Aa
Dad
Hi. I’ve had extreme fatigue, depression, muscle weakness and pain, erectile dysfunction, stopped having dreams, dry skin and hair, gained 8 lbs suddenly, BP spikes, constipation, back and joint pains, etc... for a year now.
Turned 50 ironically at this same time and was in best physical and mental shape of my life.
I’ve been on trt for 7 years and 6 of these years have been the best era of my life.
Well, that came to an immediate halt a year ago and turned into the worst period.
During this time got diagnosed with vitamin d deficiency at 15.2. Got that to 44.9 in 2 months. Was hoping that was the problem. Doesn’t seem like it.
Scheduled to see an endo in two weeks but am continuously trying to figure this out because my “life” has pretty much ended and would really like it back.
I’ve been wondering if my thyroid is the issue.
Here’s my labs:
T3 free-3.2(2.8-5.3)
T4 free-.6(.7-1.9) looking back 5 years this is always under range even when feeling “great”
TSH-3.02(.40-4.70)has been gradually rising
T3 reverse-13(10-24)
Thyroperoxide-1.0(<9.0)
Thyroglobulin-1.8(<4.0)
Anyway, it’s been really aweful and am looking for help and advice.
I’m having a sleep study done soon too but I’m 90% sure that’s not it. Don’t snore and am not obese.
My symptoms have many hypothyroidism related ones.
People have suggested this is my problem. GP doesn’t think so. He referred me to endo as I said to hopefully figure this out.
Sorry for the long post but you guys seem really smart and I am trying to narrow this down so this year doesn’t turn out like last year.
Thank you
Jeff
Turned 50 ironically at this same time and was in best physical and mental shape of my life.
I’ve been on trt for 7 years and 6 of these years have been the best era of my life.
Well, that came to an immediate halt a year ago and turned into the worst period.
During this time got diagnosed with vitamin d deficiency at 15.2. Got that to 44.9 in 2 months. Was hoping that was the problem. Doesn’t seem like it.
Scheduled to see an endo in two weeks but am continuously trying to figure this out because my “life” has pretty much ended and would really like it back.
I’ve been wondering if my thyroid is the issue.
Here’s my labs:
T3 free-3.2(2.8-5.3)
T4 free-.6(.7-1.9) looking back 5 years this is always under range even when feeling “great”
TSH-3.02(.40-4.70)has been gradually rising
T3 reverse-13(10-24)
Thyroperoxide-1.0(<9.0)
Thyroglobulin-1.8(<4.0)
Anyway, it’s been really aweful and am looking for help and advice.
I’m having a sleep study done soon too but I’m 90% sure that’s not it. Don’t snore and am not obese.
My symptoms have many hypothyroidism related ones.
People have suggested this is my problem. GP doesn’t think so. He referred me to endo as I said to hopefully figure this out.
Sorry for the long post but you guys seem really smart and I am trying to narrow this down so this year doesn’t turn out like last year.
Thank you
Jeff
Hypothyroidism tends to lower stomach acid, so vitamins and minerals are not absorbed as well. Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin are important to a hypothyroid patient. Vitamin D needs to be at least 50 ng/mL. B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 100.
The beginning of my hypothyroid journey was so long ago that I don't think that my TSH was ever over the range. That is why I had so much trouble getting diagnosed for so long. I was never diagnosed with Hashi's, either, but I experienced the hyper period followed by full hypothyroidism, similar to Hashi's. So I really can't be sure of the cause.
The beginning of my hypothyroid journey was so long ago that I don't think that my TSH was ever over the range. That is why I had so much trouble getting diagnosed for so long. I was never diagnosed with Hashi's, either, but I experienced the hyper period followed by full hypothyroidism, similar to Hashi's. So I really can't be sure of the cause.
Even though you mentioned that your TSH levels had been rising, they are still not high enough to get a doctor's attention, plus your TPO ab and TG ab tests were negative, so no evidence of primary hypothyroidism. This leaves central hypothyroidism, which is a dysfunction in the hypothalamus/pituitary system which results in TSH levels that inadequately stimulate the thyroid gland. Doctors like to think that central hypothyroidism is rare, but in reality it is only rarely diagnosed because of the fixation on TSH, or as some call it "The Immaculate TSH Belief". A good thyroid doctor will pay much more attention to signs/symptoms that occur more frequently with hypothyroidism, and also relative levels of FT4 and FT3, along with Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.
