HELP! Just got thyroid labs back

 Yes, the panel will include a TSH, T3, T4 and sometimes a T3 Uptake (measures free T4 in the blood, rarely used anymore), Thyroid Antibodies (if autoimmune is suspected), and rarely a RT3 (reverse T3 to see if the body is converting T4 to T3 in response to stress, but this test is rarely used anymore).  This will give a better picture of what is really going on in that little gland in there :)

Take a look at this whitepaper from the American Academy of Clinical Endocrinologists:

http://www.aace.com/pub/pdf/guidelines/hypo_hyper.pdf

They advise starting to measure sub-clinical hyperthyroidism at values lower than .1 for TSH. The lab values for hypo and hyper-thyroidism were changed a few years ago and numerous labs and physicians still use the old ranges.

Good luck :)

Bethany

Thanks everyone. I will be picking up the lab report today and plan to post it here. I've also emailed my surgeon. He was very interested to know whether it was T3 or T4 that was the issue. Which I have yet to find out myself. I'll let you know what he thinks.

I advise you get your levels redrawn. About 3 months ago, my TSH was .3 which my Endo tended to think was a lab error since I am hypothyroid. She likes to keep my level around 1,0. I had my levels redrawn 4 weeks later and it was 1.2, much better. So, it is possible that you aren't really that low but it is worth rechecking. Also, as the others said, you need a Total T3, Free T3, Free T4, Total T4 and T3 uptake. These can give the Endo the entire picture. You also need to have antibiodies tested for autoimmune thyroid disease and a possible sonogram for nodules.

The main symptoms of hyperthyroid are being hot all the time and rapid heartbeat.

Thanks for this information.  I managed to get in to see the specialist tomorrow morning (I can't believe my luck!).
This is what my Doctor said of the Throid panel:
The .35 is the TSH
The T3 and T4 are both NORMAL

??????? I have no idea what this means. I'm sure the ENDO will tell me tomorrow.

So, GOOD NEWS! I went to see the specialist and have also spoken with my surgeon. Both have said all is ok to proceed with surgery next week. PHEW! Talk about worrying for nothing.

What did the Endo say about the low TSH? Is he doing any testing after your surgery?  I hope you will follow up with the Endo afterward because our thyroids tend to go bonkers post op.  Good luck and keep up posted

She said my low TSH was possibly my 'baseline' and nothing to worry about. She said it can go up and down a little, but still considers it very normal, considering my other T3 and T4 were normal. She said to go back to her in 2 months, which I plan to do. She did an ultrasound and no problems there.