Aa
TSH low
First test.272 second test .231 T4Total 10.6 T4 free 1.1 T3 total 95 Prolactin 3.5. Last three months feel horrible. Shakey weak. Get hot. Feels like low sugar but not. Hands and feet have turned whitish in 2 occasions. Arms and legs heavy. Calf pain. Genuelly feel ill. B12 ok Folate ok . had panel done all seems ok. Lyme tests negative. Looking for an answer on the low TSH. Thank You in advance to all the board members here
COMMUNITY LEADER
Mustang8t4... I think, at this point, your doctor is trying to cover his rear, which is understandable. Do make sure you get all the right tests done.
In the meantime, a search for a different doctor might not be a bad idea, if that's still a consideration. 4-6 weeks is quite a while to feel crappy if there's a chance you might see someone else and get proper testing and a diagnosis in the meantime. Just something to keep in the back of your mind and mull over. I really don't think this doctor is going to do much to help you feel better even 4-6 weeks from now unless something earth-shattering shows up on either the ultrasound or the bloodwork.
In the meantime, a search for a different doctor might not be a bad idea, if that's still a consideration. 4-6 weeks is quite a while to feel crappy if there's a chance you might see someone else and get proper testing and a diagnosis in the meantime. Just something to keep in the back of your mind and mull over. I really don't think this doctor is going to do much to help you feel better even 4-6 weeks from now unless something earth-shattering shows up on either the ultrasound or the bloodwork.
4 Comments
fingers crossed. I posted all the latest labs
Sorry, I just saw this... Where did you post them?
A few posts back. All in normal ranges. But normal is a relative term. My free T3 was 2.7 and you commented on that.
Oh, you must have been talking to Morning_Light. I was confused because I thought you meant you had new labs, but you're supposed to be retesting in 4-6 weeks... In that case, yes; your FT3 at 2.7 was way too low, but your doctor said it was okay... I got it... :-)
COMMUNITY LEADER
Did the doctor say what he thinks might be found on an ultrasound or is he simply hoping to rule out thyroid by doing another one?
Retesting blood work in 4-6 weeks in reasonable, as long as he agrees to retest Free T4 and Free T3, along with TSH... Also get both of the antibody tests (TgAb and TPOab) done this time, as well since TPOab was not done before and under the circumstance, it certainly won't hurt to repeat the TgAb...
Retesting blood work in 4-6 weeks in reasonable, as long as he agrees to retest Free T4 and Free T3, along with TSH... Also get both of the antibody tests (TgAb and TPOab) done this time, as well since TPOab was not done before and under the circumstance, it certainly won't hurt to repeat the TgAb...
2 Comments
I think being careful not to miss anything
Hi Mustang. I just left a detailed response above about the feeling you are having below your Adam's apple and thyroid antibodies. This area is where you thyroid is located. My response on an August 13 post.
Did you ever get the right thyroid labs, FT3, FT4 and TSH tested all together? I didn't see the lab ranges in your original post. I'm not sure if you listed them some place else. Without the lab ranges, we can't determine how low or how high any of your levels are.
Did you ever get the right thyroid labs, FT3, FT4 and TSH tested all together? I didn't see the lab ranges in your original post. I'm not sure if you listed them some place else. Without the lab ranges, we can't determine how low or how high any of your levels are.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi... Sometimes if the thyroid is swollen (goiter), it can feel as though there's something pushing on the throat.
You said your ultrasound was negative for nodules, but how was that ultrasound? Nodules can pop up over time. I've even had them come and go. Do you have a copy of the ultrasound report? Sometimes the impression portion of the report will give information that tells whether there's inflammation in the thyroid or not. Inflammation can cause the feeling that someone is pushing on your throat.
Treatment with replacement thyroid hormones can often relieve the symptoms because it helps relieve the inflammation.
If you haven't talked to your doctor about it, you should...
You said your ultrasound was negative for nodules, but how was that ultrasound? Nodules can pop up over time. I've even had them come and go. Do you have a copy of the ultrasound report? Sometimes the impression portion of the report will give information that tells whether there's inflammation in the thyroid or not. Inflammation can cause the feeling that someone is pushing on your throat.
Treatment with replacement thyroid hormones can often relieve the symptoms because it helps relieve the inflammation.
If you haven't talked to your doctor about it, you should...
3 Comments
No report
Seeing him on the 29th..thanks
Seeing him on the 29th..thanks
Sorry, I just read what I wrote, previously and I meant to say "when" was that ultrasound instead of "how" was it... If it's been a while, something may have changed; however, if the ultrasound has been in the past couple of months, it's not likely it would have changed drastically.
I'm glad you're seeing the doctor next week; I hope you get some answers...
I'm glad you're seeing the doctor next week; I hope you get some answers...
Dr wants a throid sonogram ( ultrasound ) he feels it's probably not thyroid but wants to retest bloodwork in 4 to 6 weeks.
Reynaud's is often a side effect of an autoimmune disease or a connective tissue disease such as a thyroid autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, schleroderma, cardio or other circulatory problems. I had Reynaud's years before I was diagnosed and it completely freaked me out! I still get it, usually in the winter, but I've been known to have it in the summer, too.