By the way, sleep apnea can be one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, so personally I would wait until you get your hypothyroidism diagnosed and adequately treated and then see if there is really a need for the sleep study.
By the way, sleep apnea can be one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism, so personally I would wait until you get your hypothyroidism diagnosed and adequately treated and then see if there is really a need for the sleep study.
1 Comments
Lol. I had two sleep studies with .2 events per hour. Just wanted to write that off for dr.
Well, the Endo you helped me discover hopefully will understand what you’ve taught me.
Should I be surprised my B12 and ferritin haven’t been considered? I don’t know what is actually important for my symptoms anymore.
There is a reason my t3 and T4 are inadequate. Boy, I wish i could know why. I guess as you know, I just need to get those risen up by medication treatment. Seems like you may have had the same issues. How high was your TSH again? Sorry to ask that question as i know it irritates you.
Also, as far as sleep, they say hypothyroid can really screw up your sleeping and having dreams and things. During this whole time I have very ineffective sleep and hardly any dreams. If I do dream they are evil and weird. When I felt good I dreamt all the time and they see usually pleasurable. So many bad symptoms have a accumulated during this very long year of misery.
Well, the Endo you helped me discover hopefully will understand what you’ve taught me.
Should I be surprised my B12 and ferritin haven’t been considered? I don’t know what is actually important for my symptoms anymore.
There is a reason my t3 and T4 are inadequate. Boy, I wish i could know why. I guess as you know, I just need to get those risen up by medication treatment. Seems like you may have had the same issues. How high was your TSH again? Sorry to ask that question as i know it irritates you.
Also, as far as sleep, they say hypothyroid can really screw up your sleeping and having dreams and things. During this whole time I have very ineffective sleep and hardly any dreams. If I do dream they are evil and weird. When I felt good I dreamt all the time and they see usually pleasurable. So many bad symptoms have a accumulated during this very long year of misery.
I think it is gross negligence that the doctor has been so fixated on TSH, and ignored that your FT4 was below range, and FT3 being only 16 % of its range. So I will explain why I say that. If you don't want to get into this detail, then just skip over it; however, the more you know the better advocate you will be for yourself, to assure that you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
The basic problem is that most doctors just follow the AACE/ATA Guidelines for Hypothyroidism, that assume hypothyroidism is due to "inadequate thyroid hormone". Unfortunately that is only part of the picture. The correct definition of hypothyroidism is insufficient T3 effect in tissues throughout the body, due to inadequate supply of, or response to, thyroid hormone. " This definition takes into account that there are numerous processes and variables that affect Tissue T3 Effect. The level of Tissue T3 Effect determines whether you are hypothyroid, euthyroid, or hyperthyroid. Unfortunately again, the Guidelines only recognize a need to test for TSH (as a surrogate for FT4 level), and if above range, a confirmatory test for FT4. The upper range limit for TSH is set higher than would be expected, in order to avoid excessive false positive diagnoses. Instead it results in excessive false negatives diagnoses. If either test is in range then the diagnosis is that there is no thyroid issue.
This practice is totally inadequate. TSH is not an adequate surrogate test for FT4 since it has been shown to have only a weak correlation with FT4. Also, a confirmatory test for FT4 is also inadequate because only test results from patients with TSH levels above range are excluded. Thus the FT4 ranges established by each lab are not well standardized among different test machine manufacturers, generally validated, or based on large data bases of healthy adults with no thyroid pathology. Clinically hypothyroid patients with TSH within the reference range, people with hidden pathologies such as undiagnosed central hypothyroidism or autoimmune disease, and patients taking thyroid medication can all be included in the database. The range limits are then calculated to exclude only 2.5 % of test results at the low end of the range. So the probability of a confirmatory FT4 test actually being below the range limit is minimal.
