Not sure what is going on with me--need input please

[yankeeRN]

So I was diagnosed with Grave's in Sept 2011--been on PTU for this since then.  It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride--unfortunately.  So any ways....back in April and May I felt awful--like I had the life sucked right out of me ---tired, dizzy, depressed, trouble functioning in general, plus menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweat) worsening, etc.  My symptoms had been progressive till I finally called my md and told him I needed lab work done because all was not getting better--just worse.
Labs--- June 2: tsh: 0.03  (0.36-3.74), TT4: 6.7 (5.3-12.3), TT3: 97 (80-200) Saw md on June 9th and though he thought I should increase my PTU because of the tsh--I told him that I needed to decrease my PTU (because of the symptoms and also because my TT3 actually had dropped to the low end ) and he agreed to my thought  (and web MD--lol) of decreasing my PTU from 75mg twice a day to 75mg in am and 50 mg in pm with lab recheck in 6 weeks--this decrease I did on June 9th the day I saw him

Labs---July 30: tsh: 0.55 (0.36-3.74), TT4: 5.7 (5..3-12.3), FT3: 2.5 (2.0-3.5) I had to call to get these  ordered so I would know where I was.  Symptomatically I feel good--a little tired but none of the previous symptoms I had been experiencing including no night sweats and no hot flashes--I feel I am functioning well though I have gained a couple more pounds.  It should be emphasized that my tsh is actually registering--since my Grave's diagnosis (3 yrs ago) my tsh has never been within the "normal" range--it has always been , <0.001, 0.002 or the previous 0.03--the 0.55 had me wondering if they had given me someone else's labs!
I am concerned that even though I had decreased my PTU dose, my other labs continue to decrease--- if anything they should be going up not down.  What's up with this?  While I am very thankful I feel "good," I am also a bit concerned where my labs are headed--especially the FT3 since this powers my cells and if this continues to go down then I may be in trouble. What is going on? Should I check with my md to see about decreasing the PTU again? Should I wait and suggest lab redraw in another 6 weeks to see where all is going??
On another note my md is retiring this Sept so I may end up with the new "young" doctor in the office--I just hope he listens to me.

PLEASE ANY HELP ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED---you all have helped me so much over the years--I am not sure how I would have dealt with this--you walk in my shoes so I know you really do know how it is and   understand how crucial it is to have a balance of your thyroid--because it affects everything......

Thanks :)  Carolyn

[yankeeRN]

Great info at that site--thanks :)

[gimel]

Using "Reference Range Endocrinology" makes it easy for them to supposedly diagnose and treat hypothyroid patients.  The effective alternative of finding out about symptoms, and actually looking at blood test results and evaluating if they are the cause for the symptoms, or not, takes some time and effort on their part.  How many times have we all heard, "your lab tests are normal, it can't be your thyroid"?  

Don't know if you have ever seen the following link or not.  Just happened to think that with your background and training, you might enjoy the paper, written by a good thyroid doctor.  

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/TSHWrongtree.pdf

[yankeeRN]

Geesh now I am really concerned-----Ok I am calling my md to see if I can reduce my PTU by another 25mg--see if it makes any difference--little change--I cannot afford to throw my body into another tail spin in either direction--a few months again I was BARELY surviving--so bad I thought I was going to have to take a leave from work--I have never had my Vit D, B12 or Ferritin levels checked though I did ask about these my md said they weren't warranted (hmmmm)--I had started a multivit back in June "just because" I figured it would not hurt.    I have never seen my FT3 or TT4 that low--I usually feel better with my FT3 about 3.5 believe it or not.  Is that why my tsh kicked in to try to help me out? Is it possible my thyroid could be burning out or trying to go into remission?? Probably hard to tell. Thanks for the response gimel.  
Yesterday when the medical assistant called to tell me my results she says just to let you know your results are in the "normal range"---once again she was not prepared to give results--it took her a few minutes to get the results for me but I wasn't letting off the phone without them--I also reminded her "normal" for the labs were not necessarily normal for all people--she didn't get it--hmm. Believe me I have better things to do than worry about labs but I have to because as you know it can really make or break a person.

[gimel]

Your Free T3 and Free T4 are way too low for most people.  I'd suggest to the doctor that since you are having some symptoms of hypothyroidism as a result of your low in the range Free T3 and Free t4, that you would like to further reduce your PTU.  I would not wait for another 6 weeks.

Also, have you been tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin?  If so, please post those, with ranges as well.