3 Comments
Thank You
Barb. Last night and again just know I have a feeling like something is in my throat. Almost like someone is pushing there finger in towards the v area below my Adam's apple. Weird. Is that thyroid area. Think so. When I woke this morning it was gone. But it returned around 2pm today. Happens quickly. Thanks
Mustang, the area below your Adam's apple is your thyroid. What you are feeling can be caused by antibodies attacking your thyroid. That's why it's so important to get all of the correct thyroid antibodies tested. I have Hashimoto's and small benign nodules and I had that "feeling". Once I started thyroid meds, the feeling went away because my antibodies decreased. Since then, every time I've had my antibodies increase a lot, I've had that feeling start up again. When that started happening again earlier this year, I decided I should get an updated ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that my nodules had again increased. I was not at all surprised because my antibodies were very high. I had to increase my thyroid medication because along with my antibodies increasing, my thyroid hormones all decreased a lot. That is typically what happens. Antibodies up, thyroid hormones down. Increase meds. Thyroid hormones go up, antibodies go down. Once my antibodies finally go down again, I expect my nodules to decrease. Again. This is just my lowly experience. ;).
Mustang, your antibody tests are incomplete. You also need to test TPOab or thyroidperoxidase antibody. My guess with your low FT4, very low TSH, and the fact that you already have one autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, is that you might have Hashimoto's. Having one autoimmune disease greatly increases your chances of having another. I presented in a very similar way, and I have Hashimoto's. The lowest my TSH was recorded in the years before I was diagnosed was around .8, but it was not tested every year. TSH fluctuates, especially when you have undiagnosed and untreated thyroid disease.
I wish you a quick diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from your symptoms!
I wish you a quick diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from your symptoms!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Now, back to business... yes, thyroid can cause the wrinkled fingers, but so can other things, including dehydration, magnesium deficiency, diabetes, and others.
In your case, I'd say there could be 3 possibilities for it: Reynaud's (even though it's summer, you can get the pruney fingers), thyroid, and dehydration.
Oops - I've just noticed that my on fingers are getting pruney... time to fill my water bottle again and see if I can down the whole thing before bedtime. :-)
In your case, I'd say there could be 3 possibilities for it: Reynaud's (even though it's summer, you can get the pruney fingers), thyroid, and dehydration.
Oops - I've just noticed that my on fingers are getting pruney... time to fill my water bottle again and see if I can down the whole thing before bedtime. :-)
1 Comments
ok Thank You
COMMUNITY LEADER
I got an e-mail notification that there's supposed to be a post here about you having Reynaud's, but I can't find it... that's odd; I'm wondering if it will show up once I post as sometimes happens... I hope it does, so I can read the rest of your post.
1 Comments
That did it - it's weird and I'm going to report this malfunction as your post wasn't there when I posted...we haven't been having this happen for a while and I was supposed to do something different, but I didn't know what was going to happen.
COMMUNITY LEADER
If you mean some doctors will treat Free T3 of 2.7, you're right; good ones will, especially when one has multiple symptoms of hypothyroidism. Many are willing to try trial doses to see if it helps and if it does will continue prescribing to alleviate symptoms.
Think of it this way: most of us feel best with Free T3 between 50% and 75% of range... your Free T3 is only at 29% so you're falling between 21% and 46% short of what's recommended and been proven to help alleviate symptoms. That's quite a gap.
I'm assuming the heart rate at 60 bpm is resting? Normal is 60-100, so you're at the bottom of normal. If your heart rate isn't high enough, you won't get adequate oxygen to cells, which means, in turn, that you won't have adequate energy.
Hypothyroidism is known to cause swelling and/or puffiness around the eyes. Tiredness can also make it feel like the eyes are swollen.
Have, or would, you consider trying a different doctor? It seems to me that you might be beating your head against a brick wall with this doctor and he's going to keep you ill as long as your levels remain within the laboratory ranges no matter how horrible you feel.
Think of it this way: most of us feel best with Free T3 between 50% and 75% of range... your Free T3 is only at 29% so you're falling between 21% and 46% short of what's recommended and been proven to help alleviate symptoms. That's quite a gap.
I'm assuming the heart rate at 60 bpm is resting? Normal is 60-100, so you're at the bottom of normal. If your heart rate isn't high enough, you won't get adequate oxygen to cells, which means, in turn, that you won't have adequate energy.
Hypothyroidism is known to cause swelling and/or puffiness around the eyes. Tiredness can also make it feel like the eyes are swollen.
Have, or would, you consider trying a different doctor? It seems to me that you might be beating your head against a brick wall with this doctor and he's going to keep you ill as long as your levels remain within the laboratory ranges no matter how horrible you feel.
4 Comments
Looking into it
Good - sometimes, you can "interview" doctors (or their nurses) over the phone in order not to waste your time or theirs. Pertinent questions to ask are:
1) Does the doctor routinely test Free T4 and Free T3 "every" time s/he tests TSH?
2) Is the doctor willing to treat symptoms and not just lab values?
3) Is the doctor willing to prescribe all types of thyroid hormone medications, including those containing T3?
If the answer to any of these questions is "no", you can move on to the next doctor because that doctor won't help any more than your current one...
