Meds Help

[Bdunn68941]

Hi, Can anyone shed some light on these results? Feeling poorly, terrible bloating and gas. Feel like i could burst. Diagnosed with Hashimotos & Papillary Cancer. Had Total Thyroidectomy 2yrs ago. On Synthroid 100mg. Just read on this site that intestinal issues can be a side issue of replacement therapy. ?? Does it look like my synthroid needs to be adjusted? Does anyone have any ideas on dealing with the stomach issues? I also take: D3, Magnesium, B12, Calcium and micro-K.

July 13' labs:
TSH 3.18.  Ranges.36--5.00
Free T4 1.3 Ranges .8-1.5

January 14' labs:
TSH 5.67
Free T4 1.2

No T3 measured.

Thanks for any thoughts!

[Bdunn68941]

I am taking a side road on this journey to feel well. My GP decided to order an U/S because my Endo hadn't. His nurse called last night to let me know there were two new nodules in the thyroid bed and I have abnormal lymph nodes on both sides if my neck. The radiologist is asking for a CT/PET scan also so I will take this route now. I will keep the Dr you recommended in my files for future and thank you for all your help.

[gimel]

Sent PM with info.  Just click on your name and go to personal page.  Then click on messages.

[Bdunn68941]

Yes, It is about 2 hrs depending on Orlando traffic. Thx!

[gimel]

Is Kissimmee close enough for you to consider?

[Bdunn68941]

THANK YOU so much! This actually brought tears to my eyes. I have seen two Endo's, one who kept adjusting TSH but refused to give me copies of my labs. The next gives me copies but doesn't address anything but T4. My GP tests for my supplements but ferritin was not measured. I will get him to check it.  I live in Bartow, Fl. (33830) and would like to know the name of a Doctor or two if you have someone on your lists who treats Thyroid this area. Again, Thank You!

[gimel]

From your symptoms and your thyroid test results I'd say that you are too low in the range for Free T3.  Free T3 is the most important of those since it 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.  Many of our members, myself included, say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper part of its range and Free T4 around the middle of its range.

You are taking a T4 med.  Accordingly, your dose has raised your Free T4 level to the upper part of its range (77% of the range but your body is not converting the T4 to T3 very well.  That is evidenced by your Free T3 still being below mid-range (44% of its range).  So you need to raise your free T3 enough to relieve hypo symptoms you are having.    

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 need to talk to your doctor about raising your Free T3 level by adding some T3 to your daily dosage.  You can do this by either switching to a desiccated type like Armour Thyroid or NatureThroid, or you can just add a T3 med to your current dose of T4.  In addition you need to find out if the doctor is going to be willing to treat clinically for symptoms, rather than just by lab test results.  If unwilling to treat clinically as described in the link, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor.  That does not necessarily mean an Endo.  If you need help finding a doctor, tell us your location and perhaps we can suggest one for you.  

In addition, many hypo patients are too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  Your D needs to be around the middle of the range.  Your B12 needs to be in the upper part of its range.  If not tested for ferritin ( a form of iron), then you should do so.  Best level for women is 70-80.  D and ferritin levels are very important for hypothyroid patients.

[Bdunn68941]

Checked the labs.
TSH 3.07            Range: 0.36-5.0. ulU/mL
Free T4. 1.3.       Range: 0.8-1.5.   ng/dL
T3 Free. 3.0.       Range. 2.2-4.0.   pg/mL

Hope this makes better sense.

In going down your list of digestive symptoms, I had 12, four of which were diagnosed by my ENT in trying to find the source of my constant hoarseness.

Thanks for your help!

[jacrjacr]

wow, I didn't know that...thanks for posting....I need to look into that also

[gimel]

Please double check the Free T4 and free T3.  They look to be reversed.  Also, it is important to always compare results to reference ranges.  So, please post ranges for those results.

[Bdunn68941]

Thank you for your reply. Sorry it took me so long to check back. I went to my Endo and had new labs- TSH 3.07
                                         Free T4= 3
                                         Free T3= 1.3
                                         Calcium = 9.5  
                                         B12= 594      
                                          D3= 37.3
                                          Mg= 1.7
                                        

[gimel]

Hypo patients taking T4 thyroid meds often find that their body does not adequately convert the T4 to T3.  Since Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions, it is vital to have adequate level of FreeT3.  When Free T3 is inadequate, it can lead to some of these symptoms.

Digestion:

    Hard stools
    Constipation
    Hemorrhoids
    Loss of appetite
    Food allergy
    Food sensitivity
    Alcohol intolerance
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    Lactose intolerance
    Celiac Disease
    Gluten Intolerance
    Colitis
    Abdominal distention
    Weight gain in abdominal area
    Diverticulosis
    Excess gas
    Flatulence
    Nausea
    Ulcers
    Acid Reflux
    Excessive belching
    GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

So I suggest that you should always insist on being tested for Free T3 and Free T4 each time you go in for tests.  If you will get those done and post results and reference ranges shown on the lab report, members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.  Also, what are your levels for Vitamin D and B12.  Also have you tested for ferritin?  If not, that would be a good idea as well.