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Need advice...hypothyroid?
About 5-6 years ago, my family dr at the time said that one of my thyroid levels was off but not the other one so they would not treat me. I didn't question this, nor did I really understand it. At that time, my exzema was much worse and my hair was falling out. My hear murmur also seemed to be acting up. They later tested it and found the same results and then gradually in the testing it went away. I have always experienced edema, constipation, dry skin, and hair loss. But now the edema and constipation are much worse. I now experience night sweats, and RLS as well. My good cholesterol is down and I've struggled with Vit D deficiency. I finally went to a dr again ( a new one) when I gained 8 lbs in 6 weeks and could not take it off. My dr is sending me to a endo but my labs are normal again (TSH- 1.44 [.4-4.5], FT4- 1.2 [.8-1.8] , FT3- 3.1 [2.3-4.2]).
Is it normal for hypothyroid labs to normalize without treatment but for symptoms to get worse? I've heard that the endo I requested has prescribed Armour so I'm hoping that means she will treat for symptoms. Anyone now of a good endo in Grand Rapids, Mi? Thanks for your help!
Is it normal for hypothyroid labs to normalize without treatment but for symptoms to get worse? I've heard that the endo I requested has prescribed Armour so I'm hoping that means she will treat for symptoms. Anyone now of a good endo in Grand Rapids, Mi? Thanks for your help!
Just because your lab results are in the so-called "normal" ranges does not mean that all is okay for you. The ranges are far too broad for that to be the case. I won't get into all the reasons why, but suffice to say that the functional range for Free T3 is more like the upper half of the current range.
TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is totally inadequate as the sold diagnostic for thyroid issues. At best TSH is an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, which are Free T3 and Free T4. Of these 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.
Looking at your test results, your Free T4 is adequate, but more importantly your Free T3 is in the lower half of its range, frequently associated with being hypothyroid. Many of our members, myself included, report that symptom relief required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper third of its range and Free T4 adjusted to around the middle of its range.
Even though you plan to see an Endo, that does not guarantee a good thyroid doctor. Many specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. Many also have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" by which they only want to use TSH to diagnose and treat a hypo patient. That does not work. Others use "Reference range Endocrinology", by which they will tell you that a thyroid test that falls anywhere within the reference range is adequate. That is also wrong.
A good thyroid will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being restrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. 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 from a distance. The letter is then sent to the participating PCP of the patient, to help guide treatment.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
If your Endo appointment is going to be too far in the future, then rather than wait fo find out later, it would be a good idea to find out if the doctor will treat clinically, as described above, and also prescribe T3 meds, if necessary. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so. I have one doctor that I found on the Top Thyroid doctors site, that is in Grand Rapids. From the patient review, sounds like a possibility for you to consider. Sending info by PM.
I also suggest that you should be tested for Vitamin a, D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel. Deficiencies in these areas can also contribute to having symptoms, so you should test those as well. And like with Free T3, results in the bottom part of the range are frequently inadequate.
TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many variables that it is totally inadequate as the sold diagnostic for thyroid issues. At best TSH is an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms and also levels of the biologically active thyroid hormones, which are Free T3 and Free T4. Of these 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.
Looking at your test results, your Free T4 is adequate, but more importantly your Free T3 is in the lower half of its range, frequently associated with being hypothyroid. Many of our members, myself included, report that symptom relief required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper third of its range and Free T4 adjusted to around the middle of its range.
Even though you plan to see an Endo, that does not guarantee a good thyroid doctor. Many specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. Many also have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" by which they only want to use TSH to diagnose and treat a hypo patient. That does not work. Others use "Reference range Endocrinology", by which they will tell you that a thyroid test that falls anywhere within the reference range is adequate. That is also wrong.
A good thyroid will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being restrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. 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 from a distance. The letter is then sent to the participating PCP of the patient, to help guide treatment.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
If your Endo appointment is going to be too far in the future, then rather than wait fo find out later, it would be a good idea to find out if the doctor will treat clinically, as described above, and also prescribe T3 meds, if necessary. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so. I have one doctor that I found on the Top Thyroid doctors site, that is in Grand Rapids. From the patient review, sounds like a possibility for you to consider. Sending info by PM.
I also suggest that you should be tested for Vitamin a, D, B12, ferritin, and a full iron test panel. Deficiencies in these areas can also contribute to having symptoms, so you should test those as well. And like with Free T3, results in the bottom part of the range are frequently inadequate.
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