Some of us have had to resort to Naturopathic or Functional medicine doctors in order to get adequate treatment. Unfortunately, many of these doctors don't accept insurance, so you have to pay out of pocket, but once you get on medication and get regulated, you don't have to see them very often either. There are some Functional Medicine doctors who also function as primary care doctors and do take insurance, so it's worth looking into.
1) Does the doctor routinely test Free T4 and Free T3 "every" time s/he tests TSH?
2) Is the doctor willing to treat symptoms and not just lab values?
3) Is the doctor willing to prescribe all types of thyroid hormone medications, including those containing T3?
If the answer to any of these questions is "no", you can move on to the next doctor because that doctor won't help any more than your current one...
Some of us have had to resort to Naturopathic or Functional medicine doctors in order to get adequate treatment. Unfortunately, many of these doctors don't accept insurance, so you have to pay out of pocket, but once you get on medication and get regulated, you don't have to see them very often either. There are some Functional Medicine doctors who also function as primary care doctors and do take insurance, so it's worth looking into.
Thanks You
Sorry 1 other question. Prune fingers? I know I have Raynauds but its summer and sometimes I get that prune finger look. I looked it up and they did mention thyroid
Do have any info on this Barb ?
Do have any info on this Barb ?
COMMUNITY LEADER
TSH is a pituitary hormone and is an indicator, only... IT causes no symptoms. Symptoms are caused by the lack of, or overabundance, of the thyroid hormones, Free T4 and Free T3 - specifically, Free T3, which, as noted previously, is the hormone used by individual cells in the body... All TSH does is stimulate the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones. In your case, TSH of 0.231 is too low to stimulate your thyroid to produce adequate hormones to keep you going.
To answer your question, lack of thyroid hormones causes exhaustion and tiredness. Hypothyroidism also causes swelling/puffiness under/around the eyes... tiredness can cause that too, but when I was hypo, I had huge bags under my eyes and didn't even realize they were caused from being hypo until I got on medication and they were the first thing to go away... :-)
I hope your doctor ordered Free T4 and Free T3, this time, not Free T4 and Total T3, as he did last time...
To answer your question, lack of thyroid hormones causes exhaustion and tiredness. Hypothyroidism also causes swelling/puffiness under/around the eyes... tiredness can cause that too, but when I was hypo, I had huge bags under my eyes and didn't even realize they were caused from being hypo until I got on medication and they were the first thing to go away... :-)
I hope your doctor ordered Free T4 and Free T3, this time, not Free T4 and Total T3, as he did last time...
19 Comments
I only spoke to the girl in th et office so not sure ed whsts ordered. I'll let you know. Thanks. Do you get a heavy arms feeling ?
I'm not sure what you're referring to as "heavy arms feeling"... but I'm going to say "yes, I've had it". There are over 300 different hypo symptoms, with muscle/joint aches/pain/stiffness being a very common one. The muscle/joint aches/pain/stiffness can be anywhere in the body and it can move from one place to another. For now, it might be in the arms, but later, it might move to the legs. It may not necessarily go away as soon as one starts on replacement thyroid medication either as the body heals those systems that are most important.
I've had hypothyroidism for 10+ yrs and have run the gamut of muscle/joint issues ranging from heaviness to downright pain that keeps me from doing things I want to do.
Just last year I got a frozen shoulder on the left and have had it for over a year now, even after a cortisone shot and spending 12 weeks in physical therapy. I'm, currently, trying to keep it from setting in on the right. Frozen shoulder has been linked to hypothyroidism, though my doctors have denied any connection because my thyroid hormones were "normal" when it set in - once again, they failed to recognize that normal isn't the same as optimal. Frozen shoulder does cause heaviness in the arms, but it's extremely painful and as the name implies, it's centered in the shoulder joint and causes one to be unable to move the shoulder. It does also include the muscles in the neck, back and arms, making them very tight and as you say, heavy... Sometimes, it's a chore to simply move my arms, hold my head up, or sit upright because my muscles don't want to cooperate.
There are some things that can be done to help alleviate the pain but getting thyroid hormone levels optimal is most desirable.
I've had hypothyroidism for 10+ yrs and have run the gamut of muscle/joint issues ranging from heaviness to downright pain that keeps me from doing things I want to do.
Just last year I got a frozen shoulder on the left and have had it for over a year now, even after a cortisone shot and spending 12 weeks in physical therapy. I'm, currently, trying to keep it from setting in on the right. Frozen shoulder has been linked to hypothyroidism, though my doctors have denied any connection because my thyroid hormones were "normal" when it set in - once again, they failed to recognize that normal isn't the same as optimal. Frozen shoulder does cause heaviness in the arms, but it's extremely painful and as the name implies, it's centered in the shoulder joint and causes one to be unable to move the shoulder. It does also include the muscles in the neck, back and arms, making them very tight and as you say, heavy... Sometimes, it's a chore to simply move my arms, hold my head up, or sit upright because my muscles don't want to cooperate.
There are some things that can be done to help alleviate the pain but getting thyroid hormone levels optimal is most desirable.
