FINALLY Got FREE T3 Results..HELP!!

[froggy0936]

Please help me understand results! I still have been feeling like crap and here are the results of my bloodwork from 9/1/10. The results of the Free T4 did not come back from lab yet. Quick refresher of me..TT Dec 09. History of Renal cell carcinoma (kidney removed). Hashimoto's with nodules (TT), Psoriasis, Had Mono a few years ago (I'm almost 40 yrs old)...pretty crappy Autoimmune system, I guess. Tried Cytomel 2.5mg..had chest pain until I stopped it. Have been on 125mcg Synthroid for 3 to 4 months now.

Total T3 - 91 (Range 104-260)
T Uptake 0.87 (Range 0.66-1.27)
Total T4 - 9.1 (Range 4.5-12.0)
TSH - 0.470 (Range 0.400-4.000)
FREE T3 - 2.89 (Range 1.76-3.78)

Any advice you may have, I would appreciate it. I see a new Endo at the end of October. My current one dismisses me and my symptoms and I can't even get a return call out of them..well, barely. I feel tired, depressed, yet anxious. Terrible PMS, also.

Thank you!!!  

[LLLB]

Just called back to verify blood check and was told they were doing a complete panel.  I said are they specifically doing a FT 3 and they said again that it is a complete panel.  I guess I will know for sure when the test results come back.
Thanks for all your information.  I feel like a drowned rat right now.  Completely wasted.  

[goolarra]

Yes, there is a difference.  If they just order "T3", they will test total T3 rather than FREE T3, and total is not nearly as useful.  

[LLLB]

Had a other and it will be for T4, T3 and TSH  along with test for whatever they look for on fasting blood test.   I just now realize she said T3 and not F3.  Is there a difference?

[goolarra]

FT4 is only 22% of range, and many of us know that FT4 has to be closer to 50% of range before we feel well.  

The reference range you posted for TSH should be ignored.  0.3-3.0 is a much more reasonable and up-to-date range.  

Are you getting FT3 tested today?

[LLLB]

The reference range for the free T4 is 0.58-1.64.  The reference range for the THS is 0.34 to 5.60.  I've read how this is misdiagnosed when looking only at blood test. I don't know what to do now.    

[goolarra]

There is no need to fast for thyroid blood work.

Do you have the reference range on your FT4?  Assuming a fairly common range of 0.8-1.8, your FT4 is barely in range.  Thyroid test ranges are very flawed for a number of reasons, and most of us find that, based on when symptoms go away, we have to be close to the middle of the range.  Your FT4 appears very low.  

Some thyroid problems go away, but the leading cause of hypo in the developed world is Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune disease.  Once you have Hashi's, you have it for life.  

I'm betting you'd feel better back on thyroid meds.  

[LLLB]

Thank you for responding.  She did not do a FT3 test.  Also I thought these test were done while fasting.  I will have the fasting blood work in the morning.  Also am scheduled for CT scan of lump in the left side of my neck.  I told the nurse who called with my test results that I thought I should have a FT3 test.  No call back on what was decided.  I'm just tired of not feeling well.  Is it possible that the thyroid problems go away.  I was first told I had this problem 50 years ago.  Was diagnosed again 3 years ago.  Now I am fine supposedly.  Still feel crummy.

[goolarra]

What's the reference range on your FT4?  Ranges vary lab to lab, so they have to come from your own lab report.  Did she test FT3 as well?

Over ten years ago now, AACE recommended that TSH range be changed to 0.3-3.0.  Labs and doctors have been very slow to adopt that range.  According to the more updated and reasonable 0.3-3.0 range, you are hypo.

[LLLB]

am totally confused about test for Hypothyroidism.  Have been diagnosed by two other doctors in the past with this problem.  Was last on thyroid medication 3 years ago.  Now am having all the symptoms of a low thyroid.  The new doctor I am now seeing says I 'm in normal range on TSH 3.79 and the Free T4 is 0.82.  She does not want to put me back medication.  I am 72 years old and suffering from headaches, hair loss, nail problems, insomnia, weight gain and cold hands and feet.  Also have been diagnosed with bradycardia.  Would love to feel good again.  What else can I do?

[blsdnsvd]

Hey There..I'm hanging in and can't complain even if I feel like it..LOL.
My dose was increase a few weeks ago and I do not feel as exhausted as I have been but then again I jus started back "hard" in the gym so we will see. I still have symptoms, however they are not as bothersome.

Be sure to put it all on the table when you visit your new endo and his response will determine whether or not your complaints are important to him or not. Yes, since you haven't been taking the T3 Med, wait it out until you visit the Endo...God Bless You Girl..Talk to you Soon.

[froggy0936]

Hello there, my friend! :-) .....Hope you are feeling good! Are you??

