Help Interpreting Results Please

[MichelleHelpPlease]

Hello,

I hope someone can help me on this forum.  I owe you a huge hug!

I am on 90 dessicated Thyroid and my levels are:

TSH:  .11 mIU/L (lab reference range is .35-5.0)
T4Free:  11 pmol/L (lab reference range is 12-22)
T3Free:  5.2 pmol/L (lab reference range is 2.6-5.7)
T3Reverse:  7.6 ng/DL (lab reference range 9.2-24.1)
Cortisol AM:  602 nmol/L (lab reference range 170-540)

I feel terrible.  I'm exhausted, very swollen (especially in my hands, arms, and chest/face), and I have severe muscle and tendon pain all over my body.  I am an active, otherwise healthy, person.

It is difficult to find guidance interpreting these results since FreeT4 is low but FreeT3 is normal/high.  I have been to several doctors that haven't adjusted the thyroid medication.  

I would sincerely appreciate any feedback that may help me get on the path to recovery.  Thank you.
Michelle

[MichelleHelpPlease]

Hi Barb,

I don't know if I have Hashimoto's.  I know my TPO ab is elevated at 111 but I don't know if this indicates Hashimoto's.  How can I determine this?  The doctors just say it is elevated but don't say that I have Hashimoto's.

Thank you.

Michelle

[MichelleHelpPlease]

Hello Barb135,

I'm sorry but I just saw your response now.  Thank you for taking the time.  I appreciate your help.  I have also been chatting with Gimel and getting some good direction.

I am seeing my functional medicine doctor next week and I will be talking with him about the recommendations I have kindly received through this site.  I will post here what he says and any changes to my protocol.  

Your help has been more valuable than you know.  

Thank you.

Michelle

[Barb135]

While FT3, typically, correlates best with symptoms, the low FT4 could be causing some you to have some symptoms.  We often see patients on desiccated hormones with low FT4 and many of them have to add a separate source of T4, such as Synthroid or generic levothyroxine to raise their FT4 and help alleviate symptoms.

Your AM cortisol is also too high and while a single cortisol level can't be taken as a sign of adrenal issue, it can be taken as a sign that more investigation should be done.  

Have you had Vitamin B-12 tested?  B-12 deficiency causes the most horrible exhaustion imaginable.  Magnesium deficiency can cause the aches/pains you mention, as can other issues.  

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's?