New and looking for advice

[Flowers3]

Hi everybody,

I'm new here and would like to hear your thoughts. In 2008 I suddenly became very ill, they thought I got the 'real flu'. After 2 weeks still being ill they tested my blood and the only thing that came up was my thyroid (elevated TSH and normal FT4). They suspected Hashimoto's disease. I was referred to the hospital to a internist and he tested again for my thyroid (only TSH, FT4 and total T3) and said it was all normal so I probably was mentally ill. Since then I've got a lot of therapy and a lot of medications because I had a ''severe chronic depression''. I should tell that I didn't think that was true but I trusted the doctors. I got several blood tests in the last 7 years, thyroid was always abnormal. I got a copy of all my blood tests and followed my gut feeling, read a lot of thyroid information and books. I was and am sure the thyroid is my problem.

So after a long time of feeling ill and getting more and more symtpoms I got another blood test in november 2014. FT4 was just in range and TSH high as always. I noticed my FT4 was lower than ever. In 7 years you can see the FT4 slowly dropping (not a good sign if you ask me). My GP agreed to try levothyroxine. I'm now on 75mcg and my latest blood test (almost 2 weeks ago after taking it for 7 weeks) showed I'm now on a optimal dose. TSH 0,20 (range 0,27 - 4,20) and FT4 17,8 (range 10 - 19). After taking it for 5 weeks I noticed some little improvement (eyes less heavy, less headache).

I will have another blood test in 3 months, then I also want FT3 to be tested (which was 4,4 before treatment, range 3,5 - 5,9). I understand that I'm just now on the right dose but I'm wondering how long it can take before I feel a lot better? I am still very cold, no appetite and stomach pains, very tired and vivid dreams every night.

I also have two questions that no one can seem to answer (only saw my GP for this, not a specialist);

- In 2013 I was positive for anti-TPO (70). It was tested again in november 2014 and now it said negative. Because the first one was positive, does this mean it's Hashimoto's disease?

- In 2008 when I saw the internist they tested also total T3 (still don't understand as I learned you need the free one). Total T3 was too high; 2,6 (range 1,5 - 2,4), what could that be?

(PS; I am taking B12 1000mcg sublingual twice a day, 3000IU vitamin D3 and a multivitamin every day and eat Paleo).

[goolarra]

No, 5.3-5.9 is on the high side.  Upper half to upper third of range is the target for FT3.  So, in your range of 3.5-5.9, we're looking at 4.7, plus or minus a little.  Upper third would start at 5.1, and very few people require FT3 much above the bottom of the top third.  

I understand the TPOab range is 0-34.  The test was negative, so it was under 34, but I was looking for an exact number.  

In 2008, your FT4 was quite low.  It was 29% of range.  50% is the target.  When FT4 levels drop low, there is a phenomenon that sometimes occurs.  FT3 goes up as the body "over" converts in an effort to make sure there are adequate supplies of T3 to fill cell demand.  Perhaps that was what was happening in 2008.  Did you have hypo symptoms at that time?  Any hyper symptoms?

Also, you say that you are on an optimal dose now, but I tend to disagree.  Your FT4 is at 87% of range.  More isn't necessarily better.  When levels of FT4 rise too high, the body tends to raise production of RT3 and lower production of FT3.  If I were you, the first thing I'd do is try getting FT4 closer to 50% to see if that helps.

[Flowers3]

Something went wrong with my post..I meant to say that for the TPO everything above 34 is considered positive and anything below negative.

[Flowers3]

Thank you for your reply! Okay, so it's a reasonable time to get FT3 checked also in 3 months, if this is low I guess I will need a referral to a specialist. FT3 should be in the upper range I've read, the range in my lab is 3,5-5,9 so I've I measured it right it should be between 5,3-5,9.

The range for the TPO was 34 positive. This was the same for the test in 2014.

The labs for 2008 for the thyroid were; FT4 16 (range 14-21) and TSH 5,4 (range 0,5-5,0). The T3 that was tested was the total T3 but it seems odd to me that it was elevated..It's just a piece of the puzzle I can't solve.

[goolarra]

Some of us found that our FT3 kept going up for quite a while after we'd gotten on a stable dose of T4.  I think it's worth giving it a little time to see if that happens, but three months is more than enough.  If you still have symptoms and your FT3 is low, it would be time to push for adding T3 to your meds.  

What was the range on your TPOab in 2013?  TPOab can be "somewhat elevated" (a term I have never seen anyone define) with other autoimmune diseases and in healthy people at times.  What was your TPOab in 2014?

Do you have the rest of your labs from 2008?  FT3 all by itself is kind of hard to analyze without the context of at least FT4 and TSH.