Normal TSH low T4 T3 and estradiol

[radofc]

Have gained 15 pounds over the past 18 months and currently do 1 hour cardio 4 times a week and weight train 2 times a week and have restricted my calorie intake to 1500 calories I am 5'10.  Doctor decided to run Estradiol level and thyroid tests to see if that was causing weight gain.  Was wondering what you thought of these results

Estradiol on day 3 of cycle   23
T4 total 5.5   ref 6.1-12.2
T3 total0.8    ref 0.9-1.8
TSH    1.56  ref 0.34  5.60

Do you think thyroid or estrogen replacement is necessary?  Thanks for the help hate running all these miles and not seeing a difference.

[stella5349]

I am wondering about the estrodiol test. Did they run a FSH - LH along with it?

[Rite760]

Hi there, well firstly I'm not sure how old you are and of the exact ranges you have for Estradiol. But here in the UK an estradiol of 23 on day 3 of your cycle shows you are past perimenopause, and either in menopause or post-menopausal. I myself am undergoing a premature early menopause and my estriadiol is the same. Also it would be useful if you could let me know what your FSH was, as this is the main indicator for menopause assessment. An FSH of above 25 on day 3 shows menopause, the higher the figure, the more into the menopause you are. Mine is currently at 60! With regard to the thyroid, your TSH is normal but your T4 which is the level of thyroxine, is slightly low indicating mild hypothyroid. I am the same in this respect to, although my TSH swings back and forth between hypo and normal. But these 2 conditions are very closely linked and affect each other enormously.

[barleypop]

Here is a website of what hormones levels should be at certain times of your cycle.  
http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html

For your thyroid you should have FreeT4 and FreeT3 tested instead of totals.

Are you having any symptoms of low estrogen i.e. hot flashes, sleep disturbances, moodiness, hair loss, etc.?

My reproductive endo says I am low in estrogen (I am 32) so I am contemplating some sort of hormone replacement therapy (Vivelle-dot and prometrium).  My estradiol levels have come back repeatedly on the low end (in the 60's or 40's) but my FSH levels are normal.  My last estradiol was taken on day 12 and it was 40 which is low but I don't have regular cycles.  Honestly, I don't know if the low estradiol would cause the weight gain...I am actually afraid to start taking it because I think it will cause me to gain weight.

good luck

[radofc]

They did run FSH which was 7.7 and a LH which was 6.0, I am 41 years old.  Main symptoms fatigue, sleep disturbance, weight gain and colder than normal.  Not sure whether to see obgyn  or endocrinologist.  I work for a dermatologist and he was the one that ran the tests.

[estrelinha]

You did your analyses on day 3, that means you took your analyses at the follicular phase, this phase begins on the first day of menstrual bleeding (day 1).
In this phase, the normal levels are:
Estradiol : 20 - 145 pg/ml
LH: 2,0-15,0 U/L
FSH: 3,0-20,0 UI/L

So, your values are normal for a woman that have menstruation. Only thing missing here is progesterone levels (they should be low too).

About thyroid, the totals don't say much, but says something, they are low, so you should test for free T3 ,free T4 and ask for thyroid antibodies. Your TSH is perfect.
I think you should go to an ENDO, they are specialists in endocrine problems (thyroid, female hormones, etc.) you should also test the cortisol levels.

[barleypop]

If you think it is reproductive hormones that are giving you problems I would highly recommend a Reproductive Endocrinologist.  I ended up going to the repro endo because I had two endos who wouldn't/couldn't comment on my female hormones and one of them actually sent me to the repro endo.  I am now having the repro endo manage my thyroid and other hormone issues.  

Maybe you can get the derm doctor you work for to run the frees and antibody tests...you also might want to check out your ferritin and iron levels.  Low ferritin (iron storage) or low iron levels can cause fatigue, sleep issues and being cold. Dermatologist seem more willing to check ferritin levels than other doctors...which is crazy because it is a way less expensive that thyroid labs!!

good luck

[radofc]

I phoned my GP today he said everything looks fine and kinda blew me off. The derm I work for was more concerned and said he would send the results to his brother who is an endocrinologist.  GP made me feel like it was just another woman using thyroid as excuse for weight gain.  Just need a little reassurance  I guess that my T4 and T3 shouldn't be low and could be causing my problem.  I did see my free T4 test from last April and it was 0.66.  Thanks everyone for any answers.

[radofc]

Just wondering how many people feel like they know somethings wrong but the doctors just blow you off.  Have been telling the GP and Obgyn for the past two years something is off but they just chalk it up to perimenopause.  Sorry for the frustration but I'm new to this questioning the doctor's opinion.  I didn't list symptoms before but have told them weight gain, fuzzy memory, mother is on synthroid, dry hair, dry skin, fatigue and the worst total lack of sex drive.

[sd86]

Hi there, Im 23 and im sufering similar symptoms. And yes, the doctors blow you off. I havent had a period for 16months, i train 5 days a week and i watch what i eat. I have gained 10kgs in 8 months without trying and with trying to lose it! I have lowered TSH and VERY low estrogen, prgesterone, FSH, LH and PRL. I don;t have PCOS but the endo wanted to put me on metformin. Have you had any luck with your diagmosis? Im at my wits end Im even seeing a chinese healer tomorrow.