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New results, confused and need answers
I've been taking levothyroxine for almost a year, I was on the lowest dose for the first 7 or 8 months and then my doctor increased the dose to 50mcg in May.
What confuses me is the fact that the medication is only affecting my TSH level (it was at 2.7 when I was on 25mcg), while my FT4 has always been at the bottom end of the range (with or without therapy).
My latest results are a bit surprising to me because I didn't expect the TSH to be this low. I'm wondering if this means that my thyroid is overactive at the moment despite the FT4 level that is still low normal. Does anyone have any idea why it isn't going up? I hope all this isn't a sign that I will never respond to the medication properly (is it possible that my Free levels wouldn't be in the upper third of the range even if I were on the highest dose?).
Here are my new results:
TSH 0.163
FT4 11.5 (10.30 - 24.40)
Thanks in advance
What confuses me is the fact that the medication is only affecting my TSH level (it was at 2.7 when I was on 25mcg), while my FT4 has always been at the bottom end of the range (with or without therapy).
My latest results are a bit surprising to me because I didn't expect the TSH to be this low. I'm wondering if this means that my thyroid is overactive at the moment despite the FT4 level that is still low normal. Does anyone have any idea why it isn't going up? I hope all this isn't a sign that I will never respond to the medication properly (is it possible that my Free levels wouldn't be in the upper third of the range even if I were on the highest dose?).
Here are my new results:
TSH 0.163
FT4 11.5 (10.30 - 24.40)
Thanks in advance
I don't know about taking meds making your Thyroid lazy.
But I do know that you sound as if you don't feel well. And you want to feel well. And with both your FT3 & FT4 in the lower levels you are Hypo. Sleep problems are also associated with being Hypo.
With the FT3 on the low end I would not believe that you have much of a chance of being Hyper. Above mid range on the FT3 then maybe.
The fact that you have had tests for both FT3 & FT4 is good. You clearly have room to add more T4 medication. You can then get retested in 6 weeks and see the results and see how much the FT3 levels bumped up. Keeping of course an eye towards Hyper symptoms. But I would bet you wouldn't get them.
The problem you will have may be in finding a Dr. to increase your meds when you are in the "normal" range. Until you find a Dr who is willing to do this, you will remain not feeling your best.
I would not worry about a conversion problem until you get your FT4 into the middle of the range or so. Until then it is just additional worry that you don't need.
The fact that you don't have Hasi's is a good thing. That may very well mean that once you find your proper dosage, that it may remain the same and you can feel well for an extended period of time. Others with Hashi's have to always play catch up to make sure their blood labs and increasing medication are keeping up with the loss of natural production of Thyroid hormone from the Thyroid gland. My wife is always seemingly behind the curve and can never seem to get into the sweet spot for medication and feeling well.
But I do know that you sound as if you don't feel well. And you want to feel well. And with both your FT3 & FT4 in the lower levels you are Hypo. Sleep problems are also associated with being Hypo.
With the FT3 on the low end I would not believe that you have much of a chance of being Hyper. Above mid range on the FT3 then maybe.
The fact that you have had tests for both FT3 & FT4 is good. You clearly have room to add more T4 medication. You can then get retested in 6 weeks and see the results and see how much the FT3 levels bumped up. Keeping of course an eye towards Hyper symptoms. But I would bet you wouldn't get them.
The problem you will have may be in finding a Dr. to increase your meds when you are in the "normal" range. Until you find a Dr who is willing to do this, you will remain not feeling your best.
I would not worry about a conversion problem until you get your FT4 into the middle of the range or so. Until then it is just additional worry that you don't need.
The fact that you don't have Hasi's is a good thing. That may very well mean that once you find your proper dosage, that it may remain the same and you can feel well for an extended period of time. Others with Hashi's have to always play catch up to make sure their blood labs and increasing medication are keeping up with the loss of natural production of Thyroid hormone from the Thyroid gland. My wife is always seemingly behind the curve and can never seem to get into the sweet spot for medication and feeling well.
Thank you very much for you comments.
