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My numbers and confusion
First, my doctor has only done 1 test for antibodies, the TgAB test and that was only because I suggested it. My number today is 114. My TSH-ultra sensitive is 0.086, FT3 3.38 and FT4 0.84. I am taking 3 grains of NatureThroid daily, split 2 upon waking, and 1 about 12 hours later. I began taking NatureThroid in May, after having been on synthetic for many years and feeling awful. A couple of months ago, I read to dose to my symptoms, so upped the dosage on my own. My numbers then were TSH 0.010, FT3 4.80 and FT4 1.33 and antibody 145. I also had off the charts low adrenal function, which has apparently responded to my taking Isocort, 10 a day.
Do I have to be concerned with low TSH if the FT3 and T4 are good?
The doctor's office seems to be panicing and wants me to come in.
Do I have to be concerned with low TSH if the FT3 and T4 are good?
The doctor's office seems to be panicing and wants me to come in.
Well, I can't encourage you to do this against your doctor's advice. If you increase on your own, won't you run out of meds before your prescription can be refilled? Have you considered finding another doctor?
If you do increase, I'd be very conservative on how much you add. Your labs are looking good, and a very tiny increase could make a lot of difference since you're in the "fine tuning" stage. It's always best to err on the side of too small a change...you can always increase more if needed, and no one wants to go through the hyper symptoms from increasing too much.
If you do increase, I'd be very conservative on how much you add. Your labs are looking good, and a very tiny increase could make a lot of difference since you're in the "fine tuning" stage. It's always best to err on the side of too small a change...you can always increase more if needed, and no one wants to go through the hyper symptoms from increasing too much.
Thank you for keeping up with me. I didn't keep my appointment yesterday, but did speak with the doctor by phone. She suggests no change right now, but while much improved, I definitely still have some hypo symptoms: can't lose weight, difficulty with focus, still tired, cold feet, thinning hair. I am considering upping my dosage by 1/2 grain to 1 grain.
I am not experiencing any hyper symptoms.
I am not experiencing any hyper symptoms.
To your knowledge, what would be considered hyper symptoms? Based on the blood work I reported here, I have an appointment with my doctor today. What is she going to do for me? I don't have insurance and think it a waste of time and money. I've been thinking that I should increase my daily dose by 1 grain. I am currently taking 3 grains (a 2 grain first thing in the AM and 1 grain later in the day....sometimes too late because I don't always remember..away from food.) Also, I chew the tablets.
Stress is a big factor in precipitating the emergence of autoimmune diseease and in exacerbating it. Unfortunately, once we have autoimmune diseases, calming down does not get rid of them, but does help us deal with them better. Life, however, gets in the way at times, and stress is inevitable, so...
This is the first time I've ever been on any forum. I really appreciate your feedback.
I actually have two other autoimmune diseases, and heard that this is very common, even specifically, that it is not uncommon for people with Hashimotos to also have lichen planus and lichen schlerosis. It's probably all stress related. And I want to mention that for the longest time, I had borderline high blood pressure, which was stressful in itself. I refused medication, attempting to treat it with diet and exercise. I was always going in to CVS pharmacy and checking my pressure. As soon as I began taking T3, my blood pressure became completely normal. My body had been working so hard to make up for my thyroid, that it caused elevated blood pressure. Wild, huh?
I actually have two other autoimmune diseases, and heard that this is very common, even specifically, that it is not uncommon for people with Hashimotos to also have lichen planus and lichen schlerosis. It's probably all stress related. And I want to mention that for the longest time, I had borderline high blood pressure, which was stressful in itself. I refused medication, attempting to treat it with diet and exercise. I was always going in to CVS pharmacy and checking my pressure. As soon as I began taking T3, my blood pressure became completely normal. My body had been working so hard to make up for my thyroid, that it caused elevated blood pressure. Wild, huh?
I'm living proof...I have high levels of both! Just "lucky", I guess, like the one-eyed, deaf, three-legged dog! LOL
Seriously, it's a good idea to have antibody testing. You know more about what you're dealing with. Also, one autoimmune disease predisposes you to another...valuable information. Best of luck with your treatment!
Seriously, it's a good idea to have antibody testing. You know more about what you're dealing with. Also, one autoimmune disease predisposes you to another...valuable information. Best of luck with your treatment!
