Suppressed TSH and Low Free T's

[Grana]

I have been hypo for over 30 yrs. and have had Hashimoto's for quite a while.  My
TSH has never been over 1.5 that I can remember, but my Free T3 and Free T4
have been in the lower 1/3 [sometimes below] ranges and I have had all the hypo
symptoms. I have multi nodules, only 1 large one at 1.5 cm. Also have TSI anti-bodies
at 87 %.  My last labs @ 1 1/2 grains Armour.

TSH............0.10.........................Range .40 - 4.20
FT4.............0.9...........................Range .6-1.2
FT3............3.01..........................Range 2.77 - 5.27

My problem is my dr. wants to cut me back to 1 grain of Armour because of my
TSH. At 1 grain my TSH was .88 and my FT4 was the bottom number of range
and my FT3 was below the range. I have had pituitary checked, adrenals, cortisol,
etc. My Ferritin is 262 and my B12 is over the top of range. I am taking D3 because
it was low.

Up until the last 5 yrs I took 2-3 grains of Armour or Thyrolar and felt fine, but drs.
never checked anything except TSH and T4. My T4 stayed in the upper 1/3 of
range.  Could the TSI antibodies be falsely lowering my TSH and not letting me
increase my medication?  My big question is:  As long as both my FT3 and FT4
are under the top of range and in balance, is it OK for my TSH to be suppressed??
Am i considered to be"overmedicated", if my free t's are in 60 to 70 % of range.

[ChitChatNine]

WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY~!  I'm not sure of an answer for you but wanted to say hello!

Cheryl

[AR-10]

When you are on Armour, your Free T4 is often at the low end of normal. It should not fall below normal.

Your Free T3 should stay in the upper 60%-70%, as you say.

I don't want to say that your TSH doesn't matter, but your T3 is what feeds your body, not your TSH.

I don't know if TSI antibodies can affect yor TSH or not. It may be a pituitary problem, or it may be an adrenal problem.
Adrenal problems are often not detected until they are severe, so the fact that you were checked and they looked good may mean they didn't test hard enough.

But adjusting your meds to make your TSH look good at the cost of depriving you of T3 is not good medicine.

[Grana]

Doctors say that suppressed TSH can cause heart attack or stroke, but what about the ones that have had thyroid cancer and have to keep TSH suppressed.  I would think that it would be dangerous only if you were not on meds, or if you had hyper symptoms or high blood pressure or high heartrate.  It is so confusing because there are so many different opinions out there.

[AR-10]

You want to stop posting that website in every thread on the Board, please?

Grana, TSH is a hormone produced by the Pituitary gland.
"Having a suppressed TSH" can mean you are hyperthyroid, which is bad for your heart.

But you are not.

As long as your thyroid hormones are correct, a suppressed TSH will not affect your heart. Your medication needs to be adjusted acording to what your Free T4 and Free T3 is, not your TSH.

[AR-10]

Sorry. That first sentence was not directed toward you. There was a poster "helping", and that post is now gone.

[bebehoward]

I agree that your TSH should be surpressed if you have had cancer.  All the research says so.  You do not want to wake up any thyroid tissure by stimulating it with hormone.  I have the same problem, had a radiated Tymus gland which later caused cancer of thyroid.  My dr. seems to forget that from time to time and has to be reminded.  TSH should not be used on you.....only T4 & T3.