Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Hello All,
I'm new to this group. Well, new as in this is my first post.
Everyone here is so knowledgeable, so I know I'm in the right place :)
My adventure with this thyroid thing began last month. I saw my dr with symptoms of fatigue, trouble sleeping and very dry, itchy skin.
The skin being what I thought was the worst problem.
Dr prescribed steroid creme and ordered blood tests. I had no idea what
he was testing for.
When the first set of test results were ready, Dr's office called in the Rx for Levothyroxine, because they said my Thyroid levels were a little low.
Dr's office later called to set up 2nd testing appt. I was able to access my results via our online health portal. I have not heard back from the dr. yet as far as 2nd test results.
Here are my test results for both. The range is in parethesis.
My first test results on 12/11/14:
After this initial test result I was prescribed Levothyroxine .25
Free T4 (0.8 1.6) 1.2
TSH (.34 -4 .82) 6.66
Dr then scheduled me for re-testing and these are the results:
Test Results 1/19/15:
TSH (.34 4.82) 3.50
Free T4 (0.8 1.6) 1.1s
T3 Free (2.3 4.2) 2.6
As far as symptoms - my fatigue is not much better. Skin a little better (only itching on half my body, lol).
I believe since starting the Levothyroxine my sleep is worse!
I saw that there are a couple folks here that are very educated at looking at these numbers. I would so appreciate it if someone would take a look and let me know if my Dr is on the right path?
I've been trying to educate myself on all of this, so much to learn!
Sorry this post is so long and thank you in advance!
I'm new to this group. Well, new as in this is my first post.
Everyone here is so knowledgeable, so I know I'm in the right place :)
My adventure with this thyroid thing began last month. I saw my dr with symptoms of fatigue, trouble sleeping and very dry, itchy skin.
The skin being what I thought was the worst problem.
Dr prescribed steroid creme and ordered blood tests. I had no idea what
he was testing for.
When the first set of test results were ready, Dr's office called in the Rx for Levothyroxine, because they said my Thyroid levels were a little low.
Dr's office later called to set up 2nd testing appt. I was able to access my results via our online health portal. I have not heard back from the dr. yet as far as 2nd test results.
Here are my test results for both. The range is in parethesis.
My first test results on 12/11/14:
After this initial test result I was prescribed Levothyroxine .25
Free T4 (0.8 1.6) 1.2
TSH (.34 -4 .82) 6.66
Dr then scheduled me for re-testing and these are the results:
Test Results 1/19/15:
TSH (.34 4.82) 3.50
Free T4 (0.8 1.6) 1.1s
T3 Free (2.3 4.2) 2.6
As far as symptoms - my fatigue is not much better. Skin a little better (only itching on half my body, lol).
I believe since starting the Levothyroxine my sleep is worse!
I saw that there are a couple folks here that are very educated at looking at these numbers. I would so appreciate it if someone would take a look and let me know if my Dr is on the right path?
I've been trying to educate myself on all of this, so much to learn!
Sorry this post is so long and thank you in advance!
Your TSH is down a bit, but that's not ultimately going to tell us when you're "better". Your Free T3 and Free T4 will tell us when you're on the right path. I'm glad to see that your doc actually ran a Free T3 test.
Labs from 1.19.15
Free T4
Range: 0.800 -1.600
result: 1.100
Percent of range: 37.50%
Target range: 1.40 -1.60
You're only at 37.5% of range, and most people feel well at 75-100% of range..sometimes slightly over that range.
Free T3
Range:2.300 -4.200
Result: 2.600
Percent of Range: 15.79%
Target range: 3.73 -3.82
Most people feel well when the Free T3 is at 50/60-100% of range.
As you can see, you're no where near well :) And, hypothyroidism is a process -not like getting a headache and taking an aspirin. It takes time and increases. Meaning, your doc won't rx enough thyroid meds in the first visit because that would be too much for your system. Instead, it works like this:
Labs
RX Meds (increase)
Go back to step 1 four weeks after your last increase
Do this until you're in the healthy range and have no symptoms
Until that process is complete (in the target range AND feeling well with no symptoms), you will have to nudge your doc to get regular increases every four to six weeks.
Based on your labs...that should be too hard. Your TSH is still high and your Free's are close to nothing. If you don't hear back from your doctor, call him/her.
Now I'm getting it. I probably won't feel good until the numbers are in the higher percentages. After asking around I'm finding that half my family is hypothyroid! Even a couple of the men.
So hopefully my dr gets back to me with a meds increase, soon.
In order to fully balance a thyroid - it takes anywhere from six months to eighteen months - and that's with regular (4-6 wks) labs and increases (every 4-6 weeks). So, don't give up and stay on your doctor to give you that increase, K?
Keep us posted!
The nurse relayed to me that my dr said my numbers are all normal now, to keep taking the same 25 mg levothyroxide and he would see me in a year.
If my numbers are "normal". Why am I so tired all of the time? Ughhh!!
All I can say is.... there is no quick fix for most of us. It can take an astonishing amount of time before we start to feel better and just because a chart says we are "normal" for "normal" people, that doesn't mean we are "optimized."
As you know by now, our disorder has a LOT of symptoms. You will become super-aware of your body in ways you never before noticed.
After a while, you will see some improvement in some, maybe not all, areas.
What I have learned is not to settle for "almost."
Believe me, I am incredibly grateful to have more energy, less brain-fog, no more depression.... but until the fibromyalgia is completely gone, I will keep going back to my doctors and conniving to get them to get off their @$$es and DO SOMETHING to titrate the medications.
Welcome to the site! You will learn a Lot here from some very generous people who are selflessly devoted to helping us.
Giving you 25mcg and saying, "I'll see you in a year" is NOT helping you and could quite possibly harm you.
Either nudge this doctor or find a new one. Thyroid time is long as it is. What you need now is a knowledgeable doctor who will help you achieve wellness by testing you regularly and giving you regular increases (there's no need to wait more than 4-6 weeks).