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Blood work help for my daughter
Hi. I just got the results for my daughters blood work to check her thyroid.
TSH 3.13 range .3-5.6
FT4 9 range 7.2-21
2 years ago we had her blood work done at a walk in clinic doc called and told her she was hypo month later had her blood work tested with my doc and he said she was normal. I'm trying to get a copy from them to see the difference. Two years ago within two months she gained 40 lbs that's why I was concerned. Now she is 50 lbs overweight and having a hard time loosing it also feeling fatigue and nausea.
Doc also tested her ferritin which is 26 range 11-145. B12 152 range >133
Can someone make light of her results!!
Thanks
TSH 3.13 range .3-5.6
FT4 9 range 7.2-21
2 years ago we had her blood work done at a walk in clinic doc called and told her she was hypo month later had her blood work tested with my doc and he said she was normal. I'm trying to get a copy from them to see the difference. Two years ago within two months she gained 40 lbs that's why I was concerned. Now she is 50 lbs overweight and having a hard time loosing it also feeling fatigue and nausea.
Doc also tested her ferritin which is 26 range 11-145. B12 152 range >133
Can someone make light of her results!!
Thanks
He is doing a 24 hour iurine test as well for free cortisol
C-peptide levels!! Whatever that is for!! Lol
C-peptide levels!! Whatever that is for!! Lol
She had her appt!! I'm on my way to mine!! She really liked him and he's testing Her for everything PCOS and FT3 and total t4 and total t3. And a 24 urine test too!! Will let you know soon as my appt is done!! Crossing fingers!!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow - they did that fast and get everything you can from this endo... he might not test for the PCOS but if he knows there's a possibility there might be another referral... talk to him about the vitamin D, B-12, ferritn.
The TSH standards have only changed in the U.S, but you might mention it to him, just in case he might savvy enough to realize that lower TSH could be relevant...
Yes... ALWAYS ask for FT3... every time you go in ask for FT3, even if they tell you they can't do it, ask for it - sometimes they get tired of hearing it and will order it ... NEVER give up on asking for FT4 and FT3...
Ask for thyroid antibodies - Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)... She might have Hashimoto's... if so, her condition will only get worse.
Don't be shy, get everything you can get from this appointment... you have to be your daughter's advocate.
The TSH standards have only changed in the U.S, but you might mention it to him, just in case he might savvy enough to realize that lower TSH could be relevant...
Yes... ALWAYS ask for FT3... every time you go in ask for FT3, even if they tell you they can't do it, ask for it - sometimes they get tired of hearing it and will order it ... NEVER give up on asking for FT4 and FT3...
Ask for thyroid antibodies - Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (TPOab) and Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)... She might have Hashimoto's... if so, her condition will only get worse.
Don't be shy, get everything you can get from this appointment... you have to be your daughter's advocate.
Hi Barb, the walk in clinic got my daughter an aopt for tomorrow with an endo to review her blood work!! This is fast as it's been just a week!! They were suppose to make us one at the same time but didn't. They have an endo that comes to the clinic. Hopefullly mine will be soon!!
Should I ask the endo for the PCOS test for her and the vitamin D or is this something that a family doc would do? Also regarding the TSH has the standards changed in range in just the U.S. or canada too? And should I ask for her free t3 to be tested too?
Should I ask the endo for the PCOS test for her and the vitamin D or is this something that a family doc would do? Also regarding the TSH has the standards changed in range in just the U.S. or canada too? And should I ask for her free t3 to be tested too?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I just realized that I goofed in the following comment I made above: "Vitamin B-12 is only found in animal products - meat, eggs, dairy - and is quite common in vegetarians or vegans, so if your daughter doesn't eat meat or meat products, she will have to supplement, always.:
I meant to say "B-12 deficiency is common in vegetarians or vegans so if your daughter doesn't eat meat of meat products, she will have to supplement."
I certainly understand the tears of frustration... but don't feel guilty - it's doctors who should be feeling guilty.
