Low TSH AND Low T3, Free

[TriciaC]

I'm a 42yr Female and have been on 200 mcg of Synthroid for over 5 years for Hypothyroid with normal results (on meds) but somewhat symptomatic overall, especially hairloss, weight gain, and memory issues.  My last results however show TSH .06 and T3,Free of 2.00.  What would cause both to suddenly be low at the same time?



I've been doing the online research and now am concerned about the cardiatic and cancer implications.  I do have a lump in one breast (a cyst that is checked every 6 months, no family history of cancer), and a family history of heart disease (electrical).  Also have a daughter diagnosed with Hashi at age 17 although I am only Hypothyroid.



I currently use my GP for testing and RX and have never seen an endo.  Is it time to see a specialist?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The TSH is a little too low - <0.1 is linked to heart disease and osteoporosis in many studies.  THe low T3 suggests that you may not convert the T4 (synthroid) into T3 efficiently and that perhaps a combination o T4/T3 (ie 137mcg synthroid w/ 5mcg 2x/d cytomel) may be worth a trial -- this would normalize TSH and increase T3 levels and may help symptoms.

[TriciaC]

Thanks for the help.  I checked out the "Stop the Thyroid Madness" site and it was scary.  Not WOW I wish I had seen that sooner scary, but WOW inaccurate info scary.  Be careful refering people there. Its just a pro-Armour site and nothing else.  Not based on medical study but in some cases, one patients experience.  Not to mention that the "Give me a break" section pokes fun at what appears to me to be mis-interpreted, mis-quoted or misunderstood md quotes.  Yes, some drs. are indeed naive about hypothyroid and I have met a couple, but it looks a lot more like patients who aren't listening very well to me.  Trust me there are a lot more dumb patients than dumb drs. (and no I am not in the medical field).

[valharley]

Where did the rest of this thread go? The Stop the Thyroid Madnes site is scary.. I wrote a couple articles for it. MY story is absolutely true, and I resent it being called a lie. I was on Synthroid or Levoxyl for 25 years and almost died fromMyexedema Coma before switching to Armour Thyroid. It has taken me the last 8 years on Armour to regain my health, from Congestive heart failure due to the fluid build up in my chest area. Pleae don't hide the truth from people! Synthroid and other T4 only meds do not fix hypo symptoms for many folks if any at all. Soe people and i suspect it is alot of people are dying from low thyroid with "normal" TSH labs. I was one of them!