Thanks...they feel heavy and weak. Yet I can pick up something heavy if I had too. Weird feeling
What type of exercise do you get? It might help to exercise on a daily basis to try to strengthen the muscles but check with your doctor to make sure there isn't a reason not to. I find that weight-bearing exercise helps alleviate a lot of the muscle problems; unfortunately, it hasn't taken care of my frozen shoulder yet... it does help keep it from getting so stiff and being weak though...
Wall push-ups seem to help the most. Here's a link that shows how to do them correctly. https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/exercises/wall-push
At the bottom of the linked page are some other exercises for balance, endurance, and flexibility that are also helpful. Yoga is also very helpful and there are a lot of YouTube videos you can watch/follow to learn how to do it in the comfort of your own home. It's not necessary to do anything strenuous; we just need to keep our muscles/joints strong and flexible as that does help with the pain and feelings of weakness. At least it does for me - the less active I am, the worse I feel.
Wall push-ups seem to help the most. Here's a link that shows how to do them correctly. https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/exercises/wall-push
At the bottom of the linked page are some other exercises for balance, endurance, and flexibility that are also helpful. Yoga is also very helpful and there are a lot of YouTube videos you can watch/follow to learn how to do it in the comfort of your own home. It's not necessary to do anything strenuous; we just need to keep our muscles/joints strong and flexible as that does help with the pain and feelings of weakness. At least it does for me - the less active I am, the worse I feel.
Thanks. Did some today. Very tired after
With hypothyroidism, tiredness would be expected after exercising. It's okay to exercise in short time frames until you get proper treatment, so you don't overdo... Be kind to yourself.
Thanks
Tests he ordered TSH FREE T4 TOTAL T3
Added Free T3 !!!!!
Blood drawn today. Fingers crossed. Heavy arm feeling feels like it's coming from shoulder
I'm glad your doctor added the Free T3. Will look forward to seeing the results when you get them.
Depending on your FT levels, the heavy arm feeling could very well be coming from being hypo. I'd recommend daily exercise in an effort to prevent something like the frozen shoulder that I ended up with as it's very painful... Be sure to talk to your rheumy next week about that, too, because RA might have something to do with that feeling as well.
Depending on your FT levels, the heavy arm feeling could very well be coming from being hypo. I'd recommend daily exercise in an effort to prevent something like the frozen shoulder that I ended up with as it's very painful... Be sure to talk to your rheumy next week about that, too, because RA might have something to do with that feeling as well.
Thanks Barb
Ok free T4 1.21 range 0.82-1.77 T3 100 range 71.180 TSH 1.230 free T3 2.7 range 2.0 to 4.4...seems ok ?
Any thought Barb ?
Oh wow - I 'm sorry; I saw your recent labs and I thought I responded... perhaps it didn't post.
Actually, your labs aren't okay. Your Free T4 is only at 41% of range... most of us feel best with Free T4 at about mid-range, so yours is lower than recommended. As I suspected, your Free T3 is positively dismal at only 29% of its range. Most of us need Free T3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range - that's somewhere between 50% and 66+%. You have a long way to go and it's not a surprise that you have symptoms.
What is your heart rate, normally, like? Hypothyroidism tends to cause a lower heart rate. Mine stays in the low to mid 50's all the time. My cardiologist has even toyed with the idea of inserting a pacemaker to increase my heart rate. *I* feel that all I need is to get my thyroid hormones high enough to increase it naturally, but I have suppressed TSH so my other doctors refuse to increase my thyroid hormones... it's a catch-22.
Have you discussed any of this with your cardiologist? My cardiologist is quite "up" on thyroid and has helped me keep my other doctors in line with my thyroid medications when they want to lower my dosages. That could be a route to go...
Actually, your labs aren't okay. Your Free T4 is only at 41% of range... most of us feel best with Free T4 at about mid-range, so yours is lower than recommended. As I suspected, your Free T3 is positively dismal at only 29% of its range. Most of us need Free T3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range - that's somewhere between 50% and 66+%. You have a long way to go and it's not a surprise that you have symptoms.
What is your heart rate, normally, like? Hypothyroidism tends to cause a lower heart rate. Mine stays in the low to mid 50's all the time. My cardiologist has even toyed with the idea of inserting a pacemaker to increase my heart rate. *I* feel that all I need is to get my thyroid hormones high enough to increase it naturally, but I have suppressed TSH so my other doctors refuse to increase my thyroid hormones... it's a catch-22.
Have you discussed any of this with your cardiologist? My cardiologist is quite "up" on thyroid and has helped me keep my other doctors in line with my thyroid medications when they want to lower my dosages. That could be a route to go...
Barb ?
Yes?
