Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
317787 tn?1473358451

Testing for thyroid

Hello, could someone tell me what tests should be done to check someones thyroid?

My Mom, Grandmother, Aunt and I all have hypothyroid.

I noticed my sisters neck looked funny in a picture and I mentioned it to her.  She has gainded a lot of weight over the past 3 years.  When I saw her I thought she looked great but then I saw a picture and something seemed very off about her neck.  I advised her to get her thyroid checked.  I told her free t3, free t4, warned her some doctors only do the TSH which is not enough. I am worried I left something out.

Especially since my Aunt has haishimoto  (sp?) and graves disease

Thank you for your help.  She is my baby sister and I can see something is wrong. Dee
5 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Free T4 and Free T3 should be tested every time she goes in for tests.  In addition, TSH will help identify if she has Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  If TSH is high, then two tests should be done to determine if it is Hashi's.  Those are Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies and Thyroglobulin Antibodies, shown as TPO ab and TG ab.  

Also since hypo patients are so frequently low in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, those should be done.  When she has test results, if she will post here, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report we will be happy to help interpret and advise further.  
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
Thank you so much, so far they have only done  TSH with order to do ft4 if TSH was off. Her TSH was 1.31.  She did request Ft3 should have results Monday. Her vitamin d was only 10 with b12 at 333 kind of low. She had a sonogram of thyroid. She has something going on nodules. I will lost again when she lets me know next week. Thank you
231441 tn?1333892766
Low vitamin D is very common with autoimmune conditions.

She will need to supplement with D3 (available from health food stores), which is best combined with k2.  Given that her D was so low (dangerously low), she may need a fairly high dose to get up to middle of normal range.  

As an example, I take 15000 IUI/day of D3.  My last test, on 10000 IUI I was still below range, which is why I increased to 15000 IUI.  I will test again shortly.

Sublingual B12 is available and generally has better absorption than the tablet type.

Have your sister keep searching for a dr, including making sure they know how bad she is feeling.    Low in range Ft4 is a problem.  So therefore, low dose thyroid replacement is probably indicated if she has a more aggressive dr.
Helpful - 0
317787 tn?1473358451
Thank you all so very much for replying.  I really appreciate.  I will let her know
Dee
Helpful - 0
1756321 tn?1547095325
When I told my sister to be tested I made sure she requested thyroid antibodies. While her labs were in range (her free T4 low in the range though) she had high thyroid antibodies confirming Hashimoto's thyroiditis. She gained 10 kg but her doctor prescribed her duromine and she lost all her weight but she had recently started to gain weight again. As she has been thin all her life that is her metabolism slowing down due to Hashimoto's. No doctor will give her thyroxine however due to normal levels of TSH, free T4 and free T3.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
if test cost is concerning then test at least free t4 and tsh. if need to reduce that too then do free t4 instead of tsh.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community

Top Thyroid Answerers
649848 tn?1534633700
FL
Avatar universal
MI
1756321 tn?1547095325
Queensland, Australia
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.