my latest levels - doc confuses me

Question

Hi... I seem to have trouble in understanding my doc interpretation of my levels... my TSH is 0.2 the range is 0.2 -5.0 while my FT4 is 15 range 15-30 ... i said i thought i had low tsh and low ft4... i am on 150mcg thyroxine (synthroid in us) ... I do not have FT3 or T3 nor do i have T4 levels... he said my levels were normal for me... he said the range applied to the whole community and therefore my levels were normal... my pdoc said i needed more thyroxine ... my gp says no... i still have dry skin, brittle nails and hair, my hair is thinning... I get very tired... i have weight problems... as i am now super morbidly obese due to a number of factors not only the hashimoto's ... i have an empty sella (primary) where my pituitary gland has collapsed... i get episodes of muscle spasms and cramps which my gp says have an unknown cause as all my blood tests indicate my blood salts and electrolytes are normal... i have depression... i just do not know who to turn to or what to do... and the only advice i have been given is to gp shop until i find one who might know what is happening... if i can... and i will not be referred to an endocrinologist... hope you can help me ... thank you

Barb135 · Answer

I agree with everyone else that you are very hypo, in spite of you low TSH. Can you get the doctor who thinks you need an increase, to give it to you? If not, you might want to start looking for an doctor who will treat you, based on symptoms, not just so-called "normal" labs. Make sure it's one who will test FT3, along with FT4 and TSH.

Ericamegan · Answer

I would check your potassium levels for sure, but I bet your cramping is caused by low thyroid.  At the time, I was having cramping several times a day. Any wrong move and I would get a charlie horse.  My TSH was .001 which should be hyperthyroid, but I was very hypo.  The doc at the time wasn't testing FT3 or FT4.  When I got to a new endo & she tested them, my T3 was VERY low and FT4 was low.  I would contact your general doc and ask for an increase.  If you've been low for awhile, it will take your body awhile to get well.  With your low Ft4, I'm sure you will benefit from an increase!  You may even eventually want to try adding a very low dose T3 med like Cytomel.
Good Luck!

Brucergoldberg · Answer

Hi,

If I can make a suggestion for the cramps.  Look at your blood work.  Have they checked your potassium level?   If it is not in the upper to high range, get some potassium.  Not the stuff you get at the grocery store. But k-dur potassium.  You can get it from Canadian pharmacies.  The stuff in the grocery store only delivers 1% of the daily rda for potassium.  I work out a lot despite my hashimotos.  The potassium helps a lot.  You can also get a nice dose in orange juice.  If you need instructions on how to get potassium and need my assistance ill be glad to help.

cateblack · Answer

sorry forgot... i am so glad to read someone else got muscle cramps and spasms... as for my levels ...as above... thank you for your response

cateblack · Answer

Thank you for replying... it is tricky to increase my dose because one dr said to and the other who is supposed to be managing the thyroid says no... I agree my levels are low in both tsh and ft4 which i read as a possible pituitary problem given I have the empty sella... my gp said my hypo symptoms were related to menopause... not thyroid... I think I will go to the hospital... and get referred to an endocrinologist

Ericamegan · Answer

You are having so many classic hypo symptoms. Your T4 is very low and I would imagine your FT3 is low too.  You most definitely sound very hypo.  I had many of the same symptoms including the muscle cramping. I had a dr at the time that told me the muscle cramping wasn't related to low thyroid, but it was.  Once I got my levels up the cramping was gone.

goolarra · Answer

Your FT4 is just barely in range.  Many of us find that symptoms aren't relieved until FT4 is close to midrange (22.5, in your case).  However, what's even more telling is all your hypo symptoms.  I agree with your doctor who thinks you need an increase.  It would be even better if you could get him to test FT3 to see how well you are converting.