New blood test results with low Free T3

[bluefaery]

T3 Free 2.5 (range 2.3-4.2) - Isn't this supposed to be in the upper 3rd?
TSH is 2.22 - I am comfortable with this number, I went too hyper and had anxiety attacks
Free T4 is 0.9 (range 0.8-1.8)  I can't remember where the optimal range is
B12 is 325 - I know this is lowish but still "in range", I live with vegetarians and wanted it tested again before I start taking supplements

Taking 88mcg of Levothyroxine
150 mg of Wellbutrin
50mg of Zoloft (for my stomach, but I'm still trying to figure out why my stomach feels the way it does)
600mg 2xday of Oxcarbazepine for my neuropathy (still trying to figure out why this is happening too, thyroid wasn't bad enough for long enough to cause it)

I added the Free T3 and Free t4 to the lab slips on my own.  Doc didn't bat an eyelash at it, said everything was fine.  But also because I told her I felt a lot better in regards to anxiety, depression and my hair.  My periods have gotten weird again, but she said if it was because of the thyroid, I'd be having hot flashes as well.  I'm pretty sure it's due to either the Oxcarb med, new Ovarian cysts or more Endometriosis.  

I've been tested for Hashis and I do NOT have it.  Theory is the hypothyroidism started due to a major injury 14 months ago.  Endo is hoping that it fixes itself in some time.  I'm wondering why the Free T3 and Free T4 are so low.  I know they're "in range", but not optimal.  I'm going to Neuro today and am asking for a bunch of tests.  Going to ask for Celiac even though I don't think I have it.  Going to ask for some autoimmune tests, like Lupus.  Going to ask for some genetic testing as well.  Wondering if the stomach issues, and a little continued heart palpitations are due to autonomic neuropathy rather than leftover hypothyroidism.  

[Red_Star]

The article mentioning eggs, lentils, yoghurt, seeds is about methionine and the various foods needed for that. B12 is just one part of that process.  B12 is in eggs and yoghurt but not in lentils and seeds.

Sounds like you have gastropariesis (means paralysis of the stomach - aka lazy stomach lol). It is one of my many symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Info from the Cleveland Clinic:

"Signs and symptoms of gastroparesis are:

heartburn
nausea
vomiting of undigested food
an early feeling of fullness when eating
weight loss
abdominal bloating
erratic blood glucose levels
lack of appetite
gastroesophageal reflux
spasms of the stomach wall

These symptoms may be mild or severe, depending on the person.

Gastroparesis is most often caused by:

diabetes
postviral syndromes
anorexia nervosa
surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve
medications, particularly anticholinergics and narcotics (drugs that slow contractions in the intestine)
gastroesophageal reflux disease (rarely)
smooth muscle disorders such as amyloidosis and scleroderma
nervous system diseases, including abdominal migraine and Parkinsons disease
metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism"

[bluefaery]

My stomach issue - Back in Oct I had a day where I thought I may have gotten food poisoning.  Since then I had a nauseous feeling in my upper left area of my abdomen, where my actual stomach should be.  It didn't go away with eating or not eating, different foods, etc.  The only thing that helped was pot (I have Medical MJ).  I felt a bit constipated at that point on as well.  Told my GP and he thought my serotonin was off due to the trauma and stress my body was going through so he prescribed Zoloft.  That made me have diarrhea instead, but it pushed everything through my gut so my stomach felt a bit better.  The diarrhea eventually stopped after a week or so, but I'm also not constipated either.  Normal bowel movements.  I still have days where my stomach feels like this, not that I'm going to puke or anything, but kind of like that feeling if you need to eat to feel better, or when you're drunk and need to eat.

I actually don't eat much at all.  Yesterday I had half a sandwich for lunch, couldn't finish it.  Made myself eat some seaweed snacks from TJs.  For dinner I had two tacos.  That's all I had all day (and my soda/caffeine fix).  I just can't eat anymore than that.  I've kind of been like that for many years, not that you can tell from my weight, I'm 150 and 5'4".  

There are a few foods that I know make my stomach feel better, like fresh basil (lots of it).  It's one of those foods that helps stomachs, and it works for me.  The only foods I know I'm allergic to is onions, I have no problems avoiding those as my senses are very aware when onion juice has touched my stomach.  I do eat fairly decent, I live in a foodie area that good food is available, we have a garden, I get some organics, my daughter can't have anything with food dye so those don't even come in the house, my husband and daughter are vegetarians so I don't eat a ton of meat and what I do is very lean (and lacking in B12!).  What does go through my stomach isn't digested well, I can see whole bits in the toilet sometimes.  

As for the B12 - I knew it was borderline, I have a supplement I am going to get to help my nerves.  I just wanted to get a second test just to be sure.  The one I'm getting has all those extra things in it I keep reading about on the neuropathy forum.  

