can we use armour to raise ft3 during pregnancy?

[coyle]

How can I get the ft3 levels up? The can keep raising the synthroid but will be too high before ft3 is ideal and this dr *****!

[coyle]

Now the t3 level is 18 where 22-35 is in range. t4 is 16 (12.5 is max there) ft4 is midrange at 2.8 (1.8-3.8 in range.) Guess we couldn't get armour if we wanted to now. My GP wants us to go back through that endo who said he only wanted to monitor tsh. I suspect he isn't going to do anythign about the t3 levels and just up the dose of synthroid to 150. We are just entering the 3rd trimester. Are these borderline low t3 levels dangerous? I keep hearing from the medical community that the baby will take what it need first but not from researchers and forums. Any input is appreciated as we have an app't in a week with the endo. Thanks and God Bless!

[coyle]

the last test has the tsh at 1 so that's great. The ft4 was 1.2 from a range between 0.8-1.8 and they didn't do a ft3, but that was the obgyn; we have another test to do for the endo and that should test for ft3. I should know by Jan12th. We've started taking the med at night because I read a study that showed it was better for absorption. The tsh range is around .50 - 3.0 and 1 is considered pretty much where is should be. If the ft3 is low we are going to get cytomel either from the endo or if he won't do it from my gp. Have to wait 4 hours after eating before taking synthroid at night but it seems to work ok. They've still got us on the 137 so I guess it didn't need raising just yet.

[magpieannie]

Dpleiman is right. Get lots of second opinions from doctors, because you are pregnant, before making any moves. Also, to make sure that there really is an issue to even be concerned about! The thyroid world is very complicated and there are very differing opinions between experts. What have you heard that the recommended levels are during pregnancy?

[dpleiman]

Being pregnant i would be really careful about what treatment to use or changing treatment during the pregnancy..

Is the FT3 outside of the norm range? if so by how much?

FT3 can have some ugly side effects including but not limited to heart palps, hot flashes, diarreah and "hyperthyroid" symptoms, which aren't fun..

Depending on far you are in the pregnancy and how much your levels are off to me would determine what route to take..

you stated they keep raising Synthroid but will be too high before T3 is ideal, what are the levels now? Do you have a conversion problem? have they done tests to rule out resistence or conversion issues?

[laura1967]

You could ask your Dr to try Cytomel which is a T3 med. Added to your synthroid, you can raise each level individually......I am on both.
Sounds like you need to start your search for new Dr! :)