REQUESTING OF FREE T3 TESTING

[blsdnsvd]

Due to controversy from quite a few posters on this site, i have decided to contact my endo and request free t3 testing on my next labs (april). To make a long story short. TT on 12/17/09, 1st set of labs in jan resulted in
TSH- 3rd generation @ 39.51 (0.40-4.50)
Free t4 @0.3 (0.8-1.8)
Total T4 @ 2.5 (4.5-12.5)
T3 uptake @ 25 (22-35)
Free t4 Calc @ 0.6 (1.4-3.8)

Feb labs resulted in:
TSH- 3rd generation @13.76 (0.40-4.50)
Free T4 @ 0.9  (0.8-1.8)
Total T4 @ 7.2 (4.5-12.5)
T3 uptake @ 27 (22-35)
Free T4 Calc 1.9 (1.4-3.8)
Thyroglobulin AB @ <20 (,20)

In both labs, there were no Free T3 testing requested.I called my endo based on opinons of posters on this site,and she returned the call today ' and i explained to her that ive spoken to people in the same situation as myself and i also read materials stating that the Free T3 testing is important when testing to determine how a patient is feeling as far as symptoms of hypothyroidism along with the TSH and Free T4... she says: due to the fact that i am still in transition in getting my levels normal' because i had surgery only 2 mos ago, that testing for Free T3 is not necessary unless further down the road, my levels are normal and i am having major hypo symptoms "still", is when that test is necessary. She says that she is satisfied that my levels are on its way to normal but wants my TSH and my Free T4 to improve.

To me, this make sense as i retake labs in april and pray that they are closer to normal.

Any Opinons????

[magpieannie]

It or the absence of it can effect just about everything in your body if these hormone levels are not kept in the proper balance for your bodies needs. There are many people running around out there who think they have arthritus, fibromyalgia, depression, heart issues, etc. who really have low available thyroid hormone for whatever reason, and the longer they are kept this way the sicker they get! They are often sent to many specialist who prescribe many drugs, yet they never really get better. This is because the doctors are missing the root of the problem! Even when they do think to look at thyroid, they often miss it due to wrong tests and broad ranges. It's such a shame and it really needs to change! Education is the key for living without this gland. Learn all you can -live, eat, and drink it until you have a strong grasp on what it takes to get well and stay well! Never settle for less then your best, and don't stop until you get there again! It takes some time to figure it all out, however I already see you moving in that direction. Thyroid issues are complicated, but not impossible to figure out, just be determined and read! read! read!

[blsdnsvd]

Again, thank you for the helpful info. I had no idea how important the "thyroid gland" was until i didn't have one anymore.  

[blsdnsvd]

Thanks for the spreadsheet idea, i have a folder full of lab results......

[goolarra]

Stella's post brought to mind one other point.  As she said, why just test FT3 when the patient doesn't feel well.  I agree, some of the most valuable information is knowing your levels when you do feel well...these become your goals.

It's so important to establish your own personal history...all labs, all tests.  I have a spreadsheet that I enter all my labwork into.  You can compare yourself to the reference ranges from here to eternity, but nothing is as good as comparing yourself to yourself.  If you have this history, when something goes awry, you can look back and see your own personal changes, and that's what's so important.  Have the proper tests and repeat them over and over.  Jot down meds between the previous labwork and current and any symptoms you have.

I don't know how many times we hear from people who have experienced a sudden change in, say, how their meds work for them.  They've never had FT3 tests.  Often, the doctor still doesn't want to test FT3.  They beg, he finally does,  Sometimes that's enough to figure out what's going on.  But, I don't know how many times I wish there was history to compare that to.  With the history, many problems become much more obvious.

We're all in this disease for life...we have to manage it on a long-term basis.  The sooner we establish our own personal ranges, the easier it is going to be to manage the problems that surface down the road.  

[magpieannie]

Most endo.s have issue's with the free t3 testing but will test the freet4. But it is the available (free t3) that the body must have! So just assuming that the synthetic t4 (the storage hormone) is converting well to the active t3 hormone , but never tracking it for sure, is what keeps so many people sick with hypothyroid symptoms. The freet3 is the key so you will need to find someone out there eventually to track this if you continue to feel poorly. My daughter's pediatric endo. never would, so I got a regular doctor to and then brought her endo. the results! This didn't go over too well, however I was right. We now see a doctor that my compounding pharmacist recommended. A doctor who understands thyroid very well and the importance of keeping an adequate t3 level. If this can be achieved with only synthetic t4 then great, but if not, she will work with us to get that t3 to a higher level within normal range where my daughter can be symptom free or EUTHYROID! These better doctors are out there and as time goes by you may have to find just a regular MD or DO if you can't find an endo. who gets it! Many endo.s prefer to deal with diabetes then thyroid any way and are not progressive (closed minded) with thyroid issues! They feel that "one shoe fits all" and the reality is that their patients are often left to suffer from inadequate thyroid replacement. Unfortunatly,  most endo.'s seem to operate within these same perameters of their closed in box! A recommendation from a compounding pharmacist in your area is a good way to find a new doctor if needed now or in the future. Good luck to you!

[TamraW]

Thanks, Magpie, nice to be back and see all of you!
:) Tamra