When you look at the correct definition of hypothyroidism, TSH is inadequate as the primary diagnostic, since it has only a weak correlation with Free T4 and a negligible correlation with Tissue T3 Effect. Per the Guidelines, Free T3 is seldom tested based on the assumption that T4 always converts to T3 as needed, which has been conclusively shown to be wrong. The most important indicator, patient signs/symptoms, is most often totally ignored. And because of the additional processes/variables, serum FT4 and FT3 have only a weak correlation with Tissue T3 Effects.
So the most important thing for a hypothyroid patient is to find a good thyroid doctor that understands all this and is willing to treat a hypothyroid patient clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms without being influenced by resultant TSH levels. Hopefully the new doctor you will be seeing understands all this and is willing to diagnose and treat clinically. I have some other info I want to get to you so I am sending a PM. To access, just click on your name and then from your personal page,click on messages.
The basic problem is that most doctors just follow the AACE/ATA Guidelines for Hypothyroidism, that assume hypothyroidism is due to "inadequate thyroid hormone". Unfortunately that is only part of the picture. The correct definition of hypothyroidism is insufficient T3 effect in tissues throughout the body, due to inadequate supply of, or response to, thyroid hormone. " This definition takes into account that there are numerous processes and variables that affect Tissue T3 Effect. The level of Tissue T3 Effect determines whether you are hypothyroid, euthyroid, or hyperthyroid. Unfortunately again, the Guidelines only recognize a need to test for TSH (as a surrogate for FT4 level), and if above range, a confirmatory test for FT4. The upper range limit for TSH is set higher than would be expected, in order to avoid excessive false positive diagnoses. Instead it results in excessive false negatives diagnoses. If either test is in range then the diagnosis is that there is no thyroid issue.
This practice is totally inadequate. TSH is not an adequate surrogate test for FT4 since it has been shown to have only a weak correlation with FT4. Also, a confirmatory test for FT4 is also inadequate because only test results from patients with TSH levels above range are excluded. Thus the FT4 ranges established by each lab are not well standardized among different test machine manufacturers, generally validated, or based on large data bases of healthy adults with no thyroid pathology. Clinically hypothyroid patients with TSH within the reference range, people with hidden pathologies such as undiagnosed central hypothyroidism or autoimmune disease, and patients taking thyroid medication can all be included in the database. The range limits are then calculated to exclude only 2.5 % of test results at the low end of the range. So the probability of a confirmatory FT4 test actually being below the range limit is minimal.
When you look at the correct definition of hypothyroidism, TSH is inadequate as the primary diagnostic, since it has only a weak correlation with Free T4 and a negligible correlation with Tissue T3 Effect. Per the Guidelines, Free T3 is seldom tested based on the assumption that T4 always converts to T3 as needed, which has been conclusively shown to be wrong. The most important indicator, patient signs/symptoms, is most often totally ignored. And because of the additional processes/variables, serum FT4 and FT3 have only a weak correlation with Tissue T3 Effects.
So the most important thing for a hypothyroid patient is to find a good thyroid doctor that understands all this and is willing to treat a hypothyroid patient clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms without being influenced by resultant TSH levels. Hopefully the new doctor you will be seeing understands all this and is willing to diagnose and treat clinically. I have some other info I want to get to you so I am sending a PM. To access, just click on your name and then from your personal page,click on messages.
2 Comments
Unbelievable.
How can these ranges be used and drs
fall for this. They are supposed to be so smart and there job is to take care of us with our hard earned money and efforts to fix things and stay healthy or get healthy? So many people have no chance and are gonna be put on anti depressants. That attempt has been put on me already. Glad I’m not that naive and know that something is clearly wrong with me. These poor people who put their trust and well being into their drs “professionalism “” are screwed so many times and are never going to be healthy or happy. It’s a absolutele crime. Why can’t they keep up with the times. Fortunately some modern physicians are up to date. I’m hoping mine has that mindset.
I’ve read quite a bit of your papers and have learned a lot of what really matters.
Even though with old fashioned ranges I still should be diagnosed with hypothyroidism let alone obvious symptoms.
You’re a great dude and really a hero for battling all those years when you definitely shouldn’t have had too. It sure isn’t easy and almost not survivable so many times because of unbelievable fatigue, depression and just feeling no chance of help or understanding. Way to go! You have battled your *** off and I so much hope you are happy and healthy finally.
