Aa
Results "Normal"
I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism. The symptom was constant diarrhea and had been treated trying to relieve the diarrhea with no success. Having to change doctors because mine had retired I was finally diagnosed with the Hyperthyroidism by the new doctor that knew right away what was wrong. Nodes were found and would come and go. The specialist, an endocrinologist, decided removal would be the best treatment. I had only my thyroid removed in 2006, not parathyroids. (I was diagnosed with total body Hyperhidrosis decades ago. Nothing has ever relieved the Hyperhidrosis.) But my question is... I was on a good level with my "T" tests until about a year and a half ago. Stress from work was very high which I feel attributed to it putting me in a very low hypo level. I currently take Levothyroxine 88mcg tabs and Liothyronine Sod 5 mcg tabs (The Liothyronine was added when I was very low) in the morning. My current "T" tests are TSH 0.36 (normal range .34-4.82), T4Free 1.43 (normal range 0.8-1.80), and T3Total 94 (normal range 87-167) I have not worked for over a year now, weight gain in the passed 2 years 25 pounds (never ever had weight problems), exhausted (want to sleep all the time) do not sleep well at all. My MD says these results are "normal" no need to adjust meds to me I see the tests in the low range of normal... Should my meds be adjusted?
63 year old woman (total hysterectomy 15 years ago) total thyroidectomy 10 years ago. Take Levoxyl 75mcg 1 in the am (same time every morning) Latest tests: TSH 1.33, T3 Total 68 and Free T4 1.25. Am I receiving the correct medicine? And getting the correct tests?
COMMUNITY LEADER
IMO, your meds "probably" need to be adjusted, but can't say for sure, because unfortunately, your doctor is testing Total T3, not Free T3, so we really don't know where you're at.
Of the total T3 in your blood, some (about 90-95%) will be attached to a protein and unavailable for use. Free T3 is the amount of T3 in your blood that is not attached to a protein, therefore, is available for use by the individual cells.
That said, your TT3 is quite low in the range, indicating that FT3, might also be quite low in the range. FT3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells, while FT4 is considered the storage hormone and must be converted to FT3.
The simple fact that you have hypo symptoms indicates that meds need to be adjusted. Your FT4 might be a bit high in its range, while FT3 would probably be too low in its... FT3 should be higher in its range than FT4 in its. This indicates that you aren't adequately converting the storage hormone (FT4), to the active hormone (FT3).
I'm not a doctor, but IMO you should first insist on getting FT3 done, instead of TT3, then talk to your doctor about dropping your Levo, slightly (maybe to 75 mcg) and increase your Liothyronine, but about 5 mcg.
If you get an increase in your Liothyronine, ask for 5 mcg tablets, and split the total dose into 2, taking one (5 mcg) in the morning, with your levo and the other 5 mcg around noon or so (depending on your schedule). This keeps the level of FT3 in the blood fairly stable over the course of the day, since T3 med is fast acting and is metabolized relatively quickly, so it's out of your system within a short time, whereas the T4 med has a long 1/2 life and stays with you for a couple weeks or more.
If your doctor is not willing to work with you in finding a dosage that alleviates symptoms, you should run, not walk, to find one who will.
Of the total T3 in your blood, some (about 90-95%) will be attached to a protein and unavailable for use. Free T3 is the amount of T3 in your blood that is not attached to a protein, therefore, is available for use by the individual cells.
That said, your TT3 is quite low in the range, indicating that FT3, might also be quite low in the range. FT3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells, while FT4 is considered the storage hormone and must be converted to FT3.
The simple fact that you have hypo symptoms indicates that meds need to be adjusted. Your FT4 might be a bit high in its range, while FT3 would probably be too low in its... FT3 should be higher in its range than FT4 in its. This indicates that you aren't adequately converting the storage hormone (FT4), to the active hormone (FT3).
I'm not a doctor, but IMO you should first insist on getting FT3 done, instead of TT3, then talk to your doctor about dropping your Levo, slightly (maybe to 75 mcg) and increase your Liothyronine, but about 5 mcg.
If you get an increase in your Liothyronine, ask for 5 mcg tablets, and split the total dose into 2, taking one (5 mcg) in the morning, with your levo and the other 5 mcg around noon or so (depending on your schedule). This keeps the level of FT3 in the blood fairly stable over the course of the day, since T3 med is fast acting and is metabolized relatively quickly, so it's out of your system within a short time, whereas the T4 med has a long 1/2 life and stays with you for a couple weeks or more.
If your doctor is not willing to work with you in finding a dosage that alleviates symptoms, you should run, not walk, to find one who will.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