Will look forward to hearing how your visit to the walk in goes.
I meant to say "B-12 deficiency is common in vegetarians or vegans so if your daughter doesn't eat meat of meat products, she will have to supplement."
I certainly understand the tears of frustration... but don't feel guilty - it's doctors who should be feeling guilty.
Will look forward to hearing how your visit to the walk in goes.
Thank tou both very much!! My tears were out of frustrating and feeling guilty!! I form blame you barb, if I didn't have you all here this could have went on for several more years!! Now I'm aware and have a lot more knowledge and to you!! I will update after we visit the walk in clinic later this evening!! I so McIntyre appreciate all your feedback!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree that you shouldn't blame yourself and I didn't intend to make you cry... As Sally said, you did what you thought was right, at the time and we expect our doctors to get us well, not make us sicker.
Don't be surprised if you go back to the walk in clinic and that same doctor isn't there, but try anyway to get both of you retested and started on thyroid hormone medication.
Your daughter also needs to be started on Vitamin B-12, which can be purchased over the counter. Make sure she gets a Methyl B-12, which is "body ready". A good doctor might also choose to start her on injections to get her level up more quickly. Vitamin B-12 is only found in animal products - meat, eggs, dairy - and is quite common in vegetarians or vegans, so if your daughter doesn't eat meat or meat products, she will have to supplement, always.
Iron is best supplemented under a doctor's supervision, to make sure she's getting the right amount, but not too much. Make sure that whatever she takes is a non-constipating type and also make sure that she gets tested regularly. Meat is also the best source for iron, but there are some really good plant sources, as well, so make sure she gets plenty of iron in her diet.
In view of the low B-12 and ferritin levels, I'd also recommend that she get vitamin D tested. And I certainly agree with Sally that she should get tested for PCOS, which, if she has it, may prevent her from getting pregnant later on, as can untreated hypothyroidism.
The weight gain could be a symptom of either/both hypo or PCOS (insulin resistance).
Last, but not least - ALWAYS get copies of all blood work and other test results as they are done and keep them for your records. It's a good idea to write on each on, the symptoms you're (or your daughter) having, at the time of the blood draw, along with medication dosages (if any) at the time. These labs can become the running record of the journey from hypo to wellness.
Don't be surprised if you go back to the walk in clinic and that same doctor isn't there, but try anyway to get both of you retested and started on thyroid hormone medication.
Your daughter also needs to be started on Vitamin B-12, which can be purchased over the counter. Make sure she gets a Methyl B-12, which is "body ready". A good doctor might also choose to start her on injections to get her level up more quickly. Vitamin B-12 is only found in animal products - meat, eggs, dairy - and is quite common in vegetarians or vegans, so if your daughter doesn't eat meat or meat products, she will have to supplement, always.
Iron is best supplemented under a doctor's supervision, to make sure she's getting the right amount, but not too much. Make sure that whatever she takes is a non-constipating type and also make sure that she gets tested regularly. Meat is also the best source for iron, but there are some really good plant sources, as well, so make sure she gets plenty of iron in her diet.
In view of the low B-12 and ferritin levels, I'd also recommend that she get vitamin D tested. And I certainly agree with Sally that she should get tested for PCOS, which, if she has it, may prevent her from getting pregnant later on, as can untreated hypothyroidism.
The weight gain could be a symptom of either/both hypo or PCOS (insulin resistance).
Last, but not least - ALWAYS get copies of all blood work and other test results as they are done and keep them for your records. It's a good idea to write on each on, the symptoms you're (or your daughter) having, at the time of the blood draw, along with medication dosages (if any) at the time. These labs can become the running record of the journey from hypo to wellness.
Kaci,
Don't blame yourself, you did what you thought best at the time. You can only move forwards not back.
But now you know better so you can move forward and get both you and your daughter properly treated. Your daughter should probably also be check for PCOS, considering her age and symptoms (caused by insulin resistance), and it can contribute to making weight loss hard (even harder than being hypothyroid).
