Aa
Ok AR-10. Could you shed some light?
On 4/18/08 I had blood work done because my hair started falling out like mad. I had been tired for years, and depressed. So here are the results. My question is 'why is both my TSH and Free T4 low?' I thought that your tsh was high when your free t4 was low?
4/18/08
Free T4 .6 range .77 - 1.61
TSH .76 range .34 - 4.82
On 4/19/08 I was retested because I was having terrible symptoms from 75 mcg of Synthroid. I had take just 6 pills.
Free T4 1.0 range .77 - 1.61
TSH .36 range .34 - 4.82
She then had me go off of Synthroid for a couple of days, then start 15 mg of Armour ( which I requested ). I then had my blood tested again yesterday ( since I seem to very touchy with meds.). 5/19/08
Free T4 .9 range .77 - 1.61
TSH .46 range .34 - 4.82
Also on my first initial work up there is a whole list of things they tested. Two of them show flags as low.
AST 13 range 15 - 37 ( I'm not even sure what these are.)
Hematocrit 36 range 37.0 - 47.0
Do these have any bearing?
Any insight would be great.
4/18/08
Free T4 .6 range .77 - 1.61
TSH .76 range .34 - 4.82
On 4/19/08 I was retested because I was having terrible symptoms from 75 mcg of Synthroid. I had take just 6 pills.
Free T4 1.0 range .77 - 1.61
TSH .36 range .34 - 4.82
She then had me go off of Synthroid for a couple of days, then start 15 mg of Armour ( which I requested ). I then had my blood tested again yesterday ( since I seem to very touchy with meds.). 5/19/08
Free T4 .9 range .77 - 1.61
TSH .46 range .34 - 4.82
Also on my first initial work up there is a whole list of things they tested. Two of them show flags as low.
AST 13 range 15 - 37 ( I'm not even sure what these are.)
Hematocrit 36 range 37.0 - 47.0
Do these have any bearing?
Any insight would be great.
Thanks Stella.... I started the armour in the pm yesterday. Unfortunatly I was already exhausted by then, and took a 3 hour nap yesterday! But then I couldn't sleep at night! I should know better!! LOL. This morning I'm feeling good, not as tired as I was yesterday morning.
I am definitly not going back to Zoloft. Even though it worked for me... I do believe it has caused this mess!
I am definitly not going back to Zoloft. Even though it worked for me... I do believe it has caused this mess!
Normal TSH accompanied by Low T4 is a definate indication of adrenal fatigue/exhaustion. I would go forward on testing our cortisol levels to see where you are at. VitD also goes hand in hand with that. You Hemo RBC may indicate some low iron as "guru" king AR states too.
It is well known Zoloft (and any anti depressantsthat effect brain recepticals) will change the hormones in the body. It will take months to rid the body of this and get testing to see exactly where you are at.
I am going to look at you more symptomatically right now than numbers. Introducing Armour at 15mg and seeing your free T3 indicates to me you do not have enough T3 in you. I believe you may need to increase as suggested at 1pm. I would also take a look at possibly supplementing seleium into your daily routine. You may get some better conversion results which may help with the symptoms.
If you need something to calm your nerves A mild Xanax or even magnesium citrate supplement may help. I would not go back to Zoloft.
It is well known Zoloft (and any anti depressantsthat effect brain recepticals) will change the hormones in the body. It will take months to rid the body of this and get testing to see exactly where you are at.
I am going to look at you more symptomatically right now than numbers. Introducing Armour at 15mg and seeing your free T3 indicates to me you do not have enough T3 in you. I believe you may need to increase as suggested at 1pm. I would also take a look at possibly supplementing seleium into your daily routine. You may get some better conversion results which may help with the symptoms.
If you need something to calm your nerves A mild Xanax or even magnesium citrate supplement may help. I would not go back to Zoloft.
Thanks, I know I've been feeling a little better, and I have notice that I don't have to clean the drain out 3 times. Only about 2 times while I shower LOL. My hair is so thin I'm scared I'm not going to have any left. I still had to take a nap today! I wasn't exhausted yesterday, but today when I woke up in the morning I couldn't believe how tired I was!! LOL.
I too was handed a script for Zoloft and my depression 1 year after my daughters birth. I was told I had 'late postpartum depression'. So I took it, and did feel relief. I have family history of depression so didn't think much about it. I also was SO tired at the time, but I had a new born, and depression can cause fatigue! So I've been on it for 6 years. Never tested for anything. ( I later saw a shrink a year later, that diagnose me with Unipolar... or Major Depression... no thyroid checked then either! )
I too was handed a script for Zoloft and my depression 1 year after my daughters birth. I was told I had 'late postpartum depression'. So I took it, and did feel relief. I have family history of depression so didn't think much about it. I also was SO tired at the time, but I had a new born, and depression can cause fatigue! So I've been on it for 6 years. Never tested for anything. ( I later saw a shrink a year later, that diagnose me with Unipolar... or Major Depression... no thyroid checked then either! )
if you google, there are many studys that show zoloft and other ad's can interfere with thyroid..........for some reason it can cause people to go hypo.........i have been on zoloft for over 10 years and its not helping at all with this thyroid nightmare...........it used to work great..............i do not think we have permanent damage form the ad's but i think it has interfered with thyroid...........but who is to know which came first....the chicken or the egg...........my psych doc believes that i had hashi when i was first prescribed the zoloft, but i was not checked for anything...........i was just handed a prescription for my misery....................
