Hi Barb,
Yes I will definitely get Free T3 checked as well. Thanks for that tip. So what test should I request and how often. I am looking into getting a new Endo. at Loma Linda University in California.
Sorry forgot to post TSI: I found out I have all three: TSI (227), Anti-TPO (578) and TgAb antibodies (286).
I think I may have both Hashimoto's as well as Graves based on my last lab reports. I heard it is rare, but it does exists and is similar to Hashi's swinging back and forth (push and pull). But, you mentioned that both TPOab and Tgab can be elevated with Graves. So maybe I just have Graves.
Here are my last labs my Endo requested:
TPO 589
TgAB 257
TSH 1.07 (after being .011 for 4 months on Synthroid) Originally it was at 5.05 and my TPO was 39 before starting Synthroid in April 2011
Free T4 1.1 (0.8 - 1.8)
T3 87 (76 - 181)
***He has not tested FT3. Only FT4, Total T3 and TSH (I called to ask him about Antibodies, but I may have to wait until my next appointment cause he said that my labs are fine. He just said no med's right now. When I was on Synthroid, it made me hyper way too fast and it took awhile before it went into range.
***With recently being diagnosed in April 2011, my symptoms go from hyper to hypo and it so hard to bear. I have fatigue to the point where I have to just lye down for hours just to cope with it. I also get panic attacks, anxiety, heart pap's, and sometimes feeling like I can't get enough air. No tarchardia or elevated blood pressure, so my endo said it did not warrant him giving me beta blockers. I usually experience the later symptoms when my TSH is low. When I am hypo, I feel hungry, sluggish, foggy thinking and weight gain. What can I do to get my thyroid stabilized? What are my options? I want to be able to function and at least go back to work.
Your antibody tests certainly indicate Hashimoto's, though I don't see anything to indicate Graves Disease. You need a TSI test to determine that.
It's not unusual to see people with Hashi's having periods of being hyper. Sometimes, nodules can leak hormones independently of the thyroid, which will make you feel hyper.
Your T3 and T4 tests (are those free or total?) indicate that your thyroid levels are on the low side. Your T4 (that does appear to be free T4) is not at mid way in its range. Neither is your T3 (which appears to be total, which is considered obsolete and of little value). At any rate, the T3 is near the bottom of its range. The low hormone levels indicate that you could use an increase in thyroid medication.
What med(s) are you on, at what dosage(s)?
What hyper symptoms do you have? What hypo symptoms do you have? Are you aware that some symptoms, such as fatigue, anxiety, muscle aches/pains, depression, etc can "cross over" and apply to either hyper or hypo?
You need to get FT3 tested, since your TT3 is low in its range, it's probable that your FT3 is low, also.
TSH does not "cause" symptoms; Free T3 correlates best with symptoms. I had those same symptoms when hypo, including heart palps, and shortness of breath.