Thyroid

[joja04]

I have the symptoms of thyroid and my dr. was sure this was my problem, results came normal.  My skin, hair and nails are dry, tired quite often, I'm cold most of the time and constipated.  Could someone tell me if these lab results are the norm; according to the range given they are.
Results                Normal Range
TSH - 2.03                0.4     4.0

Free T-3  2.43            1.50    4.10

Free T-4  1.06            0.89    1.76

[gimel]

Well, here's hoping that I might have gotten lucky with my most recent phone call trying to find a good thyroid doctor for you.  My experience has been that osteopathic doctors are more likely to treat patients rather than lab results, so I was looking through a list of D.O. doctors.  Unfortunately I was not very successful and then it occurred that I might be able to locate a compounding pharmacy that would know doctors that prescribe T3 type meds.  That is usually a good sign that the doctor might be willing to treat clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms.  


So I called and happened to talk with a young man that was hypothyroid himself.  So he was very helpful.  He gave me a link that lists doctors that use their pharmacy and  most of them  prescribe T3 type meds.  Also, he told me the doctor he uses and is happy with, along with other people he has referred there.  

So I'm sending by PM  a link to the list.  

[snwbnemama]

I'd love to hear an update when you find a doctor that is willing to treat your symtoms!  Good luck!

[joja04]

Does anyone know of a good thyroid doctor in the Grand Rapids, MI area that accepts Priority Health?

[joja04]

Thank you for the comment!  What you say makes sense, I will send the letter to my current doctor.  I'm pretty sure I will need to find another doctor for treatment.  I have a twin sister with the same issues and will pass this information on to her.

We both thank you!

[gimel]

Just because the lab results are within the so-called "normal" ranges does not mean they are adequate for you.  Everyone is different and may require different levels to feel good.  In addition the ranges are far too broad, due to the way they were established.  

Of those tests, Free T3 is the most important to how you feel.  Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.  For Free T3, there are reports that the range for healthy adults without thyroid issues, would be more like the upper half of the current range.  That is why many members say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper third of its range and Free T4 around the middle of its range.

So, with your hypo like symptoms, I'd say that your lab results are too low in the ranges for Free T3 and Free T4.  TSH is a pituitary hormone that is supposed to reflect levels of the actual thyroid hormones but cannot be shown to correlate well with either Free T3 or Free T4 much less with symptoms, which are the most important consideration.

A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation.  The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment.  In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

So, you are going to have to give your doctor info such as the link above and find out if he will treat you clinically, as described.  If not, then you will ultimately need to find one that will do so.