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T-4 and TSH
My t-4, Free shows 1.0 which is in range? and my TSH 3rd generation w/reflex to FT4 shows 8.23 and I was started on 25mcg Thyroid. Since I am now overweight and just coming out of lung cancer, it would seem since I am now in a program to lose weight and exercise, that I should not be on medicine until tested again?
My husband has been on medication for a while ...on 50 mcg and his test shows TSH 3rd generation w/reflex to FT4 at 3.75 which is in range...however, neither of us had any symptoms or problems until tested. My husband is losing hair and chest area is red (they insist this is sun - it is not). Seems if we really had Thyroid problems, we would have some symptoms??? I do not like Synthroid and would much prefer a natural remedy if needed at all?
My husband has been on medication for a while ...on 50 mcg and his test shows TSH 3rd generation w/reflex to FT4 at 3.75 which is in range...however, neither of us had any symptoms or problems until tested. My husband is losing hair and chest area is red (they insist this is sun - it is not). Seems if we really had Thyroid problems, we would have some symptoms??? I do not like Synthroid and would much prefer a natural remedy if needed at all?
Please pay careful attention to the above good info that you are both above the range limit for TSH and are hypothyroid and should continue with your meds. In addition you should follow the advice and request that you both are tested for free T3, and your meds adjusted to get you into the upper end of the range for free T3 and then monitor your symptoms from there.
Did you have radiation therapy as part of the cancer treatment? Thay could induce hypothyroidism.
You technically have "subclinical" hypothyroidism, bordering on overt. Your free t4 is at the bottom end of the range. Even subclinical hypoT w/o obvious symptoms can cause unseen problems with your health. Cardiovascular disease being one of them.
Continue to monitor your labs regularly. You do not have to take the meds at this point. It is really your choice. Or give it several months and see if it helps. I would discuss this with your doctor.
You technically have "subclinical" hypothyroidism, bordering on overt. Your free t4 is at the bottom end of the range. Even subclinical hypoT w/o obvious symptoms can cause unseen problems with your health. Cardiovascular disease being one of them.
Continue to monitor your labs regularly. You do not have to take the meds at this point. It is really your choice. Or give it several months and see if it helps. I would discuss this with your doctor.
Is it possible that the doctors expected you to develop thyroid problems because of the treatment you have been given?
Perhaps the steroids messed your body chemistry up or drained you of vital nutrients? There is a long list of vitamins and minerals that play a part in thyroid function and hormone synthesis.
Selenium, vitamin D, magnesium, copper, iodine, zinc, and half a dozen more.
Your TSH shows that you need medication. If a Free T3 test were run, it would also probably be at the bottom of the normal range.
I'd ask for blood tests to check for any deficiencies you or your doctor think could impede the function of the thyroid or the conversion of T4 to T3.
You may find that you can improve your thyroid function to the point that you can stop taking the Synthroid.
Perhaps the steroids messed your body chemistry up or drained you of vital nutrients? There is a long list of vitamins and minerals that play a part in thyroid function and hormone synthesis.
Selenium, vitamin D, magnesium, copper, iodine, zinc, and half a dozen more.
Your TSH shows that you need medication. If a Free T3 test were run, it would also probably be at the bottom of the normal range.
I'd ask for blood tests to check for any deficiencies you or your doctor think could impede the function of the thyroid or the conversion of T4 to T3.
You may find that you can improve your thyroid function to the point that you can stop taking the Synthroid.
I should have mentioned that I was normally a small person, but had Lung Cancer and while being treated I was on steroids, etc., that is where all the weight came from. What bothers me is that I have never had th;yroid problems show on any tests even 6 weeks prior to this last test and can't believe I actually need the medicine. I am in a therapy class not to take the weight off and am tempted to not take the medicine until I finish the course. I have never had a head ache in my life or tummy upset and I believe that this stuff if not good for me.... I am 71 and take no other medicine. I read where the Amour Synthorid was better for you, but the drug companies don't want doctors to prescripe it.
I think we have to be very, very careful here when discussing symptoms. BEING overweight is NOT a symptom of hypo. Rapid and unusual weight GAIN in the absence of any other explanation can be. But it is only one of a list of symptoms the length of one's arm. Being overweight does not confirm a diagnosis of hypo. I have fought my weight all my life...if that's due to hypo, then I came out of the womb hypo.
Hair loss also...sudden and unusual?
There is a huge controversy over "natural" versus "synthetic" thyroid therapy...all you have to do is read some of the more heated threads in this forum However, by reading those threads, you will also realize that a lot of people have been helped by both approaches. OTC meds are definitely NOT to be recommended, but both "natural" and "synthetic" medications come in prescription forms. These are controlled and acceptable and a matter of personal preferance and efficacy..
My TSH is currently 35, down from an initial 62 before levothyroxine (generic Synthroid). Since I was first tested, this is the lowest it has ever been. Since starting meds I lost 25 pounds, and since March, I've maintained my weight, something I have never done in my life. I feel great.. I have side effects from levo (not worth going into) which is why I've never gotten below 35.
We're all different. Am I an anomoly? I don't know. All I DO know is that we hear a lot from people with "normal" labs who have hypo symptoms. We seldom hear from people, like me, who feel fine, but whose labs look sick, sick, sick. Is this because general screening for thyroid problems has never been the norm? Are there lots of people out there that fit my description that we don"t know about because they're asymptomatic? I don't know.
I'd really like to follow this thread, but I'm off at the crack of dawn tomorrow for the holiday. Somebody take notes, please! Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Hair loss also...sudden and unusual?
There is a huge controversy over "natural" versus "synthetic" thyroid therapy...all you have to do is read some of the more heated threads in this forum However, by reading those threads, you will also realize that a lot of people have been helped by both approaches. OTC meds are definitely NOT to be recommended, but both "natural" and "synthetic" medications come in prescription forms. These are controlled and acceptable and a matter of personal preferance and efficacy..
My TSH is currently 35, down from an initial 62 before levothyroxine (generic Synthroid). Since I was first tested, this is the lowest it has ever been. Since starting meds I lost 25 pounds, and since March, I've maintained my weight, something I have never done in my life. I feel great.. I have side effects from levo (not worth going into) which is why I've never gotten below 35.
We're all different. Am I an anomoly? I don't know. All I DO know is that we hear a lot from people with "normal" labs who have hypo symptoms. We seldom hear from people, like me, who feel fine, but whose labs look sick, sick, sick. Is this because general screening for thyroid problems has never been the norm? Are there lots of people out there that fit my description that we don"t know about because they're asymptomatic? I don't know.
I'd really like to follow this thread, but I'm off at the crack of dawn tomorrow for the holiday. Somebody take notes, please! Happy Thanksgiving to all.
You are expericing weight weight which is a major symptom
Your husband has the typical "sunburn rash" on his chest as many get too. AND hair loss is a biggy too.
Both of your TSH numbers are high which indicates hypo. ( AACE guides are now .3-3.0)
Both of you are on low doses of Synthroid too.
I can't comment on the natural OTC meds at all. Most are junk and could damage the gland more.
You may not drop a pound with a TSH of over 1.0 even on a program.
Your husband has the typical "sunburn rash" on his chest as many get too. AND hair loss is a biggy too.
Both of your TSH numbers are high which indicates hypo. ( AACE guides are now .3-3.0)
Both of you are on low doses of Synthroid too.
I can't comment on the natural OTC meds at all. Most are junk and could damage the gland more.
You may not drop a pound with a TSH of over 1.0 even on a program.
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