Is TSH of 9.780 within a okay range?61 female

[pattyo56]

Have been struggling for the last 2 years with brain fog.weight gain with poor appetite,always nodding off every time I sit down.Have even struggled to keep my eyes open while talking and driving.I am 60 and I could not imagine living another 5 or years struggling like this.I thought it was age and being a female having gone through the change at 55.

[Barb135]

Good luck at your appointment on Tuesday.  Unfortunately, Synthroid (or levothyroxine - generic) is the treatment of choice and what most doctors prescribe.  Since your doctor ordered the Total T3 instead of Free T3, I'd suspect that s/he might not be a real "modern" thyroid doctor and you might have to argue for your Armour.  

Do be sure to insist that Free T4 and Free T3 (not Total) be ordered with every blood work that's done in the future.  If your doctor refuses to do so, you may have to be prepared to find another doctor to manage your thyroid.  Some of us have been through multiple doctors to find a good thyroidologist.  I, personally, am still looking for one, since my old endo went out of practice in 2015.

I'll be looking for your update on Tuesday.

By the way, T4 meds (such as Synthroid) are not so bad, as long as the doctor is willing to prescribe a T3 med to go along with it, if needed.  I started out on Synthroid, but didn't do so well on it. I've been on generic levo, Tirosint (gel cap) and am now on Levoxyl, which is another brand of T4.  I did well on Tirosint, but the cost was prohibitive for me; I've done equally well on Levoxyl, but I do need a small T3 "kicker" to go along with it, which I also needed with Tirosint. Just like our doctors, we should be open to most types of medications.  :-)

[Barb135]

Good that your doctor ordered the Free T4, not Total... Your Free T4 is only at 18% of its range... Most of us find that we feel better with FT4 about mid range and FT3 in the upper half to upper third of its range.  Your FT4 is a long ways from mid range, so it's no wonder you don't feel well.  

We don't know about your FT3, but while your TT3 is at 59% of range, we have to keep in mind that much of that is bound by protein and can't be used.  In addition, it often takes T3 longer to drop down, because all available T4 is being converted in order to keep us going.  

I would hope your doctor would be savvy enough to start you on thyroid medication without hesitation.

[pattyo56]

Thank you so much for your time and knowledge.I will be able to go into my appointment Tuesday with understanding and knowledge and be able to be a advocate for my care.From what I have read I do not want to be put on Synthroid but would like to try Armour Thyroid.I will be back Tuesday with a update.I have felt so horrid that I was even thinking I don't know if I want to be older and have to feel like this if not even worst as time went by.But know I know there is hope.Thank you again!!

[Barb135]

Please verify the T4... does it say Free T4 or Total T4?  The range looks like one we, typically, see for Free T4.  I'm sorry if I seem to be nit picking, but Total T4 and Free T4 aren't the same tests and they don't provide the same information.

Here's a quick lesson in thyroid hormones... Total T4 is the total amount of T4 circulating in your blood, but most of that is bound by protein and is unavailable for use.  The Free T4 is the amount that's not bound by protein and, therefore, is available for use... Free T4 isn't used directly, by the body; it must be converted to T3, which is used by almost all the individual cells in your body.  Like T4, most of the T3 in your blood is bound by protein and can't be used, which is why it's necessary to test for Free T3, so we know how much of the T3 is unbound and free to be used by our cells.

According to the TPOab result, you would be negative for Hashimoto's, but the doctor failed to order the other antibody test that's a marker for Hashimoto's, so you don't really know if you have it or not.  The other test you need is Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TgAb). Some of us with Hashimoto's have just one of the antibodies (either, TPOab or TgAb) and some have them both...

Oh - there's no question that you have a health issue.  The only question is whether your doctor is a good enough thyroid doctor to deem treatment necessary.  If he doesn't, run, don't walk to a different doctor...

[pattyo56]

It says T4 Free

[Barb135]

What are the reference ranges for the T3, Free T4 and TPOab?  Ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own reports.  

It's too bad the doctor ordered Total T3, instead of Free T3, since Total T3 doesn't give the same information, but it's better than nothing.

Was TPOab the only antibody test done?  Have you had a thyroid ultrasound yet?

[pattyo56]

Yes the TPOab was the only one.T3 total range is 80.00-200.00ng/dl....T4TOTAL-0.93-1.70ng/dl,,,,Thyroid Peroxidase 0.0-9.0 and the TSH range is o0.270-4.200 uIU/ml.Again thank you for your time.It is killing me having to wait till Tuesday to find out if I have a health issue or not.

[pattyo56]

On the peroxidase its IU/ml after the range numbers

[Barb135]

A TSH of 9.780 is not within range of any lab I've ever seen and is indicative of hypothyroidism. Is that the only thing that was tested?  Did your doctor not order Free T4 or Free T3?  Those are the actual thyroid hormones and should be tested every time TSH is tested.

TSH is a pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone, so it only gives part of the picture.  If you have results for, either, Free T4 or Free T3, please post those, along with corresponding reference ranges, which should be printed on the lab report beside the results.

Your symptoms are also indicative of hypothyroidism.  Your doctor should be willing to start you on a dosage of thyroid hormone medication, in an effort to alleviate your symptoms.

[pattyo56]

T3Total-128.70,T4 Free-1.07 and Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) ABS was 1.9.I am seeing my doctor Tuesday.He wanted blood work done first and I have My Chart which shows me everything medical including blood work once posted.thank you so much for your response.