Pregnant with lab result - please help understand

[sherrinevins]

Hi , I am 13 weeks pregnant . My TSH levels were 7.2 the doctor ordered a T4 test and that is 11.2 . They told me I am fine . I currently am taking leverthorine 125 mcg daily . I feel a little tired etc and thought my medicine needed to be increased . What do you think?

[sherrinevins]

Wow , very informative ! Knowing this , I will insist on these test from my doctor . Thank you very much for your time !

[gimel]

With your Total T4 at top end of range, you really do need to go ahead and get the Free T3 and Free T4 tests done.  That info, plus symptoms, will give a clearer picture if you need to reduce your T4 med a bit and add in some T3.  I say that because, as mentioned, free T3 correlates best with hypo symptoms.  Many of our members, myself included say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper third of its range and free t4 around the middle of its range.  Also, many hypo patients taking significant doses of T4 meds find that their body does not adequately convert the T4 to T3, resulting in Free T3 that is much lower in the range than Free T4, and indicating a need for T3 med.

Since hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12, and ferritin, it would be a good idea to have those tested as well.    

[sherrinevins]

Thank you so much for replying !! I feel much better knowing I'm not crazy ! The t4 test was for total . The range for this test was 4.5 to 12 . I was 11.2 .  I know my primary doctor always tried to have my numbers in the middle of the range but I don't have confidence in this ob doctor .  I will definitely insist on t3 & t4 tests rather than tsh alone . I don't know why the doctors don't do these test from the beginning .

I néed every ounce of energy I can get being pregnant and keeping up with my 18 month old :)

Thanks

[gimel]

TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by many different things, to the extent that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4).  That said, your TSH is above even the old range of .5 - 5.0.  So I'd say yes that you need an increase.  I'd be more confident of that if you will please clarify if the T4 test is for Total or Free T4 and post the range shown on the lab report.  

You also need to insist on being tested for Free T3 and Free T4 each time you go in for tests.  Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.  It is far better to target levels for Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve any hypo symptoms, than to pay attention to TSH.