My endo thinks my next step is finding a rheumatologist and getting checked for MS or lupus. Maybe I do have something like that but when a dudes symptoms and numbers aren’t even in range even with archaic ranges, something should be attempted as far as a trial of thyroid treatment or whatever the situation is.
Alright, thanks a lot and I’ll keep in touch.
God bless.
How can these ranges be used and drs
fall for this. They are supposed to be so smart and there job is to take care of us with our hard earned money and efforts to fix things and stay healthy or get healthy? So many people have no chance and are gonna be put on anti depressants. That attempt has been put on me already. Glad I’m not that naive and know that something is clearly wrong with me. These poor people who put their trust and well being into their drs “professionalism “” are screwed so many times and are never going to be healthy or happy. It’s a absolutele crime. Why can’t they keep up with the times. Fortunately some modern physicians are up to date. I’m hoping mine has that mindset.
I’ve read quite a bit of your papers and have learned a lot of what really matters.
Even though with old fashioned ranges I still should be diagnosed with hypothyroidism let alone obvious symptoms.
You’re a great dude and really a hero for battling all those years when you definitely shouldn’t have had too. It sure isn’t easy and almost not survivable so many times because of unbelievable fatigue, depression and just feeling no chance of help or understanding. Way to go! You have battled your *** off and I so much hope you are happy and healthy finally.
My endo thinks my next step is finding a rheumatologist and getting checked for MS or lupus. Maybe I do have something like that but when a dudes symptoms and numbers aren’t even in range even with archaic ranges, something should be attempted as far as a trial of thyroid treatment or whatever the situation is.
Alright, thanks a lot and I’ll keep in touch.
God bless.
One thing that has me focused now even after pituitary MRI and prolactin test, why is my TSH not much higher with inadequate t3 and T4 levels. It’s gotta be a pituitary issue, right?
I’m sure I’m hypothyroid but if my TSH would rise up and t would be absolutely confirmed. Something is wrong with my pituitary I believe but we didn’t find it.
I’m sure I’m hypothyroid but if my TSH would rise up and t would be absolutely confirmed. Something is wrong with my pituitary I believe but we didn’t find it.
You are very welcome. Please let us know how things progress.
1 Comments
Hey bud. After a bunch of tests and pituitary MRI I don’t have Cushings.
I suggested to her(endo) that i should do a trail of hypothyroid treatment because number wise and symptoms wise I am hypothyroid. She said it would be irresponsible to go that route. She thinks my next step should be autoimmune issues. Unreal.
Well, because of you I found another dr that you suggested. I see him in 12 Days. I have a decent feeling I’m gonna get treated.
5 or 6 years ago I noticed my T4 was similar to now with TSH at 1.4. I felt good then
In the last year of feeling terrible by TSH is rising(was 3.02 two months ago and I’m guessing higher now) and my T4 has remained under range. I’m sure new specialist will check again.
Is there anything to this? Is there a point where you simply can’t tske low T4 anymore and just fall apart? Does rising TSH play into this possibly?
I hope you’re well and unfortunately(lol) I need to bother you again.
I suggested to her(endo) that i should do a trail of hypothyroid treatment because number wise and symptoms wise I am hypothyroid. She said it would be irresponsible to go that route. She thinks my next step should be autoimmune issues. Unreal.
Well, because of you I found another dr that you suggested. I see him in 12 Days. I have a decent feeling I’m gonna get treated.
5 or 6 years ago I noticed my T4 was similar to now with TSH at 1.4. I felt good then
In the last year of feeling terrible by TSH is rising(was 3.02 two months ago and I’m guessing higher now) and my T4 has remained under range. I’m sure new specialist will check again.
Is there anything to this? Is there a point where you simply can’t tske low T4 anymore and just fall apart? Does rising TSH play into this possibly?
I hope you’re well and unfortunately(lol) I need to bother you again.
Yes, clearly hypothyroidism. Yes, I expect cortisol will not show as a problem. Low or high cortisol can have an additive adverse effect on thyroid issues, but are not the basic cause for your symptoms.
