Hi everyone, been a while since I've posted. I had a TT 6/14/12 for papillary thyca. I was a stage 1 and did not need RAI. I was started on 125mcg synthroid 3 days after surgery.
I have a few questions as I moved in Oct to a new state and have an appt with a new endo on Friday. I only saw my old endo 2 times before moving and although he explained bloodwork to me then, I'm having a hard time remembering what I should be looking for and what the numbers mean. Any clarification would be appreciated.
Here's my lowdown:
Blood draw 6/19/12
TSH 1.19 FreeT4 2.0 T3(not shown) Calcium 9.4
Blood draw 7/24/12
TSH .86 Free T4 1.7 T3 3.1 Calcium 9.8
endo bumped my dose up to 137 mcg
Had a blood draw in Oct that was sent to my old endo in Nevada. They only said that the results were "normal" but didn't send me a copy. They are supposed to be sending it to my new doctor.
Went to a reg doc on 12/07/12 because of really bad muscle spasms and he did blood work only tested TSH (.21) and Ionized calcium 1.24
He said my TSH was a little low and to go back to the 125mcg synthroid. I did, but I was so wiped out that I went back up to the 137mcg.
At this point I am confused about what tests should be done and what exactly I'm looking for. I see a lot about T3, T4, Free T3, T4 and I'm getting confused. I have been feeling spacey and irritable for at least a month and experience a lot of joint/muscle pain and muscle spasms. I do have spondylolisthesis though so that can explain some of the pain. I also experience tingling/numbness in my hands and feet. Does this just come with the territory or could me meds need adjusting?
Sorry to write a book. I want to educate myself before I go in to see my new endo.
Thanks,
Marilyn


A TSH of 0.21 is actually good for a Thyca patient...general practioners don't tend to know that our 'target range' is usually in the 0.1-0.5 region, which is 'low' for someone with a thyroid. (Normal is 0.5-3.0).
Usually only T4 and TSH are tested unless the TSH is in the ideal range and T4 is in the high-normal range and a patient is still not feeling well, in which case a T3 test might be ordered.