -- if this progresses to where you truly need it, there really is no substitute. In any case, good luck. Sincerely Kevin
From: barbarajfn on 17 Sep 2008 12:16 On Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:27:42 -0700 (PDT), amyinthewoods(a)gmail.com wrote: >Hi all. This is my third post here. I have been diagnosed with >Hashimoto's but my tests (except for the very first one I ever had >about two years ago which indicated hypothyroid) always come back >normal. But then, about two weeks ago, I got a second lab result that >indicated I was hypothyroid. It was ordered by my primary care doctor. >My TSH was 6.298, T4 was 1.24 (normal). That's all they tested. > >Her nurse called me and said they wanted me to start Synthroid. I >didn't go for that, but instead called my endocrinologist and asked >for a second test. I just got the second test results and they >indicate normal TSH (2.946), normal T4 (1.35), and normal T3 (1.30). >(I hope i have all the decimal places right - I know the numbers are >right :). The two tests were about 2 weeks apart. > >The only thing I changed between the two tests was modify my diet and >removed what little sugar and refined foods I was eating. I also >started eating smaller amounts more often instead of three meals a >day. > >I've had no real symptoms of hypothyroidism (well, frizzy, dry, >falling-out hair and weird finger/toenails). I am still having weird >pains in my chest and upper back and thyroid area and sometimes feel >dizzy like I'm onboard a cruise ship. These aren't symptoms of >hypothyroidism are they? Otherwise I'm healthy, slim, active. Yes, they are. Of course they can also be symptoms of other things. But dry hair and nails esp. point to hypothyroid. Not saying you are...
From: amyinthewoods on 17 Sep 2008 12:27
On Sep 17, 12:13 pm, "kgrho...(a)alum.mit.edu" <kgrho...(a)alum.mit.edu> wrote: > In either case, so long as things are very mild, minimal > to no symptoms, you can try to get along without > thyroid hormone. Just don't get hung up on that -- > if this progresses to where you truly need it, there > really is no substitute. Thanks, Kevin, that was really helpful information! Which brings up another question. My husband is recommending I try some "alternative/ natural" options - accupuncture, herbs, meditation/stress reduction (whatever may be recommended). I've read the book by Mary Shomon, "Living Well With Hypothyroidism," and it includes many alternative options that I find interesting. Have any of you tried these? What helped? |