there are many of us who have low tsh and low free levels...................if we take t3 meds, it will usually cause the tsh to be supressed................just because your tsh is low, does NOT mean you are not hypothyroid..............there are many many who have a supressed tsh and get their free levels up and become well............good luck
there are many of us who have low tsh and low free levels...................if we take t3 meds, it will usually cause the tsh to be supressed................just because your tsh is low, does NOT mean you are not hypothyroid..............there are many many who have a supressed tsh and get their free levels up and become well............good luck
Here is Dr. Lupo's response. I'm not sure I understand it?? Is he saying I don't have a thyroid problem.... or that it's not abnormal to have low tsh and free t4? And if he doesn't think I have a thyroid problem, why do I feel so much better taking the Armour? I'm even more confused!??!?!?! I've also been reading that sometimes you TSH is NOT a good indicator of thyroid issues.
"""Your thyroid labs are normal. A slightly low free T4 is not clinically significant if the TSH and T3 are normal. The AST (liver test) and hematocrit (anemia test) levels are fine.
Does not look like you've had enough time on 15mg of armour for the labs to accurately reflect how this is working for you. There is no data to support that Free T4 goal ("1.3") - or any specific free T4 goal for the typical hypothyroid situation. """
"""Your thyroid labs are normal. A slightly low free T4 is not clinically significant if the TSH and T3 are normal. The AST (liver test) and hematocrit (anemia test) levels are fine.
Does not look like you've had enough time on 15mg of armour for the labs to accurately reflect how this is working for you. There is no data to support that Free T4 goal ("1.3") - or any specific free T4 goal for the typical hypothyroid situation. """
I was on Efexxor for over 8 years on a very high dose...I often too wonder if that stuffed me right up! Coincidence or fact, who knows. Drug companies won't tell us, that's for sure!
If you don't get much sun and you don't eat a ton of fish or dairy, then you should take a supplement. Just make sure any other multi-vitamins you take don't also already have Vit D in them, you can overdose on it, and that is not a pretty sight!
I did read somewhere that low t3 and low t4 can be a pituitary gland problem, so you might want to get that checked out!
If you don't get much sun and you don't eat a ton of fish or dairy, then you should take a supplement. Just make sure any other multi-vitamins you take don't also already have Vit D in them, you can overdose on it, and that is not a pretty sight!
I did read somewhere that low t3 and low t4 can be a pituitary gland problem, so you might want to get that checked out!
Yes, I did see the AST. I keep wondering if it (zoloft) permently damaged my whole 'system' who knows.
About the vitamin d.. do I need to have it tested? Or can I just start taking the supplement? I'm sick of paying for blood pulls. I'm being robbed blind!
About the vitamin d.. do I need to have it tested? Or can I just start taking the supplement? I'm sick of paying for blood pulls. I'm being robbed blind!
Depression really does suck.
Have you had you vitamin D tested?
We are often found low on viamin d and taking a vitamin D3 supplement can lessen the depression a little.
You did see that part up there where I was wrong about the AST.
You know, Zoloft may have some part in the whole situation. Risidual effects of it messing with some organ that then affects tsh production or who knows what. Maybe it will clear up.
You're in mid-stream with your med change. I'd give it a little more time.
Have you had you vitamin D tested?
We are often found low on viamin d and taking a vitamin D3 supplement can lessen the depression a little.
You did see that part up there where I was wrong about the AST.
You know, Zoloft may have some part in the whole situation. Risidual effects of it messing with some organ that then affects tsh production or who knows what. Maybe it will clear up.
You're in mid-stream with your med change. I'd give it a little more time.
I have checked all over the internet for low tsh and low free t4. I can't seem to find anything on it. I have tried to post to the Dr. but haven't been able. I'll keep trying.
Just a little more info. 3 mos. or so ago I went off Zoloft. I had been on it for 6 yrs. I weaned myself off slowly... ( due to sexual side effects UGH ) My husband is still convince that Zoloft has messed all this (thyroid) up. Some times I think he might be on to something.
I have noticed though that I feel really well in the mornings. Better than I ever did while on Zoloft. I actually laughed at something my daughter did the other day ( 3 yr old ), and it felt good. Unlike any other time.... it really caught me by suprise! I started crying, thinking 'this is what I've been missing!' Strange... and so hard to explain. Depression really sucks. I'm hoping that getting thyroid levels 'normal' will help me deal with it!
Just a little more info. 3 mos. or so ago I went off Zoloft. I had been on it for 6 yrs. I weaned myself off slowly... ( due to sexual side effects UGH ) My husband is still convince that Zoloft has messed all this (thyroid) up. Some times I think he might be on to something.
