Aa
Meds?
I'm seeking opinions before my doctor's appointment at the end of the week. I had a partial thyroidectomy with lobectomy at the end of Sept. 2013. No cancer but pathology report indicated "mild thyroiditis". Since the surgery, I have not been on any meds. Recent labs are:
TSH 3.26 ref range 0.40-4.50
Free T4 0.9 ref range 0.8-1.8
Free T3 2.9 ref range 2.3-4.2
I've experienced a 27lb weight gain since the surgery, insomina, brain fog, always hot, etc....Should I ask the doctor for thyroid meds?
Thanx for any input!
TSH 3.26 ref range 0.40-4.50
Free T4 0.9 ref range 0.8-1.8
Free T3 2.9 ref range 2.3-4.2
I've experienced a 27lb weight gain since the surgery, insomina, brain fog, always hot, etc....Should I ask the doctor for thyroid meds?
Thanx for any input!
I am going through the exact same thing right now (I had my lobectomy the beginning of December though) I have a follow up with my endocrinologist today and am hoping that he will be able to prescribe something to try and help! I can not function as I am exhausted ALL OF THE TIME! I have gained nearly 10 pounds in one months time!
My pathology report cam back fine with the exception of some parathhyroid tissue found. My calcium level is fine though.
Please post how your appointment goes and what the Dr decides. I am bringing a copy of that letter with me today :)
My pathology report cam back fine with the exception of some parathhyroid tissue found. My calcium level is fine though.
Please post how your appointment goes and what the Dr decides. I am bringing a copy of that letter with me today :)
Thank you for sharing your suggestions. Will make sure to be demanding at my next appointment! Will also request lab work for Vitamin D, B12, & ferritin
Yes, thyroid med is always necessary when suffering from hypo symptoms such as those you mention. Symptoms are the most important consideration, followed by the levels of Free T3 and Free T4. Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions. Scientific studies have also shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.
Free T3 and Free T4 levels like yours are too low in the range for many hypo patients. Members, myself included, say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper third of its range and Free T4 around the middle of its range.
If your doctor is reluctant to prescribe thyroid meds, then you will have to make him aware that the ranges are far too broad, due to the erroneous method by which they are determined. Just being anywhere within the range does not mean that is adequate for many hypo patients.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So you need to ask your doctor for thyroid med. Since hypo patients frequently become too low in the range for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, I would also suggest that you request to be tested for those. I would also suggest that you find out if the doctor is going to be willing to treat you clinically as described above. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so. If you find that you need to locate a good thyroid doctor, we may be able to give you the name of a member recommended doctor in your area.
Free T3 and Free T4 levels like yours are too low in the range for many hypo patients. Members, myself included, say that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper third of its range and Free T4 around the middle of its range.
If your doctor is reluctant to prescribe thyroid meds, then you will have to make him aware that the ranges are far too broad, due to the erroneous method by which they are determined. Just being anywhere within the range does not mean that is adequate for many hypo patients.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So you need to ask your doctor for thyroid med. Since hypo patients frequently become too low in the range for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, I would also suggest that you request to be tested for those. I would also suggest that you find out if the doctor is going to be willing to treat you clinically as described above. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so. If you find that you need to locate a good thyroid doctor, we may be able to give you the name of a member recommended doctor in your area.
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