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What Does This Blood Report Indicate?
Question: i recently had blood work come back with a 7.1 UIU/ML test result for TSH. This is very high compared to the range it should be within (.5-4.7) What does this mean? What should I do? My mother does take medication for thyroid. My white blood cell count was a 3.7 and should be on a scale of 4-11 K/UL. I am a 44 year old male.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
I understand you are concerned about your TSH reading. It potentially indicates a mildly under-active thyroid problem called Hypothyroidism.
Whether or not you need thyroid medicine for life, is a complex decision. In order to make this diagnosis accurately as to whether you have a permanently under-active thyroid, a thorough in-person evaluation is required.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day.
If your thyroid antibodies are positive, it is quite likely you will need your thyroid medication for life.
Your low white blood cell count is unlikely to be connected to the TSH. You need to talk to your primary care provider about further steps regarding this.
Thyroid
Detailed Answer:
I understand you are concerned about your TSH reading. It potentially indicates a mildly under-active thyroid problem called Hypothyroidism.
Whether or not you need thyroid medicine for life, is a complex decision. In order to make this diagnosis accurately as to whether you have a permanently under-active thyroid, a thorough in-person evaluation is required.
When I see someone like you in my practice, I typically order the following blood tests in addition to a detailed physical examination:
CBC (Complete Blood Count, also known as Hemogram; includes Hemoglobin, WBC and Platelet counts)
Electrolytes (Sodium and Potassium in particular)
HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin = your last 3 months' glucose average). Also known by other names such as GlycoHemoglobin or Glycated Hemoglobin or A1c
Liver function tests (SGOT , SGPT, Albumin, Bilirubin, Alkaline Phosphatase)
Kidney function tests (BUN, Creatinine)
TSH (checks your thyroid)
Free T4 (this too checks your thyroid) Thyroid autoantibodies : Anti Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and Anti Thyroglobulin antibodies
25 hydroxy Vitamin D levels (ideal range 40 to 60 ng/ml = 100 to 150 nmol/liter)
None of these tests require any fasting and can be done at any time of the day.
If your thyroid antibodies are positive, it is quite likely you will need your thyroid medication for life.
Your low white blood cell count is unlikely to be connected to the TSH. You need to talk to your primary care provider about further steps regarding this.
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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