I've read that some Doctors would treat as free T od 2.7. Is that true? Heart rate is 60 as of yesterday when I checked bp which was 135/65. Not sure how to address this with this Endo. He says all good all in range. What about TSH going up? 29% does sound dismal. I wish he would try a course of meds. Thanks as always
Oh and my eyes feel swollen
COMMUNITY LEADER
I assume your heart function is being tested regularly since you've had a heart attack? Heart problems can cause the arms to feel heavy, tingly, etc... the low potassium can also be involved in heart issues (or I should say, heart issues can be involved in low potassium...). Again, the calf twitching can be related to the potassium issue. I can't stress enough how important it is to have the electrolytes balanced. Are you making sure you drink enough water? Dehydration can also cause cramps and imbalances in the electrolytes. Dehydration can also cause the crushing fatigue because we don't realize we're even thirsty until it's too late... We need to drink plenty of water throughout the day even when we don't feel thirsty. I keep a 20 oz glass bottle with me all the time - my goal is to fill and empty that bottle at least 3 times during the day and if it's really hot and I'm doing work outside, I'll aim for 4 times to make sure I stay hydrated. Many days I fall way short and those are the nights that I end up being awakened with cramps...
You could also try taking a B-12 supplement, since your level is less than optimal. Take a methyl B-12, which is one that's body ready so it doesn't have to be converted. A liquid, chewable or sublingual would be the best type to try. That could help with the fatigue, as could a folate supplement, since B-12 and folate work together and many doctors don't test folate.
I do agree that you need a doctor that is willing to look at the whole picture and can/will put it all together...
You could also try taking a B-12 supplement, since your level is less than optimal. Take a methyl B-12, which is one that's body ready so it doesn't have to be converted. A liquid, chewable or sublingual would be the best type to try. That could help with the fatigue, as could a folate supplement, since B-12 and folate work together and many doctors don't test folate.
I do agree that you need a doctor that is willing to look at the whole picture and can/will put it all together...
4 Comments
Well I drink water quite often. Just started a liquid b-12. I take a folic acid pill every day. Seeing a neuro Dr in 2 weeks. I need Dr Housefrom tv
It's good that you drink water quite often. It might be a good idea to actually keep track of your water consumption to see just how much you're drinking.
I thought I was drinking a lot because I was getting a drink quite often too, but I decided to start actually write down how much I drank in a day's time... I measured how much my glass held and whenever I took a drink I wrote down whether I drank a full glass (8 oz), 1/2 glass (4 oz) or a couple sips (1 oz). I did this for several days and at the end of my experiment, I realized that, basically, I was only drinking a couple of glasses (about 16 oz)/day... As it turned out, mostly what I was doing was only taking a couple of sips each time I got a drink, so I was drinking often, but not much each time... That's when I went and bought my 20 oz bottle. I keep it near me all day and I'm constantly sipping on it... if it's getting close to noon and I haven't emptied it once, I know I'm not going to hit my goal of emptying it 3 times, so I start drinking more instead of sipping...
It's good that you've started a liquid B-12. It may take a little bit to get your level up and it may not help much at all; it's hard to say, but it sure doesn't hurt to try. Folic acid really isn't the same as Folate but if you can convert it to Folate, you're fine with that.
When you see the neuro in 2 weeks, you might want to take along the blood test report and let her/him look at it, specifically pointing out the deficiencies, such as the potassium. Also ask about that low cortisol. A neuro might not be willing to do anything, but can, at least, point you in the right direction, if willing.
Yes, don't we all need a Dr. House from TV? I wish I'd had him 10 yrs ago. I could have saved myself years of research, tons of aggravation and doctor shopping... lol
I thought I was drinking a lot because I was getting a drink quite often too, but I decided to start actually write down how much I drank in a day's time... I measured how much my glass held and whenever I took a drink I wrote down whether I drank a full glass (8 oz), 1/2 glass (4 oz) or a couple sips (1 oz). I did this for several days and at the end of my experiment, I realized that, basically, I was only drinking a couple of glasses (about 16 oz)/day... As it turned out, mostly what I was doing was only taking a couple of sips each time I got a drink, so I was drinking often, but not much each time... That's when I went and bought my 20 oz bottle. I keep it near me all day and I'm constantly sipping on it... if it's getting close to noon and I haven't emptied it once, I know I'm not going to hit my goal of emptying it 3 times, so I start drinking more instead of sipping...
It's good that you've started a liquid B-12. It may take a little bit to get your level up and it may not help much at all; it's hard to say, but it sure doesn't hurt to try. Folic acid really isn't the same as Folate but if you can convert it to Folate, you're fine with that.
When you see the neuro in 2 weeks, you might want to take along the blood test report and let her/him look at it, specifically pointing out the deficiencies, such as the potassium. Also ask about that low cortisol. A neuro might not be willing to do anything, but can, at least, point you in the right direction, if willing.
Yes, don't we all need a Dr. House from TV? I wish I'd had him 10 yrs ago. I could have saved myself years of research, tons of aggravation and doctor shopping... lol
Forgot to ask Barb. Is a TSH of. 231 so low it can cause exhaustion. I'm so tired. Endo is mailing script for new labs. Fingers crossed
Thank you..
GB
Thank you..
GB
And my eyes feel tired and swollen ???
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's good that you're taking the vitamin D. You should get retested in a few months to make sure your level is coming up as it should. Sometimes as we get older we don't absorb it like we should.
I agree that your problem sounds endocrine - thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, hypothalamus, pancreas - all endocrine.
Potassium is one of the electrolytes, along with sodium, chloride, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium. They're related to numerous processes in our body, including our heart, bones, muscles, nerves, etc. If they aren't balanced we can have heart attack, weak bones, muscle spasms/cramps and any number of things.
