Why such a difference between T-4 and Free T4 Levels

[gaylemh]

Hi,  I just had lab work done and it seems pretty good.  I'm not on any meds yet. (Tried them a few years back and ended up hyper with a lot of symptoms on the lowest dose)  My labs have been fluctuating TSH 2.1-5.2.  They still don't want to start meds yet because one month my level is 5.2 and three months later is back to 2 - 3.  My free levels remain pretty normal.  Free T4 1.43 and Free T3 3.5. Always close to these numbers.

My question is the last time I had my blood work The Thyroxine was 5.4 (4.2 - 13.0) Free Thyroxine 1.43  (.89 - 1.76)
Free T 3 3.5 (2.3 - 4.2).  Why is the Thyroxine at the lower range and The Free Thyroxine towards the top of the range?

[goolarra]

Have you ever had thyroid antibodies tested, and do you know if you have Hashi's?  Lots of us with Hashi's experience swings from hypo to hyper as the thyroid is slowly being destroyed.  I ask also because Hashi's is an autoimmune disease.  Once you have one autoimmune disease, you are much more likely to develop another.  Celiac disease, which is gluten intolerance, is another autoimmune disease.  Could something like that connect to your gastritis?

[gaylemh]

When I had hyper symptoms and gastritis my Free  T4 was over range Free T3 was at the very top of the range.  My THS was normal If I remember correctly it was somewhere around 2.5.  I was only on the lowest dose of Synthroid at the time .25 That was 5 years ago.  I stopped the Synthroid and haven't been on anything since.  The same thing happened last year with the numbers about the same.   I have good period and bad periods.   I thought this bout with gastritis was because I was hyper again. but the numbers all look good except for TSH.  It was 4.9 this time.  Free T4 1.43  Free T3 3.5. I've been to 3 different doctors and all agree no meds until I level off.  They are afraid I will go hyper again.

For the gastritis I tried Pepcid (extreme dry mouth and constipation gas)  The doctor gave me the lowest dose of Prevacid and made symptoms worse along with fatigue and anxiety.  Don't know what to try next.  Have also had the same reaction with Nexium and Prilosec.  

[goolarra]

Do you know what your labs were when you were hyper?  What meds are you currently taking?  LOTS of us with Hashi's have problems with meds.  Do you have any hypo symptoms still?

[gaylemh]

Not feeling too great right now.  I have bad gastritis, thought it was triggered from being hyper, but labs are OK.  (Last time I went hyper I had a really bad case of gastritis)
My problem is I can't find anything to take.  It seems everything makes me feel sicker or causes anxiety.
Does anyone else have problems with meds with Hashi's?

[goolarra]

TT4 (thyroxine) is the total amount of T4 that is in your blood.  FT3 (free thyroxine) is the amount of that TT4 in your blood available to the cells for metabolism.  The remainder of the TT4 is chemically bound by protein and therefore unavailble for your body"s use.  FT4 is much more important than TT4.  TT4 is considered an antiquated test and pretty much a waste of money.  

Both your FT3 and FT4 look really good.  Do you feel well?