Updated Test results

[Danniabg]

At the recommendation of Gimel and after reading many times on here regarding test results, I have mine updated now with the Free T3 & T4.  I can't see my endo at the moment as she isn't working since breaking her leg, so would appreciate advice please.

History: I had a partial thyroidectomy in July this year, due to benign nodules on my left gland.
In Sept I was diagnosed Hypo
TSH was 6.17 uIU/ml (0.27-5.0/ for monitoring of therapy it says then these numbers 0,2-5,50) (I live in Bulgaria btw)
I didn't have the Free ones done then as only discovered them on here.

Had the test done this week after being on 25mgs of Levothyroxine for the first 2 weeks, then 50 mgs per day.
TSH now 4.11 uIU/ml (0.49-4.67/ for monitoring of therapy then 0,2-5,50/)
FT3 3,04 (2.5-4.3)
FT4 1,07 (0.71-1.85)

And my cholesterol has come down from 6.7 to 5.9 (6.5 - 4.5) but I did have it lower than that pre op.

I did have a full blood count, but all the numbers are within range, so seems ok.

I am losing weight quite easily I have to say, I am now the lightest I have been in over 10 years so happy about that!

I would appreciate Gimel and anyone else's feedback on what the thyroid figures mean please as I can't see my endo :)

Thanks in advance
Nikki

[Danniabg]

No I can refill as I wish :)
Ok thanks :)

[Danniabg]

Hi again
So this month I have had one 'normal' period on the 6th (25 days since my last)
then a 'show' on the 19th, not much blood, but sore boobs so I felt I was coming on. This lasted a couple of days, then went then on the 25th I have fully come on (no other symptoms though) heavier flow than normal and no let up as yet.
For 2 years since coming off the contraceptive pill and before I saw my 1st Endocrinologist, I had been having irregular periods, (2 a month pretty much) My gynae put me on a low dose of HRT for 6 mths (from Oct last year), and this regulated them up to now.
The 1st Endo said thyroid probs had nothing to do with periods, but from what I am reading it could be relevant, though I don't hear much talk of irregular periods on here.
Hopefully your comments Goolarra will be the cause here, but just wondering if others have had this happen or similar?
(Maybe I should start a new topic?)
I have regular smears, and all normal so far.

Thanks
Nikki

[goolarra]

We do hear a lot of talk of irregular periods and women who are trying to conceive, but can't, due to thyroud hormone imbalance.  I don't know where endo #1 has been, but perhaps that's why there's an endo #2!  LOL  

Starting a new thread is an excellent idea.  Then, you can get this specific question into the headline and hear others' experiences.  It might get kind of lost this far down in a thread that had another topic to begin with.

[Danniabg]

Hi all,
Well it's been a while but I just had another set of testing done.  
(My first since December 2011)

FT3 - 2.84  Range (2.5-4.3) Was - 3.04
FT4 - 1.37  Range (0.71 - 1.85) Was - 1.07
TSH - 2.23  Range (0.49 - 4.67) Was - 4.11

Feeling fine, no real hypo symptoms apart from probably more constipated than I was, have had 24 hrs of indigestion and I never get indigestion (just read today that thyroid patients are prone to it?), periods still all over the place, hair fall (but I tend to always have this every summer) vertically ridged thumbnails/toenails, nails growing really quickly, seem more prone to painful acne around my period when my skin was always quite clear, sleeping seems fine, aches minimal, not tired, so I'm doing ok I think.

Cholesterol mid range which was a surprise as I've not been behaving really, but am exercising every single day.

Meds since last testing are still at 50 mgs every other day, and 62.5mgs the other days.

Any thoughts/advice appreciated.
Thanks everyone :)

[gimel]

Nice to hear from you again.  From your test results I'd say that your Free T3 is fine, but you are not converting enough  T4 to T3, since your Free T3 is too low in the range to relieve symptoms for most hypo patients.  You could increase your T4 med to try to drive your Free T3 higher, but I think the best approach is to try to get a prescription for a source of T3.  This could be either a small dose of a T3 med like Cytomel, or generic.  Or you could also switch part of your dosage to a T4/T3 combo, like Armour Thyroid, or equivalent.

Many of our members report that symptom relief required that Free T3 was adjusted into the upper third of its range and Free T4 adjusted to around the middle of its range.  So you have a lot of room to increase your Free T3 level, as necessary to relieve symptoms.

Also, if you haven't been tested for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, those are frequently low for hypo patients.  Those are also important, and typically they need to be above the middle of their ranges.  

[Danniabg]

Hi Gimel,
and thanks :)

Aww, I was so hoping there wouldn't be an issue, as you may remember I live in Bulgaria and my endo (who is the best in my area apparently) will not entertain FT3 & FT4 results, infact the whole of the Bulgarian endo society is the same, so I will just have to try upping the Thyroxine to 62.5 every day I guess and see what happens for a few weeks.

I wonder what she would say going by just my TSH.

I might ask if I can buy the Cytomel (liothyrorine Sodium isn't it) over the counter if I don't get on with upping my dose.

I'm very grateful for your help you know, as much as I know I should see my endo but I just know it will be a waste of time...and money :(