I had my FT3 tested about three months ago, it was low normal at 3.4 (3.1-6.8), my FT4 was at the bottom end of the range as well. I also tested negative for antibodies and had an ultrasound, which showed that everything was fine (I have no idea what might have caused such a drop in my hormones). I've been on Levothyroxine since last September and haven't noticed any improvement in my symptoms yet (depression, slow metabolism, tiredness...), so I don't know what to do anymore. I am confused because the medication has only lowered my TSH, while my FT3 and FT4 haven't even started to rise yet. Could this mean that there is something else wrong? Can other hormonal imbalances cause a drop in thyroid hormones and lead to a bit strange results - my TSH has never even been that high, it was slightly elevated or high normal before I started taking thyroid meds. I have read that it should be much higher in cases where FT3 and FT4 are low/low normal, that's why I am even more puzzled.
I am relieved to hear that the low TSH probably doesn't mean that I am going hyper, but I've noticed that my insomnia has gotten worse in the last 2-3 months (I've had trouble sleeping for almost a year), and I am a bit concerned that it might be a symptom of hyperthyroidism.
I have asked this question before, but I will ask it again because I am worried about the situation I'm in.
Since I don't have Hashi's, will I ever be able to stop taking my meds? Now that I've been on Levothyroxine for a year, would my results be the same as they were before therapy, or would they be even worse if I stopped taking the medication? I have read that thyroid meds can make thyroid lazier and that it produces even less hormones than before if you stop your medication? Is this true?
I have one more question. Do my results already show that I have conversion problems, or do FT4 levels have to be in the upper third of the range and FT3 low or low normal to indicate that T4 isn't converting into T3 properly (my levels are always low/low normal)?
I had my FT3 tested about three months ago, it was low normal at 3.4 (3.1-6.8), my FT4 was at the bottom end of the range as well. I also tested negative for antibodies and had an ultrasound, which showed that everything was fine (I have no idea what might have caused such a drop in my hormones). I've been on Levothyroxine since last September and haven't noticed any improvement in my symptoms yet (depression, slow metabolism, tiredness...), so I don't know what to do anymore. I am confused because the medication has only lowered my TSH, while my FT3 and FT4 haven't even started to rise yet. Could this mean that there is something else wrong? Can other hormonal imbalances cause a drop in thyroid hormones and lead to a bit strange results - my TSH has never even been that high, it was slightly elevated or high normal before I started taking thyroid meds. I have read that it should be much higher in cases where FT3 and FT4 are low/low normal, that's why I am even more puzzled.
I am relieved to hear that the low TSH probably doesn't mean that I am going hyper, but I've noticed that my insomnia has gotten worse in the last 2-3 months (I've had trouble sleeping for almost a year), and I am a bit concerned that it might be a symptom of hyperthyroidism.
I have asked this question before, but I will ask it again because I am worried about the situation I'm in.
Since I don't have Hashi's, will I ever be able to stop taking my meds? Now that I've been on Levothyroxine for a year, would my results be the same as they were before therapy, or would they be even worse if I stopped taking the medication? I have read that thyroid meds can make thyroid lazier and that it produces even less hormones than before if you stop your medication? Is this true?
I have one more question. Do my results already show that I have conversion problems, or do FT4 levels have to be in the upper third of the range and FT3 low or low normal to indicate that T4 isn't converting into T3 properly (my levels are always low/low normal)?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Even though your TSH is going lower, that doesn't mean you are hyper. My TSH has been
< 0.01 for the past 4 years and as long as my FT3 and FT4 are good, we don't give TSH a thought......
You need to have a Free T3 test run, then try to adjust medication to get your FT4 at, or slightly above mid range and your FT3 in the upper 1/3 of its range, as this where most of us feel best.
As far as your FT4 not going up, even though you are on medication, you can figure that you haven't hit your optimal dosage yet, but it's always best to go slowly in order to prevent you from going hyper. I was on medication for over a year before my FT4 even budged at all and it took longer for my FT3 to come up; I eventually had to add a source of T3, because my FT3 would not follow my FT4 upwards, which meant I don't convert well.
On my latest labs, both my FT3 and FT4 were right around mid range, and while I feel best with FT3 a bit higher, I also tend to start going hyper.
If your doctor insists on lowering your dosage, based on TSH, even if you have hypo symptoms, you might need to look for another doctor to manage your thyroid. I had a doctor do the same thing to me - lower my med because my TSH went to the basement - and he kept me sick for months, until my ENT finally sent me to an endo who isn't concerned with TSH.
