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Labs are now normal???

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Thyroid Disorders
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Posted 8/4/2012 11:11 AM (GMT -8)
I recently went in because I had a sore throat, which I seem to have a lot of off and on. The doctor decided to do some bloodwork to see if she could figure out what was going on since my strep was negative. My blood work showed that my tsh was elevated at 5.9, she did not test my t4. I was asked to repeat the test in 3 weeks. I have symptoms of very dry flaky skin, fatigue, some hair thinning, and weight gain. I repeated my tsh and this time they did a t4 also. The tsh was now 3 and my t4 was a 1. She would like me to start taking Iron as my hemoglobin was slightly below normal (which I have had before but not these other symptoms with it). So my question is what do I make of these labs now? Why would my tsh be abnormal and now normal again? Do I need to watch anything in the future? Should I request to have any tests repeated??
Thank you for all your help!!!
Posted 8/5/2012 10:24 AM (GMT -8)
From my understanding, your TSH can fluctuate. Mine was originally at 4.2, then a week later at 3.04 and my freeT4 at .8. While my results were 'within' range, my doctor utilized my symptoms for diagnosis and began treatment for hypo. Not all doctors do this, though, and rely solely on lab results.
I hope that answers your one question. I have only recently been diagnosed, so I will leave it to the other 'veterans' to answer the other questions with their experience and knowledge.
Posted 8/5/2012 2:06 PM (GMT -8)
Basically the family practice doctor I have seen called me with my lab results and said everything is now "normal". I asked her why it was suddenly now normal she had no explanation, but said treatment was not necessary. I have thought about seeing an endocrinologist for a second opinion. I didn't know it could fluctuate so much, I am glad to hear others fluctuate also. Was yours fluctuating with the medication or was this prior to starting treatment?
Posted 8/5/2012 2:15 PM (GMT -8)
According to my endo the fact that md's don't look at those flucuations Is the problem. I would def. follow up with another doc.
Posted 8/5/2012 5:08 PM (GMT -8)
My fluctuation was prior to medication.
Posted 8/8/2012 8:17 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Beck,

It sounds like you have Hashimoto's which is an autoimmune disease. Essentially your
body is attacking your thyroid gland and causing inflammation. Usually people with
Hashimoto's are hypothyroid, but it can fluctuate back and forth between hypothyroidism
and hyperthyroidism. I would ask your doctor if they checked for thyroid antibodies,
the thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO Ab) and the thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) and
if not, definitely ask to get tested for them. Then you can find out if you have Hashimoto's.
It would probably be a good idea to see an endocrinologist because Hashimoto's can
be difficult to treat because of the fluctuation in thyroid hormones.
Posted 8/8/2012 8:53 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you for all the great advice! I spoke with my doctor and she does not want to refer me at this time. She wants me to get retested in 6 weeks. I am definitely going to request those tests. I did not have them done with my others. Unfortunately all of the endocrinologists require a referral, so I am stuck waiting it out. It is frustrating, hopefully I will be able to get some answers when I go back for more bloodwork in 6 weeks. I will be requesting these tests as well!!
Thanks again!!!!
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