Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Thyroid Result Questions

kkeg75

By kkeg75
in Related Issues & Disorders

Recommended Posts

kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted

I've had hypothyroid symptoms for several years. Apparently my doc's office thought so too, since they've sent me for the test many times without me even asking (normally I have to beg). I can only find 3 results in my chart though. I know that there are conflicting answers as to "normal" levels. They always tell me it's normal, and this time the nurse said my TSH was "perfect" at 2.724. They don't run all tests though. This is what I do have:

 

3/24/15 TSH 2.742 (.35-4.94),  Free T4 .9 (.7-1.48)

9/23/14 TSH 2.591 (.35-4.94),  Free T4 .9 (.7-1.48)

7/26/11 TSH 1.667 (.35-4.94) (The only test done that time)

 

Should I consider this normal, and just ask them to repeat at my next check up? I guess the changing TSH level concerns me a bit, but I know NOTHING about that. Thank you!!!

 

 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

I would  fight  for  the  total thyroid panel.....

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

If you have one of those docs who only go by the TSH, then you need a new doctor.  While your TSH is not bad, your T4 is in the toilet.  You have to include actual hormone levels in all thyroid testing to see what is going on.  Like the above poster recommended, you need a full panel done!

kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted
  • Author

Thank you both!! I will ask for the full panel.

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I agree.  Your FT4 should be between 1.1 and (close to) 1.3.  Yours isn't in a happy place.

 

You have one of those really large "normal ranges" for TSH that is not that accepted any more.  My labs are the same, they say normal is up to a 6.  6! Really?  Most labs have ranges that top out at 3 or as low as 2.  I am hypo around a 2.  It might work for others but some people can be hypo when TSH is insto the 2's.

 

Free T3 is the most useful lab, in my opinion.  A result that is in the 50-75% range of the normal reference range is often what feels best for those with a thyroid problem.  To get my FT3 there, my TSH is really low and looks hyper, but I feel good and do not have hyper symptoms....

 

There is a lot of variation between people.  A relative of mine takes Synthroid (T4) and feels great when her TSH is near a 3.  Go first by how you feel.

 

Best wishes.  :)

kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted
  • Author

Thank you!!!! That's great info!!

  • 2 weeks later...
kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted
  • Author

I asked for a full panel and this is what I got. It's all within "normal" ranges, but should T3 be at the top with T4 at the bottom? Thank you for any input!

 

Thyroid Stim Hormone 2.659 uIU/mL 0.35-4.94

FreeT4 0.9 ng/dL 0.70-1.48

Thyroxine (T4) 5.68 µg/dL 4.87-11.72

Free T3 3.6 pg/mL 1.71-3.71

Thyroid Peroxidase (Tpo) Ab 7 IU/mL 0-34

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Your FT3 looks very good.  FT4  is a bit lower than ideal but not by a lot; considering your FT3 is good (to almost high), it is probably fine.

 

TSH could be high for some but your hormone levels look pretty good so I don't know...

 

My guess is that your thyroid is okay, but that is just my guess.  What do you think about it?  Do you think it is fine? 

kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted
  • Author

Well..I feel like crap. I'm so "tired" during the day sometimes, it's uncontrollable. I've considered setting an alarm and napping at my desk at work. I just can't keep my eyelids open and my brain just quits. If it isn't the thyroid, I'll look elsewhere. I may have other food issues. (dairy and soy for many years before dx of celiac). I just couldn't find much (online) with a lower t4 and higher t3, except that your body may producing like mad to keep up the t3 but it's still hypo. Or it could just be normal. I haven't a clue!

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

Higher T3 (within normal) is often good.  That's the hormone that actually gets used. Some don't convert T4 into T3 well and have issue with low T3 but high T4 - that's not a problem for you.

 

The one thing to watch out for, if you do have Hashi's, is the swing from hypo to hyper.  From what I have heard, that is NOT fun.  Try googling it and see it that could apply to you. You don't appear to be hper (according to labs) but it could be something to google/double check.

 

I know my celiac disease symptoms were VERY similar to my hypo symptoms, so I know that a food sensitivity can make you feel awful too.  A food could be it. 

