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Lab Results feedback
May I have some feedback on these results. I am on 100 mcg of Synthroid and .05 of T-3.
My lab results (I had to pay for them, so didn't do the TSH)
Free T-4: 1.11 (range is .82-1.77)
Free T-3 3.4 (range is 2.0-4.4)
What's interesting is that the Free T-4 has gone down from 2/26/16
Then I was on only 100 mcg of Synthroid and my lab results were
Free T-4: 1.45 (range .82-1.77)
Free T-3: 2.5 (range 2.0-4.4)
Symptoms right now include extreme bloatedness. I think some unexplained weight gain is going on even thought not overeating. Also in the afternoon I get a severe energy drop. I could increase my synthroid to 112 or I could increase the T-3 to half of another pill and then slowly go up -if able to tolerate. I'm not sure which I should increase. Obviously you are not physicians, but I'm curious about what you would suggest with numbers such as the above (the latest numbers at the top). Thank you.
My lab results (I had to pay for them, so didn't do the TSH)
Free T-4: 1.11 (range is .82-1.77)
Free T-3 3.4 (range is 2.0-4.4)
What's interesting is that the Free T-4 has gone down from 2/26/16
Then I was on only 100 mcg of Synthroid and my lab results were
Free T-4: 1.45 (range .82-1.77)
Free T-3: 2.5 (range 2.0-4.4)
Symptoms right now include extreme bloatedness. I think some unexplained weight gain is going on even thought not overeating. Also in the afternoon I get a severe energy drop. I could increase my synthroid to 112 or I could increase the T-3 to half of another pill and then slowly go up -if able to tolerate. I'm not sure which I should increase. Obviously you are not physicians, but I'm curious about what you would suggest with numbers such as the above (the latest numbers at the top). Thank you.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Dee, you don't have to stop your T3 that far ahead of your blood draw just take it as normal except the day of the draw, wait to take it "after" the draw, not before...
Thank you everyone for the questions and answers, this has helped me quite a bit, I always thought I had to stop the T3 for several days to a week before having blood drawn. If I don't I come up with very odd numbers.
Thanks again
Dee
Thanks again
Dee
COMMUNITY LEADER
It would actually be better if you report your new results, in a few weeks, on this same thread... That way, members won't have to ask for your history again, as we can't always remember everyone who has posted; it will be right here for us to see, so you won't have to repost anything.
It's good that you test prior to taking your medication...
It's good that you test prior to taking your medication...
Just wanted to say that I find it best to take my thyroid meds after the blood draw. That way they are measuring the "free" hormones.
2 Comments
Just to clarify... if the "Free" hormones are ordered, that's what's being tested, whether the med has been taken prior to the draw or not... It's just that if the med is taken prior to the blood draw, you're getting a medicated value, which could cause false highs, especially for Free T3, since it's so fast acting. But even Free T4 could be elevated slightly if taken within a couple hours of the draw.
thank you Barb and Flyingfool. I am only doing one change at a time. I just upped the synthroid. I take my tests before I take my meds. I'll report back in a new post in about 6 or 8 weeks. I feel like I have these hypothyroid weight gain periods and then the weight which is gained does not come off.
Usually it is best to only change one medication at a time. Changing both the T4 and the T3 results in changes, you don't know which one did what or had what effect.
This is particularly true since you report going to 112 had an unintended effect before. So I would caution making both the 112 AND adding in a 2nd dose of 5 mcg of T3 in the afternoon.
As it was, shifting the T3 from AM to PM would in itself have been a change.
Therefore, If you really want to add in a 2nd 5 mcg dose of T3. I would add that first for a couple weeks, then get tested, and THEN see how you feel and see if you think you still need to add the T4 increase.
That would be changing only one thing at a time. Since T3 acts fast, you don't need to wait for many weeks to get tested and make another change.
Just my thoughts.
This is particularly true since you report going to 112 had an unintended effect before. So I would caution making both the 112 AND adding in a 2nd dose of 5 mcg of T3 in the afternoon.
As it was, shifting the T3 from AM to PM would in itself have been a change.
Therefore, If you really want to add in a 2nd 5 mcg dose of T3. I would add that first for a couple weeks, then get tested, and THEN see how you feel and see if you think you still need to add the T4 increase.
That would be changing only one thing at a time. Since T3 acts fast, you don't need to wait for many weeks to get tested and make another change.
Just my thoughts.
Yes, the Synthroid has been upped to 112. Since my mornings are alert and going well, I'm keeping my morning t-3 dose as is. But later I might add 5 mcg in the afternoon. That is the more normal dose (10 of T-3, twice a day), but I've had to be very cautious as it can disturb my sleep.