You asked about eating eggs, lentils, yogurt, seeds - The only thing I eat is lentils when I make soup every couple weeks.  Yogurt very occasionally as I have a sensory issue with food, eggs no way unless they're in something like bread, seeds no unless they're sesame or poppy and that's only very occasionally. I can't stand nuts/seeds because of the sensory issues.  The B12 I'm getting IS in the methyl form.

[Barb135]

Even though it's in range, your vitamin B12 is too low.  Low levels of vitamin B12 can cause neuropathy.  If you bring your levels up, some of the pain may go away.

I have pernicious anemia that was untreated for many years and as a consequence, I have some permanent nerve damage, since B12 deficiency affects the nerve endings.

What's your stomach issue?  Hypothyroidism also causes GERD/acid reflux.  I spent years on Aciphex for GERD and since my thyroid levels are in check, I rarely have any type of stomach issue.

[goolarra]

As a rule of thumb, until we each find where we feel best, many find that FT4 has to be about midrange and FT3 upper half of range before symptoms are relieved.  However, that's a rule meant to be broken once we find where we each feel well.  

If you are asymptomatic where you are, there's no reason to push it.  My labs are not as high as yours, and I've been asymptomatic for years.  I also started feeling hyper with my labs still very much within range.  One hypo can be hypo and one hyper with the exact same labs.  It's all about how you feel...  

[Red_Star]

Geez i forgot the first section of the article...

"Fibroids, ovarian cysts, PCOS, and endometriosis are all Estrogen Dominance symptoms. Estrogen's main role is the proliferation of cells."

Okay now i'm done. :P

[Red_Star]

Just wanted to also add this info:

"When progesterone is not abundant enough to offset this role, over growth will occur forming fibroids, cysts and endometriosis. Under estrogen's dominance, too many follicles are produced by the ovary, and those that don't mature to ovulation are pushed to the side of the ovary and continue to grow. This produces ovarian cysts and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome).

Although the cause of endometriosis is not known, we do know that Estrogen Dominance is always present and when the Estrogen Dominance is taken care of, the endometriosis is halted. Endometriosis is one of the main reasons for hysterectomies, and is fixable by balancing the hormones." Natural Body In Balance - Cysts, Fibroids and Endometriosis

Okay i'll stop spamming now LOL

[Red_Star]

I forgot to add the source for vitamin B12 reference ranges: John Dommisse MD - Vitamin B12 Deficiency - Symptoms, Signs & Optimal Treatment.

[Red_Star]

"At least six neurological and psychiatric papers, in top medical journals, have shown that the normal range should be regarded as at least 500-1,300 pg/ml (rather than 200-1,100), since the cerebrospinal fluid level can be deficient when the serum level drops below 500, and neuropsychiatric symptoms often occur at serum levels between 200 and 500 pg/ml (VanTiggelen et al, Lindenbaum et al, Mitsuyama/Kogoh, Nijst et al, Ikeda et al, Regland)."

In Japan and Europe, vitamin B12 serum reference ranges start at 500 or 550pg/mL. You really need to get B12 levels up ASAP. You may find some of your symptoms vanish. My sister had an 8cm ovarian cyst and i had a 25cm ovarian cyst. We both have juvenile autoimmune pernicious anaemia. Was it due to malabsorption of B12? It is a strong suspect so i had a look online about this and found quite a few articles...

"Methionine promotes the excretion of estrogen.

Are you eating any eggs, lentils, yogurt, seeds?

Methionine - is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized in the body. Methionine is a precursor for the other sulfur amino acids, cystine, taurine, and glutathione. It has the ability to be a methyl donor to other molecules, which is essential in formulating RNA and DNA. Methionine is necessary for the absorption, transportation, and bioavailability of selenium. In order to be properly utilized, methionine requires the help of its cofactors -- Vitamins B6, B12, choline, folic acid, and magnesium." Heal Thyself - Estrogen dominance

"Methylation involves conjugating methyl groups to toxins. Most of the methyl groups used for detoxification come from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM). SAM is synthesized from the amino acid methionine, a process which requires the nutrients choline, the active form of B12 --methyl cobalamin, and the active form of folic acid --5-methyltetrahydrofolate. SAM is able to inactivate estrogens (through methylation), supporting the use of methionine in conditions of estrogen excess, such as PMS." Tuberose - Liver Detoxification

Hypothyroidism is another cause of ovarian cysts just to add which is another suspect.  I aimed for a TSH of 1mU/L to start with as my sister has more energy then anyone i know and her TSH is 0.9mU/L. I have issues at a cellular level as well as Hashimoto's thyroiditis but my first step was a TSH of 1mU/L.