Is it possible to test normal on your Thyroid, but still have symptoms of thyroid problems.
I checked the Thyroid website and I have every symptom including the trouble with swollowing from time to time.. I can see from time to time where my throat gets a little swollen.
I do have an appointment with the doctor next week, I was just wondering if this was possible..
2007-02-28 04:01:08 · 5 answers · asked by Esther J 3 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Yes, its possible. It happened to me. The TSH is a lousy test to diagnose thyroid problems because TSH changes throughout the day. If someone tested in the afternoon, it could stop a diagnosis because TSH should always be done first thing in the morning. If you have another blood test, make sure its in the morning. You might want to have a free t4 and free t3 test done as well.
TSH range is 0.3 to 3.0, however most labs never bothered to update their lab ranges. This results in many people going undiagnosed because the range prior to 2003 was 0.3 to 5.5, so a doctor may see a TSH of a 5.0 and say you are normal.
Below are some websites with info on blood work and on thyroid issues.
2007-02-28 05:52:31 · answer #1 · answered by DNA 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time, blood tests only check for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) because TSH is usually off if a person has thyroid problem. However, TSH is not actually a thyroid hormone - its the hormone that controls secretions from the thyroid gland.
The thyroid gland produces several types of thyroxine. It is the thyroxine levels that affect your metabolism. It is possible for thyroxine levels to be too high or too low and still have TSH levels within a normal range, but it is unusual. If your previous blood test only measured TSH, you could ask your doctor to write up a lab order for a complete thyroid blood panel before your doctor appointment, so you will have this information to discuss at your visit.
If your previous blood test included thyroxine levels (usually show up on the report as T3 and T4) and they were normal, then you thyroid gland is not causing the problem.
IF you are having difficulty swallowing, there is duct from the back of your tongue to your thyroid gland, called the thyroglossal duct. Cysts sometimes develop in this duct, and affect swallowing. However, these cysts usually appear only in children and there appear more like a hard marble, than swelling. Its remotely possible that something is going on in your thyroglossal duct.
Another even more rare conditions is De Quervain's Thyroiditis which is an inflammation that comes and goes, and causes hyperthyroid symptoms when inflammation occurs.
Given the possibilities, it doesn't seem likely that the swelling and swallowing problems are caused by your thyroid, or by any obvious cause. In any case, the doctor probably won't be able to determine the problem you are having unless you visit the doctor while the swelling is occurring. You might ask you doctor to arrange a standing order for an MRI of your throat, and thyroid panel, so you can go to the lab the next time swelling occurs, and get a better picture of the problem.
2007-02-28 12:43:51 · answer #2 · answered by formerly_bob 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most common blood test to check for thyroid problems is TSH, and the normal range varies from lab to lab. Also normal is different for every individual. You do not mention if you have symptoms of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, and this is what TSH tests for.
I had a thyroid test done by a general practictioner and was told it was normal, I had a TSH of 2.6. Then the doctor refused to perform a 2nd test a few months later when I had more symptoms and I saw another doctor. There I was properly diagnosed and treated.
You may wish to see an endocrinologist, they specialize in thyroid disorders among other things.
2007-03-03 11:10:14 · answer #3 · answered by no_frills 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible. There could just be a problem with your test results. Also, I believe most thyroid tests don't test the thyroid hormones themselves, they test the hormone levels that stimulate the thyroid gland (TSH levels). So, you may want to have an extra test to test the T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine) hormone levels.
The least likely of the possibilities, but still a possiblility, is that you are having symptoms of an unrelated cause at the same time.
2007-02-28 12:12:17 · answer #4 · answered by tooqerq 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, because to be called normal the test results are supposed to be within a certain range. Well, what is normal for you may not be normal for me...so you have to really find a dr that will listen to your symptoms and not go directly with the tests. If you show at the high end of the range that may be too high, but to the dr your still in the normal range and vice versa.
good luck!
2007-02-28 12:38:05 · answer #5 · answered by chickadee_ajm 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