What Does My Thyroid Test Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 5 Dec 2014

Question: Hi, I just received some lab results back and I'm wondering if you could tell me what they mean?
TSH 1.71
T4 1.02
TPO 12
T3 2.9

Thanks!

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Are you on thyroid hormone supplements?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

Can please tell me if you are on medications for low thyroid? Your results for TSH are normal and this is the main determinant of whether you are hypothyroid or not. Also, we would have expected it to be on the upper end but that is not exactly the case.

Your TPO which suggests an autoimmune thyroid disease is higher than the reference of 9. If you have no symptoms and there are no past red flags, then we may want to do some more digging to understand in greater details what is going on to be exact.

Let me hear from you and know whether you are on medications or not.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (16 minutes later)

Thanks! I'm not currently on any medication but I am incredibly tired (I want to sleep all the time) and I've gained about 30 pounds in the last few months (I honestly haven't changed my diet or exercise at all). My periods have also been heavier than normal the last couple of months. So with my family history I decided to get a panel done. With the other family members with underactive thyroid their TSH levels were low but with further tests it was determined they needed to be on medication.

Oh, and do you think I could go to a primary care physician for further investigation or should I go to a specialist?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your results are normal from the report!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Looking at the normal range of this laboratory where your test was done, your results are totally normal and there is no need to be worried about a thyroid problem. I understand you may be sick and always feel like sleeping but the problem is not from your thyroid. However, weight gain, fatigue, irregular menses is so so suggestive. Do you have constipation? Dry skin?

I will suggest that you get consulted and evaluated by your primary care doctor. If he thinks there is need for specialty care, he would make that decision. I very much believe a primary care physician would be a good person to start with.

If no other cause is identified, I may recommend that you get these results controlled at another facility before considering further action on this

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Would address any more problems should you have any.

Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad