is my t4 too high

[jax190]

hi i have been hypo for two years i had a tt aug 06 where a small speck of papillary cancer was found i am on a suppressive dose of levothyroxine 150mg my tsh is 0.07  range 0.35 -5.50  my t4 is 22.3 range 11.5 - 22.7 i still have most of my symptoms excess weight thinning hair fatigue brain fog. because of this i was refered to an endo who refused to test me for t3( in the uk they dont believe in it) he said my dose was too high and i should reduce it to bring my t4 down and the cancer found was not worth worrying about. what i would like to know is,   is my t4 too high and does this show i am not converting t4 to t3  is there anything i can take without a prescription to help conversion or is it true that i have to live always feeling like this. also is he right when he said cancer will not come back (i mean i have no thyroid left for it to come back too) i hope you can help
thanks jackie

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The high T4 means too much medication.  If it was just a "speck" of thyroid cancer, the risk is very low and TSH target is probably around 0.2-0.8 (this is debatable though).  

Many people still have symptoms -- sometimes T3 meds can help, often it is non-thyroid related.

[jax190]

thanks i think i might just buy a book and have a look i appreciate your time
thanks again jackie

[GravesLady]

Hi there, as you are waiting on the doctor, I have some information to share, if you don't mind.

F/T-3 level with F/T-4 relates to conversion problems. However conversion is very rare and if it does happen usually last a week or two....per what I have read from medicals.
Low TSH will carry a High F/T-4, so by raising the TSH level will/should bring down your F/T-4.  F/Ts goes the opposite direction and TSH, as dosage is adjusted.

Adequate selenium is necessary for normal functioning of the immune system and thyroid gland. Selenium deficiency has been associated with thyroid disease and a variety of cancers.
Chromium - which is involved in glucose metabolism and insulin production, works with selenium.  
Vitamin E - works with selenium, and has other thyroid  functions.
Zinc - is associated with serum Free T3 and FT3/FT4 ratio.  
Zinc - works with copper but also may increase thyroid function so a small amount is only needed. If hyper symptoms increase, suspect zinc and reduce amount taken   Take on full stomach since it may cause nausea. Take in morning as it may keep you awake if taken at night.
The optimum zinc to copper ratio is about 8:1
Copper - deficiency has been shown to cause elevated levels of thyroid hormones. Hypos may have excess copper which is suppressing the thyroid
Iron -  intake without a corresponding intake of copper can deplete copper.
The dosage for each will be different for hyper than for hypos.

If you should go the vitamin route you should get a good vitamin/nutrition/health book.  Vitamins are very involved as you can see from above, plus very expensive.
A One-A-day just does not hack it for us with health conditions.  One-A-days are meant for healthy people to stay healthy. Vitamins might have to be taken daily for years before seeing any improvements in health. So you must be dedicated to the cause. I have been taking vitamins, each separately, for years. I don't think it has helped with 4/3, conversion, however, I guess levels could be farther apart without the vitamins. (?)

Dietary sources of selenium include brewer's yeast, wheat germ, butter, garlic, grains, sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, raisins, liver, kidney, shellfish (lobster, oyster, shrimp, scallops), fresh-water and salt-water fish (red snapper, salmon, swordfish, tuna, mackerel, halibut, flounder, herring, smelts). Selenium is also found in alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, fennel seed, ginseng, raspberry leaf, radish, horseradish, onion, chives, medicinal mushrooms (reishi, shiitake), and yarrow.

Good Luck - Good Health!

GL,
Thyroid patient - comments are based on readings from medicals and not meant as a diagnose or treatment.