New numbers, but not sure why I still feel like yuck.

[makani249]

Here's my latest blood test.

TSH- 1.2  (Ref: 0.3-3)

FT3- 3.0  (Ref. 1.5-4.1)

FT4- 0.9 (0.8-1.9)

My symptoms: Mild heart palpitations, dry itchy skin, breathlessness, low/mild anxiety, and activity intolerance, weight gain. I am at a lost...my Endo thinks that I should start poking around down other avenues to figure out why I feel this way. Any suggestions?

[goolarra]

I agree with her that FT3 correlates best with symptoms.  However, you can't just ignore FT4.  One of our members recently tried an "experiment" on himself.  Reasoning that FT3 correlated best with symptoms and FT4 very little, he began to wonder why we needed to take T4 at all.  He quickly found out that FT4 cannot be ignored and was very hypo.  So, it might be worth the try to nudge your FT4 up a little with meds...if it doesn't help, you can discontinue.

[makani249]

I will check with her and see if she would do that. However, I don't think that she would consider since she doesn't think the FT4 plays a big role in symptoms. I will have to work on her. Thanks for your help. =)

[goolarra]

I didn't realize you'd had a PT.  Your labs make a lot more sense knowing that.  All the FT4 in your blood comes from your thyroid.  A tiny bit of the FT3 is produced by your thyroid as well, but the vast majority of FT3 comes from conversion, mostly by your liver, altough conversion sites are ubiquitous throughout the body.  Since you only have one lobe, it seems it's not keeping up with your body's need for FT4.  FT3 looks good, however, so it seems you convert very well.  In order to feel well, we have to have the proper balance of FT3 to FT4.  Would your doctor consider a low trial dose of T4 meds (levothyroxine) to see if it relieved some of your symptoms?

[makani249]

All of those labs came back normal. I had an ultrasound before I had the left side removed. The right side was grossly normal.

[goolarra]

Have you had a thyroid ultrasound?  What about antibody testing (TPOab and TGab)?

[makani249]

Not on any meds. Spoke with my Endo she said she is going to do a bit of research about symptoms and FT4. She said everything that the symptoms I am explaining to her is something that she hasn't hear others complain about with labs that look like mine. She is going to try to see if she can figure me out. I guess I feel better knowing that she hasn't given up on helping me feel better.

[goolarra]

What meds are you on?  I agree with FTB4 that your FT4 is too low.  On the other hand, your FT3 might be a little high for you, giving you palps, breathlessness, anxiety, etc.  

[FTB4]

Try    www.parathyroid.com, they have a list of symptoms that might interest you, do you know your calcium level?  Some symptoms you noted are kind of Hyper, others are Kind of Hypo, your T4 is on the low side, your Free T3 looks good, Check Out the Web site.
Good Luck FTB4