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Tests
How can I raise my T3 free and T4 free levels? Cytomel only? I am currently on 1 grain on Nature Throid. No thyroid.
I got new bloodwork done today and will post the results tomorrow. I really need to be proactive and getting these Ts raised, as I have felt awful - see history. Thanks everyone!!!
Below are my most recent labs:
T3,free: 2.9
T4 free: 0.43 (low)
T3 total: 122
Tsh: 1.79
I got new bloodwork done today and will post the results tomorrow. I really need to be proactive and getting these Ts raised, as I have felt awful - see history. Thanks everyone!!!
Below are my most recent labs:
T3,free: 2.9
T4 free: 0.43 (low)
T3 total: 122
Tsh: 1.79
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, there is not a natural T4-only med that will bring up your FT4. To get T4 only, you'd have to go to a synthetic. Keep in mind that even though your FT3 is "in range", it's still very low. We don't how well you convert, because you have so little FT4 to convert. You might do okay on a T4 only med. The only way to know would be to try. You might look into Tirosint, which is a gel cap, which contains only the T4, glcyerin, gelatin and water. Tirosint is usually dissolved and absorbed better than pill type medications.
Birth control pills can affect thyroid levels, but most doctors know to work around that. I find your doctor's behavior very rude and irresponsible.
I don't know if the 1.5 Nature-Throid will be enough to bring your levels up adequately, or not. It should certainly help.
It can take a long time for levels to creep up. I was on thyroid med for nearly a year, before my levels really started coming up. Being hypo is like any other illness; it takes time to heal.
Birth control pills can affect thyroid levels, but most doctors know to work around that. I find your doctor's behavior very rude and irresponsible.
I don't know if the 1.5 Nature-Throid will be enough to bring your levels up adequately, or not. It should certainly help.
It can take a long time for levels to creep up. I was on thyroid med for nearly a year, before my levels really started coming up. Being hypo is like any other illness; it takes time to heal.
But as you can see below in September when I was taking my Birth Control, my levels were still low. I was taking very low dose estrogen, so it wouldnt effect my thyroid, etc.
My T4 Free previously 7 months ago was 0.43 and I am currently at 0.57. But I haven't changed my dose. Hopefully increasing my dose to 1.5 grains will help increase these T4 Levels? Looks like my levels are very slowly increasing, which is maybe why I feel a little better than I did in September.
So there is not an all natural T4 Medicine that can help with my T4 levels? Since those are the only levels that are low? Thoughts?
September 2011 Labs: (I didn't request all the appropriate labs)
T3,free: 2.9
*T4 free: 0.43 (low)
T3 total: 122
Tsh: 1.79
Below are my most recent labs: (May16.2012)
T3, total 104 (76-181)
Free t3, 3.2 (2.77-5.27)
*Free t4, 0.57 (0.78-2.19) LOW
Thyroid stimulating hormon, 2.370 (0.465-4.680)
T4 total, <5.21 (5.53-11). LOW
My T4 Free previously 7 months ago was 0.43 and I am currently at 0.57. But I haven't changed my dose. Hopefully increasing my dose to 1.5 grains will help increase these T4 Levels? Looks like my levels are very slowly increasing, which is maybe why I feel a little better than I did in September.
So there is not an all natural T4 Medicine that can help with my T4 levels? Since those are the only levels that are low? Thoughts?
September 2011 Labs: (I didn't request all the appropriate labs)
T3,free: 2.9
*T4 free: 0.43 (low)
T3 total: 122
Tsh: 1.79
Below are my most recent labs: (May16.2012)
T3, total 104 (76-181)
Free t3, 3.2 (2.77-5.27)
*Free t4, 0.57 (0.78-2.19) LOW
Thyroid stimulating hormon, 2.370 (0.465-4.680)
T4 total, <5.21 (5.53-11). LOW
Hi Barb,
That is what she put me on after I had to call the office and request something increased to help these levels. The receptionist's response "Well she has refilled your prescription to 1.5 grains and is ready at Walgreens and by the way she wanted me to tell you this is the last time she is treating your thyroid." She also went to say "T4 is also effected by birthcontrol and other drugs" (How frustrating)
Well, I haven't been on my birth control for 3 months, as I am trying to rule things out with why I am not feeling well. Obviously it wasnt my birth control that was making me feel crappy. My levels are! Which I didnt share with her, I just left it at that and said thanks for the refill.
