Aa
Hashimotos
Hi. I have Hashimotos. I was diagnosed 2 years ago. Since the birth of my third child, my TSH levels tend to be all over the place and I have to adjust my dosage every 6-8 weeks. I was on synthroid for about 6 years and have just tried taking Armour 120mg. My last TSH level (done 3 weeks ago) shows my TSH at 0.16 which is low. I was surprised because I am exhausted, my face is puffy and my thyroid is enlarged to the point where people are commenting on my neck and "how swollen it is". I also feel pressure in my throat. I had a thyroid ultrasound and it showed that my thyroid is "nontoxic multinodular goiter".
Right lobe: 5.4 cm x 1.9 cm x 2.3 cm
Left lobe: 5.2 cmx 2.0 cm x 1.7 cm
Isthmus: 0.91 cm
I am extremely frustrated. My endo says that this isn't a concern and to recheck levels in 6 weeks or see an ENT to see if something is going on with my throat. Is this normal? I feel like a crazy person and not sure what to do next.
Right lobe: 5.4 cm x 1.9 cm x 2.3 cm
Left lobe: 5.2 cmx 2.0 cm x 1.7 cm
Isthmus: 0.91 cm
I am extremely frustrated. My endo says that this isn't a concern and to recheck levels in 6 weeks or see an ENT to see if something is going on with my throat. Is this normal? I feel like a crazy person and not sure what to do next.
I finally got my latest bloodwork results!!!!
TSH 1.91 Reference Range 0.40-4.50mIU/L
T4 3.7 Reference Range 4.5-12.0 mcg/dl
T3 114 Reference Range 76181 ng/dL
My US shows bilaterally diffuse nodules and engalrged nodules.
Current medication 120 mg of Armour Thyroid
I feel exhausted all the time. I have and ENT appointment on Monday. What else should I be doing?
TSH 1.91 Reference Range 0.40-4.50mIU/L
T4 3.7 Reference Range 4.5-12.0 mcg/dl
T3 114 Reference Range 76181 ng/dL
My US shows bilaterally diffuse nodules and engalrged nodules.
Current medication 120 mg of Armour Thyroid
I feel exhausted all the time. I have and ENT appointment on Monday. What else should I be doing?
when you take any thyroid medicine but especially when taking a medicine with T3 in it, it is VERY common to have the TSH totally suppressed.
So it is most likely that your TSH is being supressed due to the T3 in the Armour your taking. Rendering the TSH worthless. And TSH is just about short of worthless to begin with. But upon taking the T3 and it suppresses TSH makes even testing for TSH useless and totally irrelevant.
As stated above you want to test the two ACTUAL thyroid hormones in your blood. Free T4 and Free T3.
Understand your body cells ONLY use the Free T3 hormone. The Free T4 remains in the blood in "storage" and when you body needs more thyroid it takes the T4 in storage and converts it (mostly in the liver) into T3.
Think of T4 as gas in your gas tank of your car. And T3 as the regulator that allows the proper amount of gas into the engine itself.
Clearly if you have no gas in the tank, your engine won't run. But also if there is something plugged or wrong with the ability for the gas to get into the engine (Free T3) then your engine won't run either whether or not your gas tank (free T4) is full or not.
This is why it is SOOOOO important to test BOTH the Free T4 (to see how much gas is available for future use) as well as the Free T3 (to see how much gas is getting into the engine).
So it is most likely that your TSH is being supressed due to the T3 in the Armour your taking. Rendering the TSH worthless. And TSH is just about short of worthless to begin with. But upon taking the T3 and it suppresses TSH makes even testing for TSH useless and totally irrelevant.
As stated above you want to test the two ACTUAL thyroid hormones in your blood. Free T4 and Free T3.
Understand your body cells ONLY use the Free T3 hormone. The Free T4 remains in the blood in "storage" and when you body needs more thyroid it takes the T4 in storage and converts it (mostly in the liver) into T3.
Think of T4 as gas in your gas tank of your car. And T3 as the regulator that allows the proper amount of gas into the engine itself.
Clearly if you have no gas in the tank, your engine won't run. But also if there is something plugged or wrong with the ability for the gas to get into the engine (Free T3) then your engine won't run either whether or not your gas tank (free T4) is full or not.
This is why it is SOOOOO important to test BOTH the Free T4 (to see how much gas is available for future use) as well as the Free T3 (to see how much gas is getting into the engine).
COMMUNITY LEADER
Aahh. Good deal; post results as soon as you get them, and be sure you include the reference ranges, since those vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Are you getting Free T3 and Free T4 tests, along with the TSH?
TSH is a pituitary hormone and doesn't correlate with symptoms.
Free T3 and Free T4 are the actual thyroid hormones, and are what you need to go by for dosing, along symptoms.
If your doctor refuses to test FT3 and FT4, you should find another immediately. Any doctor prescribing a med with T3, such as Armour, should also be testing FT3 and FT4 levels.
TSH is a pituitary hormone and doesn't correlate with symptoms.
Free T3 and Free T4 are the actual thyroid hormones, and are what you need to go by for dosing, along symptoms.
If your doctor refuses to test FT3 and FT4, you should find another immediately. Any doctor prescribing a med with T3, such as Armour, should also be testing FT3 and FT4 levels.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
