Help me "get" the numbers please...

[DarlaLOU]

I have been reading all the posts about what peoples numbers are regarding the thyroid bloodwork. I guess I have to admit, I was not really all that well informed but I knew mine were off from the reports the Dr's sent. I reacted well to the meds (as you'll see) and it kept things balanced but obviously there was still something going on or my thyroid would not have enlarged as it did so quickly, right? Anyway, the dang this is gone forever now and I am wondering how my next bloodwork will show up. I have to wait a couple more week but for now, am curious how these numbers really read? I mean, what do they mean....? Feel dumb for not knowing, should have asked a long time ago.   Thanks for any help. Darla

Jan 07'   T4 .77     TSH  21.92      On no meds
Feb 07'   T4 .91     TSH   4.54       100 mcg levoth
July 07'   T4 1.04   TSH  5.13         100 mcg levoth  enlarged 2-3x the size from back in Jan 07'

I don't have the numbers from post surgery as they did not give me the report, but they said everything showed normal and to recheck in 4-6 weeks.  So what do these numbers mean??
Thanks

[GravesLady]

Levels depends on being in Labs reference range.
Considering your Labs TSH reference range with a high of 5.0, your 21.92 is hypo high. Yes others are higher, in fact I have read 300 and 400. However your 21.92 is not less signifigent.

Your large thyroid suggest goiter or nodule and if enlarged fast other test might be warranted, such as up-take and scan.
Weight and other physical changes might effect levels but not the thyroid enlarging.

I would concentrate on getting TSH between 1 and 2 and getting the thyroid checked out further.  

And ask doctor those 20 questions. ;)

Good Luck!

[DarlaLOU]

Thanks... I guess I really should have been asking all these questions of the Dr all along. I will be going in again this week or next for more bloodwork and plan to ask 101 questions... made a list this time! LOL  
On the Thyroid Stimulating Horomone one.... it seemed to me that my original level of 21.92 was off the charts crazy for my range... but then I read here that some are as high as 40 or 60 + ?? So does it just depend on what range you should be in or was mine really not that off?  I just have wondered since the Dr's never really concluded why my throid enlarged so big so fast if the changes in meds and leveling out of horomones so quickly could have caused some of it? I also wonder if all the weight loss and other physical changes I was going through could have contributed to things?????  The ENT said that the path report came back with some funky stuff and that path sent it off for further testing that in the end came back inconclusive but again, I wonder if that was part of the problem too..... I tell ya, my Dr is in for a game of 20 questions when I get in there! LOL  
Thanks again.
Darla

[GravesLady]

Yes that is what I mean - thanks.


Your levels suggest that you are still on the hypo side of Labs.  Depending what the doctors aim is, levels might suggest another dose adjustment. It is also suggested to do two (2) test in a row, 6 weeks apart, to confirm levels before any med. dose change, in case of any type of error.

Good Luck!

[DarlaLOU]

T4  0.71-1.85
TSH 0.30-5.00

Is that what you mean? The report says "normal reference range"??  Thanks.

[GravesLady]

lWhat are your Labs reference ranges