Well. I don't know...I read Goolara's post and what I got out of it is that TSH doesn't mean all that much and maybe mine is being kept low because they did detect a bit of cancer?? That's not all I got out of it..by the way :-)

Guess I'll see what the new Endo has to say. I'm glad I have recent bloodwork to go in armed with. Just strange to me that the FT3 is so low and the FT4 is quite high. Also, wondering why he didn't decrease Synthroid before adding that small dose of Cytomel (if that's what I needed). I've just been continuing to take the 125mcg of Synthroid and that's it. Thought about breaking the 2.5 of Cytomel in half...but at this point, I might as well wait and see what the new Endo has to say.

Let me know how things are with you and thank you, as always!!!

[blsdnsvd]

In this thread on a very early post, I suggested that the TSH is indicating hyper instead of hypo and "goolara" clarified that for me in the post underneath mine....

[froggy0936]

Hypo..Hyper...What am I??? Thank God my new Endo will see me end of September instead of end of October! I am bringing these latest blood labs from beginning of Sept with me!

[euahome]

Good for you your CA is fine! You too have a good day!

[froggy0936]

Thank you for all replies. To euahome..no to the hypocalcemia..my calcium was fine and still is. I will check for any new comments this evening....gotta drag myself to work! Tired and anxious! you all have a good day!

[euahome]

Have you had hypocalcemia after TT? How are your CA levels now? Just asking, not suggesting anything..

[euahome]

You are absolutely right. Having a low TSH doesn't automatically mean you're hyper. Some people, like you, have conversion problems. While T4 suppresses TSH the person might actually be hypo due to low FT3. In that case the person usually does well on additional T3 therapy (should also be the right amount, 'cause too much too fast can backfire). But not everybody have conversion problems. So for many people a low TSH  does mean they're hyper. In froggy0936 case though that's probably where she should be (or maybe even with a lower TSH) due to cancer. My point is that each case is unique and one should really look at EVERYTHING to make a correct diagnosis. Sometimes it can take a long time.

[euahome]

I just wanted to add that I was both hyperthyroid and hypothyroid. That's how I know about the symptoms. Good luck!

[euahome]

I said what I said based on TSH, T4 and the symptoms. froggy0936, Your symptoms are the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis=hyper=too much meds. The hypo and hyper symptoms do often overlap. But since you had cancer they probably want your TSH suppressed. That's something you need to ask your doctors. Try to read posts on hyperthyroidism and you will see that many people have exactly the same symptoms as you do. And I repeat, based on my own experience and that of many, many people that the symptoms of hyper and hypo can be exactly the same.

[gimel]

Euahome has apparently based her diagnosis of hyper on your TSH of .47.  This ignores the fact that TSH is frequently suppressed when taking thyroid meds.  Having a TSH of .47 doesn't automatically mean that you are hyper.  You are hyper only when excessive levels of FT3 and FT4 cause hyper symptoms.  Symptoms and the levels of FT3 and FT4 really should define your thyroid state, not TSH.   My TSH has been .05 for over 25 years with no hyper symptoms.  In fact I had lingering hypo symptoms until learning here about the importance FT3 and getting my meds changed to include a source of T3.  

My doctors kept wanting to reduce my medication also, but I never agreed, because I knew how I felt and it sure wasn't hyper.

[froggy0936]

Just thinking out loud here...if I'm HYPER..as euahome thinks...wouldn't I have trouble sleeping, shaking, etc? I mean I do get anxiety..but my symptoms sound mostly HYPO to me. Lethargy, tingling in hands, brain fog, etc. I'm just trying to learn as much as I can here. I also read up on things, but it's very confusing to me and this brain fog doesn't help. Sometimes, I try to educate myself a bit and what I find makes me more anxious! Ha! For instance, my GP tells me my potassium is at the far low end of the range..I look on the internet and see it can cause muscle aches, fatigue, memory problems, anxiety, etc...everything I am now...plus this thyroid mess. Ahhh....I just want to feel like a normal person again.

Euahome...I think I mentioned (not sure)..at the beginning of my post that they did detect a very small amount of cancer and that I already had kidney cancer. I now have one kidney.

Thanks for all replies!  

[euahome]

I agree with you that TSH is very sensitive and is affected by many factors. But I still find it quite reliable. For example, It should be done in the morning before breakfast otherwise it's irrelevant etc. I'd be happy to discuss it further once I get a new computer that doesn't turn off all the time..lol

[euahome]

I always said that TSH should be used together with FT3 and FT4.

[euahome]

It's perfectly clear to me why you're having symptoms (too much meds) BUT... Since you had cancer they would normally try to supress your TSH. Did your endo mention it to you?! Maybe that's where they want to keep you... It would make sense then.