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...
I am so grateful to everyone here because thanks to you, I knew exactly what to expect from the results of my first blood test....
I am taking 25mcg of Levothyroxine. Based on how I have been feeling - more alert, no longer depressed, excited about Life for the first time n years BUT still physically sluggish, puffy, achy, dry skin...... I knew the chances would be that I would still have a T3 issue....
Well - I was right on target! Here are the results:
Triiodothyronine: 73.3
Thyroxine: 12.4
TSH: 1.98
Thyroxine Free: 1.11
Free T3: 2.2
T3 uptake: 28.7%
So, basically, I am still having problems converting T4. My doctor s going to put me on cytomel and I expect to be even better than I already am!
I am amazed at what a difference this has made in my life! I know that things will get even better!
Yipppppeeeeeee! It's working!!!!
I am taking 25mcg of Levothyroxine. Based on how I have been feeling - more alert, no longer depressed, excited about Life for the first time n years BUT still physically sluggish, puffy, achy, dry skin...... I knew the chances would be that I would still have a T3 issue....
Well - I was right on target! Here are the results:
Triiodothyronine: 73.3
Thyroxine: 12.4
TSH: 1.98
Thyroxine Free: 1.11
Free T3: 2.2
T3 uptake: 28.7%
So, basically, I am still having problems converting T4. My doctor s going to put me on cytomel and I expect to be even better than I already am!
I am amazed at what a difference this has made in my life! I know that things will get even better!
Yipppppeeeeeee! It's working!!!!
The testing you had done is not what you really need, the FREE t3 and FREE t4 is essential. Your TSH is elevated. You are on a beginning dose of Levo so have probably a long way to go with testing every 6 weeks and adjusting doses.
Re: Cytomel. I was given that a while back, not from my new team of doctors but some former ones, and I did not react to it well at all, it gave me huge anxiety instantly with one dose, so keep that in mind.
Triiodothyronine: 73.3 (60-181)
Thyroxine: 12.4 (5.7-11.4)
TSH: 1.98 (.55-4.78)
Thyroxine Free: 1.11 (.80-1.76)
Free T3: 2.2 (2.3-4.2)
T3 uptake: 28.7% (22.5-37)
I started slow-acting cytomel this morning. Hope this will resolve the fibromyalgia and the remaining sluggishness and inability to lose the 10 pounds I put on....
Would love your thought!
Thanks!!!
Just so you know, your low-in-the-range FreeT4 level (thyroxine free) shows the need for a T4 (levothyroxine) dose increase.
Another thing to be aware of is the fact that taking exogenous T3 often lowers TSH due to biochemical process.
When your TSH lowers, your thyroid isn't being stimulated as much to produce thyroid hormone.
Most of us find that, after starting T3, not only does our TSH decrease but, our FreeT4 level.
Now that you've shared the ranges for your results, I can tell you that most people would need their FreeT4 level to be at *least* 1.6 and often closer to 1.7-1.8 to be free from symptoms.
And, they'd also need their FreeT3 level to be at least 3.8.
Both of these values apply to labs done without meds in the system.
Best of luck to you moving forward!!
Yippppeeeeee!
When do you think I should ask for a follow up blood test?
Thanks so much for your guidance!!!
Your levels are quite low I am sure you know that? I am quite surprised that you feel well with those numbers in those ranges.
I think you are the first person to say that on this forum!
Now I am very curious as to what is going on.