understanding my Hypo- values

[CarolG52]

Where to start...
I have been reading many of these questions from this site and have gleaned a lot of info.
I have been battling with these same symptoms largely since 2004.  Fatigue, forgetfullness, no energy, muscle aches and joint pain so bad that it has literally brought me to tears, and I have a high tolerance to pain.
In 2006 I decided to have my thyroid tested again.  I had been off the medication for years.
They put me on the generic synthroid, but only at my insistance, back then it was 5.+ and he said it was within normal range.  I argued that it wasn't and he agreed to start me on medication. 25mcg- Synthroid
This did nothing to alleviate my symptoms..
We than moved to California:in 9-2007- Blood work as follows:

TSH - Std Range 0.34-4.82 uIU/mL
10/18/07    2.02                             Provider switched meds to Levothyroxine 25mcg
7/7/08       5.01 H                          Provider increased dose to 50mcg-same brand
9/17/08     0.63
1/21/09     8.22 H    FT3  2.93  Range(2.3 - 4.2))   FT4 0.85  Range(0.6-1.61)   RT3  23  Range (11-32)
3/20/09     3.47                                                  FT4 1.09      Endo specialist increased to 75mcg
5/12/09     1.78                                                  FT4 1.11
1/21/09  Vit. D,1,25 - Dihydroxy-  45    Range 15-60
             Vit. D,25-OH, Total        43    Range 20-100
             Vit D,25-OD, D3            43
             Vit D,25-OH,D2             <4
5/12/09  Antithyroid Peroxidase Antibodies - 3179    Range <35
            Antithyroglobulin                          - 74       Range  <20

They also ran some tests for menopuase because they felt some of my symptoms coul dbe related but it appears they came back as negative for going thru the change?

I guess my biggest question is could my body not be converting to enough T3???
From what I have read here it seems a lot of folks have found relief taking small doses of T3.  

[laura1967]

Yes I take Cytomel with my Synthroid and it greatly helps. I have a conversion issue.

[CarolG52]

Did you go on any T3 meds to aid in alleviating your symptoms?  I have been reading a lot from folks that finally found relief from their symptoms when they went on a T3 med.

[CarolG52]

I cringe just thinking about Jan, Feb.  I was in so much pain and I didn't completely connect all the dots with the increase in TSH.  I have spent quite a bit of time researching so that I have a fighting chance when see the endo.  
I'm still in a lot of pain and it is very difficult to manage when I don't understand the cause.  I have always been very athetlic, even at my age.  We use to hike, camp, bicycle, etc... and it seems like in the last 3-4 years something has always been hurting that prevents me from enjoying those same things.  My mind wants to but the pain I'm in or get after something prevents me.  I still go to the gym because I know in my mind that I have to stay active and keep myself in shape but I really have to force myself at times.  Currently my knees, left shoulder, tingling that runs down my arm, hips, low back and thumbs just ache constantly.  I especially wake up in the morning and my thumbs, the action of holding a cup of coffee or glass of water is excurciating till afternoon.
I'm going to go back in and have my FT3 ran?  It seems after studying how all these are related and looking at my numbers for this year I'm still producing FT3 at a higher ratio than I should be and if I'm on the right track that is because my body is requesting more T4 than my body is producing so it is converting what it has into T3.  Which means I probably should increase my Synthroid but I wanted to verify I was on the right track.
I just would love to fully understand so that I can get these symptoms to go away.  I'm so tired of hurting all the time.
I truly appreciate your insight and value all the knowledge I have been picking up from talking with folks in the same boat as I.

[laura1967]

You tested positive for Hashimoto's autoimmune disease which is the cause of your hypothyroidism.....the antithyroid peroxidase antibodies and antithyroglobulin. Sooooo, You will feel best with your tsh supressed to between .50-1.0 according to my endo. That way your body can try to heal. Anything over that and you will most likely suffer with hypo symptoms. You really need to have all 3 thyroid labs done together: TSH, Free T3 and Free T4. Important to know if you have a conversion problem.
You should be getting your thyroid labs done every 6-8 weeks, because your antibody count is high and you are in destruction mode of the thyroid. That way you can stay on top of your levels and get increases before you go too hypo. I bet you felt horrible in Jan. when your tsh went up to 8.22.
I had an endo who undertreated me and kept me hypo, because he wasn't well versed on thyroid and never ran my antibody test.......he always wanted to blame my symptoms on going through my change. Low and behold I found an endo who actually specializes in thyroid and he explained to me that I was undermedicated and symptoms were due to that and hashimoto's. Now that I am on enough medication I feel much better!