High TSH normal FT3 & FT4-Looking for your thoughts on my Labs.

[Tiredsleepymama]

Just looking for input on my labs and symptoms.  What are your thoughts?

Symptoms:  Tired all the time, Can't concentrate, forgetful, always cold, cold sweats, brittle nails, thinning of hair at temples, dry hair, not sleeping well, puffy and a little dark under eyes, whiskers on chin,  anxiety, depression, aching legs at night at times, dizzy/lightheaded, low libido , out of breath at times, no energy, and new to list tinnitus and light stabbing feelings around heart.

TSH 5.20 (0.45-5.10)
FT3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
FT4 1.1 (0.7-1.5)
Thyroglobulin Autoantibody <0.9 (0.0-4.0)
Thyroid Peroxidase Auto AB 0.3 (0.0-9.0)

Notes from lab:  "No clear evidence of thyroid dysfunction.  Would repeat reflex TSH in 3 months."  (This would mean I have to wait until Aug. and I am not on any meds.)

The test below is looking at possible diabetes. This test is non fasting and I just drank a milkshake before I came in. I am wondering if thyroid would mess with your sugar too?
Glucose was also high 123 (65-99)  
AC1 5.4 (4.0-5.6)

Lab note summarizing:  5.7-6.4% indicates an increased risk for diabetes mellitus.  AC1 values of  greater than or equal to 6.5% are diagnostic of diabetes mellitus.  Anemia may yield falsely high results.  (thinking I should be tested for anemia too then.)

Had a really bad night last night.  Tossed and turned and felt really achy around heart off and on, legs were a bit sore too.  Feel nauseated this morning a little.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Tiredsleepymama]

Right and maybe I'm being a bit hopeful too with TSH and meds working together.   Personally I would of like to of seen my meds raised, but I'm still learning about this part and wasn't sure how much would have been best.  Maybe add 1/4 grain to my 1/2 grain?   I just know I don't want to go hyper.  With using Nature Tyroid it seems with it having both T4 and T3 it would be hard just to add more, meaning if you look at my FT4 at .88 and FT3 at 3.1 it looks like I need more FT4 and hopefully that raises the FT3 to where it should be, but if I up NT then I get both T4 and T3, and again I don't want to go over the top for FT3.  So do I try 1/4 of a grain of NT or now do I start adding in just FT4 with NT?   I hope that made sense.

[gimel]

That sounds better.  One thing to keep in mind is that when already taking thyroid meds, TSH is almost a useless test.  Before getting Free T3 and Free T4 to adequate levels, the TSH frequently becomes suppressed.  That does not reflect hypothyroidism, unless there are hyper symptoms, due to excessive levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4.  I mention this because the doctor is paying a bit too much attention to TSH to suit me.  

So keep in mind what I mentioned previously.  "So you really need to find that good thyroid doctor that will treat you clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve hypo symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results."

[Tiredsleepymama]

Doctor apt. update:  It went well...however,...think I got the nurse into a bit of trouble.  I found out from the doctor that the nurse is new and that she miss read info. and the doctor said that she needed to have a talk with the nurse about a few things.  I told the doctor I didn't think what the nurse said made sense and that is why I had to ask questions. The doctor said that my thinking was correct.   The doctor was saying I improved do to my TSH but the doctor understands the other levels are still low.  She asked how I was feeling and we discussed things.  The doctor and I together decided to hold off on the supplements and stay with the dose of thyroid meds and retest again.  She wants to keep the TSH at a level where hopefully meds and TSH will balance out and work together.  We are trying to not depend solely on thyroid meds.  I'm not feeling any worst off and am sleeping better and not overly tired during the day anymore so, I agree to give it a shot, we shall see how it goes.  I did start last night 250mg of magnesium for my achy legs at night, per the doctor, and  seemed to have work for me.  

[Tiredsleepymama]

Thanks Gimel.  It doesn't seem like she is pushing to sell her supplements because she tells me you can find them in the store too.  I was mainly worried about her saying my thyroid improved when it hasn't.  I'll see her tomorrow and I'm hoping she just missed read labs. She may be having prego brain at the moment too.  lol  I'm going to type out my labs for us to look at side by side so there are no mistakes going back and forth between lab paperwork.  Yes, I will be taking that info that you gave me, I had already thought about that.
Thanks again, it's really nice to get others input to know I'm on the right track.  Hugs....

[gimel]

Well, I looked up Rhodiola and found this.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), sometimes called Arctic root or golden root, is considered an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it acts in non-specific ways to increase resistance to stress, without disturbing normal biological functions. The herb grows at high altitudes in the arctic areas of Europe and Asia, and its root has been used in traditional medicine in Russia and the Scandinavian countries for centuries. Studies of its medicinal applications have appeared in the scientific literature of Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Soviet Union and Iceland. Rhodiola is still widely used in Russia as a tonic and remedy for fatigue, poor attention span, and decreased memory; it is also believed to make workers more productive. In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries it is used to increase the capacity for mental work and to boost general strength and vitality.


Also looked up Aces+Zinc and found this.



Antioxidant....Protects Body Cells

Vitamins: A, C, E plus Selenium and Zinc. Air pollution, tobacco smoke, ozone, radiation, dietary fats and heavy exercise can produce unstable substances in the body called free radicals. Reaearch has established that excess free radicals can damage healthy cells. ACES+ZINC provides natural antioxidants to help protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals.

I don't understand why, but your doctor is pushing antioxidants rather than bringing up your Free T4 and Free T3, both of which you need to do since you are still having hypo symptoms.  If she tried to sell you the supplements, I would expect that is the reason.  

I suggest that you take a copy of the link I gave you back in July and give it to the doctor and talk about all the symptoms you have that are frequently related to being hypothyroid, and that your Free T3 and Free T4 are still too low and frequently result in hypothyroid symptoms, and that you need to continue increasing your meds as necessary to relieve symptoms.  

Being a naturopathic doctor, she should be more agreeable to clinical treatment than most doctors.    If she is not willing to treat clinically, then you need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.  And if you will tell us your location, perhaps we can suggest a doctor recommended by other members.

[Tiredsleepymama]

Ok here is the result FT3= 3.1 (2.3-4.2).  Nurse called with results and told me that my thyroid levels improved.  LOL  Really?  I told her how can that be when my FT4 is low out of range now 0.88 and my FT3 is now a bit lower then when I first came in and had tests done. Nurse said doctor wants FT3 at 3.4, lol that is what it was when I came in and she told me it was low. Grrr   Nurse also said doctor wants me to stay on current dose and to supplement with Aces+Zn and Rhodiola to help thyroid function.  I made an appt to discuss with with the doctor tomorrow.  Would appreciate any comments on this be for I go see her to talk about.