I just received my TSH blood test and its 96 (Norm .5-5.5).
Got thyroid ultrasound and it said:
The right lobe of the thyroid measures 5.6 x 2.4 x 1.9 cm and is heterogeneous.
The thyroid isthmus measures 7 mm.
The left lobe of the thyroid measures 5.0 x 1.8 x 1.8 cm and is heterogeneous.
PROMINENT HETEROGENEOUS THYROID GLAND WITHOUT FOCAL NODULE.
My doc put me on Levothryoidcine 50 and will do other blood tests in six weeks. He Said my ultrasound is normal.
is my thyroid enlarged? Isn't 96 very high? Should I request a endocrinologist? I have terrible symptoms and after all the non/misdiagnoses am ready to get some relief!
Well, I am no expert in interpreting sonargrams but here are a couple of facts.
Thyroids should be homogeneous. Homo means "the same", think of a black cat having a homogeneous fur whereas a tortoishell cat has heterogeneous fur. They found an uneven surface of your thyroid, a speckled texture, if you wish. But there was no nodule seen - that is good, although even if there was a nodule it isn't necessarily a bad thing it could be benign.
I do not know the average size of the thyroid gland but you can easily Google that.
96 is very high for TSH and you will need immediate T4 supplementation. If that doesn't alleviate your sypmtoms you may need T3 as well. They may put you on T3 only to start with so as not to stimulate any cancerous cells which MAY be starting to develope.
You will probably get a full thyroid panel blood test next to have a look to see if any antibodies are present - i.e. is your body fighting off a thyroid disease? And yes, after your GP has done some of this ground work he may or may not recommend an Endo, it depends what they find.
Hope this enlightens you some what.
Just found this on Google re average size of a thyroid gland:
Anatomy.
The normal thyroid weighs approximately 15 to 25 g, with each lobe 4 to 6 cm in length and 1.3 to 1.8 cm in thickness. The isthmus measures less than 4 to 5 mm.
So, your thyroid is not enlarged, it is about average - that's good!
I know just how you feel, I've trying to get answers for 10 years and have ben to several endo, and primary doesnt know what else to tell me to do. I would think that a TSH of 96 is way off. I have been having problems with my legs and the newest endo stopped my medication and my TSH went to 82 he then put me on 25mg of snythroid and am now on 88. I cant walk and wish I was dead.
Thanks for info. You are very clear in your words.
In six weeks he wants T4, free and T3, free and TSH 3rd generation. I don't see any antibody tests. Should I call and request those? I don't want to wait ANOTHER six weeks. Is T3/T4 same as LEVOTHYROXINE? So confusing and right now I am very confused, trust me!
Sorry you wish you were dead. It is very discouraging after all the doctors and you still feel bad. As you can see I don't know how to help you. But I do know the legs numb and giving out feeling. One day do something, next day home. Please don't despair. I am ecstatic after all the tests and docs they HOPEFULLY found something to get me back on track. Hope is a good thing.
Thanks, just looked up levo and t3/t4!
Marge, see if you can get on an NDT, e.g. Armour thyroid. Pains in the legs associated with thyroid problems is usually low T3. Synthroid is only T4 and the docs rely upon the patient's ability to convert T4 to T3. T3 is the active hormone which will enter your cells and give you energy.
Any TSH over 10 is hypothoiridic and needs at least 125 mcg of T4 for starters. Tell your primary you want a full thyroid panel done so that you can see where you stand. That will entail T4, T3, TSH, reverse T3 and antibodies. If he will not do this either get them done privately and read up on how to interpret the results or publish them here and you will get dozens of suggestions.
It's usually an ignorant or uninterested doctor which is the biggest problem. So it is not safe to rely upon them completely. Please do not give up, we have all been there and struggled out, but it does take time.
Would you get pains in the legs in hyperthyroidism as well?
Lucy
Hello Ann:
My name is Shelly and I am a nurse in the USA. I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease.
Hetergeneous means uniform throughout and is a normal appearance. No nodules were seen. The TSH normal is 0.34 to 5.60 so you are in the normal zone.
It is wise to recheck the blood in 2 to 3 months. Doctors like having several tests in a 6 month period. They also retest if you are on meds like thyroxine.
You can ask for a referal to an Endo if you wish. It may help to see a specialist.
Let us know how you do.
Shelly
I was under the impression homogenous is smooth and normal. Heterogenous is bumpy and not normal.
My TSH is 96. That definitely is not normal.
Hi Shelly,
With the greatest respect, you are wonderful but please note that Ann's TSH was 96, nowhere in the normal range, and Homo is "the same" while Hetero is "different".
I hope you do not mind me pointing this out, but it's kind of serious.
Good question Lucy. I am very sorry but I am not sure since I have only had hypo and I have no familiarity with hyper. Perhaps someone who has hyper could answer this question from first hand experience.
Hello LAH:
I misread it. Sorry! I thought it was 0.96 my bad. Yes, that would mean she is low or Hypo.
Heterogenous in my medical dictionary means uniform in structure.
I also know this word as it is used a lot in the medical world. You can google it.
Shelly
Hello Ann:
You do have Hypothyroidism from your TSH if it is 96. I thought it was 0.96. Heterogenous means "Uniform in structure" in my medical dictionary. It just means the shape of the gland is uniform to what a thyroid should be shaped like. It is not about any lumps just shape.
If it has lumps they would describe it as multinodular thyroid.
Please take your Levo without food so it will not be blocked by food. It is very important to do that.
Let us know how you do.
Shelly
This is why I am confused. Different interpretations. I will advocate for my T's and anti tests and go from there.
I was concerned if my thyroid is causing my breathing to be hard and face feeling full when I look down. Also my face turns red and hard to breath when I wash or brush my hair. I thought it might be my thyroid pushing on my throat. It sounds like my thyroid is not that big tho.
thanks for your input
If antibodies ae causing the thyroid to malfunction would the thyroid be normal in size or likely to swell. Can low tsh cause severe tetany like spasms of the feet and ankles?
Would iodine help a low tsh?
Lucy.
Hello Ann:
Forget the words in the report, if the thyroid is not working well, you will have nasty symptoms, like hair loss, muscle aches, weight gain, dry skin, no periods or infrequent ones, mental confusion, etc..
If you can't breathe, that is serious, and go to the A & E or Emergency room. Sometimes it goes down once the medication level is reached.
You may have a goiter that can happen if the thyroid is not working well and it can press on the throat. In some people it is removed. Also from the words in the report you may have what I have which is Hashimoto's disease. So get the antibodies test done and that will let us know for sure.
I would see an Endo since they know the gland well, and can order more important tests to diagnose it.
It takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the thyroid med, (Levo) to make a new level. So you will need blood work later on.
Keep us posted, many of us have been where you are now. It will get better.
XO Shelly
Do you know what the nrmal range the antibody test is ? Is this the anas?
Lucy
Hello Lucy:
The TPOA antibodies test is done for Hashimoto's and Graves disease. Normal range is 0-34. Sometimes they use a SED RATE test which measures inflammation in the body to determine autoimmune.
This is normally ordered by an Endocrinologist. Some GP's order it though.
Shelly