I didn't know that Hashis patients also can be Tgab positive. I haven't been tested for those autoantibodies but think I will ask for it. Thanks for the info!
I agree...your FT3 looks good at 54 % of range...it could even be a bit higher IF you still having lingering hypo symptoms and no hyper symptoms. FT4 is a tad low at 45% with 50% being the recommendation, but it's nothing for concern. When taking meds containing T3, TSH is often suppressed below the bottom of the range. Don't let your doctor adjust your meds based on the TSH level alone...FT3 and FT4 are much more important as is symptom relief.
TGab is the antibody for both Graves' and Hashi's. Most of us with Hashi's are TPOab positive, some only TGab positive, and some both. TPOab can also be elevated with Graves', which is why TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) is the definitive test for Graves'.
TGab is the antibody for both Graves' and Hashi's. Most of us with Hashi's are TPOab positive, some only TGab positive, and some both. TPOab can also be elevated with Graves', which is why TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) is the definitive test for Graves'.
With the ranges you posted, the only thing I see is a lower range Free T4. Free T3 looks good. Like goolara says, the TSH doesn't seem to be a concern without hyper symptoms. (please know I am just another patient learning from this group of thryoid patients so my comments are based only on a few months of experience & reading)
The only thing that confuses me is that the TgAB is the auto-antibody test for Graves Disease (hyper thryroid) yet you are on hypo-thyroid hormone.
I'd ask for the Anti-TPO test to see if you have both auto-immune antibodies.
How did your original diagnosis come about?
The only thing that confuses me is that the TgAB is the auto-antibody test for Graves Disease (hyper thryroid) yet you are on hypo-thyroid hormone.
I'd ask for the Anti-TPO test to see if you have both auto-immune antibodies.
How did your original diagnosis come about?
Thanks so much for responding.
I received these numbers today: TSH-ultra sensitive 0.086 and the range is 0.350-5.000
Free T3 is 3.38 and the range is 1.5-5.00
Free T4 is 0.84 and the range is .50-1.25
TgAB antibody is 114 and should be less than 60
She didn't test the anti-TPO
I received these numbers today: TSH-ultra sensitive 0.086 and the range is 0.350-5.000
Free T3 is 3.38 and the range is 1.5-5.00
Free T4 is 0.84 and the range is .50-1.25
TgAB antibody is 114 and should be less than 60
She didn't test the anti-TPO
What are the reference ranges on your FT3 and FT4? Ranges are specific to each lab and have to come from your own lab report.
IF (the big IF) your FT3 and FT4 are good, and you are on dessicated, then, no, you do not have to be concerned with resultant TSH if you are not having hyper symptoms. However, I have to agree with ShelleyN720: your FT3 looks high to me. Please post ranges so we can comment more fully.
IF (the big IF) your FT3 and FT4 are good, and you are on dessicated, then, no, you do not have to be concerned with resultant TSH if you are not having hyper symptoms. However, I have to agree with ShelleyN720: your FT3 looks high to me. Please post ranges so we can comment more fully.
Arlene,
What was your most current FreeT3? The 3.38 number? How about the lab ranges?
Dosing to symptoms is usually something we are encouraged to ask our doctors to do. A FreeT3 of 4.80 is really high (it seems). Just be careful! I read that High T3 for prolonged periods of time can cause bone loss..
What was your most current FreeT3? The 3.38 number? How about the lab ranges?
Dosing to symptoms is usually something we are encouraged to ask our doctors to do. A FreeT3 of 4.80 is really high (it seems). Just be careful! I read that High T3 for prolonged periods of time can cause bone loss..
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I'm sure you know what hypo symptoms are...the opposite of hyper (you can google them, too).
I think you have to ask your doctor to treat you based on your symptoms. Do you still have hypo symptoms? If so, you might need an increase. However, your labs are good enough at the moment that I'd suggest trying a smaller increase to see if that got rid of symptoms. Do you have hyper symptoms? If so, then increasing would not be a good idea. If you are feeling well (neither hypo nor hyper), your FT3 and FT4 look good. The dessicated is what's suppressing your TSH, and it should be ignored. If your doctor insists on lowering your meds based on your labs, then she is putting too much weight on TSH. You might need to find a doctor who understands treating by FT3 and FT4.
Let us know how your appointment goes.