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...
Okay, so I saw a specialist last week, and he did some new blood work. I have been suffering with horrible numbers for a long time. I have been on 137 mg of Tirosint for about six weeks. Today my doctor emailed me my new results...which I am really baffled by. If you know my history, and many of you do, my numbers have not been right for about 15 years. I still don't feel great on Tirosint, and the only improvement I have seen is in my fatigue, and that only slightly.
Here are my new numbers
TSH was 0.11mu/l (normal being 0.3-5.5); FT4 1.18mg/ml (0.76-1.7); FT3 2.9pg/ml (1.9-3.9).
If you recall, my TSH in July was 30.50 and my other numbers were on the high end of normal.
Does this sound right to you "experts" - and yes, I trust many of you more than I do the professionals.
By the way, he said weight gain and hypothyroid are rarely related...which really threw me off. He said it was my poor eating habits and menopause....and I diet all the time and eat fairly well.
Here are my new numbers
TSH was 0.11mu/l (normal being 0.3-5.5); FT4 1.18mg/ml (0.76-1.7); FT3 2.9pg/ml (1.9-3.9).
If you recall, my TSH in July was 30.50 and my other numbers were on the high end of normal.
Does this sound right to you "experts" - and yes, I trust many of you more than I do the professionals.
By the way, he said weight gain and hypothyroid are rarely related...which really threw me off. He said it was my poor eating habits and menopause....and I diet all the time and eat fairly well.
I know you have been suffering for a l-o-n-g time and recently learned that most thyroid patients suffer unless they become more proactive with their care.
I commend you for your efforts.
Just so you know, we'll be able to provide the best advice if you not only post your current labs (excellent job, btw!) but, also your previous ones.
I was confused by your statement that your "other numbers were on the high end of normal" and looked through your old posts.
I found this:
"Here are my latest labs, which I had done on June 7th.
TSH 30.38 Normal Range 0.4-4.5
Free T4 0.7 Normal Range 0.8-1.50
Free T3 2.6 Normal Range 2.3-4.2 "
And, if my memory is correct, your doctor only ran TSH the last time....maybe that's when it was 30.50?
Anyway, what really counts is your actual thyroid hormone levels - FreeT4 and FreeT3.
Your levels back in June were closer to the LOW end of normal (which really makes more sense with a very high TSH)
So, your current labs show that your FT4 increased quite a bit (congrats!) and your FT3 increases somewhat as well.
I can understand why you're still not feeling good because your current levels would still be way too low for 95% of the population.
Most people need their levels in the upper part of the range to be free from symptoms.
Based upon your lab's ranges, this means FT4 at least 1.5 and possibly as high as 1.7 (or even a little higher)......and FT3 around 3.5 and possibly as high as 3.9.
The fact that your FT3 level is proportionately higher in the range than your FT4 level is a good sign. It means that your body is converting the T4 storage hormone in your Tirosint into T3, the active hormone.
As of right now, your labs indicate that a Tirosint dose increase will help move things forward for you.
Unfortunately, doctors are too quick to dismiss thyroid issues to anything but the thyroid. Weight gain is a common issue with thyroid disease of any type.
It's entirely possible to maintain a healthy weight.....when thyroid levels are appropriate.
So, even though the doctor is "off" with his statement about weight, did he increase your dose?
When will you go back for your next set of labs?
I suspect the doctor is looking at your TSH......that is the only reason doctors reduce the dose.
According to countless resources including the online thyroid textbook www.thyroidmanager.org, people who are optimally medicated on levothyroxine will have TSH below 1.....and, more importantly, FT4 level in the upper part of the range or slightly elevated....and FT3 level in the upper half of the range.
Your doctor is ignoring the two most important aspects (FT4/FT3 levels) of proper treatment.
Are you able to see a different doctor?