Hello, I've posted a few times about my awful journey post-miscarriage (3/09) and all of the symptoms, anxiety, etc. I've had. I recently met with a physician who utilizes holistic medicine. She feels that a lot of my problems stem from an undiagnosed thyroid and/or adrenal issue. I still have to send in my samples for the 24 hr. cortisol test which will obviously provide more insight, but for the time being I wondered if others would mind reviewing my thyroid test results? Any ideas/suggestions, etc. would be most appreciated.

Here are some details...When my TSH was ordered 6 months post-partum (4/08) it was about .49 on a .45-5.0 scale. I know this is technically "normal" but definitely borderline hyperactive. When it was run again this spring (4/09) it was at just over 1.0 which I understand is optimal.

Three weeks ago this new doctor ran more than just the TSH test and here's what resulted:

My TSH was normal at .611 (.35-5.5 scale) -- still seems low to me
My T3 was normal at 2.9 (2.3-4.2)
My T4 was on the high end at .86 (.89-1.76)

I shared these results w/ my general practitioner and asked her to test me for thyroid antibodies. She did and then reordered all of the above tests last week (with a different lab). Here are those results:

My TSH: 1.050 (.465-4.680)
My T3: 3.2 (2.77-5.27)
My Thyrox Free (assuming this is like T4?): .82 (.78-2.19) -- high again, but "normal" according to this lab.
ANTI - THYROID PEROXIDASE AB <10 0 - 35 IU/mL
ANTI - THYROGLOBULIN AB <20 0 - 40 IU/mL
*No significant sign of antibodies.

My GP says my results are all perfectly normal, but the other doctor says given the T4/T3 conversion numbers I still might be dealing w/ a cortisol problem which is affecting my thyroid and/or post-partum thyroiditis since my miscarriage. I lost about 30 pounds within 4 weeks of giving birth in 2007 (was down to 108 pounds 6 weeks pos-partum although I should say that I am a naturally thin woman) and as I previously mentioned my TSH was only .49 six months after that pregnancy so I may have had thyroiditis then, as well.

I have intermittent symptoms such as heartburn/gerd, patches of numbness on my face, eyes that are sensitive to light, and heart palpitations. The rest of my symptoms such as shaking, extreme anxiety (panic attacks), tingling tongue, vibrating limbs, etc. seem to have calmed down the last few weeks (I started a low dose anti-depressant).

Would love to know what others make of my situation. I have had all sorts of other tests and the only thing that makes sense is a hormonal imbalance + thyroid problems. Thanks!

Hi TL--

Hope you get some good advice-I don't know about hormone levels, but I am sure there are many women here who do!

When I was going through all your symtoms in my late 30s after breastfeeding for a year, I had my thyroid functions tested and was in the normal range too. I didn't pursue it as I felt it was opening up a whole other can of worms, tho I did read that in some cases subclinical variations can cause symptoms. If you are feeling better, not worse, you might give yourself a few months and see if you get fully better on your own with the ADs and letting your hormones get back in balance naturally.

Wishing you the best!
Sissy

[quote name='travel_laughter' date='Sep 29 2009, 03:38 PM' post='311969']

My TSH was normal at .611 (.35-5.5 scale) -- still seems low to me
My T3 was normal at 2.9 (2.3-4.2)
My T4 was on the high end at .86 (.89-1.76)

I shared these results w/ my general practitioner and asked her to test me for thyroid antibodies. She did and then reordered all of the above tests last week (with a different lab). Here are those results:

My TSH: 1.050 (.465-4.680)
My T3: 3.2 (2.77-5.27)
My Thyrox Free (assuming this is like T4?): .82 (.78-2.19) -- high again, but "normal" according to this lab.
ANTI - THYROID PEROXIDASE AB <10 0 - 35 IU/mL
ANTI - THYROGLOBULIN AB <20 0 - 40 IU/mL
*No significant sign of antibodies.


Your TSH on the first set of labs was normal, but at the low end of the scale; very interesting when your free T3 and Free T4 were both on the LOW side (your FT4 is not high, it is borderline low). Your TSH on the second go round is a little higher and your free T3 is a little better, but free T4 even LOWER.
TSI (Graves/hyperthyroid) antibodies were not evaluated..Nor were total T4/T3. If you are having a "conversion" issue, then your REVERSE T3 would be high. It is interesting to me that your TSH is as low as it is in the first set of labs, almost looking like a little bit of sluggish pituitary function (read up on secondary hypothyroidism).

Avi