Please find another doctor who does not dose by the TSH. TSH is a pituitary hormone and is falsely skewed by thyroid antibodies. It does not have anything to do with the MMI (Methimazole) you take. The MMI works with the Free T4 you take.

Is the FT4 which is at 1.11 from the May 3, 2010 lab results? Mid range for the Free T4 is 1.3. You are below mid range and maybe heading hypO.

The FT3 is also below mid range as well. Mid range for you would be: 3.2.

Getting a TSI antibodies test done to find out where you are at to see if you are heading for a remission. Ideally it should be at 50 and under to try for remission.

Ignore the TSH. The only time it's useful for as a tool is at the beginning of GD and seeing how low it gets. Also when one is on too much ATD (antithyroid drug) and the TSH can get high.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

I agree with everything mm said.

Here's a link to a thread I wrote explaining why TSH should be ignored in Graves':

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/graves-disease-general-info/discussions/messages/8369152

I have been in remission since early Oct. 09 after going hypo on 1.25mg daily.....I had over 60 hypo symptoms and my FT4 was 1.01 range .82-1.77

My TSH was still suppressed at that time since my antibodies were (and still are) elevated.

Don't know if you've ever heard of Elaine Moore but, she is the author of "Graves' Disease - A Practical Guide". She also has a website www.elaine-moore.com that is HON-certified (just as Mayo Clinic's site, WebMD and 6000+ other sites have been certified to supply reliable health info).

Anyhooo, she has a Q&A Forum in which registered users can submit questions and she answers them directly.

She guided me along the way to remission and told me that many people go into remission yet test positive for antibodies for many years afterwards.

I suspect your tiredness is due to your low FreeT4 level - most people feel/function best with mid-range levels.

Your doctor is sadly mistaken with her recommendations.

Thanks MM and Cd. Yes, the FT4 1.11 Range .82 - 1.77 was 05/03/10. My MD will go along with what I request, she's been super supporting me and helping me through this. I just don't know enough correct info to pass on to her since she's my primary not endo. The endos I had (3) were all for RAI -- period! Do you think I should stick with the 1.25mg, in separate doses. How can I get Free T4 levels up to get some energy? I will check out Elain Moore, I'm just used to this site!!! Thanks again, I really appreciate your input and caring. Sorry the three labs came out so bad, I typed them in three columns even though you'd never know it!!!
DianeM

I honestly think you should take 1.25 mg every other day to see if your FT4 comes up.

You are making SOME TSH so that is a good sign (this is the same thing Elaine Moore told me about my situation)

If you cannot get your FT4 to at least mid-range with 1.25mg every other day, there's a good chance you are in remission.

Sometimes, as we move through our Graves' journies, our bodies not only produce TSI (antibody that stimulates the thyroid to produce hormone and lower TSH) but also blocking antibodies which can lower both the FT4 and TSH.

Elaine explained to me that this most likely applied to me since I went hypo on 1.25mg yet my TSH was still under-range (.114)

As I told you previously, I am in remission yet my last TSH was .015....I "went thru" 3 endos as well and an internist is caring for me now.

She recognizes the impact the antibodies can have on TSH so isn't concerned about mine - especially since I AM making some.

Best of luck to you moving forward :)

the girls are right, if your Free T's are low to mid range, you are NOT going hyper. If they continue to climb and climb, it's a possibility but you have to wait and see. You should be dosed by FT4 in Graves as Elaine Moore explains and as your levels stand now you are fine.You can ask her a question at her website and only she answers you,like CD said.