Please post the ranges for the T3 and T4 results. Test results and ranges vary from one lab to another, so it is important to always compare results to ranges shown on the lab report. The second thing is that the ranges are far too broad, due to erroneous way they are established. So the existing ranges are not functional for many hypo patients. Many of our members, myself included say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper third of its range and Free T4 around the middle of its range.
I know for sure when I see the reference ranges, but I suspect that your results for Free T3 are way too low in the range. This is very important because Free T3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
Hi Gimel,
Thanks for your post.
Test Results on 08/15/13
TSH 3.480 normal (TSH was 4.52 on 08/13/13)
T4 thyroxine 11.2 normal
Total T3 113 normal
Free T3 2.7 normal
Free T4 0.95 normal
Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies <15
Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantibodies 2168 high
Total Protein in serum is also high 8.7
Vitamin D low (20)
My TSH has been up and down before (from 0.01 to 31.6) and TPO was 384 1 year ago and 149 2 months ago.
First thing is to get rid of your Endo. He will never get you well based on what you have said about him so far. Second, yes you should start on the thyroid med. That is a very low, starter dose.
Please post those "normal" thyroid hormone results and reference ranges so that members can assess the adequacy of your tests and your status.