Blood work.. Specifically thyroid..

[C.Ann]

When I get back down to my DD's for the winter I think it's time to see the doctor and have some blood work done - which I haven't had done in quite awhile..

I have a sneaking suspicion that there might be something "off" with my thyroid levels and I have read other posts here that mention most doctors tend to do just the most routine thyroid tests - which don't always uncover a problem.. My doctor is very open to suggestions, so could anyone tell me the more specific ones I could request?

Nothing earth shattering going on, but enough that I think I need to have some things checked out..

Thanks!

 

[phorsenuf]

T-3, T-4 and Free T uptake.
(Did that from memory so I think it's right. LOL)

 

[C.Ann]

T-3, T-4 and Free T uptake.
(Did that from memory so I think it's right. LOL)

Thanks! I remember seeing T-3 and T-4 in the past (couple of years ago), but never "Free T uptake".. That will be helpful..

 

[phorsenuf]

You're welcome. I've dealing with thyroid issues for over 30 years now. I have to get mine done a lot lately because it's been real wonky.

 

[CF'er]

TSH...thyroid stimulating hormone.

 

[phorsenuf]

TSH...thyroid stimulating hormone.

That's the general test name.

 

[hercamore]

If your energy level is low, I would also suggest having your c
vit d level checked in addition to the TSH test.

 

[C.Ann]

If your energy level is low, I would also suggest having your c
vit d level checked in addition to the TSH test.

If it was much lower, I'd be dead.. LOL.. Definitely time for a good work up.. Something is out of whack, for sure.. Can't really say I feel "sick" though - just a bunch of other odd things that I know aren't normal for me..
Probably an easy fix - just have to find out what it is..

 

[hercamore]

Do some research on vitamin D. Low vitamin D levels can affect your energy level so much. I have to watch my thyroid, iron, and vit d level to keep my energy up. I have them checked twice a year.

 

[rie'smom]

Have your doctor do a free T3 and free T4 blood test.
This is a link to why these are the best bests:
http://www.mercola.com/Article/hypothyroid/diagnosis_comp.htm

 

[momof1princess]

i've had thyroid issues since gastric bypass surgery 6 years ago, and my surgeon does the following thyroid blood tests each year:

T3
T4
Free T3
Free T4
Total T3 or Total T4 (not sure which)
TSH

 

[jen42002]

If fatigue and/or hair loss is one of your problems, make sure to have your Ferritin checked. Ferritin is the iron stores in your body. My regular HCT/HCG bloodwork was low normal but my Ferritin was extremely low. Turned out I was anemic in addition to hypothyroid. Adding a substantial iron supplement in addition to my normal thyroid meds made a HUGE difference.

 

[Christine]

If you ask your doctor to do a full thyroid panel, that will get you all the thyroid tests not just the TSH. A full thyroid panel is equivalent to having a CBC run versus just a white blood cell count.

I would also have them check your iron (NOT with a CBC). Have them run a CBC, do an iron panel, and ask specifically that Ferritin be added.

Also, have Vitamin D run.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I usually have a T4/TSH panel run.

My levels vary from month to month, so it's been hard to pinpoint and nail it down. My mother has a history of thyroid cancer (free 10 years now) so I've been watched really close since I was in high school. In fact, I'm going for my 3rd thyroid ultrasound here very shortly. I have had to have some parts biopsied (after my first one) but most of the places they continue to check have shrunk or disappeared.

Best of luck to you in your search. It's really a simple test.

 

[5lilfish]

You want your thyroid levels and your antibody levels tested. My condition went undiagnosed for a while because my thyroid levels were normal. Once i was given the full panel, we discovered that my antibodies were very high. I am now diagnosed with Hashimoto's Disease. Even though my thyroid levels test normal, I take .05 of Levothyroxine everyday and it has helped me so much. I also take 2000mg Vit D everyday.

Jess

 

[golfgal]

I have had thyroid issues for over 15 years. My levels have been very good for at least 10 years. The past couple years I haven't felt "right". In my own self-diagnosis I tried taking extra Vit D last year, didn't do anything. I recently started taking B-12 and my energy level has improved quite a bit. I don't know if it is psychosomatic but I will have my B-12 level checked at my next appointment. There was a thread on low B-12 not long ago and everyone's symptoms fit how I was feeling.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks all..

I hope it's not an iron or Vit B problem - can't take the supplements or they wreak havoc with my digestive system..

We'll see.. Funny how we just "know" when something is "off" - huh? Luckily I have a doctor that responds to that and doesn't just blow it off to "Don't know - can't find anything - tests are normal.."

 

[rie'smom]

Thanks all..

I hope it's not an iron or Vit B problem - can't take the supplements or they wreak havoc with my digestive system..

We'll see.. Funny how we just "know" when something is "off" - huh? Luckily I have a doctor that responds to that and doesn't just blow it off to "Don't know - can't find anything - tests are normal.."

If it's B12, the doctor can give you vials that you can use to inject yourself. I did it and it wasn't bad at all.

 

[C.Ann]

If it's B12, the doctor can give you vials that you can use to inject yourself. I did it and it wasn't bad at all.

No nausea or anything? I "suppose" I could deal with giving myself injections - if it would help and there would be no nausea.. Ugh!

 

[Bilberry]

I take iodine, found in kelp, and with that was able to correct my thyroid numbers positively. I also feel warmer. I was surprised, but with our nations avoidance of iodine fortified salt, goiters are becoming more common once again.

I learned how to test and care for my thyroid from these series of articles.

http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Thyroid health