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Thyroid Issue or keep researching?
I am jumping through hoops trying to determine the cause of my fatigue. The more I research I would almost put money on it that I am hypo. Fatigue is not even the word to describe it, there are no words. I feel so out of my body. I cannot focus, can barely drive myself home from work, zero libido, hair falling out..ect Here are some of the test results, I have had 50 + done but thought these were relevant. Aparently total t3 is the only test available.
TSH 1.49 0.10 - 5.50 uIU/mL
TPO AB <10 <=35 IU/mL
Thyroglobulin 9.1 0.0 - 55.0 ng/mL
Thyroglobulin AB <20.0 <=20.0 IU/mL
T3, Total 67 50 - 170 ng/dL
CK 604 <=200 U/L
TPO AB <10 <=35 IU/mL
Free T4 0.8 0.8 - 1.7 ng/dL
TSH 1.49 0.10 - 5.50 uIU/mL
TPO AB <10 <=35 IU/mL
Thyroglobulin 9.1 0.0 - 55.0 ng/mL
Thyroglobulin AB <20.0 <=20.0 IU/mL
T3, Total 67 50 - 170 ng/dL
CK 604 <=200 U/L
TPO AB <10 <=35 IU/mL
Free T4 0.8 0.8 - 1.7 ng/dL
Best Answer
Just post your new test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report and we'll all try to help.
Hi huny sorry to bother you how r u?
I wanted to kno if you can help me with some new test results I got in huny please?
I wanted to kno if you can help me with some new test results I got in huny please?
Thank u so much Gimel I appreciate u so much i will keep u posted and let u know updates I thank u so much for all your help and support u r truly an amazing individual ❤️
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause poor sleep. So I'd get those supplements going and get the Vitamin D test to see if you need to also supplement that. Then you will be ready to get the most benefit from raising your Free T3 level, as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms.
Unless my pineal adrenal or pituitary gland hav been affected he said my cortisol was find I pray that my glands r ok
Thank u so much I will let u know what happens I am so happy your doing great. I have one more question Hun I don't get y I'm suffering from insomnia I can't sleep unless I take something do u think it could be the synthroid I never had this issue they have prescribed me so many poisons like ambien Xanax ativan hydroxicine Hcl then my body gets adjusted so fast and the med doesn't work I tired melatonin 1mg it didn't do anything and valerian I don't get it . I have cold feet and funny feeling in arms and hands neck when I lay down I wonder if the synthyroid is to high. Before surgery I was on 88 mcg of synthroid I never had these issues with sleep and then I was hyper? Thank u so much for all ur help
Sorry, I overlooked that the doctor did reduce your Synthroid. That was the right direction. I would not worry about the Free T3 for the short term. I would go ahead and start on iron supplement now. There are several good forms of iron supplement. I happen to like ferrous fumarate, or ferrous gluconate. I'd start with about 28 mg daily and over 3-4 weeks work up to 3 times that amount and then make sure to have ferritin tested when you go in next. Also, don't take any of the iron supplement for about 24 hours before the tests, to prevent artificial high result. Once you get your ferritin high enough and see how you are feeling, if needed you can take the doctor up on putting you back T3 med.
For the Vitamin D test, this is the recommended one.
total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VitD) level
And I am feeling just great, thanks.
For the Vitamin D test, this is the recommended one.
total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VitD) level
And I am feeling just great, thanks.
Huny what supplements are good for ferritin and iron levels so sorry to bombard you love and thank u so much
Thank u so much huny I appreciate u sooo much he did take the cytomel away but decreased the synthyroid nfrom 137 to 125 I have been experiencing heart palps and low blood circulation in legs and arms like a tingling when I take the synthroid and no sleep do u think my synthroid is still high. I'm not sure y he took the cytomel away but I think because of my heart palps breathing and no sleep he said he just wants to c if things change and if my t4 isn't converting he'll put back the cytomel it's so fig gin confusing I'm 30 and weigh 115 I can't believe my iron is low I knew it and he said no
What kind of vitamin d test love I did calcium test so far Hun ? Thank u so much Gimel
What kind of vitamin d test love I did calcium test so far Hun ? Thank u so much Gimel
I think the doctor went in the wrong direction by eliminating your T3 med and increasing your T4 med. Your free T4 was already near the top of the range, which is not necessary. Mid-range is adequate. Even with the small dose of T3 your Free T3 was still below middle of its range, when it usually needs to be in the upper third of its range, or as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms.
Your serum iron is on the low side and your ferritin is way too low. I wonder if the low ferritin is causing some of the symptoms you mention. Low ferritin is reported to cause some unusual reactions when taking T3 meds. The recommended range for women is 70-80. Yours is only 21.3. You definitely need a good iron supplement. Here are some good links on ferritin.
http://articles.submityourarticle.com/symptoms-of-low-ferritin-levels-230015
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Total-Thyroidectomy--Synthroid-Dosage/show/618424#post_9280836 ; (Read this one starting with July posts.)
