I Need Help With Thyroid Tests

[TestyTommy]

I'm concerned about having possible thyroid problems. My doctor did a TSH test and it was normal. I seem to recall reading some posts about other, more precise thyroid tests. Can someone explain thyroid testing to me? Whick tests should I ask my doctor to perform?

Thanks for your help!

[happygirl]

I had the TSH, T3, T4, and autoimmune antibodies tests run.

[blueeyedmanda]

I had the TSH, T3, T4, and autoimmune antibodies tests run.

I worked in a lab for a few years and what happygirl mentioned are the "thyroid panel" doctors always requested on our lab sheets.

[Rachel--24]

Everything that Laura mentioned but also it is important that the Dr. orders Free T3 and T4 (FT3 and FT4)....rather than just T4 or T3.

FT4 and FT3 is more important because it shows what is actually "active" in the blood. You need to have good levels of free and active hormones. Other T4 and T3 may be "bound" which is not available for the body to ultilize.

[blueeyedmanda]

I knew I was forgetting something....the Free T3 and T4's. See what leaving the lab does to you?

[georgie]

Yes - get all the tests. You can have a normal TSH but have Thyroid Antibodies which make you hypo/hyper. That's how my dx was missed for decades.

[SydneyGF]

I'm concerned about having possible thyroid problems. My doctor did a TSH test and it was normal. I seem to recall reading some posts about other, more precise thyroid tests. Can someone explain thyroid testing to me? Whick tests should I ask my doctor to perform?

Thanks for your help!

I would advise you get all the tests, I have had celiacs since mid 2004 and late last year a doctor saw a slight lump on the base of my neck. It didn't bother me or hurt. I had an ultra sound and several blood tests for thyroid functions, calcium and magnisium. All blood tests showed the thyroid functions as normal.

The lump grew and I had surgery to get it removed. The pathology came back and it did have cancer. As a concequence I had all of my thyroid removed. Luckly the cancer was caught in time and didn't spread. This of course has been my experience and everyone is different. Its just good to be aware.