< 0.01 for the past 4 years and as long as my FT3 and FT4 are good, we don't give TSH a thought......
You need to have a Free T3 test run, then try to adjust medication to get your FT4 at, or slightly above mid range and your FT3 in the upper 1/3 of its range, as this where most of us feel best.
As far as your FT4 not going up, even though you are on medication, you can figure that you haven't hit your optimal dosage yet, but it's always best to go slowly in order to prevent you from going hyper. I was on medication for over a year before my FT4 even budged at all and it took longer for my FT3 to come up; I eventually had to add a source of T3, because my FT3 would not follow my FT4 upwards, which meant I don't convert well.
On my latest labs, both my FT3 and FT4 were right around mid range, and while I feel best with FT3 a bit higher, I also tend to start going hyper.
If your doctor insists on lowering your dosage, based on TSH, even if you have hypo symptoms, you might need to look for another doctor to manage your thyroid. I had a doctor do the same thing to me - lower my med because my TSH went to the basement - and he kept me sick for months, until my ENT finally sent me to an endo who isn't concerned with TSH.
The important thing is how do you feel?
What symptoms did you have, and what symptoms do you have now?
Have you ever been tested for the FT3?
But looking at your labs you have. I would bet you are still very Hypo and having Hypo symptoms.
you may want to ask your Dr., if they did not have the TSH data. But ONLY your symptoms and the FT4 information. Would your Dr. diagnose you Hypo or Hyper. If he says Hypo, congratulate him. And then promptly ask him to continue to treat you in that light and to ignore TSH and instead add the FT3 test. Obviously keeping an eye on if Hyper symptoms begin to show up. Until then continue treatment with the goal to relieve you of your symptoms.
you ask about raising the FT4 to the upper level and wouldn't get your FT3 up to the upper 1/3. Well you will never know if you do not test for FT3. But if that were the case it would indicate that your body doesn't convert T4 to T3. But that is getting ahead of yourself.
You have ample room to continue to raise your T4. Once you get to mid range on your FT4 and you are still Hypo is really the time to start questioning whether or not to add in a T3 medication component. By starting to test for FT3 now, you & your Dr can get a sense if your FT3 is responding the way it is expected, or if it lags way behind that which would be expected. That would suggest a conversion issue.
But first step really is to up your dosage of T4 and see if that relieves you of your symptoms.
Good luck.
What symptoms did you have, and what symptoms do you have now?
Have you ever been tested for the FT3?
But looking at your labs you have. I would bet you are still very Hypo and having Hypo symptoms.
you may want to ask your Dr., if they did not have the TSH data. But ONLY your symptoms and the FT4 information. Would your Dr. diagnose you Hypo or Hyper. If he says Hypo, congratulate him. And then promptly ask him to continue to treat you in that light and to ignore TSH and instead add the FT3 test. Obviously keeping an eye on if Hyper symptoms begin to show up. Until then continue treatment with the goal to relieve you of your symptoms.
you ask about raising the FT4 to the upper level and wouldn't get your FT3 up to the upper 1/3. Well you will never know if you do not test for FT3. But if that were the case it would indicate that your body doesn't convert T4 to T3. But that is getting ahead of yourself.
You have ample room to continue to raise your T4. Once you get to mid range on your FT4 and you are still Hypo is really the time to start questioning whether or not to add in a T3 medication component. By starting to test for FT3 now, you & your Dr can get a sense if your FT3 is responding the way it is expected, or if it lags way behind that which would be expected. That would suggest a conversion issue.
But first step really is to up your dosage of T4 and see if that relieves you of your symptoms.
Good luck.
hello i just read your post and thought hey im going threw almost the same thing..but the awesome people on here tell me im still hypo and not hyper because the tsh does go lower when on synthyroid for hypo...some drs are not aware that having a suppressed or low tsh is not an indicator of hyperthyroid its the t3 and t4 #s that count...i was hypo for 10mths on synthyroid and then my tsh levels showed very suppressed and the dr said im hyper now..but i really still feel tired and hypo..there is alot of info on this site about it...im learning as i go...hope we both get our drs to see this and medicated properly...take care....b
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