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-
I was diagnosed as hypothyroid in March of this year. My TSH was 25. My symptoms were weight gain, fatigue, depression, brain fog.
Some background:
I had steroid induced Cushing's Syndrome in 2012/13. I have very severe eczema and unexplained allergic reactions and was given too many steroids. I stopped taking steroids and the weight gain I had suffered from Cushing's went away. But then last spring (2014) I began gaining weight again for reasons I couldn't explain. Due to insurance issues, I could not get into a dr until this March. My weight is now 203. Normal weight for me is between 140-160. I am an active, health conscious person.
My dr put me on 100mcg of levothyroxine six weeks ago. She said I should experience an increase in energy and weight loss. To help speed this along I went vegan, stopped eating gluten and do 30 mn of yoga in the morning and take a 30-45 mn walk at night.
I went this week for my 6 week check in, thinking that I can't be on the right dose yet bc I still sleep 12 hours a day and my depression is very bad, also my energy has not changed. But my blood work came back that my TSH is 2.480 and my T4, free is 1.08. My dr says this is normal range and to keep taking the medicine as is and to see her again in three months?
My dr and I were both surprised I had not lost any weight with all the changes I had implemented and the new medicine. I am only weighing myself every six weeks, trying not to obsess and work toward health above all, but I had not even lost one pound!
I don't know what to do. My symptoms are the same as when I sought treatment six weeks ago and I can't find any information on if this is normal. Most things I've read online say that ppl usually feel better in a couple weeks?
I have been trying to read these support group discussions but I am baffled by the labs and all the different blood work/test result lingo. I'm happy to share what my labs have been...but I don't understand what any of it means.
If anyone has a minute to offer me advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I am so frustrated and am having trouble feeling hopeful for my future.
Thank you.
I was diagnosed as hypothyroid in March of this year. My TSH was 25. My symptoms were weight gain, fatigue, depression, brain fog.
Some background:
I had steroid induced Cushing's Syndrome in 2012/13. I have very severe eczema and unexplained allergic reactions and was given too many steroids. I stopped taking steroids and the weight gain I had suffered from Cushing's went away. But then last spring (2014) I began gaining weight again for reasons I couldn't explain. Due to insurance issues, I could not get into a dr until this March. My weight is now 203. Normal weight for me is between 140-160. I am an active, health conscious person.
My dr put me on 100mcg of levothyroxine six weeks ago. She said I should experience an increase in energy and weight loss. To help speed this along I went vegan, stopped eating gluten and do 30 mn of yoga in the morning and take a 30-45 mn walk at night.
I went this week for my 6 week check in, thinking that I can't be on the right dose yet bc I still sleep 12 hours a day and my depression is very bad, also my energy has not changed. But my blood work came back that my TSH is 2.480 and my T4, free is 1.08. My dr says this is normal range and to keep taking the medicine as is and to see her again in three months?
My dr and I were both surprised I had not lost any weight with all the changes I had implemented and the new medicine. I am only weighing myself every six weeks, trying not to obsess and work toward health above all, but I had not even lost one pound!
I don't know what to do. My symptoms are the same as when I sought treatment six weeks ago and I can't find any information on if this is normal. Most things I've read online say that ppl usually feel better in a couple weeks?
I have been trying to read these support group discussions but I am baffled by the labs and all the different blood work/test result lingo. I'm happy to share what my labs have been...but I don't understand what any of it means.
If anyone has a minute to offer me advice, I would greatly appreciate it. I am so frustrated and am having trouble feeling hopeful for my future.
Thank you.
Free T4 .8-1.8 (or whatever)
thanks.
You will find a lot of company here and might even find some answers.
But this is, for most of us, a very long slog.....
Hang in there!
