Help Analyzing My Results Before I See My Endo
Cassierocksalot
Posts: 266 Member
Okay, so after reading all of your horror stories (Thanks! lol) I called my specialist and insisted on having my TSH, T4 and T3 all tested. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's several years ago, but have seen many doctors since then due to moving around and none of them were willing to prescribe Cytomel. Don't even get me started on my their reaction to Armour, etc.
So I had some blood work done last week with a follow up appointment scheduled for the day after Christmas and just got my results back. According to the "suggested range" on the results I am doing okay, but I wanted to get your feedback; from people who have been living this drama and may be more familiar with appropriate levels.
TSH 1.49 (This was tested in August, with no change in dosage since January 2012 at 3.61; in January 2012 it was 361.77!!)
Free T4 1.37 (In January 2012 it was .21)
T3, total 124
My symptoms aren't too horrendous right now, but I've also been back on a regular workout/nutrient rich diet so that may be why. I'm just still so confused with this stuff, even after 10 years, and could really use any advise you all could offer me.
Thanks in advance!!
So I had some blood work done last week with a follow up appointment scheduled for the day after Christmas and just got my results back. According to the "suggested range" on the results I am doing okay, but I wanted to get your feedback; from people who have been living this drama and may be more familiar with appropriate levels.
TSH 1.49 (This was tested in August, with no change in dosage since January 2012 at 3.61; in January 2012 it was 361.77!!)
Free T4 1.37 (In January 2012 it was .21)
T3, total 124
My symptoms aren't too horrendous right now, but I've also been back on a regular workout/nutrient rich diet so that may be why. I'm just still so confused with this stuff, even after 10 years, and could really use any advise you all could offer me.
Thanks in advance!!
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Replies
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TSH isn't a good indicator of anything really.... and they tested total T3, not FT3 which would have actually shown how much usable T3 is in your system, and would also show if you're converting T4 into T3. Also - different labs use different ranges for the tests, so it would be helpful to know those as well.0
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Hi There,
There are two sights that I like and are really informative. So if you want, check out the two web sights below and then talk to your doctor. These really explain where you might want to be. I had to do a lot of reading to even start to understand what was going on with my thyroid. Just remember everyone is different.
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/hypothyroidism-000093.htm
Good luck and hang in there.
Ginny:flowerforyou:0 -
I'm sorry you are having such trouble. My doctor put me on cytomil AFTER my thyroid levels were normal to alleviate some of my symptoms, which it did. She lowered the synthroid when she added cytomil. She was willing to try armor, but related that the dosage can vary with each bottle and I decided against trying. Keep reading and looking for someone who will listen to you and knows how to prescribe0
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Thanks everyone!0
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TSH 1.49 (This was tested in August, with no change in dosage since January 2012 at 3.61; in January 2012 it was 361.77!!)
Free T4 1.37 (In January 2012 it was .21)
T3, total 124
My symptoms aren't too horrendous right now, but I've also been back on a regular workout/nutrient rich diet so that may be why. I'm just still so confused with this stuff, even after 10 years, and could really use any advise you all could offer me.
I agree with MmmDrop - you need to have your free T3 tested. 95-99.9% of the T3 hormone is bound to carrier proteins and not available for use by your body, and the total T3 test includes these protein-bound hormones. Free T3 just shows the amount usable by your body.
Hashi's is tough because you can end up all over the place - going hypo and hyper and back to hypo. Your best bet is to work at reducing your antibodies, and Stop The Thyroid Madness has good suggestions for that.
I really think you need to push for that free T3 test, and may need to push for Cytomel or a dessicated/natural thyroid med like Armour or Nature Thyroid. If your doc won't test you can get it done yourself (assuming you are in the US) for about $35. I'm in Canada but can get the info on that for you, if you want - I know lots of ladies who have used it. You just pay online and they email you the lab requisition, then get the results online.
Here's a website that lists doctors who are open to using Nature Thyroid, I would suggest potentially looking for a new doctor...
http://www.thyroiddoctors.com/
(Is this a new endo? Be prepared that they often focus just on diabetes and are NOT often up to speed on proper thyroid management)0 -
Thank you so much! He is new to me and definitely not up on anything new. You should have heard the dribble he was spouting! All about how T3 supplement doesn't really do anything and he doesn't find it necessary. In the end though, he agreed to add Cytomel as I was on it a few years ago and felt the best I've ever felt. He wants me to do a full blood panel in 7 weeks to see what kind of effects it's having on me and wants to see me in 8 to make sure I'm not having heart palpitations or anything. If I don't like how he takes it from there I will definitely be A) requesting a new referral from my PCP or
ordering these test myself. 0 -
You can always tell the old school doctors who have never had thyroid issues themselves!0
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