Here is a quote I ran across, "low thyroid makes it hard to hang onto iron, and low iron makes it hard to treat thyroid, a classical "Catch 22" situation.
And some more quotes.
"Low ferritin can cause negative reaction like palpitations, nervousness, and anxiety in someone starting thyroid hormone replacement. Someone described it like being shot out of a cannon. It is therefore imperative that ferritin not be at the bottom of the range before starting thyroid hormone medication."
Also, from another source.
"I frequent another board where the role of iron in the metabolism of thyroid hormone is discussed. Along with selenium, iodine, L-tyrosine, zinc and other vitamins/minerals/amino acids, iron plays an important role in the conversion of the less inactive T4 form of thyroid hormone to the more bio-active T3 form.
I've seen iron discussed a bit on this board but not so much about ferritin . I thought you might be interested in what I found. Ferritin levels often begin dropping before serum iron levels become critically low or before full-blown anemia becomes apparent.
Many hypothyroid patients find that having good ferritin levels improves their use of thyroid hormone (their own body's or supplemented). The range of 70-90 is quoted as optimal for hypothyroid patients.
Last for now, have you been tested for Vitamin D?
Your serum iron is on the low side and your ferritin is way too low. I wonder if the low ferritin is causing some of the symptoms you mention. Low ferritin is reported to cause some unusual reactions when taking T3 meds. The recommended range for women is 70-80. Yours is only 21.3. You definitely need a good iron supplement. Here are some good links on ferritin.
http://articles.submityourarticle.com/symptoms-of-low-ferritin-levels-230015
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Thyroid-Disorders/Total-Thyroidectomy--Synthroid-Dosage/show/618424#post_9280836 ; (Read this one starting with July posts.)
Here is a quote I ran across, "low thyroid makes it hard to hang onto iron, and low iron makes it hard to treat thyroid, a classical "Catch 22" situation.
And some more quotes.
"Low ferritin can cause negative reaction like palpitations, nervousness, and anxiety in someone starting thyroid hormone replacement. Someone described it like being shot out of a cannon. It is therefore imperative that ferritin not be at the bottom of the range before starting thyroid hormone medication."
Also, from another source.
"I frequent another board where the role of iron in the metabolism of thyroid hormone is discussed. Along with selenium, iodine, L-tyrosine, zinc and other vitamins/minerals/amino acids, iron plays an important role in the conversion of the less inactive T4 form of thyroid hormone to the more bio-active T3 form.
I've seen iron discussed a bit on this board but not so much about ferritin . I thought you might be interested in what I found. Ferritin levels often begin dropping before serum iron levels become critically low or before full-blown anemia becomes apparent.
Many hypothyroid patients find that having good ferritin levels improves their use of thyroid hormone (their own body's or supplemented). The range of 70-90 is quoted as optimal for hypothyroid patients.
Last for now, have you been tested for Vitamin D?
Sorry also these tests
Estrogens total. 450
Ferritin - 21.3. Range - 8.0 -252.0
Iron details 153. 50-170 ug/dl
Estrogens total. 450
Ferritin - 21.3. Range - 8.0 -252.0
Iron details 153. 50-170 ug/dl
I'm having 3 different things goin on at once I can't sleep I have a ovarian cyst possible endometriosis problem that flared up bad after total TT surgery and I'm going thru the adjustment of my hypothyroid which I'm am sooo miserable. My heart goes out to all in the same situation. I had my TT on nov 1st 2013. I'm at my wits end please sum 1 help. I do not know what these tests mean at all. This is when I was on cytomel 5 mcg synthroid 137 mg suffered bad side affects like not being able to sleep so they took me off cytomel and put me on 125 mcg of synthroid.