1 Comments
I just set an appointment with one of the facilities you suggested in Madison. I see him on Tuesday. thanks
At least middle of the range. In the following link, check the list of 26 symptoms that are typical of hypothyroidism. You will find your symptoms there.
http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html
http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html
1 Comments
Yes. Those symptoms seem to be mostly what I have. I’ve also noticed my pulse has gotten slower while blood pressure can be 128/72 or 155/90. Pulse is down to 52 sometimes.
Something is really wrong.
You think my cortisol is going to be good though?
You think it’s all hypo right?
I just want to know what it is at this point.
Something is really wrong.
You think my cortisol is going to be good though?
You think it’s all hypo right?
I just want to know what it is at this point.
TSH rising last 5 years
JBoneske
I've posted a few weeks back about hypothyroidism. Havent seen endo yet but they are doing cortisol before appointment because they have my thyroid numbers.
below range free t4 at .6. . 7 is bottom of range. low 16% of free t3 range. so neither good.
anyway, I don't know much about this. my free T4 has been under range for at least 5 years.
looking at my TSH numbers they have gone from 1.72 to 3.02 in like 4 years. I've had terrible symptoms in the last year coincidentally as my TSH has risen.
Does this mean that I cant take low T4 levels anymore and my body is trying to make up for it by pushing more TSH?
_______________________________________________
A rising TSH can mean primary hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis); however, your tests for TPO ab and TG ab were negative. Also, the increase in TSH is not all that large considering everything that can affect it. Far more important is that your FT4 and FT3 together were too low in the range and causing your hypo symptoms. Your D was low, but you have supplemented to optimize to at least 50 ng/mL. What about your B12 and ferritin? And we will find out about another important test soon: cortisol.
So the most important thing for you is to get a doctor to test and diagnose and treat clinically (for symptoms) by testing and adjusting FT4 and FT3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. Are you going to be seeing a good thyroid doctor soon?
1 Comments
Hopefully she is good. Seems like she may be by looking at my labs and ordering a 8 am cortisol tes before even seeing her. Maybe she already knows what is happening and can verify with high or low cortisol.
with my symptoms I feel like I could have Cushings. I know it's rare but it makes sense that its that or underactive thyroid.
I did contact one that you suggested and have been referred. They have called to set up appointment. I was gonna wait and see what endo says.
What do you think my cortisol might be?
thanks
with my symptoms I feel like I could have Cushings. I know it's rare but it makes sense that its that or underactive thyroid.
I did contact one that you suggested and have been referred. They have called to set up appointment. I was gonna wait and see what endo says.
What do you think my cortisol might be?
thanks
Yes, you should be diagnosed as hypo now. I just sent you a PM with info. To access, just click on your name and then from your personal page click on messages.
1 Comments
Well I talked to dr Georgia on the phone yesterday. She really gets it. Thanks for the list of options. Have an appointment early January if I need it.
She pretty much diagnosed me over the phone after giving numbers and symptoms.
The only issue is they dont take insurance.
I did talk to another option also who does accept insurance and need referral.
Anyway thanks for your help. I actually feel like I can get out of whatever has happened.
Physically though I just feel like I keep getting worse. It was so gradual about 13 months ago and now I’m in a deep hole. It’s been really rough.
It’s like I keep getting new symptoms. Now I’m cold all the time. This has been an experience I would love to forget. Pretty sure that’s not going to happen no matter how well I recover. If I do though I can’t imagine how thankful I’m be.
Thanks
She pretty much diagnosed me over the phone after giving numbers and symptoms.
The only issue is they dont take insurance.
I did talk to another option also who does accept insurance and need referral.
Anyway thanks for your help. I actually feel like I can get out of whatever has happened.
Physically though I just feel like I keep getting worse. It was so gradual about 13 months ago and now I’m in a deep hole. It’s been really rough.
It’s like I keep getting new symptoms. Now I’m cold all the time. This has been an experience I would love to forget. Pretty sure that’s not going to happen no matter how well I recover. If I do though I can’t imagine how thankful I’m be.
