Symptoms don't match lab results

[helpavet2b]

I am 38 and was diagnosed with Graves Disease approx. 9-years ago. At that time I was treated with radiactive isotopes and became hypothryoid.  I am now a vet student in Grenada starting my first term and am experiencing severe fatigue, weakness, memory loss (not really helping me in school) and arrived last month with pedal edema that lasted 2-3 wks.  I have labs which indicate a low grade systemic infection but my TSH is .143 and my Free T3 and T4 are 3.3 and 1.37 respectively.  My doctor on the island is saying she might reduce my synthroid dose but I don't want to becasue the symptoms are not matching the lab results.  Keep in mind that Grenada is still considered by some to be a third world country which limits my medical options.  Can TSH become an inaccurate guide following thyroid ablation?  A friend (also an MD) recommended a T3 resin uptake, would this be more accurate?  What can I do?

[stella5349]

Well my idea may be totally wrong - but I was always tired. I could count the days on one hand that I felt "OK" in 6 years when I was on Synthroid. I could not stand the fatigue and it did develop a temporary dementia for me.

I researched alot on the Synthyroid and found other medications were available. I made the decision to switch to Armour thyroid 4 months ago.. and I found a doctor to prescribe it. Immediately after 3 days I felt different. I started getting my energy back - not 100% but I wasn't a walking corpse any longer. I no longer needed to sleep 14 to 18 hours a day any longer. My brain starting to get the remembering back and I could think much clearer. I gained 40 pounds after RAI and no matter what I did I couldn't lose (not to mention I was so tired I couldn't do much then to get it off) I now am SLOWLY taking a few pounds off at a time.

I do not like to sway anyone into a change in meds - so I believe that best source for you is to do some research on Armour or Thyrolar medication. It is a natural thyroid medication  - not synthetic. It supplies all the T's needed in the tablet and does not require a T4 conversion as does Synthyroid.  As I did - on my reasearch - this was a decision I took upon myself and decided to change. For me it has given me back my head and my life. But for some - it didn't help at all. It's all about how you are made up inside and what works best for you. The exciting thing I recall doing my research is I didn't know I had choices. - Now I am happy something lead me to checking that out.

[helpavet2b]

For the most part I am just very tired...oh, and I miss my brain.  I am studying information that is not beyond my capability but I cannot remember anything I study.  I do get premenstral but for me that is a different thing and I can tell the difference.  I am taking a multivitamin and I have no idea about iodine intake.  I am not a big salt taker.  I have tried to stay on top of the water intake (the island environment is condusive to drinking water). That said, I have had to do caffeine just to keep going and to try and get in study time before I crash.  I start the day tired and end the day exhausted and this has been going on for some time.  I spent the last 3 yrs working night shift and going to school during the day to get into vet school so I accepted exhaustion as part of the deal.  Now I am on a normal (so to speak) sleep schedule, had 2 wks to rest and become acclimated to the island before school started and am still tired all the time.

Any ideas?

[stella5349]

I am concerned that you may be having trouble with the T4 conversion. T4 needs to convert appropriately in to the T3 absorption. Looking at your TSH at .143  the normal and most current reference range for TSH should be .3 to max 5.0/5.5. but your symtoms do not support those numbers. Let me ask-- If you take in a givien 28 day cycle - Approximately how many days to you feel "good"?? What are your moods like along with the fatigue? Does your moods at all elavate through the course of the month?  Do you feel your symptoms are more pronouced during your ovulation period? Right before your cycle?  With living in the type of enviroment you are in. How is the iodine intake for you?

Are you getting enough Vit D and B's in your diet?  How is the water intake and have your heard anything regarding the chemicals they may be purifying the water with?

At this time - Until you get back on this. get supplements that support a good Vit B balance first.