Often for many people when the FT4 is too low, the FT3 rises. It never was the case with me though.

I suggest eating raw goitrogen foods. But this is for lowering down both Free Ts.

Avoid any other dietary/environmental triggers which can cause the FT3 to rise. I assume you have had kept track of the triggers in a small notebook to know which ones will do this?

I no longer keep track of the triggers in a small notebook as I had to in the beginning to be able to memorize all of these.

{{{hugs}}}

Thanks MMz - to be honest I haven't been at this level for any length of time to realy know what the triggers are. I do know that sugar is one for sure. When I talk about the HR being up, it is running about 10 beats faster then normal which puts it in the higher 6t0's and low 70's so not high by most people's numbers. I wondered about the raw
food if it affected both FT's and I don't want the FT 4 any lower so
was thinking about going to the 1.25 and seeing if that may raise the
FT4 and maybe lower the FT3 slightley? Boy this fine tunign is
almost as tough as the first part.....:)) This is the first time I've
had labs that were almost the same since we started but I was concerned that the FT3 went up a few notches. I am exercising pretty intensely and understand that may have an effect on the FT3?

Thanks again.
CIndee Huggs back!

The ATD you take will have more effect on the FT4. The FT3 would not be effected by it.

However if one took the PTU, then this ATD effects both Free T3 and Free T4.

I think that if it were me, and I lowered the MMI I take to get the FT4 to come up, then I could safely take the raw goitrogens without any problems. I have done this by doing exactly this.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

P.S. I mean eating the raw goitrogens especially just for the FT3 and leave the MMI dosing for the FT4...

Thanks, that makes sense. Have you found any of the raw goitrogen foods more effective then others? I am going to go with the 1.25 to see if the FT4 will hold or rise just slightly and diet for the FT3 and see what happens. Keep you fingers crossed and lots of prayers....:)) Should have a new dr by the next lab draw.
Thanks again,
Cindee

There's nothing wrong with having a high FT3 unless you have symptoms.

I'm now taking thyroid hormone replacement since I joined the 20% of Graves' patients that go hypo after remission.

My optimal levels are quite high in the range. In fact, I've been over-range for both the FT4 and FT3 and still felt great.

These are my optimal levels: FT4 1.7 - 1.84 (.82-1.76) and FT3 3.8-4.7 (2.0-4.4)

Now, when my FT4 went to 1.95, I had 2 extremely minor hyper symptoms (achy knees and "bouncy legs" in the evening). A very small dose adjustment took care of things.

That FT3 4.7 (2.0-4.4) I had at the time of my last labs - that's that highest my FT3 has been and I'm feeling awesome (I, too, am an avid exerciser - I'm in week 5 of my second round of the 13-wk P90X fitness program).

My doctor is fine with my levels as long as I'm feeling good.

Oh, my TSH? .01 :)

Thanks cd - I think that is part of the question - I am noticing my HR a bit higher - I train for duathlons and triathlons so am always pushing so to speak and know what is normal for me as I use a heart rate monitor. This is the first time since starting this that I've been almost the same. Again, I think I'll try the 1.25 and hope the FT4 comes up a bit and then see what happens with the FT3. This is unknow territory for me just as it was in the beginning, so I really appreciate everyone's input as you guys have been at this point before and have gone through it.

Cindee

Oh yeah, thought I'd mention the achy knee part - that has been my normal for so long with the training I do I don't know where the graves begins and the training ends if you know what I mean. LOL

cindeeh

You know what the killer is for me? The first 3 endos to care for me never ran a FreeT3 test so, I have no idea what my history might have been.

And, I was horribly hypo throughout much of my ATD journey and only identified my optimal levels after going hypo. Thank goodness I had finally partnered with a thyroid-savvy doctor when this happened.

I am aware of people dealing with hypo levels yet, elevated heart rate so, I think it's good you'll "try on " slightly higher levels....let's hope you're pleasantly surprised (as I was :)

When you think about the fact that thyroid hormone fuels every cell in the body, I don't think it's a surprise that people who are avid exercisers might need higher levels.

Forgot to mention...my achy knees can confuse me as well because there are times I am sore after workouts so I do know what you mean. lol

My history has shown that, if achy knees follow afternoon fatigue, I'm heading hypo.

And, for the one time I went a little hyper, the achy knees were followed by the "bouncy legs" in the evening a few days later - I was very fortunate that I had labs right then and the dose adjustment took care of things within a week.

I think it's a good idea for you to reduce your dose to see what happens....everything just might even out.