Help Deciphering "Numbers"

[CatieC]

Hi everyone. I haven't been on in awhile. Just to update - since my PT last March doctor is still trying to regulate my "numbers". It's been a battle because of Hashi's. Here are my latest.  The T4 is high and the T3 is on the low side.  What does all this mean.

TSH 1.11
T4 (free) 1.70
T3 (total) 89

Doctor adjusted my Synthoid to 1 day .88 mcg and 6 days .75 mcg.

Also had my Vitamin D level checked because of leg pain. The D level was 28.6. A bit low. The doctor wasn't concerned, she didn't put me on any supplements. Any thoughts on the low Vit D. Is low Vit D thyroid related?

[CatieC]

M, my surgery was 2 days before yours. And I'm still not regulated. I have been to 3 endos and I have to beg for T3 testing. One of the endos told me he never goes by the T3 number. Yikes - that was the time I saw him. And I also have to convince them that a TSH of 3.41 is too high for me because I was not feeling good at that level. Now my TSH is good and my T4 is high and my T3 is a bit low. arrrrrrrrggggggggg. It's so frustrating. I need to, once again, look for another endo. This is not fun...

4helen, I will check out the Comp Med Board. Thanks.

[4helen]

Hiya  ---there's some chat and good links infor goin' on about Vit D defic over on the Complimentary Medicine board---come on over---the more the merrier!!  Yeah -- docs who don't GET IT about vit d are major bummers!! Had a  'knock out drag out' just yest to try to get vit d tested. Urghhhhh!!!!   : )

[MKlacza]

Hey C!

Your TSH is alike like mine. I feel good at a 1 or even .8. You might be having issues converting. I did.. Thats why I am on the Armour! We had our surgeries around the same time I believe. I had mine March 27th, 08. So coming up to a year soon. I just got my labs done a few weeks ago and they actually came back within normal range.. And I feel good at this range. Sometimes these Drs say.. OH, YOUR WITHIN NORMAL RANGE AND WE SURELY KNOW WE DONT FEEL GOOD!! Its not like that.. I feel good. I had the flu and I know that put me back a few steps, but I am on my way. I was told that we get sick and with thyroid issues, it takes longer to recover and I was told that my meds my not work as well when we're sick. Not sure if thats true or false, but I know that when I was sick it sis in fact take longer to recover from when I did have my thyroid and no issues!!

MK

[estrelinha]

You are already taking supplements, so no need to have more. You should test for FREE T3 not total T3 (if it's low, you have converting problems....)

[CatieC]

I am HyptoT and have Hashi's. The doctor didn't put me on Vit D supplements because I already take 2 calcium tabs with D and a multi-vitamin with D. She told me not to worry about it that it wasn't that low. I am concerned though. But I don't want to start taking supplements on my own and possibly raise my Vit D to dangerous levels.

It is so difficult to convince doctors to test the T3. I had to beg for the Total T3.

[estrelinha]

Yes there is a relationship between low Vit D and thyroiditis (autoimmune disease and hypothyroidism), why your doctor didn't give you any supplements? like fish oil, or just multivitamins? Your TSH level is perfect, but T3 is in the lower side (FT4 high)  , do you have hypo symptoms? If so, may be you're having problems "converting" T4 to T3 (if it's the case doctor will consider giving you some T3). Have you tested for free T3?  if your free T3 is low, and in the presence of hypothyroid symptoms, you may have hypothyroidism . But looking to your lab values we can see that your unbound hormone is high (FT4) and the bound active thyroid hormone is low (T3), you should also  test for T3 Resin Uptake or Thyroid Uptake (this assay test on the proteins that carry thyroid around in your blood stream). May be you have low level of these proteins!!!