Thanks
Yes, with those symptoms and your low serum Free T4 and Free T3, it is hypothyroidism. Serum thyroid levels are not the only thing, however. Hypothyroidism is best defined as, "Inadequate T-3 effect in tissue throughout the body, due to inadequate supply of, or response to, thyroid hormones." If you look at Fig. 1 in the link I gave you above you can see the different processes and variables that create tissue T-3 effect. Serum thyroid levels may not accurately reflect tissue thyroid levels. Also, there are variables that affect the metabolism of thyroid hormone. Vitamin D, ferritin and cortisol are some of the more important ones that need to be optimized for you.
Also, there is information that agrees with your speculation about low testosterone being related to hypothyroidism.
The most important consideration for you, by far, is to find a good thyroid doctor. That does not necessarily mean an Endo. Many of them specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. Also most doctors have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only pay attention to that, which is wrong. If they test beyond TSH it is usually only Free T4 and then they use "Reference Range Endocrinology" by which they will tell you that a thyroid test result that falls anywhere within the range is adequate. That is also wrong, for a number of reasons. A good thyroid doctor will assess your family history, pay careful attention to your signs/symptoms, test your Free T4, Free T3, cortisol, Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin and make an integrated decision about treatment. If the Endo or your PCP are not willing to treat clinically, and prescribe T3 meds if needed, then you will need to look elsewhere for a good thyroid doctor.
If treatment is started, the med dosage will be continually increased until FT4 and FT3 levels rise enough to relieve symptoms. Depending on your starting dose, and the time interval the doctor uses for re-testing, this can take a while to get you to euthyroidism. If cortisol should show as a problem, that should be addressed even before starting on thyroid med. In addition to Vitamin D supplementation, if your B12 and ferritin are low, those must also be optimized. Recovery is not difficult if you have a good thyroid doctor.
If you are interested I have names of several doctors in the Madison/ Green Bay areas that have been recommended by other thyroid patients.
Also, there is information that agrees with your speculation about low testosterone being related to hypothyroidism.
The most important consideration for you, by far, is to find a good thyroid doctor. That does not necessarily mean an Endo. Many of them specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. Also most doctors have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and only pay attention to that, which is wrong. If they test beyond TSH it is usually only Free T4 and then they use "Reference Range Endocrinology" by which they will tell you that a thyroid test result that falls anywhere within the range is adequate. That is also wrong, for a number of reasons. A good thyroid doctor will assess your family history, pay careful attention to your signs/symptoms, test your Free T4, Free T3, cortisol, Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin and make an integrated decision about treatment. If the Endo or your PCP are not willing to treat clinically, and prescribe T3 meds if needed, then you will need to look elsewhere for a good thyroid doctor.
If treatment is started, the med dosage will be continually increased until FT4 and FT3 levels rise enough to relieve symptoms. Depending on your starting dose, and the time interval the doctor uses for re-testing, this can take a while to get you to euthyroidism. If cortisol should show as a problem, that should be addressed even before starting on thyroid med. In addition to Vitamin D supplementation, if your B12 and ferritin are low, those must also be optimized. Recovery is not difficult if you have a good thyroid doctor.
If you are interested I have names of several doctors in the Madison/ Green Bay areas that have been recommended by other thyroid patients.
1 Comments
Oh, thanks so much. I would love to get some contact info. As you indicated, I might likely need to see one of them.
Do you think my goal should be to be diagnose hypothyroid now?
I have a feeling I’ve been hypothyroid for many years and bad symptoms are starting to add up finally. I’ve had ed issues and poor sleep for along time but now I have 10 other bad things included. Is that possible?
Thanks again. I need to get started ASAP. Hopefully my endo is steeped in thyroid issues. If not I’m gonna need some one that you can recommend.
If it’s not under active thyroid I don’t know what else it could be.
All of my symptoms relate.
Do you think my goal should be to be diagnose hypothyroid now?
I have a feeling I’ve been hypothyroid for many years and bad symptoms are starting to add up finally. I’ve had ed issues and poor sleep for along time but now I have 10 other bad things included. Is that possible?
Thanks again. I need to get started ASAP. Hopefully my endo is steeped in thyroid issues. If not I’m gonna need some one that you can recommend.
If it’s not under active thyroid I don’t know what else it could be.