Get a new doctor. learn as much as you can. Be aggressive to get both of your properly treated.
Don't blame yourself, you did what you thought best at the time. You can only move forwards not back.
But now you know better so you can move forward and get both you and your daughter properly treated. Your daughter should probably also be check for PCOS, considering her age and symptoms (caused by insulin resistance), and it can contribute to making weight loss hard (even harder than being hypothyroid).
Get a new doctor. learn as much as you can. Be aggressive to get both of your properly treated.
Onmg!! I'm now sitting here with years in my eyes full of guilt!!
After the walk in clinic visit and the call her thyroid was hypo she was suppose to get a script but I took her to my my doc (our family doc) instead for her retested and I believed him that she was normal. I am requesting them to find her results tomorrow from that test and going back to that clinic as well with her for myself and her tomorrow!!
One main thing I forgot to mention we she got tested in the first place her hair was drastically falling out and it was noticeable!! She's 20 now. The falling out had stopped but she's be struggling for two years to loose that weight she gained!! Like I said too she's always nausia and dizzy!! I feel so stupid right now!!
After the walk in clinic visit and the call her thyroid was hypo she was suppose to get a script but I took her to my my doc (our family doc) instead for her retested and I believed him that she was normal. I am requesting them to find her results tomorrow from that test and going back to that clinic as well with her for myself and her tomorrow!!
One main thing I forgot to mention we she got tested in the first place her hair was drastically falling out and it was noticeable!! She's 20 now. The falling out had stopped but she's be struggling for two years to loose that weight she gained!! Like I said too she's always nausia and dizzy!! I feel so stupid right now!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
You really need a new doctor!! First he's getting you all messed up, now he's the same with your daughter!!! Her FT4 is only 9% of the range, so she's a long way from the recommended 50% (mid range) where most of us feel the best. Her symptoms are also consistent with hypothyroidism.
Her TSH is also too high - in the U.S. the upper end of the range is recommended to be 3.0... not that most labs, actually, use that, but that's the recommendation.
Did the doctor at the walk in clinic start your daughter on any thyroid replacement medication? If so, what med/dosage?
In addition to her TSH being too high and her FT4 being too low, her ferritin is much too low, as is her vitamin B-12.
Ferritin is the iron storage hormone and levels should be at least 50. Her low level indicates that she's low on iron. Iron is necessary for thyroid hormone metabolism, plus it's necessary for red blood cell production, energy, etc.
Vitamin B-12 is necessary for red blood cell production, proper nerve function, energy production, etc. There should be an upper range level, which should be around 900-1100 and levels should be at/near the very top of the range. Deficiency in B-12 can cause the most horrendous fatigue imaginable, plus if left untreated, peripheral neuropathy can develop, which is very painful and can become permanent.
Your daughter not only has the hypothyroidism and the doctor who thinks she's "normal", but she has the low ferritin and B-12, as well. She's got a triple whammy!!
Her TSH is also too high - in the U.S. the upper end of the range is recommended to be 3.0... not that most labs, actually, use that, but that's the recommendation.
Did the doctor at the walk in clinic start your daughter on any thyroid replacement medication? If so, what med/dosage?
In addition to her TSH being too high and her FT4 being too low, her ferritin is much too low, as is her vitamin B-12.
Ferritin is the iron storage hormone and levels should be at least 50. Her low level indicates that she's low on iron. Iron is necessary for thyroid hormone metabolism, plus it's necessary for red blood cell production, energy, etc.
Vitamin B-12 is necessary for red blood cell production, proper nerve function, energy production, etc. There should be an upper range level, which should be around 900-1100 and levels should be at/near the very top of the range. Deficiency in B-12 can cause the most horrendous fatigue imaginable, plus if left untreated, peripheral neuropathy can develop, which is very painful and can become permanent.
Your daughter not only has the hypothyroidism and the doctor who thinks she's "normal", but she has the low ferritin and B-12, as well. She's got a triple whammy!!
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