What does this indicate?

[JKenton]

Hi:

I plan on seeing an endocrinologist, but in the meantime...

When I was younger I tested positive for greatly elevated thyroid microsomal antibodies and was borderline hypo. The doctor at the time told me the antibodies were slowly destroying my thyroid.

Some years later, I had thyroid tests ran again, and the levels came back like this...

T4 = 4.3                      Normal Range: 4.5-12.5 MCD/DL
Free T4 = 1.01             Normal Range: 0.76-1.79 NG/DL
Free T4 IDX = 1.5         Normal Range:  1.3-4.7
TSH = 2.3                   Normal Range: 0.3-5.0  MIU/ML
T3 Uptake = 34.7         Normal Range: 26.0-38.0%
T3 = 1.49                    Normal Range: 0.60-1.81 NG/ML

My thyroid microsomal antibodies were in the hundreds at this time and they considered the T4 still borderline hypo, but this doctor stated that I should be monitored for symptoms of HYPERthyroidism.

Throughout the years, I've had the typical symptoms of hypothyroidism (severe cold intolerance, slow metabolism, brittle hair, dry skin, periods of extreme fatigue, etc) but repeated thyroid tests (not sure which ones) had come back normal.

Recently, I started to feel...well, "better" as it not somewhat drained of energy. But I also felt very restless, I've been having some odd muscle twitches, and have found myself in a few "senile moments" lately, though I'm too young to be having them, so I had my thyroid tested and these levels came back..

TSH = 13.3        Normal: 0.3-4.7 mcIU/mL
Free T4 = 1.2     Normal: 0.8-1.6 ng/dl

And that's all that was tested. I've since been put on synthroid.

My question is, is this Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since I have the antibodies? Is this considered euthyroidism or hypothyroidism? My energy levels seem to fluctuate greatly. My thyroid is not visibly enlarged. In addition to cold intolerance (I shiver when it drops to 70F in the house), I also have heat intolerance. Is this possible given the circumstances?

And, could this actually be a problem with my pituitary and not my thyroid problem, since, even though I have the antibodies, I've never caught my T4 levels below borderline low?

[lovelyladyone]

I have had and still do and i guess always will have thyroids problems. I got treated for gravies and a toxic goitor, got it treate; it was left untreated for years; then when i turn 27 I got it teated i lost all my hair twice and had everything that came with hyperthyroidism, they treated it with rataion pilll could not be around small children or ainmals and had to flush the toilet about for times and could sleep with anyone for a couple weeks. Then I went all the way hypothyroidism the doctors can never seem to make my levels normal. first they are way off the chart to high like 16.654 when they are suppost to be 4.000 or under, now they are to low way the hell , plus i am loseing my hair again; its strange when i am on my meds , my hair comes out and my doctor said it should me the other way around. matters anything they tell you about your thyroids, they will never tell that the thyroid are nrver fully know about and my never be there is alot that they can't explain; because they just don't know. Beleive  i have been dealing with it my whole life. but listen to them two guys they also make alot of sense. Hope that this help you and wish you well

[LazyMoose]

My question is, is this Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since I have the antibodies?

-Your high TSH and low T4 says your hypo. But you need free T3 tested too. There are several antibody tests, not just one. The Graves antibody test is TSI.

Is this considered euthyroidism or hypothyroidism?

-hypothyroidism

My energy levels seem to fluctuate greatly.

- Happens at the beginning of Hashimotos.

In addition to cold intolerance (I shiver when it drops to 70F in the house), I also have heat intolerance. Is this possible given the circumstances?

- Yes, very common. You are still hypo, and body temp that you feel will be off all day and night at times

You need to get that free T4 up and find out your Free T3 (most important despite what docs think).

[rumpled]

Gee, what a nice doctor. You get told that your thyroid is getting destroyed, but just patted on the head and sent off with no medications, guidance, or plan for treatment or follow-up. This happens, sadly, very frequently. I had Hashimoto's and the doctor's did not even bother to tell me (even though I told them it ran in my family!).

Your first TSH was abnormal. They changed the range years ago to .3 to 3.0 but many labs, oddly, have not changed their ranges to incorporate the new range even though it is about 5 years now.

My doctor likes my T3/T4 ranges to be in the upper part of the ranges. He also likes to use Free T3 and free T4 as more of an indication of what the thyroid is doing.

You also may have other issues other than thyroid - so they should test. Other hormones can impact thyroid as well as contribute to the fog and sense of just not being well.

I hope the endo helps you - but make sure the endo tests you well, and listens.