Thyroid Levels/Blood Counts

and I think the reading is 5.something....hypothyroid....

Being tired and cold is so much a part of this disease and the after effects of treatment.  All the weight loss contributes, too.  RBC's and hemoglobin being low has a lot to do with being tired....fatigued....and probably cold, too. 

I'm still sleeping with extra blankets....and wear a sweater in the house all the time....

p 

and I'm 4 yrs out. My thyroid is damaged as well and I take synthroid as you will most probably be prescribed. I still feel cold and lack energy at times although it is better since I started increasing the dose. (Been using the dogs synthroid as she takes a slightly larger dose than me) and a little more helps with the energy and heat/cold issues. It's a chore trying to find the right dosage with many blood tests in between. You and your doctor, and perhaps a vetenarian will figure it all out down the road. Part of the new normal. 

Another test you need is your iron level checked.  My husband was always very tired even after being put on thyroid medication.  They finally thought to check his iron levels which was very low, after his first round of treatment and surgery.  So they put him on liquid iron.  Has helped some.  His thyroid level after his second round of radiation and chemo went from hypo to hyper and they had to adjust his thyroid medication.  He is now, hypo again.  As far as cold, no he who is very skinny and is always hot now. 

Sharon

Ladylacy said:

Iron Level

Another test you need is your iron level checked.  My husband was always very tired even after being put on thyroid medication.  They finally thought to check his iron levels which was very low, after his first round of treatment and surgery.  So they put him on liquid iron.  Has helped some.  His thyroid level after his second round of radiation and chemo went from hypo to hyper and they had to adjust his thyroid medication.  He is now, hypo again.  As far as cold, no he who is very skinny and is always hot now. 

Sharon

Fishmanpa, if the number on the right are your actual TSH levels then you are Hypo-thyroid. Here are the symptoms of under-active thyroid.

Below are major symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight (despite reduced food intake)
• Coarse, dry hair and dry skin
• Hair loss
• Sensitivity to cold
• Muscle cramps and aches
• Constipation
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Decreased libido
• Slowed speech (severe cases)
• Jaundice (severe cases)
• Increase in tongue size (severe cases)

You don't have to encounter every one of these symptoms to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Every patient's experience with the disorder is different. While you may notice that your skin and hair have become dry and rough, another patient may be plagued more by fatigue and depression.

The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level reflects the severity of the hypothyroidism. For example, if you have a mild form of hypothyroidism and a relatively lower TSH level, you may not notice—or even have—symptoms. That's because your hormone levels haven't decreased to the point where they have a major impact on your metabolism. The more hypothyroid you become, the more symptomatic you'll be.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism aren't always noticeable, but it's important that you understand what to look out for. Recognizing hypothyroidism early on will allow you to manage the disorder and prevent it from interfering with your life.

I was cold all the time and still am for the most part. My air conditioning is no longer below 70 whereas before cncer my wife had to sleep with her side of the electric blanket on because I had it set so low. I can say it will get better until you reach (you guessed it) your new abi-normal.

It took them a year to realize my  thyroid was fried so I am on synthroid for life. So life it is and I ain't complaining.

Good luck with the follow up and ..................heal on.

      Jeff

ellamenno said:

If I'm reading your results correctly...

Fishmanpa, if the number on the right are your actual TSH levels then you are Hypo-thyroid. Here are the symptoms of under-active thyroid.

 

Below are major symptoms associated with hypothyroidism.

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight (despite reduced food intake)
• Coarse, dry hair and dry skin
• Hair loss
• Sensitivity to cold
• Muscle cramps and aches
• Constipation
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Decreased libido
• Slowed speech (severe cases)
• Jaundice (severe cases)
• Increase in tongue size (severe cases)

You don't have to encounter every one of these symptoms to be diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Every patient's experience with the disorder is different. While you may notice that your skin and hair have become dry and rough, another patient may be plagued more by fatigue and depression.

The thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level reflects the severity of the hypothyroidism. For example, if you have a mild form of hypothyroidism and a relatively lower TSH level, you may not notice—or even have—symptoms. That's because your hormone levels haven't decreased to the point where they have a major impact on your metabolism. The more hypothyroid you become, the more symptomatic you'll be.

