All I know is 1-2 is normal

[Rikki74]

I was told my results were normal..I never believe any dr that says my thyroid is normal. I was at one time at a comfortable good level, but went in to have these tests done again because I am not feeling well...feeling very hypo.
I recall that when I was feeling well I was at a 1.3..but Im not sure if that was the t4 result..the free t4..the ultra tsh the t3..uggg..but the new results are..
T4 9.3
T3 129
Free T4 .6
Ultra TSH 3.64

[BB8911]

Thanks for the reply.  It's a bit overwhelming to say the least. I'll have to go over this a few times before it sinks in. Oh my ranges are

Tsh  1.05      .40-4.5
T3      34       22-35
T4      3.2      1.4-3.8

No Antibodies

Thanks Again

[AR-10]

Rikki, even if 88mcg is a good dose for you, it will take a few weeks for symptoms to start clearing up. Some symptoms may linger for a while until your body can heal.

I'm glad you got an increase. You'll have to try it for six weeks before you will know if it is enough. I'm glad you're already feeling a bit better, and I think in another week you will feel even better.

BB8911, ignore the total T4 and look at the Free T4. You don't list a range, and your result doesn't fit into one I am familiar with, so I won't guess if it's high or low. As long as it is a few points above the bottom and stays below a few points from the top, it should be alright.

Ideally your Free T4 and Free T3 should both be about two thirds up the scale from low to high on the range the lab uses. The Free T3 pretty much HAS to be in that vicinity, but there is more flexibility in what your Free T4 level is. It can be low normal and still support enough T3 hormone through conversion.

The T3 uptake test;
I snarfed this from a site because I didn't feel like typing all of it.

"T3 Uptake: This test is mentioned only as a warning not to use it. In fact, it does not measure T3 levels at all – the name is misleading. It is an old test designed with a purpose of indirectly measuring T4! It was developed before we were able to accurately measure T4 levels. The assumption was that if the patient had a high T4 level, the blood proteins would be saturated with it. Therefore when mixed with T3 (which is easier to measure), the blood proteins would take up very little T3. Thus a low T3 uptake implies elevated T4 levels and vice versa. Thus the T3 Uptake test is actually an antiquated, inaccurate way to measure T4 levels."

The total T3 test is also old and inacurate. Both the Total T4 test and the Total T3 test USED to be the best way to measure your hormones. But when your thyroid releases hormones 80%-90% are bound by proteins in the blood and become unavailable. Your body can't use it. What is not bound by these proteins is called "free". It is what the body can use.

The "total" tests measure the total hormones, bound and free. The "Free" tests measure only the hormones you can actually utilize. They are more acurate tests.

Why doctors insist on running several old tests trying (and failing) to come up with the results that two better tests will provide is a mixture of stubbornness and ignorance. The "free" tests have been out less than a decade, but long enough that doctors should know about them.

Some are resistant to change or may feel they can interpret the older style tests better than the new fangled tests with ranges the doctor really doesn't understand.

Anybody that runs a total T4 test and a Free T4 test on the same ticket doesn't understand what the tests are for unless they are looking for a level of the binding protein.  

[BB8911]

I have a question, when I get my results back should I be looking more at the T3 uptake or T3 Total, and the same with the T4 Total or Free T4. Here are my latest results:

TSH         1.05
T3  Total    114
T3 Uptake    34
T4 Total       9.4
Free T4       3.2

I taking .50 mcg.of synthroid, had a PT 12 years ago, and now have 2 nodules on remaining half.

Thanks for your help
BB8911

[Rikki74]

My meds were incresed from.75mcg to .88 Im going on the 4th day of the new increase. Well in some sence I feel slightly better..but in another..other symptoms havn't lightened up.
My mysterious lump has vanished that I get when im feeling hypo:)!

Im still feeling horribly awful with every single symptom describing lupus. Dr apt  this thurs..hope he takes me serious and actually runs tests.

[Rikki74]

My endo does not agree that my (hypo) symptoms I am experiencing are  due to my thyroid levels that have increased. But for the sake of argument she increased the meds slightly...thats all i need anyway. I have never argued with a dr before, and especially never told them they are wrong.I hope to feel better soon after I take the increased meds!

[AR-10]

Insulin resistance (I don't know if that's what you have) is related to the thyroid in some way, but I forget how.

Some people who have thyroid disease can develop insulin resistance or even diabetes. Not all thyroid patients have a blood sugar problem, but several members do have or have had issues in that area.

That Free T4 test of 1.0 is enough to support T3 conversion. It's not a great level, but it will produce enough T3. The latest one of 0.6 is not enough to support adequite T3 conversion.

It's very hard to find a doctor, whether it be a GP, an Endo, or an internal medicine specialist that knows enough about the thyroid to interpret tests correctly. Gynacologists seem to be as good at it as any other doctor.

I'm lucky enough to have a GP who understands it very well. My Endo is less concerned and not as well informed.

It's sad, but it's fairly common.  

[Rikki74]

Thank you, thank you!
I am on .075 mcg synthroid..I have fought my way through 3 drs and had my synthroid increased 3 times.
I felt better when my new endo dr increased my synthroid and my levels were
tsh 1.73
t3 98
free t4 1.0
I knew I was getting hypo again when I started feeling a slight lump in my throat..shooting breast pain, muscle aches, bone pain, fatigue and for some strange reason my blood sugers were shooting up (dont know if that is related) I awoke with my sugers at 500...my insulin intake both long term and fast acting has quadrupled its been a nighmare. I just want to get back to life and out of bed..Thanks again.

[AR-10]

For a patient being treated for hypothyroidism, the target TSH should be 0.8 to 1.8.

You are mildly hypo, and it will give you symptoms just as being overtly hypo gives you symptoms.

Your Free T4 is either at the bottom of the "normal" range, or below it. You need a stronger dose of medication if you have been taking any long enough for the hormone levels to adjust.

If you are not on replacement hormones already, you may have trouble convincing the doctor of anything. The Total T4 test is a clunker, old and inacurate. The T3 test is no good either, and should be a Free T3 test. If the doctor is running old test on you, he/she is probably not on the cutting edge of anything, and doesn't know what you TSH or Free T4 should be.

I can tell without even seeing the lab range for your Free T4 that you are short on hormones.

You will either have to educate the doctor, or find a new one.