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Hi. I need help in understanding my thyroid labs a little better.
I had thyroid cancer and had surgery to remove partial of my thyroid. My latest labs showed my TSH 3.0945 with my T4 level 0.88. What does this mean? Am I going to need to start taking meds? I was never given meds after surgery because they said my labs were ok at the time and then before my current labs it was borderline I was told and would have to get my blood work redone which I did. Still waiting on another blood test. It hasn't been posted yet in my chart online.
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What is the reference range for the T4? Reference ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report(s) for the best comparison. Also, was that Free T4 or Total T4? They aren't the same test and don't give the same information.
What other test result are you waiting for?
What, if any, symptoms do you have?
I'm sorry to answer your question with more questions, but once we know these answers, we can give you better information.
What other test result are you waiting for?
What, if any, symptoms do you have?
I'm sorry to answer your question with more questions, but once we know these answers, we can give you better information.
3 Comments
Hi. No no problem at all. My TSH is 3.0945 n the range is from 0.40-4.2, T4-Free Thyroxine is 0.88 n the range is from 0.8-1.5, Thyroglobulin AB is 1.6 n the range is from 0.0-4.1. These were the tests that were done 2 days ago n my doctor called me yesterday evening to prescribe me a low dosage of synthroid to start. Have to go back in 4 weeks n repeat blood work she said n then in July she wants me to have a full scan to check n make sure I have no cells lingering around. I had thyroid cancer n had surgery to remove partial of my thyroid.
In july would be my 6 month check up.
Did they tell you that after one has had thyroid cancer, they, typically try to keep TSH very low or suppressed? Your Thyroglobulin AB (TgAb) levels help decide what treatment is best following thyroid cancer.
TgAb, along with Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) is also used to determine if one has an autoimmune thyroid condition called Hashimoto's. Since your TgAb is below the upper reference range, one might think you don't have Hashimoto's, but that would be misleading if they haven't tested your TPOab as well. Some of us have one or the other, some have them both. You should ask your doctor to test TPOab also. Even though you had cancer, you only had a partial removal of your thyroid so Hashimoto's is still a possibility.
Most likely, your doctor prescribed the Synthroid because your Free T4 is on the very bottom of the range and your TSH is actually quite high in the range - higher than would be desired. This indicates that your remaining thyroid is not working adequately.
What other test result are you waiting for?
Did your doctor order a Free T3 test? If not, you should insist that she order one for your next testing in 4 weeks because Free T3 is the hormone that our cells actually use and without enough of it, we will remain hypo.
Do you have symptoms of hypothyroidism?
TgAb, along with Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) is also used to determine if one has an autoimmune thyroid condition called Hashimoto's. Since your TgAb is below the upper reference range, one might think you don't have Hashimoto's, but that would be misleading if they haven't tested your TPOab as well. Some of us have one or the other, some have them both. You should ask your doctor to test TPOab also. Even though you had cancer, you only had a partial removal of your thyroid so Hashimoto's is still a possibility.
Most likely, your doctor prescribed the Synthroid because your Free T4 is on the very bottom of the range and your TSH is actually quite high in the range - higher than would be desired. This indicates that your remaining thyroid is not working adequately.
What other test result are you waiting for?
Did your doctor order a Free T3 test? If not, you should insist that she order one for your next testing in 4 weeks because Free T3 is the hormone that our cells actually use and without enough of it, we will remain hypo.
Do you have symptoms of hypothyroidism?
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