Bloodwork and FT4 doesn't go up

[alfonsina]

I received my test results today at my doctor's office.
I started on Natural diseccated thyroid on August 2009. I started vey low because of some reactions. I went from 8mg to 96mg. For the last three weeks  I have been  on  1 grain and 1/2.
What really suprises me is that my FT4 does not go up as fast as my FT3 and I am just wondering if eventually I will need some only T4 plus my desiccated to get a good number.
Because of my results and my symptoms my doctor agreed to increase my dose. I am just worried about going too high on my FT3.
In some departments I have been improving, like my periods and cholesterol, but in the rest I still feel pretty hypo.

Here they are:

THS   : 0.00  range 0.34-4.52 (can I go any lower?)
FT4     : 0.71  range   0.59- 1.61  (when I started treatment it was 0.65)
FT3   :  335    range   230-420    (when I started treatment it was below normal range)

I am frustated that my FT4 does not get up to the same rythm than my TF3, I will increase my meds (they have T3/T4 in them). Just a little concerned about too much t3.

Any idea why my FT4 is so recluntant to go up? ( it is taking forever)

Thanks

[gimel]

First of all, I'm glad you have a doctor that tests for FT3 and FT4.  I'm also glad to hear that he pays attention to symptoms.  That's all good.  Increasing your meds to raise your FT3 level will further help your symptoms.  

I had a similar result when on 2 grains of Armour.  My FT3 got into the upper end of the range and FT4 was in the low end.  To achieve a better balance and increase FT4 to at least the midpoint, it was easy to just add in some T4 med and that moved my FT4 to midpoint.   Feeling best ever right now.  

[alfonsina]

Thank you for your answer.

It was not easy to find my doctor but I am glad too I found him. He said to me: "Other doctors according to your TSH would decrease your meds." Luckily he is not those "other doctors"

I would like to raise my natural thyroid to 1 and 3/4 grain and see how I feel (having a little bit of palpitations already). After that, I would like to try ( I am very sensitive) to introduce the T4 only med along with the desiccated.

May I ask you how much T4 are you taking or started to take? 25mcg? less?

Do you think my FT3 is okay or I still have room for an increase (1/4 grain)?

[stella5349]

you still have some room to increase and actually the palps could be from to little of the Free T3 too.

Thyroid is touchy. AND - symptoms can be present telling you other things are going on. A magnesium deficiency can sometimes bring palps on too.

Personally you look low on BOTH FT3 and FT4. Sometimes just an increase can make all the differences with BOTH those labs too - w/out T4 meds.

ALso - a liver cleanse ( NOTHING major) but a simple fast with lemon water can flush out things and let the conversion do its job mroe too.

ALSO - taking your meds sublingual can help too.

You would feel low with the way those labs look.

[stella5349]

PS - yep - it could go lower on the TSH... lol

mine last was a 0.004. :)