Free t4 - 1.7 -average 0.8-1.8 ng/dl
Freet3 - 3.1. - 2.3 - 4.2 pg/ml
Tsh - 0.19 L. - 0.40 - 4.50
Calcium - 9.3. 8.6 -10.2 mg/dl
Parathyroid hormone intact 10-65 pg/ml
ACTH - 8 6-50 pg/ml
Tsi - 191. <140 % baseline
Iron total 61 40-175 mcg/dl
Vitamin b12. 748. 200-1100 pg/ml
Cortisol total 19.1. 8am - 4.0 - 22.0. 4pm 3.0 - 17.0
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 63 h < 35 iu/ml
Fsh - 2.3
Lh 1.3
Estradiol 140
White blood cell - 8.6. 3.8-10.8 thousand/ul
Red blood cell - 4.07. 3.80 -5.10 million/ul
Hemoglobin 13.4 11.7 - 15.5 g/dl
Hematocrit. 40.0. 35.0 -45.0. %
Free t4 - 1.7 -average 0.8-1.8 ng/dl
Freet3 - 3.1. - 2.3 - 4.2 pg/ml
Tsh - 0.19 L. - 0.40 - 4.50
Calcium - 9.3. 8.6 -10.2 mg/dl
Parathyroid hormone intact 10-65 pg/ml
ACTH - 8 6-50 pg/ml
Tsi - 191. <140 % baseline
Iron total 61 40-175 mcg/dl
Vitamin b12. 748. 200-1100 pg/ml
Cortisol total 19.1. 8am - 4.0 - 22.0. 4pm 3.0 - 17.0
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 63 h < 35 iu/ml
Fsh - 2.3
Lh 1.3
Estradiol 140
White blood cell - 8.6. 3.8-10.8 thousand/ul
Red blood cell - 4.07. 3.80 -5.10 million/ul
Hemoglobin 13.4 11.7 - 15.5 g/dl
Hematocrit. 40.0. 35.0 -45.0. %
So this week will be 5 weeks, should I wait the extra week or test this week? I am ancy because I suspect there will be little change in the levels.
Oh yeah and I have a hip injury that has been lingering for months, related? I am trying to put the pieces of this big puzzle together. I would love to blame it all on my thyroid.
Okay thanks for letting me know. Is the fact that I am never satisfied when eating despite eating sufficient calories related? It also appears as though my fore arms have aged overnight. It only happens sporatically thoughout the day, its kind of creepy. Related or no?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Yes, it's possible to get back to normal using only a T4 med.
Because it takes 4-6 weeks for the med to reach full potential in your blood, you probably won't see a huge improvement right away, but you might notice little changes as you go along. You aren't going to get better overnight.
Typically, you would not ask for an increase until after you've had your next set of labs, so you know how the med is affecting your levels, and whether it's helping to alleviate symptoms.
Because it takes 4-6 weeks for the med to reach full potential in your blood, you probably won't see a huge improvement right away, but you might notice little changes as you go along. You aren't going to get better overnight.
Typically, you would not ask for an increase until after you've had your next set of labs, so you know how the med is affecting your levels, and whether it's helping to alleviate symptoms.
So hows long before I get my energy back? What is a reasonable timeframe before asking for an increase? I have a feeling its going to take a while to get back to ideal levels. I have been reading a lot about the t4/t3 controversy. Is it possible to get back to normal using a t4 only?
Yes. I am already seeing a difference in my energy. Not a ton but i'll take it. My appetite seems to be a lot more normal. Before I was never satisfied. Maybe more coincidences?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Are you scheduled for retesting in 5-6 weeks to see how you're doing with the med?
Yeah I agree and I am going to continue with the vit D regardless of what she says. The good thing is that she is open to adding in T3 further down the road. This is the farthest I have gotten with any of the doctors at Kaiser so I am going to stick with her for now.
I would have never got this far if it wasnt for you guys. Thank you!
I would have never got this far if it wasnt for you guys. Thank you!
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This is because the "normal" ranges are established poorly or just plain incorectly.
the "normal" ranges are established by taking the data of all the people in the area of the lab that takes the tests. Then they throw out the Highest 2.5% and the lowest 2.5% and call the remaining 95% as "normal".
The problem with that is the only people likely to get tested for Free T4 and Free T3 are people that are likely showing signs of being at least suspected of having INCORRECT thyroid levels.
So the population of the data they are using are LIKELY people who have ABNORMAL thyroid. So the ranges are simply messed up.
As has been found here over and over again that most people who have symptoms need to have their ranges well up into the range. That is 50% or higher of the range in order to feel well.
Same is true with something line B-12. Which has a tremendously wide range. Many people need to be way up towards the top end of the range to feel well. And they were told by their Dr that simply because they were near the bottom end but still within the range that they were "normal". What a load of dung!
You will find that you need to be your own best advocate in this journey you are on. You cannot just accept the Dr telling you the tests were normal. Ask for a copy of the tests, In the USA they are leagally required to give them to you if you ask for them. I would recommend that you do that and keep a record of the tests. Write down on them how you are feeling and what medications you are taking and at what dosages.
This medical record associating symptoms and dosages with lab results is absolutely invaluable. Especially if you have to find a new Dr due to a retirement or moving out of the area etc.
The rule of thumb that has proven to work for many people here is to have BOTH of the following.
1) Free T4 to be in the MIDDLE of the range (50%) or slightly higher.
AND- that means in addition to
2) Free T3 to be in the UPPER 1/3 (66.7%) of the range
Notice that these are both WELL up into the range and not simply "somewhere" within the range.
This is a rule of thumb and each person feels well at a different level. It is best to start slow and low dosages and work up to a point where you feel well.
But that all assumes you can convince a Dr to at least start you out on medication in the first place.