Help Understanding levels

[VaAimee]

Hi, I found this board searching for information on thyroid issues.

I have an 18 month old daughter and was just diagnosed with Hashimoto's. I just got a copy of my labs, and I was wondering if you all could help me understand the numbers beyond just the TSH!I am on 75 micograms of Synthroid, which was just upped after 6 weeks on 50.  50 micrograms helped for about 2 weeks, then things slowly got worse till I was almost unable to function.

Antithyroid peroxidase  >600 range 0-34

Antithyroglobulin   3384 range 0-115

TSH 12.04  range .27-4,2

Free T4 1.07 range .9-1.9

Also, I am still seeing my family doctor, is there a really reason I should go to an endo? And are there any other test I should ask for?

Thanks again, I am still trying to make sense of this all!

[Barb135]

You don't say how long you've been on the med, but it does take a while for it to stabilize in your system.  Chances are, you will have to go higher, but you don't want to go too quickly.  

In regards to the weight - you aren't so bad.  I gained 30 lbs within 3 months when I went hypo and still haven't been able to get rid of them -- because my levels have not gotten high enough and stabilized for any length of time.  In my opinion, you will be able to lose the weight, once your levels get right for you, so don't completely stop trying to lose (eat healthy, exercise, etc), but focus mainly on not gaining any more.  That's what I did, and I'm finding that I can lose some now, if I'm very careful about my eating/exercise.

[VaAimee]

Depression and carpel tunnel seem to be my to biggest symptoms, that with the mind numbing exhaustion.  I feel like my body already needs more than the 75 mg -- I was feeling better for about a week and now the carpel tunnel is slowly starting, and my mood has totally changed.

I had a question about weight too. I am 5'6 and 145, a good 10 pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight. I have been trying to lose these 10 pounds for about 8 months now, will I be able to lose them before my numbers are regulated, or should I just look to not gain weight till then?

I made an appointment with and endo, but it is not till the end of October, so I think I will have to go back to my family doctor before that.
Thanks for all the help

[Barb135]

Your labs indicate that you are hypo.  What symptoms do you have? While there's a whole laundry list of symptoms, the most common are weight gain, fatigue, constipation, muscle/joint aches/pains, etc. Everyone is different, though, so symptoms can vary.

You need to get a Free T3 test.  FT3 is the most important of the labs because it's level correlates best with symptoms.  In spite of this, many doctors are reluctant to test FT3, so you may have to insist on it.  

You should get FT3 tested every time you get FT4 and TSH; but FT3 is particularly important prior to considering cytomel or other med that includes T3.  T3 is fast acting and out of your system in a few hours; if you don't need it, you could go hyper very quickly.  It's generally given in cases where one does not convert FT4 to the immediately available FT3.  

I agree that you should go slowly with your med; some people are ultra sensitive and if started at too high a dose, this, too could cause you to go hyper.

You don't necessarily need an endo, if your pcp is willing to test you properly and work with you, considering symptoms as much as labs when dosing your med.  

It might also be a good idea to ask for a thyroid ultrasound.  

[busymom29154]

I also have Hashis and from my understanding it is best to go up slowly on the meds until your labs stabilize and your symptoms improve.  Some thyroid patients also do well when they are put on Cytomel for the T3 levels.  Is your family doctor willing to work with you on improving your symptoms and not just your lab leves?  Are you also suffering from depression?