Hi:

Where in the normal ranges were you? We tell people to aim for the mid ranges of the Free T3 and the Free T4 to see how they feel.

Unfortunately if thyroid levels are not in the 'right' places, the TSI antibodies can remain high.

Then there are those people who have TED and really do have normal thyroid levels. Those who have had problems will come and respond to you as they have more experience than I do about this.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

Thanks for your input, mmztcass. Here are my most recent lab results:

TSH 4.00 Standard Range is 0.34 - 4.82
Free T4 1.02 Standard Range is 0.6 - 1.6
Free T3 3.01 Standard Range is 2.3 - 4.2

I am actually feeling pretty good as long as I get exercise, plenty of rest (I certainly can't multi-task like I used to), and manage my irritating eye symptoms with the Restasis and Nasonex spray. I also do better if I'm not in over-stimulating situations like board meetings where I have to be "on". I get overwhelmed very easily when in stressful situations. But the most annoying thing is the double, double, vision, vision, especially first thing in the morning.
Hugs to you, too. Appreciate any insights from others walking this challenging journey.
BEST

Okay...mid range for your FT3 is: 3.25. Mid range for the FT4 is: 1.1.

Apparently even though we do not go and dose by the TSH, we do look at it and use it as a clue to see why it would be high or low. It looks like both of your Free Ts are just a tad bit low which would explain why the TSH is 4.00.

I would call this being subclinical hypO. Perhaps following some simple dietary guidelines may help you?

I would avoid eating raw goitrogen foods. If you eat any Soy such as by itself or in processed foods, I would avoid it.

Has your doctor checked you for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis? The antibodies tests would be TPOab and TgAb.

I have antibodies for both Hashi's and GD. GD was stronger for me in the past 10+ years. Prior I was undiagnosed hypO for 20+ years.

{{{hugs}}}

I know exactly what you are going through with the ted. I have been dealing with it almost 3 years. My opth told me it has 3 stages. I am hopefully in last stage where it goes inactive. I tried steroids also and they didnt help. I had to wear sunglasses due to intolerance to light. I can now handle the light, but I wear tinted glasses to prevent all the redness. I sleep with my head elevated to reduce swelling. I use restasis in morning and at night, and lotemax which is a steroid type eye drop 3-4 times a day, and genteal gel at night. I use systane eye drops several times a day for dryness. I also have the plugs in my tear ducts. I found that stress will aggrevate mine worse than anything, and my job is very stressful. When mine first started my tsi was 382 and when I had it rechecked a year ago it was down to 100. I am having it checked again in June, and very ready to have surgery. I hope I helped some and I wish you the very best hun. This is the best group here you could ever talk to. They have helped me so much. they are great........yes, mmz and dairytech, I am talking about you :) All of you are the best

Thank you, mmztcass, for reviewing my numbers. I would LOVE it if I could make some dietary adjustments and improve my quality of life. Where could I find the list of goitrogen foods to avoid? I have not been tested for Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, but I will talk to my doctors about that. This has never been suggested by any of the nine doctors who have examined me. Thanks so much for the great ideas. I would be interested in learning more about Hashimoto's, too. Do you have a recommended site for info? It is wonderful that you are reaching out to others. I am so sorry you were undiagnosed for so long. That must give you a passion to help others.
Hugs

Nine doctors...? Wow that is bad...!

The reason why I went undiagnosed for such a long time was because I wasn't as severe. I had symptoms, yes. I really should've have checked more thoroughly back then.

I will pop back in with another email about Hashimoto's soon. Hope I don't forget...! Here's a more completed goitrogen list.

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=2&nav=messages&webtag=ab-thyroid&tid=32370

{{{hugs}}}

Thank you, birdluvr,for sharing your struggles with me. Yes, I have tinted glasses, too, as well as prisms in my clear glasses. The prisms are a significant improvement in reducing eye fatigue. I highly recommend them, where indicated. I reduced my workload by nearly 70% over the past 15 months. I miss the income but I really couldn't physically manage too many things "hanging over my head", if you know what I mean. My husband is very supportive of me not overworking, which is a blessing. He goes to all my medical appointments with me, even though he really doesn't understand the complexities of Grave's. I've heard him try to relay what's going on to people who ask him, and some pretty funny answers come out of his mouth. HA! Do you know how you got your TSI from 382 down to 100? Did Grave's just "run its cycle"? I would be interested in any tips you may be able to provide. Thanks!

bestluv2u, I think my ted has about ran its cycle, at least I hope. I am so anxious to have it checked again in June. My eyes still get red and burn at times, but nothing like it used to do. Its been a long, rough journey.

I'm having eye muscle surgery on March 28th. This surgery is to correct my double vision and loosen up my eye muscles. I will be taking pics of the surgery and posting them here along with what happened and how long it takes to recover. Big Hugs...Kathy

Thanks, Kathy. I pray your surgery will be successful and you will be able to enjoy life to the fullest. I'll be watching for your posts. Hugs to you, too. Appreciate your response. BESTLUV2U

MMZTCASS: I reviewed some of my tests and discovered that I did have a TPO AB test last June when I was diagnosed with Grave's. The standard range is less than 35 and mine was 238. I've made an appointment with my endocrinologist to discuss the possibility of Hashimoto's, too. I haven't had a TgAb so I will ask her about getting that. Really appreciate you taking the time to inform me. Hugs, BESTLUV2U

Anytime.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

I wish you the very best dairytech, you sure deserve it...........bigs hugs to you. I also will be watching for your posts.