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Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

There are a few different thyroid tests. Most likely your doctor ordered either a thyroxine (T3 or T4) test which is a measure of how much thyroid hormone is in your blood, or he/she measured a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test which is a test of the hormone released by the pituitary gland to cause the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone.

The TSH test is the more common of the screening tests.

If the TSH level is high, that means your thyroid gland is NOT producing enough hormone (thyroxine) meaning you are hypothyroid. Symptoms of hypothyroidism are being overweight, tired, cold or cold intolerant. Usually the thyroid gland is enlarged with hypothyroidism.

If the TSH is low, that means your thyroid is producing an over abundance of thyroxine. This is hyperthyroidism, most often due to an autoimmune disorder called Grave's disease. It can also be due to a transient viral infection causing thyroiditis. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism are weight loss and difficulty gaining weight, being anxious or jittery.

What your doctor will recommend depends on whether the problem is hyper vs hypothyroidism.

First, if your doctor hasn't done so already, he/she should do a thorough physical exam of your thyroid gland to check for enlargement or nodules.

If hypothyroidism, your doctor will likely prescribe thyroxine medication (oral), such as Synthroid, and recheck the blood level in 2-3 months to see if this is the right dose for you.

Your doctor may also order another blood test to check for antibodies against the thyroid gland.

If hyperthyroidism, further tests are usually needed and treatment of what is causing the overproduction of thyroxine. If there is the possibility that the hyperthyroidism is due to a virus, then the doctor may watch and wait rather than treat. Treatments include taking a radioactive medicine to destroy the over active tissue that is producing the excess thyroxine.

I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

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Then it is more likely to be hypothyroidism (low thyroxine, high TSH). Treatment would be a prescription for thyroxine, such as Synthroid.

You wrote "the nurse told me yesterday" - I am not clear on what the nurse told you. Did she tell you the lab test result?


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I see, so she didn't tell you which thyroid test was abnormal or whether it was high or low?

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Brief Answer:
Hypothyroidism

Detailed Answer:
Ok - well, you will find out tomorrow. Most likely, from your symptoms, and from what is most common, the problem is hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone and too high TSH). The doctor will give you a thyroid hormone pill and in a few weeks you will start feeling more energetic and may lose some weight.

If you have further questions after you see the doctor, I would be happy to answer.

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Brief Answer:
Anemia and thyroid problems are NOT linked.

Detailed Answer:
Hello -

Anemia and thyroid disease are not linked. They are not associated with each other.

The most common cause of anemia in menstruating women is from iron loss from bleeding. The doctor probably wants to get iron studies via the additional blood test.

I would ask them specifically why you were told that you had an abnormal thyroid test. Either the nurse got things mixed up, or it's possible you also have a thyroid problem and the doctor forgot to address this when you went in to see him today.

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Brief Answer:
Evaluation of pins and needles

Detailed Answer:
The pins and needles can sometimes be due to a type of anemia called pernicious anemia, particularly in vegetarians. It's due to deficiency of Vitamin B 12. But it is not common. Iron deficiency anemia is more common, an does not usually cause pins and needles sensation.

But the pins and needles sensation may be due to something entirely different than anemia. Has your doctor looked into the cause? Has he referred you to a neurologist? What has been done so far in the evaluation for it?

Also, what do you mean by that you were in the hospital November 21? Were you an in-patient and what was the reason?

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