Prolactin is a pituitary hormone that's related to reproductive/sex glands. Low levels are often linked to sexual disorders and/or psychological fluctuations.
I agree that your problem sounds endocrine - thyroid, adrenal, pituitary, hypothalamus, pancreas - all endocrine.
Potassium is one of the electrolytes, along with sodium, chloride, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium. They're related to numerous processes in our body, including our heart, bones, muscles, nerves, etc. If they aren't balanced we can have heart attack, weak bones, muscle spasms/cramps and any number of things.
Prolactin is a pituitary hormone that's related to reproductive/sex glands. Low levels are often linked to sexual disorders and/or psychological fluctuations.
1 Comments
I had a heart attack 3 years ago. I also have Rheumatoid Arthritis. These symptoms are driving me crazy. arms feel heavy. Pins and needles sometimes. twitching esp in the calves but can be anywhere.Crushing fatigue. Now I have to find a Dr. that can put it all together.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh my, sometimes things don't post like they're supposed to and we lose something we've spent a long time writing. I'm sorry if that's what happened to you. I'll report it if it did.
Okay... so it looks like your sodium levels are pretty low and your potassium, as you see is below range. That could very well account for the calf pains/cramps. Try eating more food that's high in potassium, such as baked potatoes with the skins. Medium baked potato with the skin has more potassium than a banana. Other high potassium foods include avocados, spinach, beets, bananas, white beans, swiss chard, tomato sauce, oranges, yogurt, clams, salmon, etc... it's not a good idea to take potassium supplements without your doctor's okay because too much potassium can be life-threatening. Low potassium can also be dangerous, so I'm surprised your doctor didn't catch that and discuss it with you; that was one of the first things my doctor picked out of a multi-page report that had quite a few other abnormalities...
What time of the day was the cortisol sample drawn? Was that a morning, fasting sample? Cortisol should be the highest first thing in the morning as we're preparing to start our day, then diminish as the day goes on and we're winding down to get ready for sleep... You seem to have a problem there but the most accurate way to test cortisol is via a 24 hr saliva test. This is 4 samples taken over the course of a day - morning, noon, afternoon and night. Most doctors won't order it, but I can tell you how to order it online without your doctor's order. The problem is that insurance doesn't cover labs ordered online without a doctor's order... A lot of people can't do that and that's understandable.
Your vitamin D is way too low, even though it's "in range". Vitamin D should be, at least 50, but 60-70 is better. Are you supplementing to bring your level up? If not, you should.
It's good to know that you're negative for thyroid antibodies and no apparent thyroiditis - that means you don't have Hashimoto's and points even more toward Secondary hypothyroidism as a cause for your low TSH and Free T4.
Again, I'd recommend talking to your doctor about that possibility and if he won't listen, it would be time for a different doctor - at least as far as I'm concerned. And don't forget to insist that you get the Free T3 test, along with the Free T4, also...
Okay... so it looks like your sodium levels are pretty low and your potassium, as you see is below range. That could very well account for the calf pains/cramps. Try eating more food that's high in potassium, such as baked potatoes with the skins. Medium baked potato with the skin has more potassium than a banana. Other high potassium foods include avocados, spinach, beets, bananas, white beans, swiss chard, tomato sauce, oranges, yogurt, clams, salmon, etc... it's not a good idea to take potassium supplements without your doctor's okay because too much potassium can be life-threatening. Low potassium can also be dangerous, so I'm surprised your doctor didn't catch that and discuss it with you; that was one of the first things my doctor picked out of a multi-page report that had quite a few other abnormalities...
What time of the day was the cortisol sample drawn? Was that a morning, fasting sample? Cortisol should be the highest first thing in the morning as we're preparing to start our day, then diminish as the day goes on and we're winding down to get ready for sleep... You seem to have a problem there but the most accurate way to test cortisol is via a 24 hr saliva test. This is 4 samples taken over the course of a day - morning, noon, afternoon and night. Most doctors won't order it, but I can tell you how to order it online without your doctor's order. The problem is that insurance doesn't cover labs ordered online without a doctor's order... A lot of people can't do that and that's understandable.
Your vitamin D is way too low, even though it's "in range". Vitamin D should be, at least 50, but 60-70 is better. Are you supplementing to bring your level up? If not, you should.
It's good to know that you're negative for thyroid antibodies and no apparent thyroiditis - that means you don't have Hashimoto's and points even more toward Secondary hypothyroidism as a cause for your low TSH and Free T4.
Again, I'd recommend talking to your doctor about that possibility and if he won't listen, it would be time for a different doctor - at least as far as I'm concerned. And don't forget to insist that you get the Free T3 test, along with the Free T4, also...
2 Comments
Taking 5000 units Vit D. Dr said nothing of Potassium. Cortisol was 8:30 am. It all sound endocrine to me. And what was the prolactin test for ? I looked it up. It was low also...feel like %$#@
also looked up and found low potassium usually corresponds to low adrenals and cortisol. Getting Muscle twitches also
COMMUNITY LEADER
Okay... that's not really all I needed to know but I can make it work, since I've used Labcorp in the past, myself, though I've never known them to not put ranges on a report... but that's okay.
