Can a thryoid test result be wrong?

  • Sorry for the new thread but I need answers before I go back to the doctors in about 4 hours.

    I got called on the results today and the girl said they were fine (she didn't know anything about the test and didn't want to take the time to find out so I couldn't ask anything). I've looked up a few things and the only thing that matches (and seems to match scarily well) is a thyroid problem. Is there a chance the result is wrong? I'm not sure but I think they only tested the TSH and nothing else. I want to know for sure, not find out years down the road it really is a thyroid problem.

    Part of why I worry they won't look hard is they don't really care all that much. It's the people's city mission so the consultation's free. I don't have the money for a real doctors office so I'd like to believe they actually help.
  • Have you checked into the symptoms of hypothyroidism? Such as dry/brittle nails, thin hair, dry skin, lethargic (always tired, depressed, find it hard to get out of bed in the morning)

    If you are having these symptoms, it's possible to be in the "normal" range but still have levels that are too low for you. Every one is different.

    Not to say that you are, but I've noticed a lot of posts on here from people wanting to blame their weight on an under-active thyroid. There is SO much more to hypothyroidism than being overweight, and In general, ONLY 5-10 pounds of body weight may be attributable to the thyroid,
    depending on the severity of the hypothyroidism.

    http://www.thyroid.org/patients/broc...and_Weight.pdf
  • TSH and nothing else? TSH alone isn't enough determination, they should have also done a T3 or a T4 test. And what was the number? I'd ask for a referall to an endocrinologist, specially if you have PCOS or something.

    ETA- just noticed you went to a free clinic, can you get a copy of your result? I was told I was "fine" for my vitamin D levels (I had 21) but when I looked at it I was like how is 21 normal when recommended is 50? Sometimes the ranges are too wide.
  • Yeah, a lot of my symptoms matched up..it was funny cuz my roomie and I were looking at the symptoms list and I kept saying I'm sure it's coincidental and he kept saying "you complain about a lot of those things all the time". I'd rather it not be this but since it runs in my family I'd rather be really sure before I write it off.

    I'm going to ask them later today what all I was tested for and a copy (hopefully I'll get one). Good to know about the vitamin D, thanks. It's worrisome what they often consider fine can actually be a red flag. The doctor said it was a TSH test as she left my room to tell them to draw blood. I actually just made a bunch of calls to get the ball rolling so I can get into a better clinic that does sliding scale fees because they'll do more thorough testing.