Lab results - sky high antibodies

[Jenn1302]

I went to see a new endocrinologist and they said these results were normal and in the middle of the normal range (with the exception of the antibodies):
TSH: 2.6 (.35-4.9)
Free T4 0.95 (.89-1.89)
T3, total: 96 (60-181)
Anti TPO AB: 1118 (<5)

This is the third endocrinologist I've seen so far and they didn't check my FT3 levels. My FT4 is at the bottom 6%, which is far from 50% and they claim it's normal and in the middle of the range. My TPO antibodies seem to increasing very rapidly and I don't know how to stop them (they were 130 two years ago, in the 400's-800's last year and now they're in the 1100's).  I have symptoms that come and go, but all 3 endocrinologists seem to think they are not related to my thyroid. Am I hypo??

I've pretty much given up on endocrinologists at this point. Any advice would be appreciated.

Previous thyroid labs:
Sep 2014:
T4 serum free: 0.97 ng/dL (0.7-1.48)
TSH: 2.16 u[iU]/mL (.4-3.98)
T3 free serum: 2.4 pg/mL 2-3.9
Thyroid peroxide ab: 781iu/ml (<5) H
TSI: 44% (<140) August 2014

April 2014:
TSH 1.7
Free T4 1.2
Thyroglobulin Ab: 83.9 IU/mL (<19.0) H
TPO ab: 420 IU/mL (<34) H

Nov 2013 - Mar 2014:
TSH 3.8-4.2 mIU/L
free T4 1.0-1.2  (range: 0.9-1.7)
(had lots of hypo symptoms)

mid 2013:
borderline low TSH
normal free T4

2011:
very low TSH
borderline high Free T4
(had lots of hyper symptoms and was told I was hyper)

[Barb135]

What are the reference ranges for your T4 and T3?  Reference ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report... Also, were those Free T4 and Free T3 or were they Total T4 and Total T3?  They aren't the same tests and don't provide the same information.

It looks like your doctor should not have decreased your Armour... Did she do that because of the low TSH?  TSH is often low/suppressed when one is taking a medication containing a T3 component, such as desiccated hormones or when one simply is taking an adequate dose of any thyroid hormone.

Your Free T4 may be too low and you might simply need to add a small dose of T4 to your Armour, depending on the reference ranges for your T4 and T3...

Your high TPOab indicates that you have Hashimoto's, which is the #1 cause of hypothyroidism in the developed world.  

[Glambaby2004]

My results are high on some and low on others.. Thyroglobulin 1.0. TSH ultra 0.021.  Free thyroxine 0.90.  Thyroid peroxide 204. T3 5.6 so far I haven't really found a great dr. Mine is trying her best but she's not a specialist. I'm taking Amour 90 and she had decreased it from 115. I feel terrible

[gimel]

Vitamin D needs to be about 55-60.  B12 needs to be in the very upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 60 for women.  As for the diabetes, I know that the A1C is not always reliable as a diagnostic.  And  that is about the full extent of my knowledge of diabetes.  LOL  I suggest that you go over to the diabetes forum and talk to some of the knowledgeable members there, just to see if you should pursue farther with a doctor.  

Sending PM with doctor info.  To access, just click on your name and then from your personal page, click on messages.

[Jenn1302]

Thank you for your response. I live in the Boston area.

My vitamin D and ferritin levels are low, but my B-12 levels are normal (mid-high). I had a thyroid ultrasound several moths ago and it showed increased vascularity and mild thyroid enlargement.

I've been tested for diabetes several times and have been told that I don't have it (my a1c levels are also normal). I do suffer from frequent hypoglycemia (this is the opposite of diabetes right?).

[gimel]

You have a lot of symptoms that are frequently related to being hypothyroid, which is consistent with your Free T3 and Free T4 levels that are too low in the range.  So you need to find a good thyroid doctor that will treat you clinically, by adjusting FT3 and FT4 levels as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  If you will tell us your location, perhaps we can recommend a doctor for you.  

When you see another doctor, I also suggest that you should test for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  Hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for those as well, which can cause symptoms, and also affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.  Also, since you mentioned that the symptoms seem to be inconsistent, it might also be a good idea to get an ultrasound of your thyroid gland.  

You also listed a symptom of frequent urination, and dehydration, which made me think that  you should test for the possibility of diabetes just to be sure.   Note the following.


Common warnings signs of diabetes include:

    Increased thirst
    Increased hunger (especially after eating)
    Dry mouth
    Frequent urination or urine infections
    Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
    Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
    Blurred vision
    Headaches

[Jenn1302]

Thank you for your response.

Symptoms:
Very dry itchy skin/eczema (comes and goes on a weekly basis).
Enlarged pores on face and mild acne (I have this most days)
Dark circles under eyes (I've had them for the past 3-4 years and they won't go away, no matter how much sleep I get)
Paleness (comes and goes on a daily basis)
Moderate dehydration (pretty consistent)
Heart racing (mainly in the morning and after eating, but not everyday)
PVCs/PACs that make it difficult to breathe for a split second (some days)
Muscle pain (mainly when I'm sitting too long)
Innocent heart murmur (this one is new)
Stiff muscles (comes and goes on a daily basis)
Excessive sleep (comes and goes on a daily/weekly/monthly basis)
Frequent urination (I don't know if this one is related)
Muscle spasms (come and go on a daily basis and alleviated by drinking large quantities of fluids throughout the day)
Loose stool/diarrhea (I've had this on and off for a couple of months)
Mild goiter (comes and goes)
Thinning hair (I'm shedding hair like crazy all the time)
Impaired short term memory (seems to be getting worse overtime)
Puffiness under eyes (comes and goes depending on the day)
Nausea

My symptoms are pretty unpredictable. Some days I get them and some days I don't. Sometimes they disappear for a week or even a month or so and then come back.

[gimel]

Your test results and history say that you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and are hypothyroid.  Unfortunately many doctors are hung up on TSH as being all they need to diagnose and treat a thyroid patient.  Just because Free T4 and Free T3 are within the ranges doesn't mean that is adequate for you.  Due to the erroneous method used to establish the ranges, they are far too broad to be functional across their entire breadth for most hypo patient.  Many of say that symptom relief required Free T4 at the middle of its range, at minimum, and Free T3 in the upper part of its range, or as necessary to relieve symptoms.

Before going further, please tell us about your symptoms.  Also, what did you mean that symptoms come and go?  Over what time frame?