low TSH low free T3 and free T4

[Lesliean]

In August 09 my:      TSH was .7, free T4 .55 (.61-1.76), free T3 1.8 (2.3-4.2)  on 2.5 grains Naturethroid
two weeks later:                    2.2            .55                            2.2            same time 9am but had taken Rx that am. Raised to 3.5 grains and felt better again as felt hypo during this testing period.

In August 10                          .009        1.01 (.82-1.77)             3.2 (2-4.4)

                      Antithyroglobulin Ab <20         TPO 9 (0-34)

I was diagnosed hypo about a decade ago but undertreated for much of this time. TSH was .38 in 08 with low normal free T3 and free T4. I don't think its a tumor because this trend of low TSH and low t values has been going on for years now. Age 53, head trauma in 86. Feel strongly the hypo started when I gave birth in 89 (or earlier?).

I live in fear that a provider will see the suppressed TSH and treat to it instead of the low free T values. Let alone treat according to how I feel. I am a long distance runner and teacher of PE, healthy, good bones, sleep well, resting pulse 42,  no longer look at stairs and cry, but still crave 2+ cups of coffee a day.

Do I have secondary hypothyroidism? Is it obvious to any provider that the TSH needs to be disregarded? What is going on with my pituitary, hypothalamus, thyroid?
Thanks,
Leslie

[Lesliean]

But my question was:

My free T3 and free T4 were COMPLETELY below the normal range. How can I be on too much Rx? And this is not the first time. It has happened three times over the last three years.

Is this secondary hypothyroidism? And therefore is the TSH unreliable?

Will a doctor dismiss my symptoms of now feeling better and not hyper and only in the bottom half of the normal range or will they blindly go by the TSH test?

Please, tell me more of why the TSH would be suppressed but both the free T3 and free T4 would be completely below range. At that point don't you have to treat the patient with enough thyroid to put them in range, regardless of TSH?
Thank you,
Leslie

[DrHelp]

A related discussion, "low TSH" "low T4" naturethroid, secondary pituitary was started.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

This is common for dessicated thyroid treatment - the ratios of t4 and T3 are different in pigs than humans, so the T4 tends to be low and T3 levels depend on dose timing, so are often low -- the low TSH means you are on too much medication - what you do with this information is up to you.