MY LABS ARE IN..............

[blsdnsvd]

OK...for those whose followed my posts, i've requested bloodwork from my GP incuding FT3.....
The results are:

                     In Range                                    Out of Range                         Ref Range

TSH                                                                  16.29                                  0.40-4.50
FT3                 237                                                                                       2.30-4.20
FT4                 1.0                                                                                        0.8-1.8ng/dL

Compared to my last TSH results (13.76) in feb....this number is a bit higher and when my gp saw this, he wanted to increase my thyroid med to 100mcg from 75mcgs.....then he changed his mind and decided to wait... after i told him that my endo requested labs for end of April...realizing that we should give it time.

I was on Levo (generic) until a week ago and started on Synthroid...so far so good.  

As i suspected (due to the thyroid) , my Glucose level has increased and is now abit past abnormal. My heart rate is still abnormal as far as (skipping beats) and anyone who feels my pulse, can notice it. So....of course i am referred to a Cardiologist. I still feel exhausted at times (especially in the evening) and also have Anxiety symptoms and muscle cramps at times. I sure do feel the difference between having a thyroid and not having one.

So, as far as my FT3, although it is in normal range, @ low normal....is that actually considered a good range to feel ok????? Thanks for the advice, as always.

Barbara....

[Danni526]

I have been suffering from anxiety that was first brought about by being in the hyper range. Then I continued to have my doseage lowered because my symptoms appeared to be hyper related for months. Which then made me very hypo and with that more anxiety!!!!! Which made me more drained and achy! And more Anxious!!!! To the pint of not being able to function. UGH! I Now I am slowly increasing my dose and starting to actually feel a little bit better. My doctor had me increase to 125 for two weeks then up to 137. It did effect me but now I know with every dose change it is not magic and I may have symptoms that make me anxious- Because my body does not like change! I'm very sensitive to change and to things that dont feel right. Try to relax! Its been helping me through the change. My job is very stessful and when I come exhausted and not feeling right. I'm trying to put things into a different perspective. Instead of  coming home thinking what is wrong with me! And I cant live this way! I'm trying to give myself time to relax. And I'm trying to be more positive about things. Hopeful, Happy thoughts! Hope fell better soon!

[blsdnsvd]

I am surely learning all about this stuff...and my keeping a close eye on my Endo.
I am trying to get back into the gym not back into bed! LOL  

[goolarra]

FT3, FT4 and TSH all indicate hypo...no question about it.

FT4 is in the lower quarter of the range, and midrange is the rule of thumb for FT4.  Your FT3 is on the floor (a technical term!), and recommendation here is upper half to upper third of range.

I think your GP's initial reaction to raise your dose to 100 mcg was right.  If you're worried about anxiety issues, then 88 mcg is an acceptable compromise.  Has your FT4 come up at all since your last labs?

I wouldn't be concerned too much about FT3 right at the moment, but it is sooo good that you're establishing your history and can see how FT3 reacts to changes in FT4 and additional T4 meds.

Your endo has already said that once your labs are "normal", she's going to drop you to 50 mcg???  Oh, blsdnvd, I think you need a new endo...you just cannot say that at this point.  Is she planning on keeping you at 75 mcg "until your levels are normal"?  If so, it's never going to happen.

Your levels go down depending on the meds dosage.  Some people can tolerate getting on a therapeutic dose almost immediately or in a couple of quick steps.  Their levels will normalize much more quickly than those of us who have other issues and have to increase slowly.

[blsdnsvd]

We are talking about the endo who wants me to drop back to 50mcg's after my labs are normal??????? She feels that higher doses will make the anxiety worse but i don't think so.' If it's gonna take a higher dose of meds to get to normal status, why decrease the med's....(that will be my next question to her).

I am going to fax her over my labs and see if she suggests first, and if not, i will question it. My GP wanted to increase them yesterday

My surgery was in dec., so i am thinking it my levels will go down very slowly anyhow or does it depend on the dosage of med's....???

[laura1967]

You are hypo! That is probably why you are having heart palps and skips, glucose issues, muscle cramps, anxiety and exhaustion! You are being undertreated and should have had the increase to at least 88 to start out with. Know wonder you are exhausted....I would call your Dr back and ask for the increase. You can test again as early as 4 weeks to make sure you arent going hyper....highly doubt you will though. Even at 88mcg that is such a small small increase....my Endo would skip the 88 and go to the 100mcg.

[annamae26]

well not sure about that tsh but your ft3 and ft4 look low. how do you feel?