posted
I have heard that the "basic" thyroid test doesn't always catch all thyroid problems.
I had a lot of symptoms of a thyroid problem, and went and got whatever the most basic blood test is.
It came back normal- but my symptoms have gotten worse. I now have difficulty swallowing, and it feels like I have a lump in my throat.
I would be tempted to push for another test- but the doctor didn't even want to do the first.
When I mentioned my nerve symptoms, her wrote me off as "stressed".
Is it worth it to fight with him over getting a better thyroid test?
Posts: 503 | From Alberta, Canada | Registered: Jun 2009
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
My thyroid values are normal as well, but I have throat problems such as a gummy lump feeling, sometimes a hard knot feeling, trouble swallowing, etc.
I chalk mine all up to Lyme.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Yes it is worth it.
I would ask for a ultrasound to determine if
something is getting large enough to warrant
attention. Many goiters are preventable even if
hormone levels are normal. But I did not know
that until mine had got so large I had to have it
removed to breathe. But you have to have a good
doc that knows this too. It may also be some other
abnormality that requires attention.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
You can also order most blood tests online if you pay up front....another option... (ohhh, but i'm not sure about canada in this case).....
You don't need a MD for everything...
If you have lyme, it may be easier to try to resolve infectious issues first and worry about hormones later...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Hi Nicole_Denise, I would do as Pine Lady suggested and ask for an ultrasound of your thyroid. I have a "cold nodule" on my thyroid, and my blood levels are still within range.
The only reason I knew I had this was because my hormone levels went a little whacky at one time, and they thought I had hyperthyroid, but not the case.
I think it can be hard to detect in the blood. Testings just aren't that accurate.
So, yes keep pushing for testing, and change your Dr. as he doesn't seem very helpful to you.
Remember, we are our best advocate!
This is my opinion. Best of luck with this! Fran
Posts: 72 | From South Jersey | Registered: May 2009
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posted
About ordering tests youself: Healtchcheckusa.com has a thyroid panel, TSH ft4 ft3 . They also have the old one with t3 uptake, which is an obolete name as it only measyres ft4 kinda backwards, do not choose that one. Wwhat to look for: normal TSH is very close to 1, and ft4 and ft3 should be around mid-range in normal people. Should be in the upper half when people are taking thyroid hormones.
Often people have symptoms when TSH is above 2 to 2,5. In Germany some labs have lowerd the upper end of the reference range to 2,12, some to 2,5. One lab at least in the U.S. has also lowered the range to 2,5.
But many labs in the U.S. still have 5 or6 as the upper end. Many many people are quite ill at that level. Should be close to 1.
Posts: 366 | From Europe | Registered: Nov 2008
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Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
Blood testing for function is fine. But you can have a huge thyroid causing symptoms like you
describe and it will be missed if hormone levels are normal and if you don't have a good endo. I
had 2 prior to finding the best. He told me if I had seen him a lot sooner I would not have to be
having surgery to remove one so large. 9x7 and 9x4 on US. Surgeon said it was one of the largest he
had ever done. Endo told me if I had taken meds. it would have prevented it from growing. So if it
is a goiter you can catch it before that happens. Funny though I had many US's and biopsy before I
found one that knew this. Symptoms should not be ignored as some cancers are incidentally found this way.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
I have Graves Disease which its main symptom is the affects on the thyroid. The other posters are correct about the entire thyroid panel, T3 and T4 and TSH. Because even some of the panels can be normal when there is a problem, all need to be tested. Ask you doc for a full panel, or seek another doc or see an endocrinologist. Good luck!
Posts: 40 | From NJ | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Get tested for TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies. If TSH >2.5, T3/T4 is near the bottom of range, or antibodies are high, ask for thyroid ultrasound.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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quote: Get tested for TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies. If TSH >2.5, T3/T4 is near the bottom of range, or antibodies are high, ask for thyroid ultrasound.
What exactly does it mean? My tsh is not above 2.5 (its 2.3 or so ) but my pcp who ran said its very close to the abnormal range. I have whole slew or endocrine problem ( low cortisol, low testosterone) and lately they actually went into severly abnormal range
Normal endo would probably treat them - except I don't trust them anymore , they did nothing but dismissing me when my labs were borderline , but symptoms were still there .
Posts: 856 | From MA | Registered: Jul 2009
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posted
yes, your TSH is close to abnormal. Was the blood drawn in the morning, or afternoon? Afternoon numbers can be half the morning numbers...I had that. I was quite hypo when my TSH was 2,5. But then my ft4 was at the bottom of the range. Doctor dismissed there could be anything wrong with thyroid. On the thyroid forums, they say go to the pharmacy ans ask which doctor prescribes Thyroid USP like Armour Thyroid, as those doctors tend to look more at the whole picture and not just numbers. Also, a D.O is trained to look at the whole picture. These doctors are not endocrinologists. The later only look at numbers... TSH is a pituitary hormone ft4 is the prohormone, important to look at ft3 is the actual hormone
In lyme, the thyroid hormones may not be working because the cells have resistance because of infection and cytokines. So your numbers might not be showing how you feel.
nora
Posts: 366 | From Europe | Registered: Nov 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
My T4 is within normal range, but very high normal. 10 something and below is normal(can't remember exact number) and mine is 10 something just within normal. This would indicate hyperthyroidism. However, every doctor says its normal.
I have lost weight, down to 105 lbs from 128 and I have horrible anxiety that I can't explain and severe fatigue that hasn't improved after 14 months of Lyme treatment. Also my throat always feels like its closing up, don't know if that is related or not.
After reading this thread, I wonder if I need to be on something for my thyroid. I am going to mention this to my LLMD next month.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
It's not always the thyroid either. Lyme screws with the entire HPA axis. If your cortisol tanked, adding more thyroid meds may just make you feel worse.
With hormones, always look at the big picture. Ultimately, if toxins are monkeying with receptors adding in hormones may do little to nothing until the infection/s is addressed and cleared...
It may be better to play the waiting game if your numbers are not severely off the charts bad...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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