Question about recent lab results....

[CBH216]

Lab results are as follows:
TSH: 1.54
Free T4: .97
FT 3: 3.4

I've got all the telltale symptoms of low thyroid. Fatigue, working out and not losing a single pound or inch, ringing in the ears, dry skin, eyebrows falling out.

Thoughts on lab results and if I should push to see another doctor?

Thanks!

[gimel]

So looking at your test results your Free T4 of .97 is only at 23% of its range, while your Free T3 is at 58% of its range.  Your TSH is relatively low in its range.  Most importantly you have symptoms that are frequently related to being hypothyroid.  Most doctors would ignore your symptoms and look only at your TSH or maybe also your Free T4 and Free T3 and tell you that everything is in the "normal" range and that your symptoms could not be thyroid related.  That is wrong.  Your Free T4 is too low in the range, and the range is erroneous anyway, due to the way it is determined.  Since your Free T3 is significantly higher in its range than your Free T4, I suspect that it may not be an accurate reflection of your tissue thyroid levels, possibly due to "pooling in your blood", rather than getting into the tissue and cells of your body.  There are a number of variables that can affect transport of serum thyroid into cells, including the following:

    High cortisol
    Low cortisol
    High iron
    Low iron
    Medications
        beta blockers
        Amiodarone
        Iodinated contrast media
        Lithium

Having relatively low TSH along with similar Free T4 levels and symptoms often related to hypothyroidism, is often associated with having central hypothyroidism.    Central is due to a dysfunction in the hypothalamus/pituitary system that results in these conditions.  Doctors seldom diagnose central hypothyroidism due to their almost total reliance on TSH.  

A good thyroid doctor will treat clinically (symptoms) by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by the resultant TSH level.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  

You can read about this in the following link.  I highly recommend reading at least the first two pages.  On page two you will find suggestions for tests that should be done beyond what has been done to date.  I suggest that you get tested for Free T3 and Reverse T3 from the same blood draw, along with morning serum cortisol, ferritin, Vitamin D and B12.  If you can get those done we will be better able to assess your status.  

http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf
  
  

[CBH216]

Ranges on lab report:
T4: .7-1.9
Free T3: 2.3-4.2
TSH: .5-5

[gimel]

For us to comment on your lab results we also need the reference ranges shown on the lab report.