What a crappy thing to say. Talk about giving up on someone. Seems as though once it gets challenging for a doc they dont put the time or effort in to really educate themselves on these levels. This is why I am going to an Endochronogist. To my suprise he even medicates Naturethroid, which is exciting!
So Barb, you believe this should raise my two levels? Isnt T4 like synthroid and other medications. Since these levels are the only two levels that are low would it be a good idea to just increase my T4s?
Im going to call the Endochronogist Monday and see if they can get me in sooner. They mentioned today that they could get me in sooner at his other office which is farther, but as long as its sooner. I mean, I just feel awful. Im extremely healthy - run 3 miles a day - eat very healthly, im ready for this to be part of my past and finally get control of all this.
Do you all believe my symtoms are due to these low levels?
Thanks everyone.
That is what she put me on after I had to call the office and request something increased to help these levels. The receptionist's response "Well she has refilled your prescription to 1.5 grains and is ready at Walgreens and by the way she wanted me to tell you this is the last time she is treating your thyroid." She also went to say "T4 is also effected by birthcontrol and other drugs" (How frustrating)
Well, I haven't been on my birth control for 3 months, as I am trying to rule things out with why I am not feeling well. Obviously it wasnt my birth control that was making me feel crappy. My levels are! Which I didnt share with her, I just left it at that and said thanks for the refill.
What a crappy thing to say. Talk about giving up on someone. Seems as though once it gets challenging for a doc they dont put the time or effort in to really educate themselves on these levels. This is why I am going to an Endochronogist. To my suprise he even medicates Naturethroid, which is exciting!
So Barb, you believe this should raise my two levels? Isnt T4 like synthroid and other medications. Since these levels are the only two levels that are low would it be a good idea to just increase my T4s?
Im going to call the Endochronogist Monday and see if they can get me in sooner. They mentioned today that they could get me in sooner at his other office which is farther, but as long as its sooner. I mean, I just feel awful. Im extremely healthy - run 3 miles a day - eat very healthly, im ready for this to be part of my past and finally get control of all this.
Do you all believe my symtoms are due to these low levels?
Thanks everyone.
COMMUNITY LEADER
As you can see, your FT4 is below range. Your FT3 is only 17% of the range; that means you have a long way to go with both.
I find it hard to believe that your doctor had the audacity to tell you, you're fine, with levels like that. But, of course, she probably only looked at the TSH, saw it in range and determined that all's well. I find that somewhat irresponsible.
Your current 1 grain of Nature-Throid contains 38 mcg of T4 med and 9 mcg of T3. Even though your levels are as low as they are, I don't think I'd request to double all at once, because large increases often end up causing reaction. Much better ask to increase to 1.5 grains for a bit, then go on up further, if you still need it.
I have a feeling that this doctor is going to keep you ill, and Aug is a long way off, so you might start looking for another, that you may be able to get in to, before your Aug endo appointment. Before making an appointment, ask questions to make sure the doctor tests both FT3 and FT4 every time, whether they prescribe meds with a T3 component and if they treat by symptoms.
I think you will be hard put to get anything further from this doctor.
I find it hard to believe that your doctor had the audacity to tell you, you're fine, with levels like that. But, of course, she probably only looked at the TSH, saw it in range and determined that all's well. I find that somewhat irresponsible.
Your current 1 grain of Nature-Throid contains 38 mcg of T4 med and 9 mcg of T3. Even though your levels are as low as they are, I don't think I'd request to double all at once, because large increases often end up causing reaction. Much better ask to increase to 1.5 grains for a bit, then go on up further, if you still need it.
