Thyroid & Cholesterol Lab Results for June 2013

My newest labs are:

• Cholesterol:  158 (Yes!!  It was borderline high the last time I had it run.)  (Tri 71, HDL 44, LDL 100)
• TSH:  Less than 0.005 (below normal but I am OK with that.  I am more concerned about my Free T3 than TSH.  I don't even know why doctors use TSH anymore.)
• Free T3:  4.2 (normal range 2.3 - 4.2)  I like it in the high normal range. It's when I feel best.
• T4:  4.9 (normal range 4.9 - 12.9)  I prefer my T4 in the mid-normal range but with my T3 where it is, I'm not upset at these results.

I was taking 97.5mg of Nature-throid twice a day plus I was adding 25mcg of T3 twice a day.  The T3 twice a day was too much (I was getting jittery) so I reduced it to one dose of T3 a day then had these labs drawn.

What my lab results tell me is that I can have my doctor raise my Nature-throid dose to get my T4 in the mid-normal range, which might allow me to stop taking the synthetic T3.  Yes! That would be great.

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Thyroid Test Results - July 19, 2010

I have the latest and not so greatest test results:

• Total T3:  1.27  Normal range is 0.60-1.81 ng/mL.
• TSH:  less than 0.01
• RT3 (reverse T3):  36  Normal range is 11-32 but my doctor's "normal" range is 10-14. 
• Vitamin D:  30  (Normal range is 30-100 but my doctor's "normal" range is 50-100)
• Ferritin:  24  (my doctor wants it 100-130)

I believe the RT3 results might explain why I'm losing so much hair.  I have an appointment to see the doctor in nine days so I'll find out what the next steps are then.

According to my TSH, I should be experiencing hyperthyroidism right now but my Reverse T3 is skewing that so I am not. 

Free T3 to  Reverse T3 Ratio:  1.27*100 (127) divided by 36 = 3.527.  (This is supposed to be over 20.)

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Last Test Results from March 5, 2010

Here are all the results from the bloodwork.  I didn't have them all before when I posted.

• Reverse T3:  53 (normal range 11-32)
• T3:  210 (normal range 80-190)
• Free T3: 6.15 (normal range 2.32-6.09)

• Free T4: 1.89 (normal range 0.09-2.35)
• TSH: 0.3 (This is within normal range, on the low end of normal which is where I want it.)
• Saturated Iron: 24 (normal range 20-55)
• Iron: 85 (normal 37-170)
• Ferritin:  27.6 (normal range 6.2-137) *doc wants it at 100-130.
• IBC (iron binding capacity): 353 (normal 260-400)
• Vitamin D: 30 (normal range 25-80) *doc wants it 50-60.
• Cortisol:  9.3 (normal range 3.1-22.4) *at the time this was taken, it should've been around 22.
• Thyroperoxidase Ab:  227 (normal range <9) *indicated thyroiditis
• Thyroglobulin Ab:  35 (normal range <4) *indicated autoimmune

So, I have a reverse T3 problem (among other things).  The Synthroid was stopped and compounded armour continued (though not at high enough dose yet).  The doctor thought that the Synthroid was causing the RT3 issues.  That was fine with me because I wanted the Synthroid stopped anyway. 

I was losing weight so I didn't need to look into weight loss products but now that I've crashed, the weight is coming back and I'm exhausted. I sleep hard at night and wake up exhausted. Big difference from my usually happy self in the morning.

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Latest Thyroid & Other Blood Test Results

My doctor called to tell me they received the hospital results (after I'd called the hospital to remind them:) a little while ago.  Here is what she gave me:

• Free T3:  6.15 (normal range 2.32-6.09)
• Free T4: 1.83 (normal range 0.09-2.35)
• TSH:  0.3 (This is within normal range, on the low end of normal which is where I want it.)
• Saturated Iron: 24 (normal range 20-55)
• Iron:  85 (normal 37-170)
• IBC (iron binding capacity): 353 (normal 260-400)
• Vitamin D:  30 (normal range 25-80)

With the reverse T3 of 53 (normal 11-32), I have a RT3 problem.  The ratio between Reverse T3 and T3 is supposed to be about 20 but I am told mine is at 11.6. 

I will also need to increase my Vitamin D intake. 

They didn't have my results for:  Cortisol, Hashimoto's antibodies, and they didn't mention ferritin yet.

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Reverse T3

Well, the hospital failed to send my lab results to my doctor that were done almost two weeks ago so the only lab I have back is my Reverse T3 lab.

