Thyroid Talk Episode 5: Lab Test Results: What do the Thyroid Numbers Mean?

04/18/22 • 24 min

Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza

Send us a text

Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza, DO

Recorded 4-8-2022

SHOW NOTES EPISODE 5, 2022

Lab Test Results: What Do The Thyroid Numbers Mean?

Host: Dr. Angela Mazza

Co-host: Dawn Sheffield

I’m Dr. Angela Mazza, a thyroid, endocrine, and metabolism specialist with a private practice in Central Florida. My goal for this podcast is to define and demystify the thyroid gland, and thyroid-related medical conditions. By providing information in an easy-to-understand format, we hope to help patients better understand the ways in which their bodies work, and to help them thrive. My goal is to help us live more fulfilling lives by taking control of our health, to feel our best.

To recap some of what we discussed in episode 5—not necessarily in this order:

· Lab report numbers related to the thyroid—how they are understood; How numbers on a lab report may—or may not—correlate with what a patient is feeling or exhibiting. Why some patients seem to have good thyroid lab results but they don’t feel as good as their numbers look—the nuances of thyroid hormone physiology;

· The feedback loop—how it controls thyroid hormone levels;

· The difference between bound and unbound (or free) thyroid hormone levels;

· Basic thyroid physiology and the role of thyrotrophs, the hypothalamus, pituitary, Reverse T3, and TRH;

· TSH, releasing hormones, the thyroid gland, and TBG;

· Why the thyroid doesn’t just make the right amounts of bothT3 and T4 to start with;

· T4 and T3 have different half-lives. Half-lives defined—and what the half-lives are for T3 and T4;

· Euthyroid defined (and pronounced!);

· How to approach basic thyroid lab values like TSH, T4 and T3;

· The difference between T4 and T3.

I enjoy helping folks understand how their lives, their diets, stress management, sleep patterns—every aspect of their lives—are tied to both thyroid and overall health.

This has a lot to do with why I went into endocrinology. It’s a medical art that combines science with the study of our lives--and ALL that they encompass.

I hope you’ll continue listening to “Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza.” We have many more interesting episodes and guests planned. We’ll build on today’s foundation, and cover some topics I think you’ll find meaningful.

In our next episode (episode 6) we’ll discuss the different thyroid hormone replacement therapies.

It’s great to know that we CAN impact our thyroid health!

We welcome your comments, show ideas, and questions for future episodes. Please send your thoughts to [email protected] We MAY disclose your general location on air (the city or town, for example), but we will NOT read your name NOR your address on the show.

Citations, references, and additional information:

Melmed, S., & Williams, R. H. (2011). Williams textbook of endocrinology (12th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier/Saunders.

Don’t forget to ask YOUR healthcare provider about any specific questions regarding your wellness. This podcast is meant for educational purposes only.

Check out our YouTube channel - Dr. Angela Mazza, our website at Metabolic Center for Wellness, our FaceBook and our Instagram page.

Send us a text

Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza, DO

Recorded 4-8-2022

SHOW NOTES EPISODE 5, 2022

Lab Test Results: What Do The Thyroid Numbers Mean?

Host: Dr. Angela Mazza

Co-host: Dawn Sheffield

To recap some of what we discussed in episode 5—not necessarily in this order:

· The feedback loop—how it controls thyroid hormone levels;

· The difference between bound and unbound (or free) thyroid hormone levels;

· Basic thyroid physiology and the role of thyrotrophs, the hypothalamus, pituitary, Reverse T3, and TRH;

· TSH, releasing hormones, the thyroid gland, and TBG;

· Why the thyroid doesn’t just make the right amounts of bothT3 and T4 to start with;

· T4 and T3 have different half-lives. Half-lives defined—and what the half-lives are for T3 and T4;

· Euthyroid defined (and pronounced!);

· How to approach basic thyroid lab values like TSH, T4 and T3;

· The difference between T4 and T3.

I enjoy helping folks understand how their lives, their diets, stress management, sleep patterns—every aspect of their lives—are tied to both thyroid and overall health.

This has a lot to do with why I went into endocrinology. It’s a medical art that combines science with the study of our lives--and ALL that they encompass.

In our next episode (episode 6) we’ll discuss the different thyroid hormone replacement therapies.

It’s great to know that we CAN impact our thyroid health!

Citations, references, and additional information:

Melmed, S., & Williams, R. H. (2011). Williams textbook of endocrinology (12th ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier/Saunders.

Don’t forget to ask YOUR healthcare provider about any specific questions regarding your wellness. This podcast is meant for educational purposes only.

Check out our YouTube channel - Dr. Angela Mazza, our website at Metabolic Center for Wellness, our FaceBook and our Instagram page.

Previous Episode

Thyroid Talk Episode 4: Thyroid Nodules 101 and Intro to RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation)

Send us a text

Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza

Recorded 3-18-2022

SHOW NOTES EPISODE 4, 2022

Thyroid Nodules 101 and Intro to RFA (Radiofrequency Ablation)

Host: Dr. Angela Mazza

Co-host: Dawn Sheffield

Dr. Angela Mazza is a thyroid, endocrine, and metabolism specialist with a private practice in Central Florida. The goal for this podcast is to define and demystify the thyroid gland, and thyroid-related medical conditions. By providing information in an easy-to-understand format, we hope to help patients better understand the ways in which their bodies work, and to help them thrive. Dr. Mazza’s goal is to help us live more fulfilling lives by taking control of our health to feel our best.

