Blood Results Back

[LadyBlair64]

Hi. Here's the results.  My worry is that I am on 175mcg. of Synthroid & my T4 is still low (which they believe is from some "harmless" low antibodies I think that's it or low something or other....), but take a look at my Free T4.  It's getting LOWER with the increased dose of synthroid, NOT higher!!  The FT3 results haven't come back yet.  Will post them next week.  Any thoughts on this are appreciated.  Also, not sure if you know about this, but went 1 yr. being "postmenopausal", then had a blead in Jan.  Went to the doctor, did tests, FSH (follicular stim. hormone) showed that my FSH level WENT DOWN FROM 56.5 TO - GET THIS - 8.5 which "restarted" my periods.  With that being said, now look at all my results from Jan. to now:

**look carefully at these changes please!

JANUARY 2,2007
TSH: 0.45 (0.34-5.60) (good)
T4:  4.8(l) (6.1-12.2) (too low)
**FT4: 1.08 (0.58-1.64)(good)
**FSH:  8.5 (normal menstruating female)(A++)

FEBRUARY 28, 2007
TSH: 0.41 (0.34-5.60)(good)
T4: 6.0 (6.1-12.2)(better but still low)
**FT4: 0.89 (0.58-1.64)(LOWER WITH INCREASE! ENERGY)
** FSH: 55.1 (Postmenopausal Females 20-138)(HORRID)

Why is my FT4 LOWER this time??  Why is my FSH so high again (obviously no periods this month either). I see Endo on 12th, but am nervous. I take my meds completely empty stomach. Do I have another problem like adrenal or pituitary?? Help!!

[GravesLady]

Estrogen effect the Ts and normally the Ts are higher in estrogen women, sometimes causing a false hyper condition.  Estrogen does not effect FTs, so is considered the better test for estrogen women. It is hard to tell what is going on without knowing your
FT-3.  All three, TSH, both FTs should be done at the same blood draw, tells more of the thyroid condition.  There is no concern as long as all three of your levels are in Labs reference range, with the exception of conversion problem.  There are many reasons for our levels to fluctuate such as diet, nutrition, weight loss or gain, seasons, weather, area, mental/physical stress, illness - colds, flu, etc. or other health conditions.  How and when you take your meds, what time of day labs were done, different Lab, how old are the meds., did meds come from the same batch or different batch, lighting effects meds.,  as well as heat.  The list goes on.
Until levels are out of Labs reference range, levels are considered normal.  

Mine are all over the hyper end of Labs to being out every other test done approx three months apart.

Really need to know both FTs and TSH done at the same time to get a better picture.

Just my personal opinion and/or experience. Always discuss your health issue with your doctor , always adhere to your doctors advise and, you always have the right to a second opinion. Nothing is a 100% or a 100%, 100% of the time. However, we are not all alike!

GL,
1990 - Hyper/Graves'
1997 - Dia/RAI
1997 - MVP - Mitral Valve Prolapse
1999 - TED - slight Thyroid Eye Disease
1999 - Visible Nodule (suspect Marine-Lenhart-Syndrom/hyperfunctioning nodule)
2000 - SAS  - Short Attention Span (short, spaced paragraphs, sweet and to the point helps)
2002 -  IED  - Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Graves' Range)
2007 -  A/ITP (suspect)

[LadyBlair64]

Hi! Thanks for your reply. Yeah, I did get a FT3 done, but unfortunately that test they sent out to a different lab & when I picked up the results, the FT3 was not back yet, so I did get it & will definitely post it to help.

I am not on any other meds - not even HRT - because they thought that my periods were coming back after that last FSH test of 8.5.  That jump was/is confusing to me as well, but, being in my early 40's I'm going to assume that's normal to happen (LOL)

I do, however, have a bad flu virus/bronchitis/pneumonia & was ill when I took the test.  My only real concern is that I read that for OPTIMAL energy/weight/symptom control that our Free's should be in the mid-upper end of the range, & I'm stillhaving symptoms.  Also, my concern is that my TSH actually went DOWN a bit, but so did my FT4.  You see, it's not following the TSH the way I THOUGHT they say it should:  Rule of thumb:  If TSH rises, FT4 lowers & the opposite - for hypo's at least!!  If TSH is lowering, T4 (FT4 should rise accordingly if all is well in the body!).  I don't know....hey, thanks again for you help.

Have a great day!

[GravesLady]

You are correct, the FTs will go in the opposite direction of TSH.   My levels do not follow this rule either.  My T-3 is more stable, although it does move a tweak, however not necessarily according to TSH or
FT-4.  I think once the TSH finds its correct nitch (level) the other two will follow, unless there is something else going on with the thyroid.  With my situation I am suspecting a hyperfunctioning nodule, which in this case, the nodule is in control of the levels regardless of thyroid meds.  However my levels go in and out of Labs reference range where as yours are still in.

Optimal levels is where you feel your best regardless where they are on the Labs reference range.
We are not all alike and what one feels best at, the next may not.  Energy/symptoms/weight, is another individual issue, depending on our own system and not necessarily thyroid levels. However, T-3 is the metabolism controller.  Like I mentioned my TSH and FT-4 has been all over the hyper end of Labs reference to being way out and it has not effected or influenced my weight.
Energy and symptoms can be from other health conditions for a lot share some of thyroid symptoms.

Keep track of your levels in case they do go out, until then, I wouldn't worry about them.

Just my personal opinion and/or experience. Always discuss your health issue with your doctor , always adhere to your doctors advise and, you always have the right to a second opinion. Nothing is a 100% or a 100%, 100% of the time. However, we are not all alike!

GL,
1990 - Hyper/Graves'
1997 - Dia/RAI
1997 - MVP - Mitral Valve Prolapse
1999 - TED - slight Thyroid Eye Disease
1999 - Visible Nodule (suspect Marine-Lenhart-Syndrom/hyperfunctioning nodule)
2000 - SAS  - Short Attention Span (short, spaced paragraphs, sweet and to the point helps)
2002 -  IED  - Intermittent Explosive Disorder (Graves' Range)
2007 -  A/ITP (suspect)