Results:    53  (normal range is 11-32)    High

So I googled REVERSE T3 (and Reverse T3 Dominance) since I wasn't sure what this could mean.  Here are the notes I jotted down:

• Causes metabolic break
• Hypometabolism
• Reverse T3 (RT3) is the non-active form of T3 that is similar in composition to T3 (the active form).  Because it is so similar, it fits into the receptors where T3 should go, taking its place.  Therefore, the non-active form is in the place where the active (T3) form should be.
• Reverse T3 is a T4 metabolism malfunction (T4 is supposed to convert into T3 and some RT3 but when too much is being converted into RT3, it creates problems).
• Caused by prolonged stress, which increases cortisol, which interferes in the conversion of T4 to T3.  (Huh...years of dealing with hubby's ex will do that to a person.) 
• If blood tests show T3 and T4 levels in blood are within normal range, a reverse T3 problem will result in continued hypothyroid symptoms because the T3 circulating in the blood isn't the same as the T3 at tissue-level (where the RT3 takes the place of T3 in the body's cells).
• RT3 dominance
• Some web sites indicate a slow-release T3 (like cytomel) is needed while others say it isn't.  Taking regular T3 is ok if you break it up into 4-5 doses per day.  I will have to wait to see what my doctor thinks once the rest of my results are in.

So all these years of complaints to my various doctors about continued hypothyroid symptoms despite my other thyroid levels being ok (according to the blood tests and docs) may have been cleared up with a simple Reverse T3 blood test?   For more than eight friggen years?  That makes me angry.

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Lab Results Late, Changed Doctor Appointment

I had to reschedule my doctor appointment.  None of the thyroid labs I had drawn a week ago were sent to my doctor.  Ridiculuous.  I found a lab to draw the Reverse T3 that the hospital couldn't do and that was just done the other day and won't get there for a few days yet.  The appointment is rescheduled for April now.  I would guess that once my doctor does see them, if there is any drastic change needed right away, they'll contact me.  Otherwise, it's just another wait.  I'm not good at waiting.

I have lost 18.5 pounds so far. 

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Thyroid Tests Done and Now I Wait

I had my blood tests done on Friday.  The lab the hospital uses doesn't do the Reverse T3 test though so I had all but that one done.  I'll have to get the Reverse T3 done at another lab because my new doctor wanted to look at ratios for something.  That is one area of my thyroid I don't understand yet. Considering it took me eight years to understand all I do, and most of that has come within the last year, I'll get that figured out too.

I am STILL at the 17 pound weight loss mark I was at over a week ago.  I was hoping to see another pound or so go away.  These plateaus are frustrating.  You just hang there for awhile, day after day, seeing the scale never fall below a certain mark.  My metabolism needs a kick in the pants to get it moving again I guess.  If it were warmer, I'd start walking.  It's supposed to be in the 40's this week so that should be warm enough for a walk -  maybe.  Not sure my little one can handle it though.

I am anxious to know the results - to see what the big increase in medication has done.

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Doc still wants to stick needles in my neck!

I contacted my endocrinologist back about some of the lab results they'd sent me. My T3 was at the low end of normal and so was my cortisol. I asked that he prescribe me something with T3 in it (either Naturethroid or Cytomel) to bring my T3 level up (to still be within the "norm" range though) and for some adrenal support for my cortisol (again, still keeping the levels within "normal" but to raise it a little).

I got the response I expected...don't want to do that because it might have long-term consequences (why would it if I kept them within "normal" range?) and he wants me to schedule a biopsy (because the one in June wasn't bad enough). I'm so tired of this stuff. Like I want to have people in medical scrubs sticking needles in my neck again? Why do something so invasive AGAIN when there are other things that can be tried first (like Iodine) to shrink the nodules? Why choose to biopsy and remove the thyroid (which the endo is talking about doing) when there are other avenues less invasive that could be tried first? It might not work. I know that, but I want to try!

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7/14/09 Lab Results (Most of Them)

I mentioned I had a bunch of labs done. The doctor's note said that I may need less Synthroid and the rest of the labs look good. His notes also say that I may need another biopsy because they didn't biopsy one on the left side (they only biopsied on the left side).

There are so many lab results and I'm not sure what is relevant or not. I wasn't sure I should post all of them. I am going to post screenshots instead:

























This last test result came in later than the others:

DHEA, LC/MS/MS: 279 (reference range is listed as 102-1185)

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No Lab Results Yet

There were a number of blood tests that the new endocrinologist took at my first appointment with him last week. I'd say about 15 or so were noted on the lab report for the blood draw. Unfortunately, my endocrinologist is not in the office this week so I can't get the results until next week.

Everybody about the thyroid seems to be a waiting game ~

• Waiting for lab work.
• Waiting for appointments with new doctors (why does it take longer to get in to see a doctor as a "new patient"?)
• Waiting to see what the new medications will change.
• Waiting for biopsy results.
• Waiting for ultrasound results.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

I guess having to wait a couple weeks is better than a couple months or years if we were under Canada's health care system. Oh wait, we might be if President Obama gets his way.

