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Thyroid
I am a mother of five. After giving birth to my last child almost two years ago I have not been able to loss very much of my baby weight and feel tired all the time. I recently had some blood work done but can not get a follow up with my dr. for a month. Can someone please tell me what my results mean.
TSH 1.37 range .27 - 4.20
Free T4 .86 .80-1.7
Free T3 2.7 2.6-4.4
I know that am within range on all numbers but I have read that you ideally want numbers at top of range and not bottom.
I was also tested for anti TPO antibodies and TGAB. I have some of both of these but are within normal range. Should any be detectable if there is nothing wrong?
TSH 1.37 range .27 - 4.20
Free T4 .86 .80-1.7
Free T3 2.7 2.6-4.4
I know that am within range on all numbers but I have read that you ideally want numbers at top of range and not bottom.
I was also tested for anti TPO antibodies and TGAB. I have some of both of these but are within normal range. Should any be detectable if there is nothing wrong?
A good thyroid doctor knows that just being in the bottom of the range isn't sufficient. However, there are a lot of bad thyroid doctors out there. Some only look at TSH, even if they order FT3 and FT4. Others think that all of us ought to be asymptomatic as long as we're in range...anywhere in range. And that's just not true. I may feel fine with your current labs, but you may have to be further up in the ranges to feel good.
As a rule of thumb, FT4 should be about midrange and FT3 upper half to upper third of range. You're clearly right on the bottom of both ranges. Your symptoms should speak for themselves. When you talk to your doctor, be sure to have a written list of your hypo symptoms so you don't forget anything. If you google "hypothyroid symptoms" you can take a look at the long list.
There's all kinds of debate about which treatment is better than the next. The fact of the matter is that we're all individual, and some of us do better on one and some on another. Most mainstream doctors try starting their patients on a T4-only meds, like Synthroid, Levoxyl or generic levothyroxine. T4 has to be converted by your body into T3 before your cells can use it. Some people don't convert well, so they need to add some T3 meds to their regimen. That can be either in synthetic form (Cytomel and generics) or it can be desiccated porcine thyroid (Armour, NatureThroid, ERFA, etc.). All desiccated brands contain both T3 and T4 in predetermined amounts.
Some doctors don't like to prescribe Armour because they don't understand it. Other doctors use it almost exclusively.
It's all a bit of an experiment to find what works best for you.
As a rule of thumb, FT4 should be about midrange and FT3 upper half to upper third of range. You're clearly right on the bottom of both ranges. Your symptoms should speak for themselves. When you talk to your doctor, be sure to have a written list of your hypo symptoms so you don't forget anything. If you google "hypothyroid symptoms" you can take a look at the long list.
There's all kinds of debate about which treatment is better than the next. The fact of the matter is that we're all individual, and some of us do better on one and some on another. Most mainstream doctors try starting their patients on a T4-only meds, like Synthroid, Levoxyl or generic levothyroxine. T4 has to be converted by your body into T3 before your cells can use it. Some people don't convert well, so they need to add some T3 meds to their regimen. That can be either in synthetic form (Cytomel and generics) or it can be desiccated porcine thyroid (Armour, NatureThroid, ERFA, etc.). All desiccated brands contain both T3 and T4 in predetermined amounts.
Some doctors don't like to prescribe Armour because they don't understand it. Other doctors use it almost exclusively.
It's all a bit of an experiment to find what works best for you.
I have not been back for follow up since labs came back. I go next week. I am hoping that she will let me try some meds even though I am within normal range. Is it common to treat people that are in range? Also I read about the natural treatment Armour. What do you think of this?
Definitely...weight gain is a symptom of hypo. When hypo, your metabolism slows down, so you don't use calories as well. Intolerance to cold, hair loss, hives, puffy face and fatigue are also hypo symptoms. Other quite prevalent ones are depression and constipation.
You have many of the classic symptoms, and, yes, I do think this could all be caused by thyroid.
The tingling in your hand could be caused by hypo, but next time you have a blood draw, you might ask for a B-12 test just to rule out a deficiency there, which can cause tingling as well.
Is your doctor suggesting treatment?
You have many of the classic symptoms, and, yes, I do think this could all be caused by thyroid.
The tingling in your hand could be caused by hypo, but next time you have a blood draw, you might ask for a B-12 test just to rule out a deficiency there, which can cause tingling as well.
Is your doctor suggesting treatment?
Would levels this low cause weight gain? I have some many weird problems but don't know if they are all related. My hand tingle and seem be always cold, my hair has been falling out, hive on my feet and ankles, puffy face and hands, tired but can't seem to get a good nights sleep. Do you think all this is related to thyroid?
Both your FT3 and FT4 are very low. Target levels for these are not top of range...FT4 usually has to be midrange and FT3 upper half to upper third of range before symptoms are relieved.
TPOab and TGab can be present without implying Hashi's. Many of us with Hashi's have antibody levels in the hundreds, or even thousands. I, personally (not a doctor, of course) would consider levels even slightly above range distinctly borderline. Also, TPOab and TGab can be elevated with other conditions as well.
It looks like you'd benefit from being on meds.
TPOab and TGab can be present without implying Hashi's. Many of us with Hashi's have antibody levels in the hundreds, or even thousands. I, personally (not a doctor, of course) would consider levels even slightly above range distinctly borderline. Also, TPOab and TGab can be elevated with other conditions as well.
It looks like you'd benefit from being on meds.
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