THyroid levels...they say normal but are they?

[bioclock1]

I'm hypothryoid and currently on 50 mg of Synthroid. I had my TSH T3 and T4 checked b/c I feel like I need cytomel (t3) to help w/ symptoms of continued hypothyroidism.....

Can any of you tell me if these levels, while reported "normal" are actually possibly too low or high?

TSH        .68  (lab says normal is .40 to 4.6)
Free T4   1.3  (lab says normal is .08 to 1.8
Free T3 29.1  (lab says normal is 25 to 35)

[bioclock1]

*bump*

I know no one is giving medical advice per say...i just want opinions. I'm confused as to whether .68 tsh would mean hypo or hyper?
and f T3 is 29.1 if i need more or less t3 if i'm symptomatic..

please answer!!!

[AR-10]

Your Free T4 and Free T3 look a little low. I could be wrong on the Free T4. Your TSH should be a little higher.

when your Free Ts are low or normal, and your TSH is low, that often indicates Adrenal fatigue. It may be a good idea to have your adrenals tested.

I would say if your TSH was higher, a larger dose of Synthroid would be in order, but your TSH is contradicting the other two test results.

[bioclock1]

okay....thanks for your help, but i'm still a little confused. HOWEVER...You are RIGHT ON TRACK about the adrenal fatigue....working on that testing right now. had an AM CORTISOL blood test this morning and ordered an adrenal test (saliva) from canaryclub.org a minute ago. have all the symptoms of adrenal fatigue and can find tons of info on tests but not on treatment.

I still am confused about the TSH and T4 T3 levels....if they're on the low range does that mean hypo or hyper??

[bioclock1]

also, how do you mean the tsh is contradicting the other two? I know very little about the thyroid stuff still. :)

[bioclock1]

1 more question (sorry)...
if my t3 is low...would cytomel help or hinder the levels?

[AR-10]

I said your TSH test contradicts the Free Ts, because when your hormones are low, your TSH should be high.

Think of it like an old fashioned balancing scale with two pans. The TSH is in the pan on one side. The thyroid hormones are in the pan on the other side. They should balance evenly. If one pan goes up, the other pan should go down.

Low Free T3/Free T4 means hypothyroid, and your TSH should go up. High T3/T4 means hyperthyroid, and your TSH should go down.

The fact that your thyroid hormones are a little bit low means that your TSH should be higher, like 3.0 or 4.0.

Since they all look a little low at the same time, Adrenal fatigue should be looked into. The Adrenal glands can slow the thyroid down by inhibiting production of TSH, which will lower your T3/T4. It is a way that the Adrenal glands try to protect themselves. It makes your thyroid labs look funny.

Cytomel might help, but you would be better off waiting to see what the Adrenal tests show. I really think a little more Synthroid would do the job, but your Adrenals have to be in good shape or you can have a bad reaction by increasing your thyroid meds.

[bioclock1]

thanks alot! That info helps so much!! I guess i'll just wait on my cortisol tests! I apreciate your help!

[anree]

Take a look at my post

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/526456?post_id=post_2946625

This might help you out. AR-10 is probably right about the adrenals since central hypothyroidism can come from the pituitary.

[bioclock1]

anree: congrats on your weight loss! that's awesome!! I hope to be in the weight loss arena soon too, with a combo of healthy eating (no more sugars) and proper exercise and the right medication. So far, themedication is all i'm missing.

How do you know if the pituitary is the problem? I mean, other than an MRI, is their a blood test that docs can do that will suggest a pituitary problem?

[anree]

I'm not positively sure on the whole 'system'... but here is some thing that I found while searching ( pituitary adrenal - on yahoo )


http://www.pituitary.org/disorders/addisons_disease.aspx


"""Because cortisol is so vital to health, the amount of cortisol produced by the adrenal's is precisely balanced. Like many other hormones, cortisol is regulated by the brains hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, a bean-sized organ at the base of the brain. First, the hypothalamus sends "releasing hormones" to the pituitary gland. The pituitary responds by secreting other hormones that regulate growth, thyroid and adrenal function, and sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. One of the pituitarys main functions is to secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands. When the adrenals receive the pituitarys signal in the form of ACTH, they respond by producing cortisol. Completing the cycle, cortisol then signals the pituitary to lower secretion of ACTH."""

I know you can have you ACTH tested. Currently I am not having any more tests done. I am just glad that my Dr. is treating the low FreeT4 at this time. If I cannot get regulated by the Armour Thyroid I am on, then I will ask for more testing. I know that AR-10 has said if the adrenals aren't properly supported while trying to get level, it can cause you to not respond to the meds. properly. I'm just waiting and seeing if that is going to happen. At this point and time I cannot afford and bill for all this 'testing'!!

[bioclock1]

anree- thanks for the info. I totally relate to the bills! I'm doing everything out of pocket and it's really hard, especially since i'm unemployed!!!

But, i've gotta do somethign or im' gonna be 60 before i'm 30! Good luck to you! Thanks again for your help!