HELP! Just got thyroid labs back

I really hope somebody can teach me a thing or two about this! I am scheduled for surgery at the end of next week. The surgeon requested I do my labs to get sent to him in mexico, before I come. I just got a call from my Doctor to say I have Low TSH she said it is .35
My Dr said she wants me to go and see a Thyroid specialist before my surgery.

Does anybody know what this means for me and my surgery? I have to admit I know nothing about Thyroid and I'm very stressed this will mean the surgeon will have to cancel my surgery!
I'm going to start researching and need to contact the surgeon as well, but if anybody could shed some light on this is would be greatly appreciated.

Means you are HYPER thyroid. It's running too fast. The opposite of most of us.

As to what to do, if you were taking meds, your doc would adjust. If you are not taking meds, prolly a good idea to retest for error and maybe take a quickie peeky to see if all is in order.

Thanks. This is what worries me - I mean, how massive would I be if my thyroid was running slow? Doesn't that mean I metabolise food too fast?

I'm not taking any meds since I only just found out about it. Do you think I can still have the surgery?

Wait a sec. Medical!

My ND wants mine to be in the 1.0 to 2.0 range. I had one come back at . 05. Yes, not a typo. We both laughed and I wondered how I did NOT lose wt. She tweaked, all the rest come back like 1.3 or something in there. Prolly lab error.

My ex-DIL was hyperthyroid, yet also MO. They found a nodule and zapped it (radiation) and apparently it was a non-event to her. But she is in Spain, so I didn't see it all go down.

I can't tell you what it means to your surgery. I can only tell you what it means. Low means high. High means low. LOL

 Can you get it redrawn?  Did they do a complete thyroid panel, or just a TSH?  Do you have a history of auto immune disorders?  A .35 isn't "that" low, as low normal range goes down to .40.  Basically this result can mean nothing, up to several things.  But, this test result in and of itself doesn't tell the whole picture, which is why she is referring you to someone, for additional testing.  Basically, all this result means is that for the time being you have an overactive thyroid.  Have you been doing a preop diet lately?  Are you on medications for thyroid issues or anything else (particularly antidepressants or cholesterol meds?), any changes in supplements you are taking (calcium, iron, ect).  Stress can also cause your TSH to drop...

I would agree that it is a good idea to see a specialist and have a full thyroid panel redrawn before surgery, but I don't think this will be enough to cancel your surgery.  But, I'm not your Dr, sooo, grain of salt, K?

Thanks. I had a Thyroid Panel. I have no idea what this really covers, or whether it covers enough. I plan to go and get a copy of the test tomorrow. I'm not on any meds at all, except the odd tylenol. I had to fast 12 hours before the test.

I plan to see the specialist but I would be surprised if I can get in to see one at such short notice..we'll see. Maybe my Dr can make a call and get me in early.

 If you can get the full copy of your labs, I may be able to shed some additional light if you can post them here (if you are comfortable with that).  But, do try to get in to see someone, just tell them when you call that you are scheduled for surgery and have been told you need their clearance based on lab results prior to surgery.  Hopefully they can work you in.  Is your schedule flexible that you could be put on a call list in case of cancelled appointments?

Ok, I'll get a copy of the labs tomorrow, and post them. That's a good idea about going on the call list. If I can do that with a few I may get in somewhere. Thanks!

Hi,
You do need to have the complete thyroid panel done in order to know the whole and complete story.  Without at least your Free T3 and Free T4, it's really impossible to know what your .35 TSH really means.  Besides, you'll need to ask your doctor what scale is normal by that lab's standards.  Your TSH level might be low, but if it isn't absorbed (the mechanisms are FT3 and FT4), then any level of TSH isn't going to get you anywhere.  I see Dr. Stephen Langer in Berkeley, CA.  He's at 510-548-7384.  He also wrote the book, "Solved: The Riddle of Illness" about managing the thryoid. He is a foremost thyroid expert.  Hope this helps.
-B

Thanks. The note from my surgeon just said to do a "Thyroid Panel" so I guess it includes T3 & T4? I'll check the lab papers tomorrow. I asked what the normal range was and she said .4 to 4.5.