Going by the ranges they, typically use, your Free T4 is only at 31% of range, which is not nearly high enough. Most of us feel best with Free T4 at mid-range or slightly higher... In addition, your Total T3 is only at 22% of its range. Most of the T3 in our blood is bound by protein and can't be used, which is why we test Free (unbound) T3. Considering how low your Total T3 is, we can assume that your Free T3 is equally low, since Total T3 includes both, bound and unbound T3
With TSH as low as yours, we'd expect your Free T4 and T3 to be much higher than they are which would indicate hyperthyroidism... because of the low Free T4 and T3, which indicate hypothyroidism, we'd now have to suspect Secondary hypothyroidism which means that the thyroid probably works fine but there's a problem with the pituitary/hypothalamus axis so there isn't enough TSH being produced to stimulate the thyroid to produce the thyroid hormones... Doctors often miss Secondary hypothyroidism because they only look the TSH instead of looking at the Free T4 and Free T3, particularly, Free T3 which is the hormone used by individual cells in the body.
Your prolactin level is also lower than normal, further indicating a pituitary issue.
Your B-12 in the normal range, but it's not really optimal... most of us do best with B-12 at/near the top of the range. Some countries consider anything below 500 as deficient, so yours would barely be adequate.
Your magnesium looks good, but just testing a blood magnesium isn't really accurate. They should do an RBC magnesium; most doctors don't do that though. I know mine didn't - not even my naturopath.
Your glucose was in the normal range, when you had the blood draw, but some people don't do well with it that low; you could be one of those so blood glucose could still, partially, account for your shakes, weakness and the hot feelings if they come and go, like a hot flash. I have hypoglycemia, but my fasting glucose levels are almost always in the upper 90's. It's usually after I eat something that's sweeter or has a lot of carbs - in other words something that increases blood glucose - that I have trouble. What happens it that glucose levels spike, then suddenly, the bottom drops out and I get that weak, shaky, feeling of being really hot. After a little while, my body starts recovering and gradually those feelings start to subside, especially, if I eat something that won't spike my glucose levels again... You might want to try to watch what you're eating and see if it correlates at all; it can be anywhere from an hour or two to several hours depending on what and how much you ate.
The calf pain, I'm going to assume, might be some type of cramps... is that right? Since your chloride is low, I'd have to wonder what the rest of your electrolytes were like... Take a look at your Potassium, Sodium and Calcium levels. Even though they're in range, are any of them really high in the range or really low? If they aren't balanced, especially, potassium or calcium, you can get those pains or cramps...
You said your CBC was high... do you mean RBC as in Red Blood Cell count? Or WBC as in White Blood Cell count? It's not unusual to have high WBC if you have high inflammation because white blood cells fight infections, etc.
Anyway, none of the possibilities I mentioned should diminish the importance of your low TSH and low thyroid hormones. Those need to be further investigated as to all the other things I mentioned because quite often we end up having more than one thing wrong and doctors often tend to try to treat one thing and stop there, thinking that will make us well and it won't. We have to fix our whole body...
Do you know if you've ever had a vitamin D or ferritin test? Vitamin D is necessary for proper metabolism of thyroid hormones. Ferritin tells us how much iron we have in storage. Again, many doctors will look at RBC, hemoglobin and/or hemocrit and if those are normal, they think we're fine, but that's not the case. We need adequate iron for conversion of the Free T4 hormone to the usable Free T3 hormone.
That brings me to the last, but certainly not least point for right now... You should ask your doctor to test Free T3, not Total T3 because Total T3 is considered obsolete. As noted above, Free T3 is the hormone used by nearly every cell in the body and without enough, we will have hypo symptoms.
Your symptoms can often go with hyper, but many symptoms can "cross over" and apply to hypo or apply to other conditions as well.
You should ask for a thyroid ultrasound and talk to your doctor about the Secondary hypothyroidism as that correlates best with low TSH and low Free T4/T3.
Going by the ranges they, typically use, your Free T4 is only at 31% of range, which is not nearly high enough. Most of us feel best with Free T4 at mid-range or slightly higher... In addition, your Total T3 is only at 22% of its range. Most of the T3 in our blood is bound by protein and can't be used, which is why we test Free (unbound) T3. Considering how low your Total T3 is, we can assume that your Free T3 is equally low, since Total T3 includes both, bound and unbound T3
With TSH as low as yours, we'd expect your Free T4 and T3 to be much higher than they are which would indicate hyperthyroidism... because of the low Free T4 and T3, which indicate hypothyroidism, we'd now have to suspect Secondary hypothyroidism which means that the thyroid probably works fine but there's a problem with the pituitary/hypothalamus axis so there isn't enough TSH being produced to stimulate the thyroid to produce the thyroid hormones... Doctors often miss Secondary hypothyroidism because they only look the TSH instead of looking at the Free T4 and Free T3, particularly, Free T3 which is the hormone used by individual cells in the body.
Your prolactin level is also lower than normal, further indicating a pituitary issue.
Your B-12 in the normal range, but it's not really optimal... most of us do best with B-12 at/near the top of the range. Some countries consider anything below 500 as deficient, so yours would barely be adequate.
