Help with lab results please

[mommyjamieof2]

OK I don't know where to go from here..well I do but because of dumb doctors and insurance reasons I can't have everything done I need to.

My latest

FT3 5.5 (1.8-4.2)
FT4 0.68 (0.59-1.61)
TSH <0.01 (0.38-4.70)

I am 120 of Armour and I was wanting to up my dose but these indicate otherwise I have not had antibody testing yet I am going to push the doctor to do it.

I appreciate your help as my insurance does not allow me to see the needed docs and these ones don't know much about thyroid.

[mommyjamieof2]

When you say your swinging low what do you mean by that?

The generic I have is from the prior to getting on Armour so I already have it and have it for a year.

[stella5349]

A low TSH on a lab is a "false" positive for hyperthyroidism. There is a ton of information you can take to your doctor on the "false" numbers with a TSH

Being on anything with a direct T3 - will give you a low - LOW - TSH. That, amoungst other reasons, is why the TSH should not be the golden seal of thyroid optimal levels.

The TSH is a great too to locate the first stage of a pitutiary issue. Then more tests to confirm of you are having issues there.

Your swinging low - so I will bet - there is no reason to worry on anything wrong with the pitutiary. The TSH - "Is the lab the detects the pitutiary talking to the thyroid to pump hormone.: - It is NOT thyroid hormone that are being tested with the TSH.

I would call back and "suggest" firmly that you want to go with a .25mcg Synthroid first. If not you could suggest to cut them on half.

[mommyjamieof2]

I am thinking adreamal stress as well I have an appointment in a week with a primary care provider instead of a OB so we will see where I get from there.

I do have a perscription for generic synthroid .50.  Is that low enough or should I cut it in half?

How do I go about keeping the doctor from lowering my armour with a TSH this low?  What are the risks if any of having such a low tsh?  I don't want to lower it because the things that have improved have been a major improvement in my life.

And is it correct that increasing armour will not be the way to go?  When is T3 to high?  would my T4 likely increase with more armour?

Thanks

[stella5349]

Those labs would be pretty optimal for me with a slight raise in the T4 lab.

Common associated things causing your issues you express could be a B12 deficiency and/or a ferritin (iron) malabsorbtion. Another could be a mild issue of adrenal stress that sounds like you could correct fairly quickly - IF - that is diagnoised as an issue for you.

Sometimes a real good "supplement package" specifically designed to help hypothyroid conditions could increase and balance your hormones levels good and no change in meds may be needed at all.

If you feel you are doing 100% in the vitamin daily intake then a - very small T4
( Synthroid) very.. very low dose may help too. This is my thought - only if you have exhausted all the options of a vitamin depletion.

[gimel]

In my opinion you need a better balance of FT3/FT4.  Your FT3 is too high and your FT4 needs to be moved up to at least midpoint.  This could be done by reducing your Armour dosage and adding in some T4 meds.

Another point is that symptom relief lags blood levels of thyroid hormones.  In other words, symptoms don't just disappear when you get the "Frees" into a good range.  It takes a while for the body to heal up and show full benefit of the increased hormone levels.  I also recall some members stating that the longer and more severe your hypo condition was, the longer it takes for this to happen.

[mommyjamieof2]

I still feel tired alot a little better but still tired, the hair loss has slowed down, the constipation/bloating feeling is pretty much gone.  Mood/stress handling could be tons better.

I was hoping to increase to see if I feel even better but since my TSH came back so low the doc said no way.

[TamraW]

Looks like you are getting too much T3. How do you feel? When I tried bumping my T3, I was jittery and tired and got mouth ulcers.

The problem with some dessicated products is that they give you a set amount of T3 and T4. I am on a high dose of synthetic T4 and the lowest possible dose of synthetic T3 because my body does a pretty good job converting T4 to T3 on its own.

I don't know if Armour sells straight T4. If you like your natural dessicated Armour, I do believe you can get various doses of natural T3 and T4 from a compounding pharmacy, then you could lower your T3 amount, but bump your T4 amount. Usually thyroid sufferers feel better with frees in the upper end of the range.

:) Tamra