new test results: normal TSH but high T3 & FT4 ... hmmm ...

[kidsnchicks]

Hi all!  I have my new test results and would like your input.  The Endo is backing off on my dosage.  I assume this is because my TSH is up.  What do you think?

Current - August 21:
TSH 0.393 (0.450-4.500)
Thyroxine (T4) Free, Index 1.95 (0.61-1.76) high (same as two months ago)
Thyiiodothyronine (T3) 259 (85-205) high (same as two months ago)
My meds have been reduced to 10mg 1 & 1/2 times a day (15 mg total for the day).

Before - July 17:
TSH 0.005 (0.450-4.500) Low
Thyroxine (T4) 8.3 (4.5-12)
T3 Uptake 31 (24-39)
Free Thyroxine Index 2.6 (1.2-4.9)
Thyroxine (T4) Free, Index 1.08 (0.61-1.76)
Thyiiodothyronine (T3) 130 (85-205)
My meds have been reduced from 10mg Methimazole 3 thimes a day back to twice a day and Atenolol down to once a day.

[Smilerdeb]

Why the decrease when your FT3 and FT4 have risen????
You are still hyper!
Forget the TSH as it doesnt budge much whilst you have Graves and have a thyroid.

This Doc is crazy to reduce yr meds.
You  would be better splitting the dose up into 3 times a day (5mg x 3) but I would also be asking why he has lowered the dose of MMI when your levels have gone higher.
Seems he is going by the TSH only and with Hyper that is absolute madness!
Sorry but I disagree with him lowering the dosage.
Has he discussed any other treatments at all with you?
Seems like hes waiting for you to go Hyper again to then 'rush' you for RAI because you will feel like cr@p by then.

Hes playing a dangerous game or doesnt know what hes doing.

Ask him why a Free T3 lab hasnt been done.
See what he says to that one...as the FT3 is the hormone that determines when you are heading Hyper.
Persoanlly I would be staying on 20mg daily until the levels FT4 and T3 go DOWN.

[kidsnchicks]

Hi Deb,
Thanks for the reply.  I'm sorry its taken so long for me to get back to this.  Its been a rough couple of weeks.  I basically feel ok, at least I think I do except for my lower back and legs but that is another story.  I've been too busy to really tell how I feel.  Plus, my computer crashed and I had to get a new one.  That's alway fun especially when you aren't expecting the expense.

Ok, here's the deal:
Due to insurance, I only have two choices of doctors to see.  One doctor, which I saw in the beginning, would only do the RAI and not do any other testing.  The other doctor is the one I am currently seeing.  In all actuality, I am seeing the nurse practitioner.  I don't think she is as knowledgible as she should be.  I have asked her about the FT3.  Her explaination seemed to be the opposite of what has been said here on this forum and other places where I have read.  Yes, she appears to be going by the TSH only.  Considering my limited choices of doctors, I am a little hesitant to point any of this out to her.  I would love to have printed information from a source that she would deem worthy for her to read.  Even yet, I would like to see the actual doc instead of the practitioner.  Any idvice on how to handle this one?

I'm really curious how my TSH jumped from 0.005 to 0.393 over five weeks yet I still have my thyroid in tact.  What do you think?  Would the shrimp dinner I ate the night before have any affect?

I've had a lot of work related issues lately and my back has really been out of wack so I haven't been paying too much attention to my thyroid symptoms.  My back - I was diagnosed with having degenertive scoliosis with arthritis.  It is at the L4-L5.  Its like having a pinched nerve that runs into the hips and down the legs.  The odd thing is that this was bad before I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and now it is flaring up again.  I wonder if there is a relation.

I've also been  having trouble with my bowels.  The NP said I could take Alli.  I am seeing very little difference.

Thanks for following my case and for all the help you have offered.  Its greatly appreciated.

[Galsal59]

Suggestion?  Demand to see the actual Dr, that an while an NP may work well in many cases, it's not working right for YOU.