This thyroid is very tricky. Last summer when I jumped to 112 my T-4 was above range. But now it looks like I need it. I remember reading about seasonal changes affecting one's thyroid needs. .
This thyroid is very tricky. Last summer when I jumped to 112 my T-4 was above range. But now it looks like I need it. I remember reading about seasonal changes affecting one's thyroid needs. .
I would personally also agree to increase the T4 dosage as the most logical change.
With such a small dose of T3, I would be hesitant to split that small of a dose. Instead, since you report "Dragging" in the afternoon. I would wait to take the T3 dose until about noon. It may give you the pick me up in the afternoon.
As stated, T3 is used up in hours. So by taking the T3 in the morning, by early afternoon it is all used up. By taking it mid day or even early evening, you may feel better in the afternoon/evening.
Just something to consider.
With such a small dose of T3, I would be hesitant to split that small of a dose. Instead, since you report "Dragging" in the afternoon. I would wait to take the T3 dose until about noon. It may give you the pick me up in the afternoon.
As stated, T3 is used up in hours. So by taking the T3 in the morning, by early afternoon it is all used up. By taking it mid day or even early evening, you may feel better in the afternoon/evening.
Just something to consider.
That's where I am, too. Last time my endo did an U/S, he said my thyroid was atrophied.
If I were you, I'd ask my doctor about increasing your T4 meds now. Retest in 4-6 weeks and then decide if you need to increase T3 meds at that time.
T3 has a very short half-life. It peaks a few hours after you take it, and it's gone a few hours after that. That's why most people split the dose...half in the morning with T4 meds, the other half late morning to early afternoon. You can play with what time works best for you. Try splitting to see if that helps your energy drop. I'm sure it will.
Unfortunately, once you hit the "Post a Comment" button, you can't make any changes.
If I were you, I'd ask my doctor about increasing your T4 meds now. Retest in 4-6 weeks and then decide if you need to increase T3 meds at that time.
T3 has a very short half-life. It peaks a few hours after you take it, and it's gone a few hours after that. That's why most people split the dose...half in the morning with T4 meds, the other half late morning to early afternoon. You can play with what time works best for you. Try splitting to see if that helps your energy drop. I'm sure it will.
Unfortunately, once you hit the "Post a Comment" button, you can't make any changes.
Does this site allow editing of post. I would love to correct my typos (and also make it less wordy) in the post above but I see no edit key. Thank you.
Hi Goolarra.
I have Hashimotos (diagnosed 2010). I'm trying to figure out which pill to increase (to suggest to my physician when I talk with him).
I think my thyroid function is completely gone at this point. The doctor said my thyroid was small/shriveled.
I think that perhaps my body as acclimated to the T-4 (which was an increase last spring). Do I work on raising the T-4 just by increasing the T-4? That sounds like a who is buried in Grant's tomb question but I have the option of increasing the T-3.
I don't break my t-3 into two doses because I'm taking the very lowest dose 5 mcg's in the morning. When I first stated I split the pill and just took half.
Perhaps I'll raise my T-4 to 112. In the summer when I was on 112 my free t-4 was 1.80 and my free t-3 was 3.2. I wonder if my body is just variable or acclimating. I can feel the weight gain--very bloated stomach--look like 8 months pregnant.
I have Hashimotos (diagnosed 2010). I'm trying to figure out which pill to increase (to suggest to my physician when I talk with him).
I think my thyroid function is completely gone at this point. The doctor said my thyroid was small/shriveled.
I think that perhaps my body as acclimated to the T-4 (which was an increase last spring). Do I work on raising the T-4 just by increasing the T-4? That sounds like a who is buried in Grant's tomb question but I have the option of increasing the T-3.
I don't break my t-3 into two doses because I'm taking the very lowest dose 5 mcg's in the morning. When I first stated I split the pill and just took half.
Perhaps I'll raise my T-4 to 112. In the summer when I was on 112 my free t-4 was 1.80 and my free t-3 was 3.2. I wonder if my body is just variable or acclimating. I can feel the weight gain--very bloated stomach--look like 8 months pregnant.
Your FT3 has improved nicely, but your FT4 is down to 31% of range (from 66% previously).
Are you splitting your T3 into two half doses?
Your FT4 may have dropped because you are losing thyroid function steadily. Do you know if you have Hashi's?
FT3 is at 58% of range, which is in the upper half, where it should be. I'd be tempted to work on raising your FT4 back up closer to the 50% target.
Are you splitting your T3 into two half doses?
Your FT4 may have dropped because you are losing thyroid function steadily. Do you know if you have Hashi's?
FT3 is at 58% of range, which is in the upper half, where it should be. I'd be tempted to work on raising your FT4 back up closer to the 50% target.
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