Your magnesium looks good, but just testing a blood magnesium isn't really accurate. They should do an RBC magnesium; most doctors don't do that though. I know mine didn't - not even my naturopath.
Your glucose was in the normal range, when you had the blood draw, but some people don't do well with it that low; you could be one of those so blood glucose could still, partially, account for your shakes, weakness and the hot feelings if they come and go, like a hot flash. I have hypoglycemia, but my fasting glucose levels are almost always in the upper 90's. It's usually after I eat something that's sweeter or has a lot of carbs - in other words something that increases blood glucose - that I have trouble. What happens it that glucose levels spike, then suddenly, the bottom drops out and I get that weak, shaky, feeling of being really hot. After a little while, my body starts recovering and gradually those feelings start to subside, especially, if I eat something that won't spike my glucose levels again... You might want to try to watch what you're eating and see if it correlates at all; it can be anywhere from an hour or two to several hours depending on what and how much you ate.
The calf pain, I'm going to assume, might be some type of cramps... is that right? Since your chloride is low, I'd have to wonder what the rest of your electrolytes were like... Take a look at your Potassium, Sodium and Calcium levels. Even though they're in range, are any of them really high in the range or really low? If they aren't balanced, especially, potassium or calcium, you can get those pains or cramps...
You said your CBC was high... do you mean RBC as in Red Blood Cell count? Or WBC as in White Blood Cell count? It's not unusual to have high WBC if you have high inflammation because white blood cells fight infections, etc.
Anyway, none of the possibilities I mentioned should diminish the importance of your low TSH and low thyroid hormones. Those need to be further investigated as to all the other things I mentioned because quite often we end up having more than one thing wrong and doctors often tend to try to treat one thing and stop there, thinking that will make us well and it won't. We have to fix our whole body...
Do you know if you've ever had a vitamin D or ferritin test? Vitamin D is necessary for proper metabolism of thyroid hormones. Ferritin tells us how much iron we have in storage. Again, many doctors will look at RBC, hemoglobin and/or hemocrit and if those are normal, they think we're fine, but that's not the case. We need adequate iron for conversion of the Free T4 hormone to the usable Free T3 hormone.
That brings me to the last, but certainly not least point for right now... You should ask your doctor to test Free T3, not Total T3 because Total T3 is considered obsolete. As noted above, Free T3 is the hormone used by nearly every cell in the body and without enough, we will have hypo symptoms.
Your symptoms can often go with hyper, but many symptoms can "cross over" and apply to hypo or apply to other conditions as well.
You should ask for a thyroid ultrasound and talk to your doctor about the Secondary hypothyroidism as that correlates best with low TSH and low Free T4/T3.
3 Comments
Left a response..where did it go ?
You are an Angel !! Crap...Do over... Sodium 135 Range 134-144 ( just in ) Calcium 9.7 range 8.6-10.2 Potassium 12 range 14-44 ( LOW just noticed it ). Ultrasound neg for Nodules.Thyroglobulin <1.0 range 0.0-0.9 TSI <0.10 range 0.00-0.55. Cortisol 4.4 range 6.7-22.6 on in house lab. then 8.1 range 6.7-22.6. seems low. Thank You Barb....GB
Vitamin D 35 range 30-100
COMMUNITY LEADER
Before I can really answer your questions, I have some of my own to ask you, first... When you had the first TSH test, was that all that was tested? What are the reference ranges for the Free T4 and Total T3? Ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report. Have you ever had a Free T3 test instead of a Total T3?
Have you had any antibody tests done to determine if you have an autoimmune thyroid condition? Both your symptoms and TSH indicate hyperthyroidism, but your Free T4 doesn't really correlate with that; neither does your Total T3, judging from rages we typically see, but of course, we'll know more once you provide the ranges from your own report.
You say your B-12 and folate are "good"... please post the actual levels with reference ranges, since simply being in range isn't always good enough.
What type of panel did you have done... There are a lot of them, so it's necessary to know which one you had.
Have you actually tested your blood sugar when you get shaky, weak, hot feeling to make sure it's not caused by low sugar?
Have you had any antibody tests done to determine if you have an autoimmune thyroid condition? Both your symptoms and TSH indicate hyperthyroidism, but your Free T4 doesn't really correlate with that; neither does your Total T3, judging from rages we typically see, but of course, we'll know more once you provide the ranges from your own report.
You say your B-12 and folate are "good"... please post the actual levels with reference ranges, since simply being in range isn't always good enough.
What type of panel did you have done... There are a lot of them, so it's necessary to know which one you had.
Have you actually tested your blood sugar when you get shaky, weak, hot feeling to make sure it's not caused by low sugar?
1 Comments
TSH test was done the first time and came back low so Doctor ordered the tests I posted and again TSH low. It was Lab Corp that did the testing and the paper just gives results not ranges. No freeT3 test that I know of.. B12 was 609 range 232-1245. Magnesium 2.0 range 1.6-2.3. Had the whole metabolic panel done.. CBC was a little high. 15.9 3.4 to 10.8. Glucose 80 65-99. . Chloride was low at 92 Range 96-106. Also getting muscle twitching.
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