I have a feeling that this doctor is going to keep you ill, and Aug is a long way off, so you might start looking for another, that you may be able to get in to, before your Aug endo appointment. Before making an appointment, ask questions to make sure the doctor tests both FT3 and FT4 every time, whether they prescribe meds with a T3 component and if they treat by symptoms.
I think you will be hard put to get anything further from this doctor.
To get anywhere with your current doctor you are going to have to provide enough scientific data to shake them loose from their position that "you are fine". I have to leave now, but will start providing such info when I return.
T3, total 104 (76-181)
Free t3, 3.2 (2.77-5.27)
Free t4, 0.57 (0.78-2.19) LOW
Thyroid stimulating hormon, 2.370 (0.465-4.680)
T4 total, <5.21 (5.53-11). LOW
Free t3, 3.2 (2.77-5.27)
Free t4, 0.57 (0.78-2.19) LOW
Thyroid stimulating hormon, 2.370 (0.465-4.680)
T4 total, <5.21 (5.53-11). LOW
Just got off the phone with my doctor and asked her if they reviewed my results and she said "oh we mailed out a letter stating everything was fine and to keep doing what your doing". My response was I want to know how do I increase my free t4 and t3, total, there low! I'm seeing an endochronoloist but can't get in till august. I just can't wait that long.
Also. Had 90% of my thyroid removed in 2003 due to severe hyperthyroidism nd goiters and tumors and cycts entangled in my throat and thyroid. I want it back, lol
Also. Had 90% of my thyroid removed in 2003 due to severe hyperthyroidism nd goiters and tumors and cycts entangled in my throat and thyroid. I want it back, lol
Ok just got my labs back. If u look at my previous posts, my symptoms have been awful. I'm not sure why I wasn't active when gimel told me peviously to get my free t's up. :( symptoms: anxiety, hair loss, digeston issues, chronic congestion, and the worse yet, hypoglycemic encounters.
I am currently taking nature throid 1 grain, 65 mg. Should I ask to double my dosage? Twice a day? Or should I get in one pill, increase to 2 grain, 130 mg. Thanks everyone, u have no idea how much you've helped me!
Levels:
Free t3, 3.2
Free t4, 0.57 - Low
Thyroid stimulating hormone: 2.370
T4, total <5.21 - Low
T3 total, 104
I am currently taking nature throid 1 grain, 65 mg. Should I ask to double my dosage? Twice a day? Or should I get in one pill, increase to 2 grain, 130 mg. Thanks everyone, u have no idea how much you've helped me!
Levels:
Free t3, 3.2
Free t4, 0.57 - Low
Thyroid stimulating hormone: 2.370
T4, total <5.21 - Low
T3 total, 104
Jumping in here....Please post your lab ranges :) No thyroid? Total thyroidectomy for what reason?
BTW: When my levels are off, my sinuses and allergies, get UGLY
BTW: When my levels are off, my sinuses and allergies, get UGLY
Also - Does anyone know if low T's can result in sinus congestion, excess mucus in throat? I have been seeing an ENT and tomorrow I am having a CAT Scan of my sinuses, as the ENT Doctor believes my sinuses are "in bad shape."
He previously put me on Antibiotics to see if that was the reason for congestion, etc. Clearly not an infection and i have NO allergies. Hmmm
He previously put me on Antibiotics to see if that was the reason for congestion, etc. Clearly not an infection and i have NO allergies. Hmmm
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Since you are already taking Nature-Throid, which is a combo T4/T3 type thyroid med, you doctor would only need to raise your dosage to increase both your FT3 and FT4. Although you did not mention other symptoms, FT3 largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions, so I would be surprised if you have no other symptoms. Scientific studies have shown that FT3 correlated best with 8 typical hypo symptoms, while FT4 and TSH did not correlate.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting FT3 and FT4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with from a distance. The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So it appears that you need to talk to your doctor about increasing your meds and thereby raising your FT3 and FT4 levels. You should also ask if he is going to be willing to treat you clinically as described in the letter. If not, then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor that will do so.