Can someone help me with my thyroid results ?

[Ecologic]

Hello!

I suffer from mild hypothyroidie, but still it's a BIG problem in my life.

The main symptoms: gain weight since Oct 06 (after surgery, removal of ovarian cyst), constipation (started right after the surgery), tiredness (sometimes it's even crazy, like chronic fatigue), anxiety, depression.

I got a first thyroid checkup in Nov 06 and took levo in 2006/2007: no effect whatsoever and my TSH stayed stucked at 5.00

I started Armour in Fall 08: no real effect neither, only my TSH went from 5.00 to 3.00. I was taking 1 grain.

Here are my results taken 2 weeks ago (in the afternoon, I had taken my 1 grain of Armour in the morning):
TSH: 3.361 (range: 0.450-4.500)
T4 free: 0.95 (0.61-1.76)
T3 free: 3.6 (2.3-4.2)

Antibodies:
TPO: 12 (0-34)
Antithyroglobulin:  What can I do? My doctor increased my Armour to 2 grains (120): will that really help? Is there any other medication what would be better?

[Ecologic]

Hi Gimel,

Ma doctor is not too bad: he likes to see a TSH level < 2.0, not <4.50. But he is not a spe in medications and dosages. I do know about the Free T3 and now I require it as well!

I think I'll take 1.5 Armour for now, just because these pills are already really hard to cut in halves, not sure I can even cut them in quarters. We'll see!

[gimel]

TSH is a Pituitary hormone, not a thyroid hormone.  Doctors use TSH as if it were a diagnostic tool, but in my opinion it really is not accurate enough to be considered a diagnostic.  There are so many variables that affect TSH level, that to me it is only an indicator of thyroid function.
When you step back and ask what it is that you are trying to affect the answer is your symptoms.  Scientific study has shown that hypothyroid symptoms correlate best with the thyroid hormone that is the most biologically active, which is free T3.  Doctors cannot measure symptoms and they have yet to adopt free T3 as the best diagnostic for thyroid issues, so they continue to rely on TSH.  It's interesting to note that after 6 years the new (lower) reference range recommended by the AACE (Endocrinologists) has yet to be adopted by most labs and doctors.    There may be some hope in this area in the future because I heard from one of our Forum members that Emory Univ. was now teaching the importance of free T3 and free T4 and downgrading the usefulness of TSH.

In the future I think it would be better to delay your meds until after testing, which makes morning  the most convenient time..  Don't think you need to rush back for a followup test now.  Just start your slow increase in meds and monitor your symptoms and how you feel.  Maybe you'll get response from other members with actual experience doing this, but with Armour I think I'd wait at least two weeks between increases, to be sure you were getting the full effect, before moving up.  

[Ecologic]

Hello,

Yes going to 1.25 pill at first is a good idea, I'll do it.

I am puzzled by my results, the T3 and T4 look good but the TSH is elevated: how it that possible? And I do not feel good at all.

My last blood test in February had given an elevated level of T3 a little bit above the maximum range - I had also taken Armour in the morning and the test had been done in the morning.

Would it be a good idea to check again the levels of T3 and T4, but without taking Armour in the morning? Is there a best time in the day to test for these hormones?

[gimel]

Taking your Armour in the morning might have affected the test, but If your free T3 level is accurate, it is getting close to what is regarded as a good level.  I'm sure you will hear from other members as well, but my opinion is that an immediate increase to 2 grains is too much.  Armour is T4 and T3 together and has a more immediate effect than a T4 type med.  If it were me, I think I would cut the second pill into quarters and increase only one quarter at a time and monitor for at least a couple of weeks and see how your body reacts.  Slow and sure is much better than one big jump with Armour.

[Ecologic]

Oops, my message was cut.

Antithyroglobulin Ab: < 20 (0-40)