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1448748 tn?1312956208

WHAT is up? Could It be My pituitary or labs not abnormal enough?

I have had a long haul here.  Breif synopsis, you can read my history to learn more.  I had a grandmal seizure almost a year ago this march. It resulted in a major concussion where I didnt remember anything for 15 min not even my name.  My memory returned to normal and nobody could ever find the cause. I found out I have factor 5 lieden and protein s def. which means my blood clots easier.  so about 2 months after, I began getting so tired I could not drive TO work even after 12 hours of sleep. Tried everything to see if it would help for 2 months. Nothing so I saw a dr. did thyroid tests and a barrage of other tests with everything seemingly normal.  My lipase was high, albumim, mean platelet, but dr.s not concerned.  I have every hypo thyroid symptom out there and my pain is especially bad. I have to take percocets to function. My thyroid were as follows:

TSH 1.0 (.3-3.0)
TSH .8 (.8-2.0)
Free T3 3.25(1.0-6.0)

I was reading and saw that Pituitary can be damaged by head trauma.  And the timing of it all makes sense, but my question is are my labs abnormal enough to warrant testing on my pituitary or should I keep  looking for something else for all my symptoms, I have gained 35 lbs in the past 3 months.  PLEASE HELP ME I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.
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Avatar universal
The so-called "normal" ranges for FT3 and FT4 are far from it.  These two ranges have never been corrected, like was done for TSH over 8 years ago.  When the AACE finally recognized that there were a lot more hypo people than predicted by the old range for TSH, and purged the data base of suspect hypo  patient data, the range changed drastically.  I have asked numerous times why the AACE has not done the same for FT3 and FT4, but their only answer is that the ranges are "evidence based".

I don't know what their evidence is but it sure disagrees with much of what I see in scientific studies.  From my own experience with statistical analysis, I have estimated that if the data bases for FT3 and FT4 were purged like done for TSH, that the new reference ranges would be essentially the upper half of the current ranges.    I think that is the reason why we hear from so many members with FT3 and FT4 test results in the lower half of the ranges, yet they still have hypo symptoms.  Symptom relief for them frequently requires that FT3 is adjusted into the upper part of its range and FT4 adjusted to at least midpoint of its range.

As long as we are stuck with the current ranges, rather than being used as pass/fail criteria, they should be used only as guidelines within which to adjust FT3 and FT4 levels as necessary to relieve symptoms.   Actually doing this is not nearly as difficult as is finding a doctor that will treat you clinically in this manner.  
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1448748 tn?1312956208
Yes the .8 was supposed to be for free t 4.thanks I just didn't know whether my t's were low enough to even warrant that given they are still in normal range
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Avatar universal
First I assume that you meant for the second test to be FT4.  If that is correct, then having a FT4 and a FT3 result that are both in the lower end of their ranges, is often associated with being hypo and having hypo symptoms such as those you mentioned.  Having a concurrent low normal TSH is often an indicator of a pituitary issue.  I think you need to discuss with your doctor the need for thyroid meds to relieve symptoms, while you are also getting the pituitary issue checked out.
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