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...
So on Wednesday, I will be going to my primary care physician to get bloodwork done. This will be the first time since I discovered this board, and the wealth of information on it.
The two previous times I've gone to her she has tested me for TSH only.
It looks like I need to get TSH, free T3, and free T4 done. Anything else I should have her look for?
New to all this, I appreciate any (and all) advice. Thanks.
The two previous times I've gone to her she has tested me for TSH only.
It looks like I need to get TSH, free T3, and free T4 done. Anything else I should have her look for?
New to all this, I appreciate any (and all) advice. Thanks.
Sorry for the reason you're here but, glad you found us.
Since you are already taking levothyroxine, that tells me you've already been diagnosed.
The FreeT3 and FreeT4 tests are really the only ones you need. Doctors seem to like to always test TSH :)
It seems people have different opinions as to whether or not to take their meds before labs.
I think almost everyone agrees that consistency is key.
I take my levo at night and usually get my labs done around 1:30 PM.
Since I also take T3 and divide the dose into 2/day, I still take my 8AM dose but, wait to take my 2PM dose if my blood is being drawn a little later than 1:30PM.
If you want accurate readings from one set of labs to another, it would be good for you to try to have labs done around the same time each day.
If you take your levo in the morning and get labs in the morning, it would probably be better to take the levo after your labs.
Feel free to post your labs here for interpretation.
You'll need to post the ranges for your FreeT4 and FreeT3 results since different labs use different ranges and your results can only be properly interpreted within the context of your lab's ranges.
I suspect you're not feeling 100% so, coming here and posting your labs will be the first step on your path to wellness.
We have lots of collective experience and research to share. Glad you'll let us help you along the way :)
I'll get those 3 labs done...hopefully the doctor will do them, as she hasn't mentioned the T3 and T4 tests to me before.
I'm currently on 75 mcg levothyroxine, but still having symptoms and haven't had a TSH test in range yet since all this started. I don't expect this lab test to be in range, either :( so I expect to get my levothyroxine bumped up again. This is a little frustrating, as I'm also trying to lose weight and can't seem to drop pounds. I'm also having mood problems, hair loss, and I'm freezing to death even though it's nearly 80 degrees outside.
Please be sure to get the FREE T4 and FREE T3 tests....any other T4 or T3 test is truly useless.
Just so you know, there are lots of medical references about the importance of these tests. Even "Thyroid for Dummies" mentions this.
Not too many people take 75mcg as a therapeutic dose.
Unfortunately, we do have to titrate up on our doses slowly so, it is quite the process to optimize our doses/levels.
The best we can do is get labs every 6 wks. and push the doctor for dose increases until our levels are similar to the types of levels healthy people have: FreeT4 and FreeT3 around 60-80% of range.
Once you get your results, I'll do the math for you to show you what to consider as treatment goals for your levels.
It's really best to aim for the "most commonly comfortable" levels and, once you achieve them, ask the doctor to tweak your dose a bit to address any residual symptoms.
If it's of any comfort to you, the issues you are currently dealing with are all common in people who still need their levels optimized.
Treating thyroid disease really requires a patient patient (it's the pits)
It's nice to know that I'm not (too) weird with my symptoms! I'll post again in a week when I get the results of my blood work.