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Thyroid Biopsy Results Here

Yesterday, I finally received my thyroid biopsy results. The doctor has only had them since MAY 20TH. Nice of her to hang onto them so long while ignoring my phone calls and emails asking for the results.

Anyway, the results for cancer are negative so the cells they took from my thyroid were not cancerous. From what another doctor told me, biopsies aren't accurate because they only take a small amount of cells out of many, many cells so they could be missing it, but it is a relief anyway.

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Doctor Doesn't Give Biopsy Results

Why do doctors not give results of tests (labs, ultrasounds, biopsies) in a timely manner? Don't they know that in cases like a biopsy, where they are testing for cancer, that the patient is probably waiting anxiously for the result? My results were supposed to be in. My doctor's nurse was supposed to call me today. They told me it would be today (I specifically asked when I called this morning). I was told, "yes." I wasn't called. I also sent an email through the patient portal asking them to provide the results of the biopsy by today so I didn't have to wait through the weekend.

I know they results are there because the receptionist checked when I called. When they aren't there, they tell me they aren't in yet. She tried to get the doctor's nurse, who was busy at the time. They told me she would call me TODAY. I am so unhappy with this doctor and her staff.

Edited to add: I just called the hospital where the biopsy was done. They sent my doctor the results on May 20th. She's had them over a week and yet she, her nurse, or anybody else in her office couldn't find the time to give me the results?

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Thyroid Biopsy is Done

My thyroid biopsy is done. I am trying to keep my mind off of it but blogging isn't doing the job. This biopsy was worse than the first one I had. My neck and shoulder feels sore. Since they biopsied the right side, and I am right-handed, well...it's a little sore to move. Laughing is sore. Swallowing is sore. My neck is swollen, my head hurts and I feel just "icky". I didn't feel this bad after my other biopsy.

The results will be back in 7-10 days.

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Thyroid Ultrasound Results

I finally connected with the nurse at my doctor's to talk about my thyroid ultrasound results. I've always had multiple nodules on my thyroid that were cystic since developing thyroid disease eight years ago. However, the ultrasound showed that I have several solid nodules now (three to be exact). When I asked her if I should be worried about them being solid, she said, "Well, it's not normal that they're solid."

Alrighty then. I looked it up online and the risk of cancer increases a bit for solid nodules vs. cystic nodules.

She is going to schedule a biopsy at the hospital for me. Something to look forward to eh? It's a little creepy thinking about it.

If you'd like to read up on thyroid nodules, here is some interesting reading.

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Does a solid nodule indicate cancer?

What does "solid nodule" mean for a person with thyroid disease?

For years, I've had multiple nodules on my thyroid but they were more cystic. After an ultrasound last week, I still have the multiple nodules but now there is a solid nodule as well. What does this mean? Is it indicative of cancer?

My doctor didn't bother to call me. I signed onto the patient portal at her office and saw the results of my ultrasound about the solid nodule and that she was referring me for a biopsy of it. Why would a doctor post something like THIS, which she should imagine would be scary for the patient, without explaining it? She posted this on May 6th. She should have called me on May 6th or May 7th or May 8th! This is just another item on my list on why I am not happy with this doctor. I am going to be searching for a new doctor.

I've been doing a lot of research and I want my TSH levels down to 2 at the maximum. From what I've read online, TSH levels between 1-2 is when most people feel better. Since my TSH levels are so high, it explains why we had such a hard time conceiving our last child. High TSH levels seem to affect fertility.

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Weight & Thyroid & Cancer

People have the misconception that people who are overweight can't or won't control their eating. They probably imagine overweight people pigging out with more than the "normal" amount of food (damn do I really hate that word "normal" right now). For some, that may be true. For others, like me, I don't eat a lot. It's medical and that makes it worse for me because I feel helpless in being able to do anything about it. Especially when my own doctor won't use up-to-date recommendations so my thyroid is being treated correctly. I hear that is a problem with a lot of thyroid patients. Why won't doctors, and the labs they use, start using the newest recommendations for TSH? People shouldn't have to go years feeling like hell. If I was pigging out and making myself fat, then it'd be my own darn fault. I just want to find a doctor who I can trust. I wish more naturopaths took insurance because I think I'd have better luck getting a doctor who cared.

I was finally referred to an Endocrinologist last week. Then my ultrasound results came back and those say that I have multiple nodules (which I knew) but now there is a solid nodule as well. That worries me. When they were cystic, I didn't worry that much. I don't know what "solid" means though. My doctor didn't call to explain any of it. I had to log onto their system and see the ultrasound results and that they were referring me to a Radiologist type specialist for biopsy (I thought that was what I was going to the Endocrinologist for). So, I have no idea what is what right now. My doctor should have called to explain the findings to me instead of leaving a scary message like that on the patient portal without explanation.

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