QUESTION ABOUT FREE T3 AND FREE T4 TEST.

[tnt406]

I HAVE POSTED ON HERE SEVERAL TIMES.I KNOW MY TSH LEVEL IS NORMAL.I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET,A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED,WITH HYPOTHYROIDISM TESTING THERE FREE T3 AND THERE FREE T4.WHEN THERE TSH LEVEL IS NORMAL.MY HAIR IS STARTING TO THIN OUT MORE NOW.I GUESS YOU COULD SAY I AM GOING BALD.MY DADDY WAS HYPOTHYROID,HE PASSED AWAY SATURDAY THATS WHY I SIAD WAS HYPOTHYROID.MY MOMA IS HYPOTHYROID WITH AN ENLARGED THYROID.I HAVE SEVERAL CYSTS ON MY THYROID,THAT WAS DISCOVERED BY ULTRASOUND.I DON'T HAVE ONE ONE CYST I HAVE SEVERAL.MY THROAT STAYS SORE CONSTANTLY.AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ALLERGIES,BUT I DON'T THINK YOUR THROAT WILL HURT FOR TWO YEARS STRAIGHT IF IT WAS ALLERGIES.DO YOU?I USE COUGH DROPS AND THROAT NUMBING SPRAY BUT IT DOESN'T HELP.IT HURTS DEEP DOWN CLOSE TO THE BOTTOM.MY LEFT EAR WILL ALL SO HURT.I GET CHOKED EASILY ON MY FOOD,MAINLY ON MEAT AND BREAD.I ALL SO GET CHOKED ON MY DRINKS.COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME,WHAT YOUR OPPINION IS?THANK YOU TNT406.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

I think I may have addressed your question in the past as "Dr. Mark" - to recap - A complete thyroid evaluation in your case would include TSH, T4, T3, antibodies and ultrasound - I believe all this has been done.  Unless the cysts are quite large they typically don't cause symptoms.  2 years of symptoms would be unusual for thyroid as the cause unless you have severe inflammation from hashimotos - in which case the TSH is usually abnormal.  

A very common cause of all your symptoms is heartburn with reflux of acid to the throat -- more common than you would think and often easily overlooked and tough to diagnose.  Perhaps a trial of over-the-counter zantac for 2 weeks (maximum strength - 150mg 2x/day) would be worth a try to see if the symptoms decrease any.

Good luck.

[Catastrophia]

Even though I'm having strange symptons after starting hypothyroid medication,I realize that mine aren't as bad as yours-yet.But I have had a sore throat when I started taking meds.I can't talk for a long time without getting hoarse.My throat makes strange sounds when I drink or eat. It all sounds crazy.As far as I know, I don't have a thyroid growth.It's just hard to understand that I didn't have alot of thyroid symptons until I started being treated for hypo.I now have symptons of hypo and hyper.Take care.
Cat

[meling333]

Have you been tested for antibodies?
What exactly is your TSH and FT4 &FT3? You can still be sick and have normal looking labs. Look up (subclincial hypothyroidism). Since it runs in your family most likely it is catching up to you. Your throat sounds quite convincing that there is something wrong. Juanita

[Jimlow]

TNT, First, I am sorry to hear about your Dad passing away but am greatful the Good Lord gave him many years and a good daugter like you to take care of him.
As you can see, Catastrophia also knows about thyroid disease being passed down from parents. For both you parents to have had it, makes it almost definate, this is what you are experiencing. You may have other homone imbalances as well, making the thyroid symptoms worse. I believe Free T-3 & Free T-4 are of course a great idea because you've had just about all other thyroid tests. As Catastrophia said, normal labs do not rule out that you are already having thyroid symptoms. Some Docs would disagree but I have heard far too many testimonies to the contrary and know for a fact people do have symptoms before labs go abnormal.
If you get the tests Becky, please let us know your results, either on forum or by e-mail.
God Bless and continue to help you, giving you patience along the way! (and your Husband too!)

[wanderingthurmans]

I know this is a bit late but i thought I'd let you know about my experience.

First I was diagnosed at age 16. Before the diagniosis i was told by a general practitioner i likely had Lupis. My mother being the woman she is, took me to an endocrinologist -- thank goodness.

I began a treatment of synthroid up until college when I no longer had medical coverage. No insurance means no treatment. I began trying natural remidies that worked a little.

Now that i have insurance again I went to an internist, and had my levels checked. Turns out she just checked my TSH, eventhough i asked for the full panel including TBG, and they said it was "normal".

Living with this for 14 years I asked what "normal" was according to there lab and was told 4.5., I had 2.24. Lab to lab "normal" is different the prevailing wisdom now and for 10 years + has been that 4.0 - 4.5 is too high and that the TSH level is not sufficent for diagnosis.

I am in the process of making an appt with an endocrinologist. I have never heard of a thyroid healing it's self ~ and i know the difference in how i feel with & without medication.

My thought for you is to #1 go to an endocrinologist make sure when you make the appt you ask what tests they use for their thyroid panel and how long they have been specializing. Its not rude or improper to ask you are being an informed consumer. Ideally you want to hear more than 10 years specializing (they will have been around long enough to know the differnence in "normal" for lab to lab & they will understand that "normal" in any case of TSH does not indicate no hypothyroid. FT4 & FT3 tests are just as important.

#3 be a good advocate for yourself you know whats right for your body don't let anyone try to tell you your wrong. * Just to throw in a sad fact that woman are taken less seriously when giving vauge symptoms even by female Dr.'s. So be persistent. This is your life your body you only get one and you need it to work at opptimal levels. If you feel your not being taken seriously its time for a new Dr. I can't stress that enough.

I beleive the Dr patient relationship is a partnership -- could they be a Dr without you yes but is a Dr without patients a Dr.

Good luck to you