Are these normal levels?

[br350]

I have suffered from anxiety/depression off/on for years and have taken medication for it off/on.  It seems to be getting worse as I think I may be becoming perimenopausal - I'm almost 45.   I have also started to gain a little weight and have never had that problem before.   Someone recently encouraged me to get my thyroid checked out saying it can be related to the anxiety/depression and weight gain.  My doctor did a TSH and Free T4.   My TSH is 3.3   and my Free T4 came out as .98.    Are these normal levels?  He said they are 'fine'. I've read that endocrinologists sometimes now consider a TSH above 3.0 to be subclinical hypothyroidism.   Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[goolarra]

Reference ranges for FT3 and FT4 vary lab to lab, so you have to provide them with your results.  I'm guessing that your range is approximately 0.8-1.8.  At 0.98, your FT4 is very low in the range...many of us find it has to be close to midrange before our hypo symptoms are relieved.  

TSH, FT3 and your symptoms all indicate that you are hypo.  I was very, very hypo and, in retrospect, realize that I had been for a couple of years before starting meds.  I was never constipated, nor did I lose hair.  There's a very long list of symptoms associated with hypo, and we don't all have all of them.

If I were you, I'd pursue this further.  FT3 should be tested every time FT4 and TSH are.  Also, it would be a really good idea to have thyroid antibodies tested.  Thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOab) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TGab) should both be tested.  If either is elevated, it would indicate autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashi's), the most prevalent cause of hypo in the developed world.  Sometimes positive antibody results inspire reluctant doctors to treat because it "proves" to them that you have a disease.

Best of luck...keep at it...

[898_1]

the TSH is considered 'in alert area'; the old standards are calling maximum limit of 5, then it was reduced to 4 and now many doctors and patients are considering anything higher then 3 as POSSIBLE hypothyroidism. Note that the TSH is highest at the morning.

[br350]

I should also note that I am cold all the time (winters are trying for me) and sometimes I can only warm up by taking a hot bath or constantly drinking hot fluids.  My doctor asked if I had constipation (I don't) or excessive hair loss (not really) and said that if I was hypothyroid that these would also be happening.   I am just wondering if I should pursue this......