Blood test results - need help

[Guest guest]

I need help interpreting blood tests - and ideally what I can do about the

abnormal results. Could someone send a link? (I seem to recall a link to a

useful site)

Specifics:

Hemoglobin = 129 (normal = 140-180)

Hematocrit = .0.38 (normal = 0.42-0.52)

R.B.C. Count = 4.47 (normal = 4.5 - 6.3)

RDW = 14.9 (normal = 11.5 - 14.5)

Lymphocytes = 1.5 (normal = 1.5 - 4)

Ferritin = 0.4 (normal = 0.41 - 300)

I have gone vegetarian, could that be causing the anaemia? Ideas?

And what is the Lymphocytes reading? Is this an indicator of immune system

status?

Thanks

-Mike-

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol

Your thyroid blood tests look pretty good....your TSH is slow to change and

that's why it's not the best indicator of how you feel 'now'.

My understanding is that you have to listen to your own body. If you start

experiencing 'hypo' symptoms then you need to get a blood test if possible and

also think about gradually lowering your dosage of ATD's. But I'm not a doctor.

It does sound as if you are doing well on the ATD's. When I had RAI I had been

put on ADT's for about a month. The doc insisted that I go off them for a month

to let them clear my system before she would consider giving me the RAI. From

that I gather that it takes a while for them to clear your system. It does take

a while for your thyroid to 'calm down'. You will feel the changes yourself. I

always know when I'm 'out of balance' - although not automatically whether I've

gone hypo or hyper. I often check my pulse to tell me that. It is a good

indicator for me, as is weight gain and appetite.

I believe there are others on this site who have been on ATD's and weaned off

them gradually. Maybe they can give you more guidance.

Kate

Blood Test Results - Need Help

I am back to say hello again. I am 53 yrs old, female, with

hyperthyroidism. I got so distracted for the past year, because my

dd was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, so I am here to TRY to

focus on my own health again.

Just had a blood test and I switched to a new endo, because the

other endo talked to me, as if I'm an idiot for rejecting radiation

treatment, to kill the thyroid. I don't want to do that. I have

been trying to cure myself.

Please help me by sharing any thoughts about yesterday's blood test:

TSH 0.01 (that's low) Norm Range is < 0.40-5.50 >

Free T4 1.2 Norm Range < 0.8-1.8 >

T4 Total 9.0 Norm Range: < 4.5-12.0 >

T3 Total 141 Norm Range: < 60-181 >

The liver test looks good, and the White Blood Count is normal.

This is the best blood result I've seen in 3 years! I reached the

normal range finally, for all except TSH. I have been taking

methimazole for the past 5 months (20 mg per day).

The endo is suggesting that I stay on this amount for the next 6

months. She scheduled blood tests 3 and 6 months from now.

However, I am reading here, that blood tests should be more often.

I want to wean off the ATD's but I don't know when to try this. Any

suggestions on how to wean off the ATD's or should I listen to the

doctor? Even my new endo is suggesting radiation, but she is

willing to let me stay on ATD's.

Carol