I have noticed though that I feel really well in the mornings. Better than I ever did while on Zoloft. I actually laughed at something my daughter did the other day ( 3 yr old ), and it felt good. Unlike any other time.... it really caught me by suprise! I started crying, thinking 'this is what I've been missing!' Strange... and so hard to explain. Depression really sucks. I'm hoping that getting thyroid levels 'normal' will help me deal with it!
Well, the meds may pull everything together, but if you have adrenal problems, you can have a lot of trouble tolerating thyroid meds.
The fog lifted!! I think...
I don't know. If it's an adrenal issue, your GP probably won't find it with the cursory tests that come before the serious "check the adrenals" testing.
I'd give it a couple of weeks and get a TSH, Free T3, Free T4, run.
The only problem with going that route, which may work just fine, is that if you decide in a month to go see and Endo, it may take a month or two to get into the exam room.
About the AST. I WAS WRONG. High levels of AST indicate a problem. Low levels, I couldn't find anything about what low levels would indicate. Sorry.
And I'm waiting for Stella, too...
The fog lifted!! I think...
I don't know. If it's an adrenal issue, your GP probably won't find it with the cursory tests that come before the serious "check the adrenals" testing.
I'd give it a couple of weeks and get a TSH, Free T3, Free T4, run.
The only problem with going that route, which may work just fine, is that if you decide in a month to go see and Endo, it may take a month or two to get into the exam room.
About the AST. I WAS WRONG. High levels of AST indicate a problem. Low levels, I couldn't find anything about what low levels would indicate. Sorry.
And I'm waiting for Stella, too...
Interesting about the AST.... I had a horrible reaction to a medication about 3 months ago... would that still be causing a low number? As for the anemia.... I was anemic when I was 'small'. Now that I'm heavier, I've never thought it would be a problem. I take a multi vitamin high in iron, just for that reason. Wonder why it's not helping the anemia.
Currently I am seeing a GP. I really didn't think that I had a reason to see a Endo. Do you think that it would be wise to see one... or just see if the meds work. I know you are not a Dr., but just would like other peoples input. What do you have to say Stella/??
Currently I am seeing a GP. I really didn't think that I had a reason to see a Endo. Do you think that it would be wise to see one... or just see if the meds work. I know you are not a Dr., but just would like other peoples input. What do you have to say Stella/??
Your turn, Stella. :-)
"King"...LOL!!!
I feel like the dwarf the king uses for a foot stool today. :-/
"King"...LOL!!!
I feel like the dwarf the king uses for a foot stool today. :-/
AST is an enzyme (aspartate aminotransferase), and a low count can mean several things. It can point to liver damage, heart damage, hepatitis, or a reaction to a drug you are taking.
Hemocrit is the percentage of blood volumn that is occupied by red blood cells. Your's is a little low. You may be low on iron and slightly anemic.
Normally when your Free T4 is low, your TSH is high.
I don't have an explanation for them both being low, by looking at your tests.
A couple of members and I have batted that subject around, and I can't come up with an explanation.
Maybe Dr. lupo could answer that one for you, and you could let us know. It drove me half nuts trying to figure it out, and a few other members would like to know as well.
A Pituitary problem is the only thing I can come up with, but I know there could be another answer.
Adrenal Insufficiency, perhaps. When your Adrenals get worn down, they can suppress the TSH and slow the thyroid down to a level that the Adrenals can keep up with.
If it's an adrenal problem, your thyroid meds will give you fits. I'd be more specific, but I can here fog horns in my head.
In other words, I can't remember. Sorry.
Hemocrit is the percentage of blood volumn that is occupied by red blood cells. Your's is a little low. You may be low on iron and slightly anemic.
Normally when your Free T4 is low, your TSH is high.
I don't have an explanation for them both being low, by looking at your tests.
A couple of members and I have batted that subject around, and I can't come up with an explanation.
Maybe Dr. lupo could answer that one for you, and you could let us know. It drove me half nuts trying to figure it out, and a few other members would like to know as well.
A Pituitary problem is the only thing I can come up with, but I know there could be another answer.
Adrenal Insufficiency, perhaps. When your Adrenals get worn down, they can suppress the TSH and slow the thyroid down to a level that the Adrenals can keep up with.
If it's an adrenal problem, your thyroid meds will give you fits. I'd be more specific, but I can here fog horns in my head.
In other words, I can't remember. Sorry.
I feel good in the morning... but by 2 pm or so, I'm back to being exhausted, crabby, and just don't feel good. I take my Armour at 6:30 am sublingual, only 15 mg. She suggested taking another 15 mg at 1 pm to fight the afternoon crabbies. She said she would like to see my Free T4 at 1.3. So I'm not sure quite what to do.
The "king" of blood work. I love him. I don't want to spoil his thunder - so I will wait until he posts - but I do have some thoughts regarding the Armour and your Frees. How have you been feeling? That is a biggy.
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