Sorry. I had a busy week, it took me a few days to get back to you, MButterfly. Here are my labs that were done in reference to my symptoms of weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, depression:
name: value: range:
TSH 2.480 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL (range)
T4,Free(Direct) 1.08 0.82-1.77 ng/dL (range)
Prolactin 9.6 4.8-23.3 ng/mL
IGF I 172 73-243 ng/mL
Vitamin B12 420 211-946 pg/mL
Folate (Folic Acid), Serum 11.9 >3.0 ng/mL
Iron Bind.Cap.(TIBC) 333 250-450 ug/dL
UIBC 201 150-375 ug/dL
Iron, Serum 132 35-155 ug/dL
Iron Saturation 40 15-55 %
Cortisol - AM 16.2 6.2-19.4 ug/dL
Ferritin, Serum 25 15-150 ng/mL
INR 1.0 0.8-1.2
Prothrombin Time 10.3 9.1-12.0 sec
aPTT 30 24-33 sec
Cholesterol, Total 220 100-199 mg/dL
Triglycerides 153 0-149 mg/dL
HDL Cholesterol 46 >39 mg/dL
VLDL Cholesterol Calc 31 5-40 mg/dL
LDL Cholesterol Calc 143 0-99 mg/dL
Vitamin B6 10.2 2.0-32.8 ug/L
Hemoglobin A1c 5.5 4.8-5.6 %
I also had a CMC panel done and a CBC panel done if you want to look at it/or if it makes any difference. And for reference these were my lab results when I was diagnosed in March:
Name Value Reference Range
TSH 25.060 0.450-4.500 uIU/mL
T4,Free 0.67 0.82-1.77 ng/dL
I'm currently on 100mcg of Levothyroxine.
Thanks again!
Free T4
Range: 0.820 -1.770
Result: 1.080
Percent of Range: 27.37%
Where to shoot for (where most people start to feel "ok") 1.53- 1.77
All your labs look ok, except that you can use a little B6 (or b complex for that matter), and your cholesterol, triglycerides and a1c is elevated- which isn't surprising at all.
Cholesterola levels, Triglycerides and of course the corresponding A1C all have an inverse relationship with thyroid levels - particularly Free T4 and Free T3. Once your thyroid levels start to rise for Free T4 and Free T3, those levels for triglycerides, cholesterol and A1C should start to fall provided you have a fairly healthy diet as well.
When you visit your doc - if you haven't already - push for an increase in T4 meds (synthroid). You're currently on 100 mcg, I'd ask for 25 mcg increase if it were me. And, next time you have your labs done - demand (politely but firmly) a Free T3 test. I suspect it will be low because your Free T4 is low...but as your Free T4 rises, you're going to have to take a look at it to see if you're converting enough Free T4 to Free T3 once Free T4 is optimized.
I also suspect you're still having lots of symptoms - all those you listed are parr for the course for your 27% of range Free T4. Most people don't feel well with a level below 60-100% of range. I couldn't stand upright with a level like yours.
The fact that your TSH is still above 1 should also give your doc the nudge to give you more meds - and 25 mcg increase isn't unreasonable.
I have a doctor's apt on June 11. How do I best convey to her that my Free T4 is at 27% and most people feel better at 60-100%, I'd like a Free T3 test and 25 mcg more of my medicine? I feel like if I say I read it on a forum, she's going to be dubious. I also worry about how to convey I'd like to shoot for a lower TSH value. I mean, my symptoms are not improving but idk how she will react bc I'm in a normal "range". How would you say it to your doctor?
Thank you.
Some of them get REALLY offended. But, the smart ones will work with you. The only way to find out is to press gently but firmly for an increase.
Here's what has worked best for me(and others) in the past:
"Hello. Thank you for identifying the problem - hypothyroidism. I'm trying to do my part: exercise, eating right, etc. However, I'm still sleeping 12-14 hours a day, I'm extremely fatigued and cannot function, and I have a deep-depression-like-feeling that I'm certain is related to my thyroid because I didn't have this issue previously. So, for now, can WE TRY an increase of 25mcg-50mcg of synthroid? I'll defer to you on the dosage (cough cough), and I'll return in six weeks to get more labs done to ensure I'm not over-doing it."
Wait for response...if none comes immediately say, "I really need some relief here in order to keep my (insert job/family/whatever)"
If the doc is helpful, then you might ask for a Free T3 at the same visit. If not:
Next visit, ask for a Free T3/Free T4 test. Your doc DID the Free T4 test (and of course the blasted TSH test), but not the Free T3 test. However, your Free T3 won't "buck up" until your Free T4 is optimized, so waiting six weeks won't hurt.
Then, do as you promised and return in six weeks for labs - get them from your doctor's office - post 'em here and we can help prior to your visit so you'll know what to do (if you're not comfortable doing that for yourself just yet).
That's the best advice I can give you, and you're right - most docs are suspicious of the "interweb" and I don't really blame them. There's alot of bad advice out there too.
Also, I get this stuff from textbooks and people who've gone through all this before me bear it out. If you need textbook references I can provide them. But, I'd go the route I posted above first.