 

I hope you find answers soon.  :(

kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted
  • Author

It looks as though a couple of the symptoms are the same, such as fatigue, hair. My weight is dead stuck, 10lbs higher than I want, no matter what I do. I did lose 10 lbs last fall though very fast (NOT like me AT ALL). I gained it back and then some. I do occasionally get heart palpitations, and night sweats. Actually the night sweats have been happening since my hysterectomy a year ago, even though I kept my ovaries. 

 

They actually tested my thyroid once because the doctor said it actually looked swollen from across the room. That was a few years ago, and I was never told the result. ("If we don't call you nothing's wrong").

 

I'm curious though, since my antibodies aren't high, and I've read that some people's aren't right away with Hashi's, how do they actually diagnose Hashi's?

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I'm not exactly sure about how they diagnose Hashi's.  Most hypothyroidism is caused by Hashi's, I know that...

 

My TPO Ab has never been elevated, but my thyroid barely works.  In fact, it is atrophying noticeably.  They first checked my TPO Ab 3 years ago, but I first suspected thyroid problems close to 20 years ago - it was subclinical so the doctors did nothing.  Since I have other autoimmune diseases, it makes sense to assume Hashi's, but I think "thyroiditis" is what my doctor wrote in my file.  

 

... Hang in there.

kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted
  • Author

Thank you! The doctor called and said the results are normal. I will bug them in a few months to re-check though. 

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

What about other hormones, like estrogen, progestrone? That can cause fatigue, etc. Even though you have your ovaries, things tend to slow down. I read that they barely function at about two years per a hysterectomy. Nice to have even a little though.....

Are you on HRT? That can make a big difference in how you feel. Waking to night sweats is very disruptive to your sleep cycle and can cause irritability and extreme fatigue. I just got back on HRT because my symptoms were making my life unbearable!

That 10 pounds can be directly related to a lack of hormones. Estrogen is in fat cells. Your body will tend to hold on to extra weight if your ovaries are not producing enough estrogen. Do some research.

Take care!

kkeg75 Newbie
kkeg75
Posted
  • Author

I hadn't though about the other hormones! I have a follow up soon, I'll ask about it. Thank you!!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to SilkieFairy's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @SilkieFairy! You could also have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) as opposed to celiac disease. They share many of the same symptoms, especially the GI ones. There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out.
    2. trents
      - trents replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      Under the circumstances, your decision to have the testing done on day 14 sounds very reasonable. But I think by now you know for certain that you either have celiac disease or NCGS and either way you absolutely need to eliminate gluten from your diet. I don't think you have to have an official diagnosis of celiac disease to leverage gluten free service in...
    3. SilkieFairy
      - SilkieFairy posted a topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      1

      IBS-D vs Celiac

      After the birth of my daughter nearly 6 years ago, my stools changed. They became thin if they happened to be solid (which was rare) but most of the time it was Bristol #6 (very loose and 6-8x a day). I was on various medications and put it down to that. A few years later I went on this strict "fruit and meat" diet where I just ate meat, fruit, and squash...
    4. catnapt
      - catnapt posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      anyone here diagnosed with a PARAthyroid disorder? (NOT the thyroid) the calcium controlling glands

      learned I had a high PTH level in 2022 suspected to be due to low vit D got my vit D level up a bit but still have high PTH I am 70 yrs old (today in fact) I am looking for someone who also has hyperparathyroidism that might be caused by malabsorption
    5. catnapt
      - catnapt replied to catnapt's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      I am on day 13 of eating gluten and have decided to have the celiac panel done tomorrow instead of Wed. (and instead of extending it a few more weeks) because I am SO incredibly sick. I have almost no appetite and am not able to consume the required daily intake of calcium to try to keep up with the loss of calcium from the high parathyroid hormone...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      133,322
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    James Minton
    Newest Member
    James Minton
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celiac.com community, @SilkieFairy! You could also have NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) as opposed to celiac disease. They share many of the same symptoms, especially the GI ones. There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out.
    • trents
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By trents · Posted