We want to discuss subjects of interest to our listeners, so please send in your questions, comments, and topic ideas for future shows to [email protected] And please continue listening to “Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza” We have many more interesting episodes, and guests, planned. We’ll build on this episode’s foundation, and do some more deep dives into topics we think you’ll find meaningful.

To recap some of what we discussed in episode 4—not necessarily in this order:

We introduced the subject of growths, aka nodules or masses, in the thyroid, defined what they are, and explained their possible causes;

· though usually benign, masses in the thyroid can be cancer, or they may cause hyperactive (overactive) thyroid. Prompt attention to any changes in the thyroid or in your health is best;

· thyroid cancer is often curable;

· discussed ultrasound machines and how they work;

· explained that an ultrasound test is painless, non-invasive, and requires zero recovery time;

· briefly discussed the PEI procedure (leave it to trained medical professionals!);

· toxic nodules;

· nodular goiters (now called thyroid nodules); toxic multinodular goiter means more than one nodule, and too much thyroid hormone being produced;

· nodules’ affect on thyroid function;

· how many people have unknown thyroid growths—revealed!;

· fine needle aspiration, the needles used, and associated lab tests—explained;

· the word, “atypical,” defined;

· how to treat overactive/toxic nodules—in the past and present;

· RFA: Radio Frequency Ablation, defined and explained; RFA procedure: how long might it take?, pros, cons, side effects, recovery; who is a good candidate for RFA; and finally, RFA’s life-changing benefits and its success rate.

Best of all, we learned that we CAN impact our thyroid health!

In episode 5, 2022 the subject will be: How to interpret lab test results—and how the results may correlate to your symptoms.

We welcome your comments, show ideas, and questions for future episodes. Please send them to [email protected]

Don’t forget to ask your healthcare provider about any specific questions regarding your wellness. This podcast is meant for educational purposes only.

Check out our YouTube channel - Dr. Angela Mazza, our website at Metabolic Center for Wellness, our FaceBook and our Instagram page.

Next Episode

Thyroid Talk Episode 6: Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Hypothyroidism: What are the options and how is treatment monitored?

Send us a text

Thyroid Talk with Dr. Angela Mazza

Recorded 4-15-22

SHOW NOTES EPISODE 6, 2022

Thyroid Hormone Replacement for Hypothyroidism:

What are the Options, and How is Treatment Monitored?

Host: Dr. Angela Mazza

Co-host: Dawn Sheffield

I wanted to do this podcast to provide life-saving education and encourage folks to see a doctor in time to prevent or minimize damage. That’s deeply fulfilling. I enjoy helping folks understand how all aspects of their lives are tied to both thyroid and overall health.

In fact, this is why I went into endocrinology. It’s a medical art that combines science with the study of our lives—and all that they encompass.

To recap some of what we discussed in episode 6—not necessarily in this order:

· Why thyroid hormone is so important;

· The role, and types, of levothyroxine;

· The potential differences between various products;

· Hypothyroid (underactive); Hashimoto thyroiditis; monitoring;

· Thyroid hormone replacement goals and options; when to provide—and why;

· The role of T4 and T3 (see also episode 5 for additional information);

· Generic products; reverse T3; thyroid antibodies;

· What are fillers in medications?;

· Tablets, capsules, liquids—delivery systems;

· GI absorption and Hashimoto thyroiditis;

· The benefits of a reputable compounding pharmacy;

· Liothyronine vs. levothyroxine and their half-lives;

· Converting T4 effectively to T3—possible role of liothyronine;

· Forms of replacement thyroid hormones: synthetic, dessicated, compounded;

· Lab tests to monitor therapy for thyroid hormone replacement—and interpreting them;

· Following—or, tracking—lab results over tests and time;

· A medication perfect for one person may not be right for another; every person with hypothyroidism is unique, and so is their therapeutic plan.

I hope this discussion on thyroid hormone replacement therapy options was helpful, and that you will continue listening to this podcast. We’ll build on today’s foundation, and cover some topics I think you’ll find meaningful. We have many more interesting episodes and guests planned.

In our next episode we’ll cover micronutrients that are important for the thyroid.

We welcome your comments, show ideas, and questions for future episodes. Please send them to [email protected]

We may disclose your general location on air (the city or town, for example), but we will NOT read your name NOR your address on the show.

Don’t forget to ask your healthcare

Check out our YouTube channel - Dr. Angela Mazza, our website at Metabolic Center for Wellness, our FaceBook and our Instagram page.

If you like this episode you’ll love

Breathe Easy

Radiology Podcasts | RSNA

The University of Iowa Department of Emergency Medicine

Deep Energy Podcast - Music for Sleep, Meditation, Yoga, Background Music and Studying

White Coat Investor Podcast

Episode Comments

Generate a badge

Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode

Select type & size

Copy