The symptoms of hypothyroidism aren't always noticeable, but it's important that you understand what to look out for. Recognizing hypothyroidism early on will allow you to manage the disorder and prevent it from interfering with your life.

Reviewed by Robert M. Sargis MD, PhD

Updated on: 02/08/12

 

 

I believe the numbers on left are acceptable levels. Sounds to me like you have an UNDER-active thyroid which could explain most, if not all, of your symptoms.

 

Laurie

The higher reading is HYPOthyroid....if it is below .5 it is considered HYPERthyroid... Mine is 5."something", I can't remember.....so they consider me hypo, in need of Sinthroid.

p

The TSH is actually normal, and of no concern whatsoever.  The way this lab works is that they take 100 normals and plot their TSH along a bell shaped curve.  The lower limit is the 85% confidence level of normal, so yours is actually not that unusual.  What you were looking for was a high TSH anyway.  My thyroid failed before treatment was even firenished.  My TSH was 155.

OTOH, you are significantly anemic. This is the cause of all your symptoms.  It is not likely due to iron deficiency, as you really have no reason to be iron deficient.  You will need some more lab to sort this out, like Total serum iron  and IBC, retic count, ferritin levels, evaluation of peripheral smear (if not already done).  This will sort out pretty easily, but it is a great reason to ffeel punk at the moment.

Pat

longtermsurvivor said:

Your thyroid is normal.

The TSH is actually normal, and of no concern whatsoever.  The way this lab works is that they take 100 normals and plot their TSH along a bell shaped curve.  The lower limit is the 85% confidence level of normal, so yours is actually not that unusual.  What you were looking for was a high TSH anyway.  My thyroid failed before treatment was even firenished.  My TSH was 155.

OTOH, you are significantly anemic. This is the cause of all your symptoms.  It is not likely due to iron deficiency, as you really have no reason to be iron deficient.  You will need some more lab to sort this out, like Total serum iron  and IBC, retic count, ferritin levels, evaluation of peripheral smear (if not already done).  This will sort out pretty easily, but it is a great reason to ffeel punk at the moment.

 

Pat

I was going to say I have no idea bc I am not having any problems at the moment...but after Pat's post I can really say I have no idea!! LOL 

T, whispered a prayer it all get resolved. Pat....glad you are still here posting good stuff.

Tim

My thyroid levels have previously tested in the normal range, but I too am much more sensitive to the cold than I used to be.  I'm getting enough calories and maintaining my weight, and on an exercise program that sees me walking 4 miles a day but am still sensitive.

I have a friend and co-worker who was treated for prostate cancer with rads a couple of years ago and he too noted the sensitivity to cold.  Perhaps it is not just a thyroid issue, but an obnoxious continuing gift from rads. 

On the one hand, my AC bills aren't what they were last year, on the other I too sleep with blankets at night and the room is 78 degrees.  I used to sleep on top of the sheets and blanket while my wife snuggled in.  Now that she's experiencing the occasional hot flash and me being 13 months post rads, we've reversed our roles.  I'm all tucked in and she's on top of the blankets. 

Still the MO wants to do levels before my visit in two weeks, so we shall see.

T,

Kreg's TSH a month after tx was .96 and 3 months after tx he was 1.16. It won't be checked again until later this month (6months). They told him this will take awhile to get into normal ranges just as the other blood work. He also suffered from the cold chills for the months of tx and few months out. Now at 6 months out, it seems to be more normal.

From January(a month after tx ended) to last month his WBC dropped from 5.3 to 3.1. This test was ran by his MD during some routine blood work he has done for his heart. His MD told him that he may have a slight infection or virus and they'd check it again in a month. Well a month later it is 4.3. It's not quite as high as it was in January, but he had just ended tx and I'm sure they gave him something to keep that WBC up (during tx). His RBC has remained 4.2 or very close to that.

I'm sure you are going to expect some flexuating or low counts for awhile. We are seeing improvements as the months go on.

~C