The reason why a FREE T3 is better than a T3 is that it measures only the FREE protein in the blood and is not affected by diet, hormones, age, etc.

Mid point for your T3 is: 132.5 for however you want to interpret the result that is affected by diet, hormones, age, etc.

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/testsforthyroid/a/freet3.htm

{{{hugs}}} :-)

Thanks Laura - that is pretty much what I was figuring. That being said with the FT4 at .9 range .6-1.2, it would appear that I am at mid range for both. Sure wish I had the FT3 number, I'd feel more comfortable. I am on 1.88 mg MMI - would you stay there or try the 1.25 and see what happens?
Have a great rest of the day?
Cindee

The thing is 'how are you feeling' is the key whether or not you need to reduce or add more ATD for any symtoms you are having.

{{{hugs}}}

Cindeeh

Total T3 measures FreeT3 and T3 that is bound to proteins so, if your Total T3 is mid-range, it follows that your FreeT3 would be lower.

And, ATD dosing is always based upon the FreeT4 level with the patient taking the lowest possible dose that will maintain the FreeT4 level in the upper third of the range. This is the type of FreeT4 level a healthy person would have (as documented on thyroidmanager.org)

If it were me, I'd "try on" the types of levels healthy people have - I know I feel better with those types of levels.

Thanks ladies! I am feeling a bit sluggish the past couple of weeks
despite the stress of my mom's broken hip, a colonoscopy, dental appt, emergency trip to the hospital for my mom last Tues with a major urinary tract infection plus the appt too look for the new dr....:)) LOL - I have noticed the carpal tunnel back the past couple of days as well. So, have thought about dropping to the 1.25 and see what happens - I just have this little fear that it will raise everything too high....:)) I've been on the 1.88 since January so have had 2 labs on this dose but not the same ranges so I don't know how to compare them. Hopefully this will make some sense to you. Thanks again! Oh yeah, I don't go back to this Dr until June if at all. I do like having the computer to have tests results released and to communicate by email with him.
Have a good afternoon.
Cindee

Cindeeh

Another thyroid forum taught me the math that will enable you to evaluate your levels even with different lab ranges.

I will gladly do the math for you if you post the results with ranges.

Thank you - here you go:
FT4 serum - .9 range .6-1.2 haven't had the FT4 serum before
T3 - 129 range 87-178
TSH - .05 range .34-5.6 - just thought I'd throw that one in :))

I usually get the FT3 and I sure wish I could remember why he does that test instead of the FT3 - I think I tuned him out at that point and figured why bother.....:)))
Cindee

Well, since ATD dosing is always based upon the FreeT4 level, I wouldn't worry so much about the fact that your FreeT3 level wasn't checked.

OK, based upon your latest ranges, a healthy person would have a FreeT4 level of 1.05 and some would have it even higher....a few might feel OK with it slightly lower but, your symptoms indicate that your current level is too low for you.

1.05 represents a FreeT4 level that is 75% of range.

Your current level is 50% of range (mid-range) so, you can see just how low it compares to the type of level a healthy person would have.

Taking everything into consideration is why I'd be inclined to reduce the dose. Going from 1.88 to 1.25 is a tiny change so, I really can't see you at any risk of going hyper.

Thanks cd I think I will try the 1.25 and see how it goes with the next labs in June. I just called another office in Seattle with the dr being on the top thyroid doctor list and I asked a couple of questions and I was told that he would raise my MMI dose as well because the TSH is too low....man, how do you find this needle in a haystack? I just want someone to work with me.
Thanks for listening....
Cindee

I actually found my thyroid-savvy doctor as a result of a conversation with my post-RAI nail tech.

As it turns out, our doctor was the first (after several) to get her feeling right thyroid-wise.

I have a hypo thyroid bud that lives in Seattle - she just started with an endo that is pro-Armour. Per the Armour prescribing information, the dose should be increased so that TSH is suppressed.

There's a chance he might have some idea about Graves' - I'll see if I can get his name for you.

That would be great thank you! There are a couple of dr's closer that prescribe armour but still dose graves on the TSH. I'm beginning to think I am crazy and looking for something/someone that doesn't exist.....:))

Based upon the fact that my doctor has done well by me but, completely dropped the ball with two people I referred to her, I have no doubts about your experience.

Anyhooo, I already emailed my thyroid bud just in case. She sees Dr. Murray at Polyclinic - he did get rave reviews on the Top Thyroid Doctors site but, it seems mostly hypo people rated him.

Have you seem him already?

Thanks CD - Ironically I called his office yesterday and asked questions and was told that with my TSH at .05 he would increase the MMI to bring it up. That seems to be the standard answer so I guess that isn't an option either....bummer.....:)) I was sure hoping for a different response but unfortunately I didn't get it.

I had this horrible feeling that you would tell me this....so sorry it didn't work out. I just don't get it with these doctors (dizzy icon here)

Killer with my doctor - she's an internist and says "we know to ignore TSH in Graves' disease". She recognizes that I need my levels towards the high end of the range to be symptom-free...she even said once that even though my levels were within the normal range, they weren't my normal (they had dropped).

I sent two hypo people to her and those are the people she dropped the ball with. Sheesh.

I do wish you the utmost success in your quest to find Dr. Right - he/she is out there.

Thanks for the support - wish I lived closer to you....:)) I'm sure there is someone somewhere but I am so tired of looking.....:)) I may just
give up and work with the person I have and hopefully we can get to the same end result......its exhausting to say the least......I certainly don't need the drama that's for sure....:)))
Have a good rest of the day.
Cindee