basic panel

[etwang]

just took basic panel at labcorp:
TSH   5.63 (high)
free T4    1.10
free T3    2.9
would 1 drop a day of thyodine
lower  tsh or no?
I'm 68 and on levo for 5 yrs.

[etwang]

thank you Barb very much - I will let you know - I read something quite interesting yesterday that the mercury in fillings and used as a binder in pills is what gets the TOP's and Tg's going in the first place in the body -

[Barb135]

Let me know whenever you get further test results.

Will your doctor agree to an increase in your med?  Sure hope so, as I know how  horrible it is to be miserable all the time.

When testing for Hashimoto's, make sure you get both the Thyroid Peroxidase antibody (TPOab) test and Thyroglobulin antibody (TGab) test.  Some of us have only TPOab, some have TGab and some have both.  You can't confirm/rule out Hashi's without both tests.  

Best of luck.

[etwang]

thank a lot for your time and knowledge of the subject.  I will be testing for Hashimoto's and
elevating the levo to 88mcg in the meantime.

[Barb135]

Putting your two posts together, this is what I'm getting (please correct me if I'm wrong):

TSH  =   5.63          High
FT4  =   1.10          (range  0.82 - 1.77)
FT3  =   2.9            (range  2.0 - 4.4)

As I stated in my previous post - TSH is *not* the number you need to be looking at; you need to be looking at your Free T3 and Free T4, which, although both are in range, they are both low in their ranges.  In my opinion, you need to have your dosage of levo raised.  It's quite common to need dosage changes periodically; I can't imagine being on the same dosage for 5 yrs!!  

A lot of us find that we feel better when our FT4 is at least mid range, and our FT3 in the upper 1/3 of the range; you have a ways to go for both of those.

You can't know if your thyroid is "dead", unless you know whether or not you have Hashi's (i.e. if you have antibodies), since it's the antibodies the destroy the thyroid.  It sounds like your doctor may have "assumed" you have Hashi's, without testing for it.  Seems that some doctors do that, since Hashi's is the # 1 cause of hypothyroidism in the US. I had one who did that -- kicked him to the curb a long time ago.

There are many instances in which iodine may be harmful; therefore, taking supplements containing it might not be a good idea.  I can't see an advantage to adding an OTC pill/drops, when you can easily raise your levo dosage and accomplish the same thing, much more safely.  Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's better for you.  Additionally, there is the possibility of getting too much iodine, which is equally as harmful; therefore, I would not recommend taking iodine supplements, except under the direct supervision of your health care provider.

My recommendation is to talk to your doctor and ask for an increase in your levo.  If you are currently on 75 mcg, you might try going to 88 mcg, then retest in 5-6 weeks to see if that brings your levels up; if not, you may need to increase yet again.  It's very important that each time you raise your dosage, you test after 5-6 weeks in order to see how your levels are; additionally, a dosage should not be raised without a prior test to make sure it's needed.

You didn't mention your symptoms.

[etwang]

FT4= .82 - 1.77;   FT3 =  2 - 4.4

sorry - thyodine = "atlantic kepl extract 40% Glycerine,
also thyadine =  150mcg Fucus Vesiculos 3x, spongiaTosta 12x, Thyroid 3x, Thyroid 30c listed on label.
I've been on same dosage of .75mg for 5 years -
I dont know if thyroid is dead or not - Dr said it was -
my thinking was that if these natural remedies moved the tsh number
considerably maybe my thyroid isnt dead
I've had sinusitis for 5 years - back & joint problems
never been tested fo Hashimotos

[Barb135]

What are the reference ranges for the FT3 and FT4?  These are lab specific (vary from lab to lab); therefore must come from your own report.  

Lowering the TSH is not the only important issue.  TSH is a pituitary hormone and does not present a good picture of what the thyroid is doing.  It's the levels of FT3 and FT4 that are really important.  That's why we need to know the reference ranges from your lab report, so we can see where your levels fall within the ranges.

I, too, do not understand the thyrodine.  From what I now of it, it appears to be an OTC product, containing a lot of iodine.  There are instances in hypothyroidism, in which iodine is contraindicated, particularly, some with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is an autoimmune disease in which antibodies destroy the thyroid gland.  Hashi's is the # 1 cause of hypothyroidism in the US.

Have you been diagnosed with Hashimoto's or ever been tested for it?  

If you've been on levo for 5 yrs, has it been the same dosage?  Maybe you just need an increase.  

What symptoms do you have?

[LazyMoose]

"would 1 drop a day of thyodine
lower  tsh or no?"


- what? thyodine? explain.