      Under the circumstances, your decision to have the testing done on day 14 sounds very reasonable. But I think by now you know for certain that you either have celiac disease or NCGS and either way you absolutely need to eliminate gluten from your diet. I don't think you have to have an official diagnosis of celiac disease to leverage gluten free service in hospitals or institutional care and I'm guessing your physician would be willing to grant you a diagnosis of gluten sensitivity (NCGS) even if your celiac testing comes up negative. Also, you need to be aware that oats (even gluten free oats) is a common cross reactor in the celiac community. Oat protein (avenin) is similar to gluten. You might want to look at some other gluten free hot  breakfast cereal alternatives.
    • SilkieFairy
      IBS-D vs Celiac

      By SilkieFairy · Posted

      After the birth of my daughter nearly 6 years ago, my stools changed. They became thin if they happened to be solid (which was rare) but most of the time it was Bristol #6 (very loose and 6-8x a day). I was on various medications and put it down to that. A few years later I went on this strict "fruit and meat" diet where I just ate meat, fruit, and squash vegetables. I noticed my stools were suddenly formed, if a bit narrow. I knew then that the diarrhea was probably food related not medication related. I tried following the fodmap diet but honestly it was just too complicated, I just lived with pooping 8x a day and wondering how I'd ever get and keep a job once my children were in school.  This past December I got my yearly bloodwork and my triglycerides were high. I looked into Dr. William Davis (wheat belly author) and he recommended going off wheat and other grains. This is the first time in my life I was reading labels to make sure there was no wheat. Within 2 weeks, not only were my stools formed and firm but I was only pooping twice a day, beautiful formed Bristol #4.  Dr. Davis allows some legumes, so I went ahead and added red lentils and beans. Nervous that the diarrhea would come back if I had IBS-D. Not only did it not come back, it just made my stools even bigger and beautiful. Still formed just with a lot more width and bulk. I've also been eating a lot of plant food like tofu, mushrooms, bell peppers, hummus etc which I thought was the cause of my diarrhea before and still, my stools are formed. In January I ran a genetics test because I knew you had to have the genes for celiac. The report came back with  DQ 2.2 plus other markers that I guess are necessary in order for it to be possible to have celiac. Apparently DQ 2.2 is the "rarer" kind but based on my report it's genetically possible for me to have celiac.  I know the next step is to bring gluten back so I can get testing but I am just not wanting to do that. After suffering with diarrhea for years I can't bring myself to do it right now. So that is where I am!   
    • catnapt
      anyone here diagnosed with a PARAthyroid disorder? (NOT the thyroid) the calcium controlling glands

      By catnapt · Posted

      learned I had a high PTH level in 2022 suspected to be due to low vit D  got my vit D level up a bit but still have high PTH   I am 70 yrs old (today in fact) I am looking for someone who also has hyperparathyroidism that might be caused by malabsorption    
    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      I am on day 13 of eating gluten  and have decided to have the celiac panel done tomorrow instead of Wed. (and instead of extending it a few more weeks) because I am SO incredibly sick. I have almost no appetite and am not able to consume the required daily intake of calcium to try to keep up with the loss of calcium from the high parathyroid hormone and/or the renal calcium leak.    I have spent the past 15 years working hard to improve my health. I lost 50lbs, got off handfuls of medications, lowered my cholesterol to enviable levels, and in spite of having end stage osteoarthritis in both knees, with a good diet and keeping active I have NO pain in those joints- til now.  Almost all of my joints hurt now I feel like someone has repeatedly punched me all over my torso- even my ribs hurt- I have nausea, gas, bloating, headache, mood swings, irritability, horrid flatulence (afraid to leave the house or be in any enclosed spaces with other people- the smell would knock them off their feet) I was so sure that I wanted a firm diagnosis but now- I'm asking myself is THIS worth it? esp over the past 2 yrs I have been feeling better and better the more I adjusted my diet to exclude highly refined grains and processed foods. I didn't purposely avoid gluten, but it just happened that not eating gluten has made me feel better.   I don't know what I would have to gain by getting a definitive diagnosis. I think possibly the only advantage to a DX would be that I could insist on gluten-free foods in settings where I am unable to have access to foods of my choice (hospital, rehab, nursing home)  and maybe having a medical reason to see a dietician?   please let me know if it's reasonable to just go back to the way I was eating.  Actually I do plan to buy certified gluten-free oats as that is the only grain I consume (and really like) so there will be some minor tweaks I hope and pray that I heal quickly from any possible damage that may have been done from 13 days of eating gluten.    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.