TSH when taking Armour

[kania0512]

Hi,

I have a question regarding some lab results and the doctor’s comments. I am working with a new doctor and I am not sure I trust him. I was using 180 mg Armour Thyroid a day but in June it was reduced to 120 mg a day because my T4 was way too high. My thyroid was retested and I got the following results:

TEST RESULT UNITS REFERENCE INTERVAL

TSH         <0.004 uIU/mL         0.450 – 4.500
Thyroxine (T4)         4.4 ug/dL 4.5 – 12.0
T3 Uptake         34 %         34 – 39
Free Thyroxine Index         1.5         1.3 – 4.9
Thyroxine (T4) Free,
Direct, S         1.13 ng/dL 0.61 – 1.76
Reverse T3 236 pg/mL 90 – 350
Triiodothyronine, Free
Serum 2.7 pg/mL 2.3 – 4.2

This doctor says because the TSH is so low that I am hypERhyroid on the dose of Armour I am taking. But what about the low T4? Is he correct?

Thanks,
Kristina

[laura1967]

Stella- Of course I didn't mind the PM silly....you can pm me anytime. :)
Kania- I wasted about $500.00 on a body logic bio identical dr who I knew more than him. He did nothing for me. I was mad!!
I think it takes time to find a good bio identical dr because so many started to jump on the band wagon thinking they were going to make a buck.

[stella5349]

How did the bio identical hormone therpy work for you?


Thanks Laura for chimming in - I saw her post easrly this morning - but was running late for work.

I hope you didn't mind the PM.

[kania0512]

Thanks Laura - I thought that is what I remembered from my previous doctor in another state. This guy has 14 years experience (supposedly) in anti-aging medicine and so far I feel I wasted $400 on the first patient appointment. He spend about 2 hours with me, which is great, but he also wants to regulate my hormones with bio-identical hormones, which I have been on before, but now I am not sure I want him to. What a mess.

[laura1967]

Usually when on Armour your tsh will be very low and make you look hyper. Your free t3 is only at 2.7, so you still have room for improvement. Since your T4 is low it means your body is converting nicely. You over all have room for increase as long as you are having no hyper symptoms. When it comes to armour you need to look at free t3 and free t4 more so than tsh and treat by symptoms. The other tests he ran are useless except the reverse t3 test and you aren't pooling there. The only tests he should be running is the tsh and free's. This doctor like so many others aren't versed on how to properly treat with armour. The important thing is how you are feeling.