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Diagnosed Marginal Low Thyroid. Medication Stopped, Sensitive To Drugs. Any Tests To Get Accurate Result?
Will a standard blood test reveal low thyroid levels? My sister, a breast cancer survivor age 56 was diagnosed with marginal low thyroid. She took the medication and then stopped. She is really sensitive to drugs. Her skin is dry and most of all her hair is falling out ( no chemo for 7 years). Wen through menopause at age 50. Is there a more telling test that is more accurate? She took tomixifin for 4 years and stopped that one year ago.
Tue, 19 Feb 2013
Dear Ma'am,
Sorry to hear about your sisters problem but I am glad that you are seeking medical attention for the same. Thyroid function tests (which include T3, T4 and TSH) are very sensitive to pick up any abnormality in thyroid hormone levels. An even more sensitive test is free T3 and T4 but only a select labs offer this test.
Her dry skin and hair loss can be explained by low thyroid levels, which can only be corrected by thyroxine tablet. Usually this has to be take life long and is a very safe tablet.
I would recommend that you visit and endocrinologist with the test reports.
Hope your sister gets well soon.
Rohan Khandelwal
rohankhandelwal@gmail.com
Breast Surgeon
Sorry to hear about your sisters problem but I am glad that you are seeking medical attention for the same. Thyroid function tests (which include T3, T4 and TSH) are very sensitive to pick up any abnormality in thyroid hormone levels. An even more sensitive test is free T3 and T4 but only a select labs offer this test.
Her dry skin and hair loss can be explained by low thyroid levels, which can only be corrected by thyroxine tablet. Usually this has to be take life long and is a very safe tablet.
I would recommend that you visit and endocrinologist with the test reports.
Hope your sister gets well soon.
Rohan Khandelwal
rohankhandelwal@gmail.com
Breast Surgeon
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