Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism

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Help with Labs

ashleyapplewhite
ashleyapplewhite Posts: 83 Member
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I recently had my cyotmel dosage doubled, (3 weeks ago), and had these labs run last week. The results were:

Test Description Result Range Units
Thyroxine (T4)001149 8.1 4.5-12.0 ug/dL
T3 Uptake001156 31 24-39 %
Free Thyroxine Index 2.5 1.2-4.9

TSH+T4F+T3Free

Test Description Result Range Units
TSH004264 0.047 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL
Triiodothyronine,Free,
Serum010389 3.6 2.0-4.4 pg/mL
T4,Free(Direct)019745 1.29 0.82-1.77 ng/dL

For as much as I know, I think things look okay? I feel TONS better, and I've lost about 3 pounds. What do you guys think?

Replies

  • epiphany29
    epiphany29 Posts: 122 Member
    I think that you feel better is so much more important than those numbers. Treat the patient not the labwork. Personally, I need my numbers a little closer to the high end of normal to feel good.

    I am glad that you are seeing positive progress.

    pip
  • shvits
    shvits Posts: 249 Member
    How do you feel? That may say more then the labs. Getting the dose correct is not easy.
    I love my cytomel. Hope it works for you too.
  • Cassierocksalot
    Cassierocksalot Posts: 266 Member
    I always feel great about 6 weeks to several months after my dosage is upped, then I start feeling the symptoms again. If you're feeling good now, great! But keep track of how you're feeling and don't be afraid to call your Dr. 6 months from now and ask to have your levels tested again.
  • Wendyma1
    Wendyma1 Posts: 289 Member
    Can someone please tell me under what circumstances would one use cytomel? I am not on any thyroid medication, waiting for my thryroid to die down from being hyper. I have asked to be started on Armour once I do need medication. Is cytomel a form of T3? And if so, since Armour has both, I wont need it, right? All this thryroid stuff confuses me so much! So glad you guys are here! :)
  • epiphany29
    epiphany29 Posts: 122 Member
    You shouldn't need the cytomel with the Armour. I love my Armour personally and wouldn't go back to the synthetics.

    pip
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
    Can someone please tell me under what circumstances would one use cytomel? I am not on any thyroid medication, waiting for my thryroid to die down from being hyper. I have asked to be started on Armour once I do need medication. Is cytomel a form of T3? And if so, since Armour has both, I wont need it, right? All this thryroid stuff confuses me so much! So glad you guys are here! :)


    Cytomel is a synthetic T3 med, used when people are on synthetic T4-only meds like Synthroid or Levothyroxine.

    Armour is dessicated pig thyroid hormone, and contains both T3 and T4. You will not need Cytomel when on Armour.


    How often are they testing your free T3 and free T4, to see where your thyroid is at?
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
    I always feel great about 6 weeks to several months after my dosage is upped, then I start feeling the symptoms again. If you're feeling good now, great! But keep track of how you're feeling and don't be afraid to call your Dr. 6 months from now and ask to have your levels tested again.


    Are you on a synthetic T4 only med, like Synthroid or Levothyroxine? I'm wondering if your body is struggling to convert your T4 into T3, which is why you feel good at first (extra T4 for converting) but struggle again afterwards.

    Also, have you had antibodies tested to look for autoimmune thyroid issues?
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
    I recently had my cyotmel dosage doubled, (3 weeks ago), and had these labs run last week. The results were:

    Test Description Result Range Units
    Thyroxine (T4)001149 8.1 4.5-12.0 ug/dL
    T3 Uptake001156 31 24-39 %
    Free Thyroxine Index 2.5 1.2-4.9

    TSH+T4F+T3Free

    Test Description Result Range Units
    TSH004264 0.047 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL
    Triiodothyronine,Free,
    Serum010389 3.6 2.0-4.4 pg/mL
    T4,Free(Direct)019745 1.29 0.82-1.77 ng/dL

    For as much as I know, I think things look okay? I feel TONS better, and I've lost about 3 pounds. What do you guys think?

    Replied on the other thread but repeating here just in case.

    Not sure why your doc bothered running the T3 uptake or the T4 index. This was a way of indirectly calculating free T4, when they didn't have a free T4 test that was available and accurate. Are you paying for the tests at all...? If so these don't need to be run, most likely.

    Your free T3 looks pretty good! I'd want it a smidge higher but hopefully it will go up a little on the dose you're on. Did your doc tell you to get your labs first thing, and to take your cytomel *after* the labs? If you take it before it can artificially inflate your free T3 (because it floods your body with free T3, that gets bound to carrier proteins later).
  • ashleyapplewhite
    ashleyapplewhite Posts: 83 Member
    I recently had my cyotmel dosage doubled, (3 weeks ago), and had these labs run last week. The results were:

    Test Description Result Range Units
    Thyroxine (T4)001149 8.1 4.5-12.0 ug/dL
    T3 Uptake001156 31 24-39 %
    Free Thyroxine Index 2.5 1.2-4.9

    TSH+T4F+T3Free

    Test Description Result Range Units
    TSH004264 0.047 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL
    Triiodothyronine,Free,
    Serum010389 3.6 2.0-4.4 pg/mL
    T4,Free(Direct)019745 1.29 0.82-1.77 ng/dL

    For as much as I know, I think things look okay? I feel TONS better, and I've lost about 3 pounds. What do you guys think?

    Replied on the other thread but repeating here just in case.

    Not sure why your doc bothered running the T3 uptake or the T4 index. This was a way of indirectly calculating free T4, when they didn't have a free T4 test that was available and accurate. Are you paying for the tests at all...? If so these don't need to be run, most likely.

    Your free T3 looks pretty good! I'd want it a smidge higher but hopefully it will go up a little on the dose you're on. Did your doc tell you to get your labs first thing, and to take your cytomel *after* the labs? If you take it before it can artificially inflate your free T3 (because it floods your body with free T3, that gets bound to carrier proteins later).

    I took the T3 after the blood draw. I was just happy my T3 was higher. I also just switched from generic to non-generic (Cytomel). I feel no different on the cytomel.....we'll see. Next blood draw is January 18!
  • candypa
    candypa Posts: 73 Member
    The Armour product - Do you need a prescription for this? Where do you purchase at?
  • islandmonkey
    islandmonkey Posts: 546 Member
    The Armour product - Do you need a prescription for this? Where do you purchase at?

    Yes, you need a prescription for any thyroid hormones, either synthetic or natural/dessicated.

    I'm in Canada so not sure where you can get it in the US, but I know my local pharmacy will order it in for me. I think I've heard people say that Walgreens carries it?

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