T4 question

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 6:52 am

Had my first labs since having my thyroid removed. Been about four weeks so I have no idea how this works but I haven't heard anything from my endo yet. This is within the normal range but I have some very strong opinions about what they can do with normal labs. I suffered for years with normal labs and finally have the pathology report indicating I had chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis with multiple hyperplastic nodules. No wonder I have so many issues. I'm afraid now my labs will be declared normal once again and I'll get a pat on the head saying I'm all good and shoved on my way....... In June when I was chasing a pillow all day, my Free T4 was at 1.5 and I felt horrible. Actually that feeling started long before this summer....... Do I ask to have my levothyroxine increased? I'm taking 100 mcg now. The only lab done was the Free T4. I have labs again in another month, do I ask for more to be tested?

LindyLou · Post by **LindyLou** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 7:04 am

With your TSH at 1.5 upping the dose could throw you into hyper mode. It's possible you might need an increase in your t3. I feel at my best when my t4 is as close to 1 as possible and my t3 is in the upper quarter of the normal range. There is a t3 drug called Cytomel. You might want to explore that as I have found my t3 numbers more accurately reflect how I feel.

Post by **tex** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 10:33 am

Deb,

I agree with Linda. I'm kind of surprised that your doctor didn't test your Free T3 level (but maybe that's why he or she is a doctor and I'm not).

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 2:47 pm

Doctors office just called and they wanted to know exactly how I was taking my meds because the endo was confused. I had to refrain from gigging but I won't go into bashing now. My test from this week was 1.1 before that: June 1.5. July 1.2, August 1.2, Sept (two weeks after my thyroid was removed) 0.8

During this whole time I've felt run down- this has been on going but most severe this past December worsening from June on. I am functional now but tire easy. I am glad they asked because they wanted to know if I was taking any other meds or eating at the same time. This is supposed to be my correct dosage for my height and weight but obviously it's not. They will get back to me with most likely an increased dose. I am disappointed the free T4 was tested only but I am most disappointed that it is absoltuely clear the entire facility will let me try Armour. I decided to get past the surgery and get on my feet again. Sadly, I really like this endo but I may have to leave because I would prefer a natural desiccated thyroid brand instead. I've heard of others using Cytomel but am not familiar with it yet. I will keep it in mind to bring up. Why take two synthetics if one natural will do the job?

I've been watching my vitamin levels, iron, etc. because I e been on the low end of most. The doctors aren't concerned but I want to start there. I'm also trying to figure out the possibility of adrenal fatigue because I was reading one may have issues with the NDT if the adrenals are out of whack. Could my prednisone days in 2011 still be haunting me? I did a faster than I should have taper because of frustration and ignorance of the consequences. I want to move in a logical progression since this will be a battle. In the meantime I will have to stick with a synthetic. I actually do feel better but I'd say I'm functioning at 60% instead of the 30% this past year.

You'd think they would take into consideration that I never followed the norm- ever. So why would my body start now? I come to expect I will be that small percentage of whatever odds are out there for something to be askew.

Post by **tex** » Fri Oct 18, 2013 3:58 pm

Deb,

The mainstream medical community is one huge conspiracy against natural dessicated thyroid treatments. Most insurance won't pay for it if the patient is over 65, because doctors are convinced that it's too risky for older patients.

Deb wrote:You'd think they would take into consideration that I never followed the norm- ever. So why would my body start now?

You're expecting too much. Most specialists aren't that sophisticated. Doctors can only understand and work with issues when everything is simplified so much that it fits their rigid definitions. Everything has to fit certain molds perfectly, or they don't know what to do with it, and they are afraid to make exceptions, because that's outside the box.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 7:54 am

I'm cursed or possibly coated in grease because they keep trying to stuff me in all sorts of molds- central pain syndrome, xerophthalmia, fibromyalgia, depression, hypochondriac (haha) and I keep popping out of the mold with the same response......thyroid??? Thanks to the encouragement of everyone here.

They must not be too concerned because they didn't get back to me with it being the weekend and all. That was sarcasm. I only had my blood drawn Tuesday so a late Friday afternoon response is probably rushing it on my part. I should learn to be more patient and quietly suffer with my ongoing symptoms that are obviously NOT related to my thyroid. More sarcasm.

I'd like to see my eyebrows again, maybe have an inkling of a sex drive, have my permanently scalloped tongue deflate a bit, regain some growth of my already thin hair, have some sort of regulated temperature again, and have a bit more stamina. I know it takes time and just one month out from being on meds and expecting perfection would not be reasonable but if they knew what it was like to put up with this day in and day out for years, they may treat their confusion with a little more speed. I'm sure when they raise the dose I will have to remind them of the manufacturer and the fact the pharmacy will have to special order it which will most likely put me at the end of next week before I can start a higher dose. I should probably ask to have the next set of labs and following office visit bumped back another two weeks so the results will be more accurate. ..?.?

My Free T3 last June, July, and August were at a steady 2.6 which I can take to be still too low since the range they gave me is 2.1 to 4.1- yet there again, I'm normal.

Two weeks after thyroid was removed the Free T3 dipped to 1.4 and now they didn't even bother to test it this time around- what the hell?

Oops, wait a minute. I can admit when I'm wrong. My labs were recently updated so there's new news. I take back a partial jab I made to my endo for only testing Free T4- my bad:

After four weeks of 100mcg of levothyroxine my TSH is 17.8, Free T3 is 1.8, and the Free T4 is 1.1.
Holy moly, I'm out of the normal range for once!! I'm not really happy but almost want to get a t-shirt, no wait, it would have to be a long sleeved t-shirt because I'm always cold that says "I told you so- there is something wrong! And it is within YOUR speciality so don't refer me off to someone else!" Okay, now it will stop being a smarty-pants because I know I don't have all the answers.

Basically, save my money- stop testing my TSH, my Free T3 isn't bad but optimally should be at 1 ??, and my Free T3 should be in the higher 3s ?? So would Cytomel be appropriate at this time? If they call back and say they will up the levothyroxine what is that going to to for my T3? I would assume that my body isn't doing its job of converting the T4. I can't resist.... Wouldn't Armour be a good option?? (I'm working on it)

They should call me back and say they are going to up the levothyroxine slightly and also add Cytomel? Am I on the right track?

I vaguely remember negative comments about Cytomel. Is that because the NDT can take care of it in one pill?

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 8:02 am

Wait a minute, I see the range for normal TSH is 0.35 to 4.50. If mine is at 17.8 what exactly does that mean? The little graph that come with my labs shows that right in the middle of normal range. Their info contradicts itself. Now I'm really confused. Previously, my TSH was:

June 0.81
July 0.84
August 1.11
Sept 7.1 two weeks after the thyroid was removed
Oct 17.8

Post by **tex** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:20 am

Deb,

Your TSH is well above range, and climbing, indicating that you need either more T4 or more T3. Your current dose strikes me as being about half to a third of what it should be for someone who no longer has a thyroid.

Of course, I ain't no doctor, so that's strictly my unprofessional opinion.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 9:55 am

I think the chip on my shoulder must be contributing to my seemingly light weight and doesn't register on the scale so it can't be accounted for in their formula for determining the correct dose. Maybe I need the dosage of a 6 foot, 200 pound brute!

Post by **tex** » Sat Oct 19, 2013 12:44 pm

Doctors are always trying to treat everyone by using the same "formula". It never seems to occur to them that we are all individuals, with individual needs. Thyroid supplement dosages should be determined by how effectively they control hypothyroid symptoms, not by some arbitrary correlation with weight.

Tex