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...

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megsmom8816 01/30/2015

I have been on Tirosint for about 9 months now. I started at 137 mg and after the last blood work it was raised last week to 150 mg. Here are the results. My doctor says I am close to being optimal....based on how I feel, I am not so sure.

TSH 3.35 Range: 0.4-4.5

Free T4 1.2 Range .80-1.5

Free T3 2.8 Range: 2.3-4.2

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

MButterfly 01/30/2015

Howdy,

Free T4
Range: 0.800 -1.500
Result: 1.200
Percent of range: 57.14%

Free T3
Range: 2.300 -4.200
Result: 2.800
Percent of range: 26.32%

No wonder you feel crappy. Your Free T4 is only 57% of range, and your Free T3 is only 26% of range. I wouldn't be upright with those numbers! How does your doctor think you're close to "optimal". Even if your doc is using the infamous TSH test, your TSH is still QUITE high at 3.35. A typical "healthy" person has a TSH of 1 or below.

You have a ways to go...but you'll get there. And, it's not -that- far off. I mean, with your increase in your triosint you could get another uptick in Free T4. The next labs will tell the tale. Don't give up!

megsmom8816 01/30/2015

Thanks. How do you figure out the percent of range?

MButterfly 01/31/2015

Here ya go:

You take the result and subtract the low end of the range to get: A

You take the high end of the range and subtract the low end of the range to get: B

Then: A divided by B= Percent of Range

megsmom8816 01/31/2015

Thanks! That's helpful to know.

JeepGirl83 01/31/2015

Hi Megsmom,

Yes, your TSH is still quite elevated. Usually its best at 1 or below. You are close to seeing optimal with your FT4 level. But your FT3 is low......

Have you ever had your Reverse T3 level checked? I ask because T4 converts into either 'active' thyroid hormone T3 or into 'inactive' thyroid hormone RT3, which is useless. Wondering how your body is converting?

megsmom8816 01/31/2015

No, I have never had that done. Should I request it next time? My doctor always only does the three....and she is supposedly the leading endo. in the area.

JeepGirl83 01/31/2015

Yes, it would be good to check Reverse T3 level, at least one time just to see where it is. You must run a Free T3 and a Reverse T3 at same blood draw.

Info on RT3 here: http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/reverse-t3/

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