Results, reposted

[Mellowscout]

Hi All,

I just want to repost my test results so I can get some input.  How do some of you deal with low Vitamin D levels?  Here are my newest results:

My results:

TSH .006                          reference intervals .450-4.5
T4 12.3                             reference intervals  4.5-12.0
T3 uptake 40                    reference intervals 24-39
Free thyroxine index 4.9   reference intervals 1.2-4.9
Vitamin D       25.1            reference intervals  32.0-100.0

Are these tests the only ones I need my doctor to test for?  Or should I be asking for something else?  
My Levo has been adjusted to 50mcg a day...so far I'm feeling a little less hyPer.

Mellowscout...good

[gimel]

Total T3 is the total amount of T3 in your blood.  Most of that is bound up with protein molecules and thereby inactive.  Only the small portion that is free of protein (free T3) is biologically active.  Free T3 is four times as active as free T4 and largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  FT3 also correlates best with hypo symptoms.  All this is why knowledge of the actual level of FT3 and FT4 is so important.  

Doctors tend to believe that the testing for TSH is all that is necessary.  Sometimes they go further and test for total T4 and total T3, but those thests are somewhat obsolete and don't really tell enough.  Even if they go further and test for FT4, they also like to believe that that info is enough to predict the level of FT3.  Unfortunately, as many of us can attest, the body doesn't always conform to their belief.  Many times FT3 is relatively lower in its range than FT4, so in view of its importance to your well being, why not just test and be sure.  

In future, insist on testing for FT3 and FT4, along with TSH and Vit D, and forget Totals, T3 uptake, and FTI.

[Mellowscout]

Thanks for all the input.  To answer some questions, these labs were before I was decreased to 50mcg.  I had these labs on 02/16...and started on my new Levo dose of 50 mcg on 02/19.  I don't have any more labs scheduled for a few more weeks, but I am hoping and praying that we have finally hit the right mark!  I definitely feel better since I've been on the 50 mcg.
Also, what is the difference between the free T3 and total T3 and such?? I had a hell of time convincing my doctor to do these tests!!  I would like to be able to tell her exactly what to test for next time.  Also, I will be talking to her about taking some sort of vitamin suplpement.  Thanks for all the suggestions.

Mellowscout...hopeful

[McMillanNelson]

HI Mellowscout, Be carful with the vitamin D supplementation and Calcium. I had the same problem and my Endo told me to take Calcium and D3 but did not mention anything about Magnesium, If you take too much Calcium in a supplement you will deplete Magnesium and possibly Zink also.  I had been supplementing my Calcium with D3 months like my endo said, I play football every week and I got some terrible muscle cramps, turns out it was because I was depleting my other minerals. If you are going to use a supplement, you might do best to get one that is balanced with Calcium, Magnesium, Zink and D3.

Your Free Thyroxine (or Free T4) Is at the high end of the range, if I am reading your post right. Has that changed from your last Lab results?

Good Luck!

McMillan

[stella5349]

as for better tests w/ thyroid

not "total" T3 - only get the "free" tests

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

I think the low D is treated with supplement of D3.  My D was also very low and my dr just asked me to take a vit D combined with Calcium supplement.

Were these results before or after the adjustment to 50 mcg a day?

These results show you are still hyper and a decrease in meds would be required.