What is Percent through Range and how can we use it to help understand our thyroid meds? Like many lab tests, our thyroid lab results have a set of expected values — the laboratory reference range — that most doctors consider normal.A reference range, or interval, is a set of values that includes upper and… Continue reading Percent through Range
Author: Desert Thyca
Medullary Thyroid Cancer and Small Cell Lung Cancer Survivor
- Thyroid Cancer Survivorship Advocate
- Retired Intensive Care RN
- Equine Nutritionist
- Research Nerd
Update on Free T3 Testing
There are a few circumstances that may affect Free T3 (triiodothyronine) test results. The following two test descriptions from LabCorp, a major nationwide diagnostic laboratory, indicate conditions which may interfere with testing and when the Dialysis and LC/MS-MS may be preferred. Biotin may interfere with Free T3 and other thyroid tests. Thyroid antibodies may interfere… Continue reading Update on Free T3 Testing
Basic T3 Startup
The first step to adding T3 to our thyroid hormone replacement regimen following total thyroidectomy (TT) is understanding what T3 is and how it works. The two thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). A healthy thyroid produces mostly T4 and smaller amounts of T3. This production is controlled by a “negative feedback loop”… Continue reading Basic T3 Startup
TSH Suppression
There are two primary dimensions in follow up treatment for thyroid cancer. The first is focused on preventing and identifying recurrence while the second, often overlooked in the quest to "beat cancer" is supporting your Quality of Life (QoL). Some endocrinologists and other providers may not always be aware of the need to keep TSH… Continue reading TSH Suppression
Tg Antibodies Rising
This is information I compiled related to questions concerning Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb)remaining elevated or increasing following total thyroidectomy despite having low or undetectableThyroglobulin (Tg) and whether TgAb can be used to detect recurrence of thyroid cancer. Elevated Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb) in the absence of elevated Tg levels Thyroglobulin is uniquely produced by thyroid follicular cells.Biotin… Continue reading Tg Antibodies Rising
Navigatng RAI
A frequently asked question is:What are some of your best tips for navigating isolation in a house with a spouse and small children or pets? Radioactive Iodine (RAI) is used to ablate (destroy) thyroid tissue and cells that remain following surgery for thyroid cancer. (It is also used to treat hyperactive thyroid disease.) Because thyroid… Continue reading Navigatng RAI
Suppression vs QoL
Why is TSH suppression so often the sole or primary goal in thyroid cancer treatment with little regard for Quality of Life (QoL)? We are told, over and over, that the vast majority of thyroid cancer patients do just fine for the rest of their lives on synthetic thyroid hormone replacement (THR) therapy evaluated by… Continue reading Suppression vs QoL
Thyroid Cancer Test and ICD Codes
Test and ICD Codes - Current as of 15 December, 2021These test and ICD codes can be helpful if your tests are being ordered by a primary care provider or an endocrinologist who does not specialize with thryoid cancer patients. Lab Corphttps://www.labcorp.com/test-menu/search Order CodeOrder Code NameResult CodeResult Code NameUnits224576TSH+Free T44264 19745TSH T4,Free(Direct)uIU/mL ng/dL10389Triiodothyronine (T3), Free10389Triiodothyronine… Continue reading Thyroid Cancer Test and ICD Codes
Doctor Doctor
So many doctors - how do I know which to choose?Who does the diagnosis? Who does surgery? Do I need an oncologist or an endocrinologist?The initial steps in identifying and diagnosing thyroid cancer are often confusing and you may be referred for several tests done by different practitioners. DiscoveryBecause thyroid cancer usually does not have… Continue reading Doctor Doctor
What Blood Tests Should I Request?
As thyroid cancer patients, when things are not going well the first place we tend to look is to our thyroid hormone replacement (THR) meds. Just as our thyroid interacted with every aspect of our physical and mental health, metabolism and daily activity, we need to remain aware of how our overall health works withn… Continue reading What Blood Tests Should I Request?
Thyroid Cancer Advocates 