From Hyperthyroidism to Hypothyroidism?

[blogntog]

My previous TPO and TSI levels didn't show levels of either Graves or Hashimotos so I had an ultrasound that diagnosed graves disease but these are my thyrod panel results in comparison.

I had a baby 8 months ago and since I have been treating my thyroid imbalance the natural way with supplements and lifestyle changes. What do you think of these levels? How did they flip to the opposite side of things? From what I read having an underactive thyroid is far less dangerous than an overactive one so I'm thinking even though my thyroid is still not functioning properly, it's in a better state than it was?

My labs a few months ago:

TSH:          0.02 (L=0.35  H=4.67)
T3 Free:     5.84 (L=1.45    H=3.48)
T4 Free:     2.00 (L=0.70    H=1.48)

Yesterday:
T3 Uptake:                     26          reference range   22-35%
T4 Thyroxine, Total        4.4         reference range   4.5-12
Free T4 Index (T7)         1.1        reference range    1.4-3.8
TSH                                9.20

[gimel]

You really can't know if the flip to hypo is just a normal result of postpartum thyroiditis, or if it is due to the Thyrosoothe, which from what I read works for some and not for others.  

At any rate, you need to make sure they always test for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3 every time.  By comparison, your latest tests for T3 Uptake and Free Thyroxine index are outdated and not very useful, but your Total T4 and TSH are indicative of hypothyroidism.  So you need to keep a close watch on your levels of Free T4 and Free T3, and more importantly, be alert to any symptoms that show up.

Also, don't overlook the importance of Vitamin D and ferritin.   Be sure to get those tested and supplement as needed.  

[gimel]

Can't say that I have run into anyone with Graves' that was not confirmed with a TSI test, but was diagnosed with an ultrasound,  Why was the doctor sure it was Graves', instead of postpartum thyroiditis, which you can read about in this link.  

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/postpartum-thyroiditis/basics/symptoms/con-20035474

Postpartum thyroiditis seems more likely, since it usually starts with a period of hyperthyroidism, then can normalize, or turn into hypothyroidism.  To me, that seems more likely than the scenario of going from Graves' (hyper) to hypo, by supplements and lifestyle changes.  

I agree that hyper is worse than hypo, but even short term, hypo is not what you want, and longer term it can lead to more severe problems.  Best way to diagnose for hypothyroidism is by symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, not by TSH.  Also, most of the recent tests done for you were outdated and not very useful.  You should make sure they always test for both Free T4 and Free T3.  A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypothyroid patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 nd Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, rather than based on test results.  

Also, since hypo patients are so frequently deficient in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, you need to get those tested and then supplement as needed to optimize.  D should be at lest 50 ng/mL, and B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be at least 100.

So tell us about any symptoms you are having.

[blogntog]

I am on a methylfolated b complex vitamin and 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 daily because my Vitamin D level was very low.

I don't have any symptoms anymore, I was having things like throat tightness, fast heart rate of 119 BPM (up from 65 normal) and I was losing 16lbs / month before I went on the anti-cancer diet and took the supplements and vitamins.

I was also on thyrosoothe which I've read to be very helpful but people overdose on it and go hypo.

My graves antibodies test was like 30 points under the "graves" marker so my doctor said he couldn't diagnose me with it.