Low TSH and Free T4's

[Lizzie203]

I got a call from my gynecologist stating that my thyroid levels came back very low. We were trying to identify some of the symptoms since I have PCOS. My doctor stated my TSH level was at 0.29 and Free t4 level was at 0.24. I've been on daily 50mg of Cytomel since 2005. What all does this mean? I have symptoms of hypothyroidism (hair loss, fatigue, weight gain, muscle aches, etc). Everything that i read is very confusing. I'm going in to see my doctor on Thursday, but would rather have a heads up on what to ask for first. Also withe these levels, should I start seeing an endo instead of my Primary care physician

[TamraW]

Lizzie, much of those symptoms are gone or just mild now that I'm on thryoid hormone. I am hoping the symptoms I still have will improve as my medication is gradually increased. The fingers swell from time to time, just enough that I can't wear my wedding ring. Many times people with one auto-immune disease will also have another auto-immune condition such as arthritis. Below are the symptoms I still have:

Mild weight gain even while dieting
Require a 20-30 minute daily nap
Mild Gerd
Mild constipation
mild depression or anxiety
Mild abdomen swelling on occasion
Still have the neck/jaw pain/swelling/pressure
Scratchy voice
Mild dizziness
Fatigue increases with periods. Blood flow is still moderately heavy.
Ear pressure/pain
Voice is sometimes hoarse
Mild knee/joint pains – finger swelling and pain
Still have the same rash or scaly skin on neck, head, hands, chest, chin, nose, right armpit down to waist
Still have dry eyes and sometimes soreness
Occasionally I have a mild hot flashes or chills
Occasional night throbbing/pounding in ears that wakes me
Muscles in legs sometimes go wobbly and weak when I am standing
Body temp ranges 97-97.5
Occasional shaky hands
Occasional feeling like heart is beating fast
Occasional enlarged lymphnodes in neck and armpit
Legs feel heavy and swollen at times

:) Tamra

[Lizzie203]

Wow, you described me all most exactly with most of those symptoms.  that's amazing!  You said you had a finger swelling with pain.  Was it one finger or multiple.  I've had my middle finger in my left finger swelling for over a year now.  The doctors said it was psoriatic arthritis, but it's just one finger (and yes I do have psoriasis which has gotten a heck of a lot worse and spread over the last year).  I will definitely talk to my doctor about those tests and hopefully something will come up.  

[TamraW]

I wonder why you are only on Cytomel and not a T4 drug as well.

I would suggest you go to an endo and get on the right combination of drugs so you can feel better.

Get your TGab and TPOab tests for Hashimoto's.

I have Hashimoto's. I get the chronic sinus infections, simply because my immunity is lower due to my disease. I take Flonase and Zyrtec. That has helped tremendously. Here were my Hashi symptoms before adequate thyroid meds:

Mild weight gain even while dieting
Extreme fatigue/napping
GERD/Heartburn/chest pain
Mostly constipation mixed with diarrhea
Depression/anxiety/forgetfulness/brain fog
Abdomen swells for no apparent reason
Neck/jaw pain/swelling/pressure
Scratchy voice
Migraines, dizziness and back of neck/head pain
Very cold feet and hands and sometimes a feeling like ants are biting my feet
Endometriosis (2 years ago – cured after one year of birth control)
Irregular/heavy periods and menstrual-like cramping in between periods
Ear pressure/pain
Voice is sometimes hoarse
Knee/joint pains – finger swelling and pain
Rash or scaly skin on neck, head, hands, chest, chin, nose, right armpit down to waist
Dry eyes and sometimes soreness
Occasionally I have a mild hot flashes or chills
Night throbbing/pounding in ears that wakes me
Toe nails feel painful and brittle
Muscles in legs sometimes go wobbly and weak when I am standing
Tingling feet/hands/lips
Body temp ranges 97-97.5
Hair clumps in shower
Shaky hands
Blood pressure changing
Feeling like heart is beating fast
Decreased sex drive
Enlarged lymphnodes in neck and armpit
Legs feel heavy and swollen at times

:) Tamra

[Lizzie203]

I had blood drawn at 3:30pm and I took my medicine the night before at 10pm.  Not sure if that makes much difference.
Symptoms:  extreme fatigue (i literally could sleep all day long), hair loss, weigh gain, memory problems (forgetting a lot of things), troubles focusing.

I don't know if it's related but I have been getting chronic sinus infections, lots of stomach problems (go in for an endoscopy tomorrow), and my liver enzymes were high in August.  I had my thyroid tested in August and my doc said it was normal, but unfortunately i didn't think to get my results.  I just heard normal and took it at face value

[stella5349]

If you are on a daily dose of Cytomel then that is why your thyroid level came back .29. Really that's not that low either.

Symptoms? what are you having?

Did you take your Cytomel before the lab. Cytomel is short lived - fast acting. If you took the meds prior to labs you are false -positive.