Thyroid Problem..Help Please

[karenhelton]

I have a question about some thyroid lab results.
TSH is 0.03 (range is 0.4 to  4.5 mIU/L).
T3, Free is 2.3 (range is 2.3 to 4.3 pg/mL) and
T4 free is 0.8 (range is 0.8 to 1.9 ng/dL ) .

Is this an indication of a thyroid problem or a pituitary problem or both? These levels have remained constant for over 9 months even after being put on a perscription of Nature Throid and have gone from a 1/4 grain (17 mg) to 3.5 grains (227.5 mg)... with blood work being done every 3 to 4 weeks and still feeling like the walking dead and putting on lots of weight. Been given a diagnosis of Severe Thryroid Disease and Hypothyroidism..but am not getting any better. HELP..what the heck else could it possibly be?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This looks like you are on TOO MUCH Naturethroid.  3.5 grains is a big dose and would make most people hyper (Low TSH).  Pig thyroids have less T4 and more T3 than human thyroid -- hence the low T4.  The T3 gets in and out of the system quickly, so if the blood is drawn before or soon after dose, T3 will look low.  This is not likely pituitary.  Would see an endocrinologist to determine if you need thyroid meds and to transition you to levothyroxine rather than dessicated porcine thyroid.

[karenhelton]

Hi Dr. Lupo,

Thought I should give you some more information about some of my other tests results.

I've had a lot of testing done including my hormones which are in the tank too..I'm in the high post menopausal range. My doc started me on testosterone back in September which has brought it up at least into the range. And she just started me on estrogen and progesterone supplements last week since they are all low/non-existent.

Testosterone Total = 30 ng/dL (range is 2-45 ng/dL)
testosterone Free = 2.0 pg/mL (range is 0.1 to 6.4 pg/mL)
** this is my level now after being on supplements since September..before my levels were below the range. ***

My estradiol  is <15 pg/mL (range is <or =31 post-menopausal)
My progesterone is <0.5 pg/mL (range for post menopausal is <0.5)
My FSH is 91.6 mIU/ml (range for post-menopausal is 23.o to 116.3)
Estrone is 26 (range for postmenopausal is < or = 65 pg/mL)

I do have a Vit D deficiency and am taking supplements and it is still low.
23 ng/mL (range is 30-100 ng/mL). I get out everyday in the sun to try and get my Vitamin D that way as well but as you can see its still low.

My doc has done some other tests too. Not sure if they are adrenal tests thou. She has tested me for homocysteine, hs-CSRP, cortisol, dhea sulfate and ferritin along with a CBC panel and a Comp Metabolic panel. She has not had any Vit B tests run on me. Is there any other tests I should be asking her to run? I have not had any imaging of my thyroid or my pituitary. Do you recommend that I ask for that....like an ultrasound, or cat-scan or MRI?

Iahve all the symptoms for hypothyroidism..like severe fatigue, severe muscle and joint pain, stiffness and weakness, ( past couple of month have now recently developed a frozen shoulder), constipation, have a puffy face now, difficulty swallowing, loss of hair, high cholestrol (even higher since I started taking Nature thyroid gone from 204 to 266 for total cholestrol), have dry skin, unexplained weight gain (40 lbs in a year), slowed lower heart rate, even now suffer from depression. The only symptom I don't have is the irregular and heavy periods..but I use to prior to going thru menopause. In fact I had to have an oblasion 4 years ago because it was so bad.
Any suggestions, recommendations or assistance is greatly appreciated!