All of my symptoms relate.
In the words of an excellent thyroid doctor, "The free T3 is not as helpful in untreated persons as the free T4 because in the light of a rather low FT4 the body will convert more T4 to T3 to maintain thyroid effect as well as is possible. So the person with a rather low FT4 and high-in-range FT3 may still be hypothyroid. However, if the FT4 is below 1.3 and the FT3 is also rather low, say below 3.4 (range 2 to 4.4 at LabCorp) then its likely that hypothyroidism is the cause of a person's symptoms."
Your Free T4 is actually below range, and your Free T3 is only at 16 % of its range, and your doctor is telling you he doesn't think it is thyroid related, probably just because your TSH is in range. Time to either get this doctor to a better understanding of how to diagnose and treat hypothyroidism, or find a good thyroid doctor. By that I mean a doctor that will treat clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T4 and free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH results. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. Many of us have found that we needed FT4 at least mid-range, and Free T3 in the upper third of its range, and adjusted from there as needed to relieve symptoms.
You can confirm all this by reading the following link. I suggest reading at least the first two pages, and more, if you want to get into the discussion and scientific evidence for all that is recommended.
http://www.thyroiduk.org/tuk/TUK_PDFs/The%20Diagnosis%20and%20Treatment%20of%20Hypothyroidism%20%20August%202017%20%20Update.pdf
Also, you should be aware that hypothyroid patients are frequently deficient in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, so you need to get those tested and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50 ng/mL, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 100. All 3 are important for a hypo patient.
Your Free T4 is actually below range, and your Free T3 is only at 16 % of its range, and your doctor is telling you he doesn't think it is thyroid related, probably just because your TSH is in range. Time to either get this doctor to a better understanding of how to diagnose and treat hypothyroidism, or find a good thyroid doctor. By that I mean a doctor that will treat clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T4 and free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH results. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. Many of us have found that we needed FT4 at least mid-range, and Free T3 in the upper third of its range, and adjusted from there as needed to relieve symptoms.
You can confirm all this by reading the following link. I suggest reading at least the first two pages, and more, if you want to get into the discussion and scientific evidence for all that is recommended.
http://www.thyroiduk.org/tuk/TUK_PDFs/The%20Diagnosis%20and%20Treatment%20of%20Hypothyroidism%20%20August%202017%20%20Update.pdf
Also, you should be aware that hypothyroid patients are frequently deficient in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, so you need to get those tested and then supplement as needed to optimize. D should be at least 50 ng/mL, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 100. All 3 are important for a hypo patient.
1 Comments
Ok. Thanks. I’m learning a lot. Never would have thought of this as a likely cause of my problems until people on these boards started asking about my thyroid levels. Are you saying I am hypothyroid? Probably a dumb question.
Also, I just had Vitamin d at 15.2 two months ago. It’s up to 44.9 now but symptoms haven’t gotten any better. Did not know they had any relationship. Don’t know what that relationship is yet. Either way it appears they may have both affected me this past year. Also will look at B and ferritin.
It looks like thIs will be my focus now. Hopefully endo will see this too. It’s been a bad bad time and I’m running out of options.
Actually kind of optimistic now that I can get this behind me soon and hopefully get my healthy life back.
Makes me wonder if this is the reason for me having low testosterone before replacement therapy and also dealing with quite a bit of insomnia for years. Maybe they are all related.
If this is my deal, how difficult is it to recover?
Thanks a lot.
Jeff
Also, I just had Vitamin d at 15.2 two months ago. It’s up to 44.9 now but symptoms haven’t gotten any better. Did not know they had any relationship. Don’t know what that relationship is yet. Either way it appears they may have both affected me this past year. Also will look at B and ferritin.
It looks like thIs will be my focus now. Hopefully endo will see this too. It’s been a bad bad time and I’m running out of options.
Actually kind of optimistic now that I can get this behind me soon and hopefully get my healthy life back.
Makes me wonder if this is the reason for me having low testosterone before replacement therapy and also dealing with quite a bit of insomnia for years. Maybe they are all related.
If this is my deal, how difficult is it to recover?
Thanks a lot.
Jeff
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
