Newest lab results and ACTH question.

[makani249]

Here are the newest result.
TSH  1.4
FT4  .9
FT3  2.5
ACTH 66 (elevated)

I am still not sure why ACTH is elevated, but I have hypo symptoms. I have had an MRI of my pit gland, tested for adrenal tumors, both came back normal. The 24h urine and saliva study was normal. Can the ACTH be the cause of all my symptoms? My endo says she's not sure what's causing this, but not to worry about treating it. I can't help but to be concerned.

[gimel]

Your Endo probably has the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and also uses "Reference Range Endocrinology".  Either or both of these frequently leave patients suffering with hypo symptoms, like yourself.  Sounds like your best bet short term is to try to continue to work with your regular doctor and get that therapeutic trial of Thyroid meds.  If you haven't seen this link that I reference so often, then I suggest that you read through it and even give a copy to your doctor to help encourage him to medicate you.  It gives a good overview of the clinical approach to treatment, which is more effective than using either TSH as the diagnostic, or "Reference Range Endocrinology."

This link is a letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he consults with.  The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.  

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

[makani249]

These are my last set of labs from April with the ref. ranges. Sorry I meant to add refs. prior to sending out. The endo said that she would not treat for the newer lab values which look lower than the ones below.

(April 2011)
TSH- 1.2  (Ref: 0.3-3)

FT3- 3.0  (Ref. 1.5-4.1)

FT4- 0.9 (0.8-1.9)

[gimel]

It would be most helpful if you would post the reference ranges for the FT4 and FT3 tests.  If the ranges are close to those I see quite often, then those tests are in the low end of the ranges and consistent with the many hypo symptoms you previously mentioned.  I think you need to focus on getting your FT3 and FT4 levels higher, as necessary to relieve those symptoms.  As I recall, your doctor was willing to prescribe a therapeutic dose of T4 med as a start, to see if it helped .  If it were me, I would take the doctor up on that offer and get started with the medication.