TSH & Gland Size

[TERRY58]

my TSH is .180, size of gland stated stated small..no clarification was given. meds reduced to 110mcg (taking 1 tablet every other day) from 112mcg 1/a day. i feel worse now than before; back to Dr office & decrease again! to .088mg take1 everyday now!  i feel very tired, sleepy, no energy, heart beat off, emotional!! she thinks i'm depressed!!! so i said ok no changes in life f/depression! i am not depressed! Iim upset cuz i dont feel like myself & they are bouncing me around like a yoyo. i get dizzy, balance off, see spots, headaches, etc...all blood work was good f/other screens ie:enenia, liver, etc. i feel like im on a rollercoaster for goodness sakes. going back in 6wks to give new doseage time to take effect. i have hypothyroidism, surgery 24yrs ago, nodules, removal of part of the gland. any insight? time f/new doctor i believe.

[TERRY58]

just to get off my track of issues...how are you doing? did you all have a good Xmas? how long have you had thyroid issues? i'm on vacation this week, looking forward to this time off! spending the time with my boyfriend and just some R&R! :)  it's nice here again this am...up early as usual as you can see...65degrees..think i'll go for a walk today. talk to you soon.

[TERRY58]

ok i'm enjoying your input...i agree with you! yep my doctor wrote me a new script the other day AGAIN! i mean come on....i tried talking about my test results but got no where. i haven't filled the new script yet...still on 110mcg 1 every other day. i am not sure if the new script will make me feel any better... .088mcg 1/day.? i got the name of an endo and have to make the appt. i am calling my doctor today/monday to ask where the T3Free results are, if they even tested for it.  I will check out the temperature thing...however, being that they took me off premarin 1-1/2yrs ago due to the time frame of being on it; my body temp has changed...hot flash issues. i had a full hysterectomy 18yrs ago and was put on premarin 2.5mg...felt great and now oh my gosh! the last yr and half with the hormone being takin away has been tough too. i asked about gettin back on the premarin she said absolutely not! that my body produces enough hormones to get me through. whatever! also gonna call today to try to set up appt for endo to see what he says. i just hate this back and forth ordeal! it really *****! it likes $$$ and no one is listening to me.  first of all i mentioned my doc thought i was depressed and that's my problem she said, and in the same breath, she turns around and writes a different dose of thyroid! just winging it, is what i'd call that. helloo..why don't we review everything again, maybe redo blood work to recheck levels; nope it's just easier to write a new script; ya think?. i've been on thyroid so many years, and i told her i know when i'm not feeling well. i am a very healthy 50yr old and was doing well until recently with the tiredness and other thyroid symptoms. so we'll see what happens this wk and how far i can get w/the docs. you are so great with your responses and are for sure giving me hope here; so thanks for your time and input and i sure look forward to hearing from you again! i hope you have a great monday!

[gimel]

Looks like your doctor is one that adjusts meds. strictly by TSH levels.  That is definitely not the best for you.  Your total T3 is in range, but below the average.  I think you really need a test of your free T3, to get a full picture.  People with hypothyroidism seem to do best when the free T3 is in the upper third of its range and TSH in the low end of its range. If testing shows that free T3 is low, that may indicate problems converting T4 to T3. Since free T3 is the most important component affecting metabolism, that would indicate a need for different prescription that included both T4 and T3.  I'd really like to know the results of temperature testing as I outlined above.  

[TERRY58]

Hi! Thanks f/the reply...
T4+Free = 1.40
Normal range = .7 - 2.0

TSH = .180 = Low
Normal range = .3 - 3

T3/Triiodothyronine = 119
Normal range is 80-220

This is what i have f/now on results. my ultrasound on the gland came back negative which is great.  i'm still very tired, forgot to mention the weight gain thing initially! 20lbs! right off the bat, with no changes in eating factor or diet, and there it was##.  So now I eat less than before. thanks f/your time, hope your holiday was great! i went to see my grandkids, could hardly keep up or stay awake to enjoy them. thanks.

[gimel]

Were other tests besides TSH run, or is your doc one of those that goes by TSH alone?  If not checked already, just as a starter, I suggest that you need to have free T3 and free T4, along with the TSH.  Free T3 is the most active component that largely regulates your  metabolism.  People who are hypo t seem to respond best when the free T3 is in the upper third of its range  and TSH in the low end of its range.  Some members of this forum ( myself included ) have reported having insufficient free T3 levels even while having low TSH.  This was due to their body having trouble converting enough T4 to T3.  

If you want to get an indication of your thyroid state right now, suggest checking your normal temperature several times a day for several days and comparing to the optimal of 98.6.  You can read about this on this link.

http://www.drrind.com/tempgraph.asp