My Thyroid Story: My Thyroid Labs

- Thyroid on the low end of the normal range -

Results Aug 2014 (Obstetrician / Gynecologist)

FT4 0.92 (normal 0.71-1.85)

TSH 0.63 (normal 0.45-4.67)

Vitamin D 21 (normal 30-80) ng/ML

Vitamin B12 1358 (normal 345-1485)

- Thyroid levels off -

Results Jul 2016 (ER Doctor)

FT4 2.23 (normal 0.71-1.85)

Results Sept 2016 (Endocrinologist)

FT4 2.05 (normal 0.71-1.85)

FT3 11 (normal 2.4-4.2)

Thyroglobulin AB 266.8 (normal 0-14.4)

Thyroid Peroxidase AB 1516.2 (normal 0-3.9)

TSH <0.01 (normal 0.45-4.67)

TRAb 12.38 (normal <=1.75)

- January 17, 2017 - Diagnosed with Graves -

Results Jan 2017 (Endocrinologist)

FT4 1.04 (normal 0.71-1.85)

FT3 3.6 (normal 2.4-4.2)

Thyroglobulin AB antibodies 359.8 (normal 0-14.4)

Thyroid Peroxidase AB antibodies 1890.3 (normal 0-3.9)

TSH <0.01 (normal 0.45-4.67)

TRAb 6.35 (normal <=1.75)

- Thyroid levels off -

Results Mar 2017 (Endocrinologist)

FT4 (normal 0.71-1.85)

TSH (normal 2.4-4.2)

Notes:

I've highlighted my thyroid antibodies because I learned before getting my diagnosis that high antibodies are often markers for Graves. The numbers in parenthesis are the normal ranges of the lab tests I took. You can see that my numbers are completely above the normal range in the highlighted labs.

I was diagnosed with Graves January 17, 2017. I joined several Thyroid & Hyperthyroid Support Groups on Facebook a few days prior to my diagnosis while waiting for the lab results. As I was eager to get my diagnosis and find out if I had postpartum thyroiditis before trying to conceive for a fourth child. In two of the groups, one knowledgeable person from each group both pointed out something to me. One who informed me high antibodies was a marker for Graves. Also that my labs pointed to having Graves. The other who pointed my September 2016 labs showed I already had Graves.

My Endocrinologist originally thought, in the beginning, the thyroid issues could be postpartum thyroiditis or hypothyroidism. After my September 2016 labs, she chose to put me on an anti-thyroid med: Methimazole 10 mg. As for the delayed diagnosis, she waited until my January labs before giving an official diagnosis. I understand that the reason is because my Endocrinologist is ruling out everything, seeing if the medication is working, and wanting to closely review different labs.

I am watching out for hypothyroidism. The two individuals from my Facebook support groups, also pointed out the medication was starting to work. However, my T4 was already getting too low. They also warned that staying on the meds and on the dose I was on would send me into hypothyroidism not long from now. Also that my labs should be done every 4 weeks and not every 3 months like my Endocrinologist is recommending. Although, my new support group members were right about the Graves diagnosis, my Endocrinologist advice was to stay on the dose of meds I am on and that I will not go into hypothyroidism. As a balance, I asked my if she would be fine for me to do labs every 4 weeks and to see her for an appointment every 3 months. She agreed. My hope is if the meds start to make me go hypothyroid, this will be caught in 4 weeks versus 3 months as a compromise to the differing opinions both sides are giving me. What is interesting is I have noticed women in the support group on meds as low as 5 mg with complaints of being over-medicated. I find that very interesting.

Last Edited: January 20, 2017

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