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Thyroid Test Normal but symptomatic
I have hypothyroid symptoms but my labs came back "normal". TSH 0.04/Free T4 1.0/Free T3 302. Brief history, Hasimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid cancer and subsequent removal and treatment. Do not tolerate synthroid or cytomel. I have been on natural thyroid for the last year and a half. Felt great. Last two months, symptoms have gotten worse: puffy eyes, low body temp (104-105 on average), muscle fatigue, itchy skin with slight rash, fuzzy thinking and irregular periods.
Could this be my thyroid still or possibly something else like my adrenals? Help!
Could this be my thyroid still or possibly something else like my adrenals? Help!
Definitely...unless, of course, you have either hypo or hyper symptoms before. See where you are then and re-evaluate dose. Keep us posted on how it goes...
Should I get my levels tested again in month to see where I am at with the compounded med's?
I'm glad the pharmacy was able to provide you with that. Best of luck. It's probably a really good idea to keep the dose the same while changing meds. It's as good a "starting point" as anything at this time.
Thank you so much for your input. I have felt like I have been on a deserted island when it comes to support and direction for my thyroid issues. I called the pharmacy and my compounded medication is the same as Armour. T4-76 and T3-18. Thanks for the feedback on the adrenals. Now that you have shed some light on my thyroid levels I will focus on that instead.
Many of our members who have been on Armour for years with excellent results have found the reformulated version to be "trash". What about Nature Throid? There's also a Canadian version (ERFA??) that many people are finding works very well.
What is the T4 and T3 content of your compounded meds? I'll do the comparison for you if you post that.
Your thyroid levels are sufficiently off, and you've been taking the "new" Armour...I don't think I'd jump to the adrenals right at the moment, especially since you had done so well before the Armour reformulation. I think your levels will come up with proper meds.
What is the T4 and T3 content of your compounded meds? I'll do the comparison for you if you post that.
Your thyroid levels are sufficiently off, and you've been taking the "new" Armour...I don't think I'd jump to the adrenals right at the moment, especially since you had done so well before the Armour reformulation. I think your levels will come up with proper meds.
Thank you for sharing that information. It is very helpful. I refilled my Armour in December 09 (three month supply) and I have wondered if I am not feeling well because of the meds. I am now starting on compounded thyroid. I am concerned because I have heard that most people who switch to a compounded thyroid need to ramp up. What do you think? Do you think I should also get my adrenals tested? I have been reading a lot about the relationship between thyroid and adrenals. Thanks.
Ranges vary from lab to lab depending on their equipment and the sensitivity of their assay techniques. However, if you are in range for your lab, then you are in range (not "normal" , but in range).
Your FT4 is really too low in the range. Many of us don't feel well until FT4 is about midrange. Yours is in the bottom third. FT3 is also quite low...just into the middle third of the range. Rule of thumb here is upper half to upper third of the range.
It looks like your doctor is treating you based on TSH, a really poor diagnostic. People taking meds with T3 in them, like "natural" thyroid, often have TSH suppressed very low. I think you need an increase.
Are you on Armour? Armour was reformulated within the last year, and many people found the new formula lacking.
You need to start shopping for a new doctor...one who pays attention to your symptoms and who knows how to use lab values. Just because you are "in range" does not mean that you are going to feel well. You also need to find one who treats by FT3 and FT4, and not TSH. This looks pretty straightforward to me...something that should be a no-brainer for a good thyroid doctor. Don't suffer...find someone new...
Your FT4 is really too low in the range. Many of us don't feel well until FT4 is about midrange. Yours is in the bottom third. FT3 is also quite low...just into the middle third of the range. Rule of thumb here is upper half to upper third of the range.
It looks like your doctor is treating you based on TSH, a really poor diagnostic. People taking meds with T3 in them, like "natural" thyroid, often have TSH suppressed very low. I think you need an increase.
Are you on Armour? Armour was reformulated within the last year, and many people found the new formula lacking.
You need to start shopping for a new doctor...one who pays attention to your symptoms and who knows how to use lab values. Just because you are "in range" does not mean that you are going to feel well. You also need to find one who treats by FT3 and FT4, and not TSH. This looks pretty straightforward to me...something that should be a no-brainer for a good thyroid doctor. Don't suffer...find someone new...
The range for T4 is .8-1.8
The range for T3 is 230-420
The range for TSH is .40-4.50
I find it interesting that the numbers vary from lab to lab but yet my provider tells me that I am with-in range and that nothing is wrong with my thyroid. My doc will not do anything for me and told me to contact my primary care doc. My doc only goes by lab values and nothing else.
The range for T3 is 230-420
The range for TSH is .40-4.50
I find it interesting that the numbers vary from lab to lab but yet my provider tells me that I am with-in range and that nothing is wrong with my thyroid. My doc will not do anything for me and told me to contact my primary care doc. My doc only goes by lab values and nothing else.
On your lab report, next to your results, there will be a "reference range" (usually in parentheses). For FT4 is should say something like (0.8-1.8) - the numbers will vary, since they change from lab to lab, which is why we have to ask you for them.
As posted, FT3 is 302 and FT4 1.0. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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