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...
Just back from the endo. Bloodwork results:
* TSH 0.264 (0.65 - 3.70 MU/L); below range
* Free T4 10.3 (8.8 - 14.4 PMOL/L); just below 30 percent of range
* Free T3 4.8 (3.2 - 5.3 PMOL/L); just above 75 percent of range
Been on one Thyroid-S desiccated thyroid pill and 12.5 mcg generic T4 daily, with the Thyroid-S split into before-breakfast and mid-afternoon doses. My Free T3 looks ok but Free T4 is kinda low. Think I need to bump up to maybe 25 or 37.5 mcg? Thanks for any help.
* TSH 0.264 (0.65 - 3.70 MU/L); below range
* Free T4 10.3 (8.8 - 14.4 PMOL/L); just below 30 percent of range
* Free T3 4.8 (3.2 - 5.3 PMOL/L); just above 75 percent of range
Been on one Thyroid-S desiccated thyroid pill and 12.5 mcg generic T4 daily, with the Thyroid-S split into before-breakfast and mid-afternoon doses. My Free T3 looks ok but Free T4 is kinda low. Think I need to bump up to maybe 25 or 37.5 mcg? Thanks for any help.
Good luck!
Usually, with ranges similar to yours, the FreeT4 range is 12-24 or 10-20
No matter what, I'm glad that you recognize your level is low. Since your FreeT3 level is "up there", the slow and steady approach continues to be best.
I'd see about asking for 25mcg.....labs after 4-6 wks. and then a possible bump up to 37.5mcg if labs AND symptoms dictate.
Many people taking desiccated thyroid do very well with a top-of-the range FreeT3 level and FreeT4 level at mid-range or slightly higher.
Yes, some need to add T4 and it's only through trial and error that they discover what their optimal levels are.
You certainly don't want to overshoot your goal (go hyper on meds) - it lengthens an already too long journey.
UG
I did have some symptoms come back or get worse recently: http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hypothyroidism/forum/18465121-thyroid-gut-gluten-food Also still have my squint and get tired some evenings, though not as bad as before. Brain fog has mostly cleared :) And, yes, my endo (and all his colleagues in the country) pray to the TSH deity. No naturopaths or enlightened endos like your hubby here so I'm pretty much stuck with him. BTW I'm self-medicating; only use the endo for the bloodwork.
CD
It does say "Thyroxine (T4) Free, serum" in the report. Think my country (Singapore) uses the SI Units mentioned in http://www.globalrph.com/labs_t.htm I think the actual range is adjusted for each patient's body weight. Next set of bloodwork is in 16 weeks so I'll bump up T4 the slow and steady route and manage by symptom.
Thanks again :)
Yes, 16 weeks is a rather long wait. There are private labs here that should be able to run the tests. Will see how things go symptom-wise. Thanks.