Elevated FT3?

[samigirltoo]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone might have a suggestion for me.

When diagnosed with Hashi's in Oct 2010, I started taking Levo. I hated it, and
after doing a bit of research, I found Erfa. I stopped taking Levo and I'm now
taking one grain of Erfa, 3 times a day.

My most recent blood tests results indicate the following:

FT3 - 11.3, in a normal range of 2.5 - 5.7
FT4 - 14.7, in a normal range of 9 - 26
TSH - less than 0.05, in a normal range of 0.3 - 4.2

Why is my FT4 still low, I wonder...?

Is it dangerous for my FT3 to be this high?

And do you think that I need to adjust my meds or add some Levo to the mix?

Advice is welcomed!

Thanks,

Samantha

[goolarra]

You might consider giving it some time before contemplating an increase.  After being hypo for a while, it can take our bodies time to heal and for everything to settle back down again to an even keel.  I don't know how much higher you'd want to push your FT3.  

Sometimes weight comes off spontaneously, but more often you still have to work at it pretty hard.  Having your hormones balanced allows you to lose weight, but it doesn't necessarily make you lose weight.  

You're feeling well, which is what's most important.

One suggestion...before your next blood draw, you might try skipping your bedtime dose or taking it earlier in the day just to see what that does to your FT3.  It would be an interesting comparison.  

[samigirltoo]

Hi again,

My doctor suggested that I take less as a result of the labs.  I'm not inclined to buy his opinion, to be honest.  I think I prefer your take on the situation.

I feel good, so I'd rather take the amount of medication which makes me feel good.  I'm wondering if I need to take even more in order so that I can lose the weight.  I was always a skinny person and it really upsets me that I don't fit into my clothes anymore!

Thanks again for the info!

[goolarra]

Once again, if taking it at night works well for you, I wouldn't change a thing.  I was just wondering if the late night dose might be inflating your FT3.

I think if you feel well, you are well.  We're all different, and some people do have to have their FT3 quite high before their symptoms go.  High FT3 is only dangerous if it causes the symptoms we usually associate with being hyper...elevated HR and BP are not good for you, nor is chronic diarrhea, etc.  I think it can be argued that if you don't have hyper symptoms, you're not hyper.  Furthermore, you're still having trouble losing weight, which could be considered a lingering hypO symptom.  

Have you discussed these labs with your doctor yet?  He may not have the same symptom-based opinions that I have!  

[samigirltoo]

Hi again,

No tremors, diarrhea, no insomnia, nor elevated HR or BP. I feel great and happy, albeit fatter than I used to be, which really bothers me. I really wish I could lose the excess weight.

Your point about taking it late at night is noted... Although I have no sleeping problems.

Is it dangerous for my FT3 to be so high? And do you think it's ok that my FT4 isn't so high?

I really appreciate your answers, it's extremely helpful of you!

Samantha

[goolarra]

Well, feeling great is what this is all about!  Congratulations.

Your FT3 is a little bit of a concern.  It's pretty high for not having taken T3 meds beforehand.  However, you take your last dose of Erfa quite late in the day.  Most people avoid meds with T3 in them after about mid-afternoon so that sleep is not affected.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying you should change that if it works for you.  I'm just wondering if the dose taken that late the night before might still be spiking your FT3 level the next morning.

If someone takes their last dose at 2:00 pm, for example, and has blood drawn the next day at 11:00 am, they have not taken T3 for 21 hours.  You, on the other hand, took it just 12 hours before.  I don't know if that might explain it or not...just kind of thinking through my fingers.  

No hyper symptoms?  HR and BP aren't elevated?  Insomnia?  Diarrhea?  Hand tremors?

[samigirltoo]

Hi there!  Thanks for your response.

I didn't take any medication prior to my blood test.  It was a fasting test, around 11 am.  I took my medication before I went to sleep around 11 pm the previous evening.

I feel great.  I've been having some tummy problems and bloating lately and I still haven't lost the weight that I put on, though.  I was diagnosed in October and for 6 months prior to October 2010, I progressively ballooned...

[goolarra]

Had you taken any Erfa before the blood was drawn?  If so, that might have spiked your FT3 level.

How do you feel?