I think I need T3 but doc says no way

[Flys4Food]

I have been taking synthroid for about 2 months now after finally being diagnosed. I started on .5 and within a week started feeling better. However...after the third week started feeling run down again. Called the doc and he increased to .75. Started to feel better again and just had my blood retested. I think I need some t3 added to synthroid but doc says all is normal.

Here's the last labs...

TSH 0.89.....started out at 3.5

FT4 1.1....started our at .9     lab range is 0.8-1.8
FT3  319...started out at 319  lab range is 230-420

Although I'm much better I'm still having hypo symptoms; achiness, joint pain, etc.
My morning temp is still under 97 and my pulse still under 60.

However, My family physician, not the endo that is treating me, has wanted to put me on cholesterol meds for about three years. I wouldn't do it! After the synthroid my levels have dropped from 270 to 183 with LDL and HDL doing the same. On the right track but not quite there yet.
So what do you all think...agree with me or the doc about the t3?

Thanks

[skeeterknitwit]

I also think you need to give this more time, but your FT4 is too low.  I noticed that my symptoms tend to lag behind my labs by a month or more.  That is - I still felt hyper when my labs said hypo.  A month later, hypo symptoms hit after I started Levoxyl.

This idea is controversial, and board members with Hashi may slap me for saying this.  How about a kelp supplement?  Since your body uses iodine to convert T4 to T3, iodine can boost your T3 naturally.  I've heard some say that iodine can further damage a diseased thyroid gland.  Others say it has been a life saver.  It is certainly less costly than arguing with a Dr. who refuses to give you T3.

[goolarra]

Actually, T4  is converted to T3 by LOSING, not gaining iodine.  The 3 and the 4 actually represent he amount of iodine in each version.  T4 has four atoms of iodine, T3 has 3, and yes, there are 2 and 1.  So, once T4 is made, no more iodine is required.  

[Smilerdeb]

You are a brilliant source of info goolarra lol (and I mean that nicely).
Goolarra is 100% correct.

[Flys4Food]

Thanks for all the input. You are probably correct BUT patience is not one of my virtues!!!
I guess a few more months won't hurt anything...I've been suffering with hypo symptoms (unknow to me of course what it was) since 1981 right after a nodule popped up on my thyroid. Doc says a lesion is still there. Was a firefight and had to retire because of the headaches and fatigue. Ugh! I'll keep you all posted what happens and again, thanks for all of your imput AND...keep it coming

[Flys4Food]

Hey...it's me again. Talked with my doctor's nurse today in answer to the letter I sent him. She stated that all of the test numbers were "in limits and within the range of error".Whatever the heck that means!
He was trying to keep my TSH at 1.0 and believes that the treatment at this time is doing it's job. Sooooo, what do you think? Should I wait patiently to see if he's correct, find a new doctor, or badger him some more. He is listed on the top docs of the about thyroid website. What do you think of the dr. on the hormone restoration website. Would he be worth contacting? I am a pilot...I can fly to Pennsylvania!!

Thanks

[goolarra]

I'd get specific numbers on all those results "in limits" and their reference ranges.  If they're "in limits" like the last labs you posted, you still have lots of room to tweak meds to get rid of your symptoms. A 1.0 TSH may just not be right for YOU.

You do have to be patient, but you don't have to be foolhardy!

I don't know enough about Lindner to comment.  His article seems to reflect some good ideas, but who knows how he is as a clinician.

I'm working on a short (?) commentary I wrote about the proper use of reference ranges.  I have some editing to do, but when I'm finished, I'll post it to you.