Hi!

I am going to an endo in 2 days, taking with me a bunch of test results. I have been tested for T3 and T4 but am unsure if it was total T3 and T4 or free T3 and T4. Recent testing done is listed as TSH+T4+T3H. They are then listed as
TSH
Thyroxine (T4)
Triiodothyronine (T3)

I have also had Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) testing done. T-3 Uptake, Free T-4, total T-4, Free T4 Index (T7), and TSH was completed in April 2003. TSH and T4 was tested in Feb 2002.

I am just wondering if I have ever had Free T3 tested--I can't see it--and if that is something that I want to ask for. Are there any other tests that I have not had done that would be important to include? Any would be appreciated as I feel that something is going to have to happen positively for me soon or I am going to totally lose it.

Thanks! Tig

I'd guess they were Totals - most doctors just don't do the right tests.

This is the 'old panel' that docs used to do before the FT3 and FT4 came along. They use the T3 uptake and T4 to estimate your FT4, instead of measuring it. They are all explained in great detail here, Tigger.

From those test I'd say it has not been tested. And yes, it is something you definitely want done.


I can totally relate - dealing with this has been one of the most frustrating and stressful experiences of my life. Hopefully you've found a good doc and you'll be getting the treatment you need!

Did your TPO antibodies come back positive? It might be useful to retest if they did. You should also have your Tg (thyroglobulin) Antibodies checked.

The doctor will probably want to run more tests, she/he should if they are worth their salt, ask for the actual FT4 and FT3 tests to be done - and be sure you get the blood drawn as early as possible to get as accurate (high) a TSH reading you can.

Nat

Hey Tig! Good luck at your appointment.

Wanda

Thanks Nat and Wanda!

I am kinda nervous about going. I hate confronting a dr and insisting on what I want. My nurse practitioner is great, but my previous experience with my gyno has left me kind of skittish around drs.

I did have FT4 done in April 2003. It was 1.1 and was within the lab range of .8-1.8. Can FT3 be abnormal while FT4 is OK?

My TSH has been 2.89 in Feb 2002 (Noon), 4.73 in April 2003 (8 AM), and 4.2 in Sept 2004 (9 AM). The docs always said that my thyroid was OK based on all of my test results. Everything has always showed normal based on lab ranges.

Symptoms that have led me to drs since ~1998 included headaches (chiropractor, GP, headache specialist), hair loss (GP, dermatologist), tingling in hands/feet especially with exercise (GP, podiatrist, neurologist), long periods 8-12 day (gyno).

The endo's office called today to remind me of the apptmt and also not to eat/drink for 4 hrs before the apptmt (11 AM). I should have asked what testing they were planning to do, but I'm such a dits these days that, of course, I thought of that about an hour after I talked to them. Do you have any ideas as to what testing would require fasting? Thanks for all your help!! Ya'll have been great!

Tig

Hi again!

I forgot about adrenal fatigue. I was tested Sept 2004 by means of saliva testing, and it showed that my cortisol was depressed in the morning (6 with normal range of 13-24), and normal the rest of the day. I say normal but each time it was the very lowest it could be and still be in range (5 with normal being 5-10, for example). My cortisol burden was 15 with normal range 23-42. My DHEAs was normal--my pharmiscist (SP?) believes that this may be due to the progesterone I am doing.

I am not sure what all this means exactly. The lab recommended a bunch of supps. I had read in Dr. Shames's bk Thyroid Power that if thyroid is addressed medically without adrenal fatigue being addressed, you would just feel worse. He recommends 5 mg of Cortef daily. When I mentioned this to the pharmiscist, she argued with me about how bad this would be. I don't know. I know I can't afford to feel worse. I realize I am probably posting this in the wrong forum since this is a Thyroid forum, but it all does seem to be intertwined, so any help/info you can give me would be appreciated.

Thanks so much!!

Tig

This is dead on, Tig. It even says on the sheet that comes with the thyroid meds not to take them if you have an unaddressed adrenal issue. BTW, you have an adrenal issue! Have you changed your diet any? Doesn't SP have recommendations on how to eat when you're dealing with this? It would definitely be a start.

I am sure the progesterone you're using is helping. As for the cortef, I've seen recommendations for 5mg daily as well on another healthboard. I don't know what your doc will think, though. Usually traditional doctors scoff at 'adrenal fatigue' unless you've got full blown Addison's. See what happens on Thursday - you never know, you may have found a good one.

Sorry, I just saw your first post - Maybe I need more T3!

That FT4 is not OK, Tig. Women should be in the upper 3rd of the lab range to feel 'OK' (unless there is a mitigating cardiac issue). Your FT4 would have to be above 1.4 to be in the bottom of the upper 3rd of the range.

As your FT4 is low, so likely is your FT3 - afterall most of your FT3 comes from your FT4.

However, we know that anything over 2.0 is not OK, right? Stick to your guns.

Glucose maybe? I have no clue, but I'm not encouraged. If they want you to do a TSH test, absolutely DO NOT - you want this test done in the morning. It can make or break your diagnosis with a close minded doctor. To explain, I had my first TSH at 3 PM, it came back 4.27; I was 'normal'. If I'd waited until the next morning it would have come back at 6.37 (as it did in Sept at an 8 am test) - above the too wide lab range - and I would have been given an immediate referal to a specialist.

Cholesterol requires an 8 hour fast - I can't thik of anything they'd want you to fast for 4 hours for

Call em back, Tig - nothing to lose right?

Nat

Hi Nat!

I have been doing SPII for about 2 years, more or less. I do have to confess that I fall off the wagon some. Pizza, beer, and cheese sticks are my downfall. I do stay pretty much away from sugar. My main problem is the sleep issue. I just don't want to go to bed at night--I resist it, just as typical adrenal fatigue people do as indicated by Dr. Wilson. I know I should, it's just my best time of day and there's always something to be done or just some quiet time to enjoy (I have 3 kids!). When I do try to get more sleep, I tend to shut down and want to sleep all the time. Then I start waking up in the middle of the night unable to sleep. I don't know. Dr. Wilson does not recommend Cortef in his book, but Dr. Shames did, and I almost feel that I need something to get back on track. I know, I want the easy way out, and there probably isn't one. Anyway, I have a child asking for help with homework, so got to go.

Thanks for your help!

Tig