Wow, I cant get total T3 here so dont know what that means, but thats good results right?

Congrats !

Im thinking about trying to see an integrative doc in their public practice as I cant afford the $150 visits. My Dr is brilliant, very open minded, but perhaps someone speaking the same language of holistic and having similar knowledge would be more beneficial for me. I feel like I read and know so much that mainstream doctors just dont have the time to look into for me on their 10 minute $30 consults.

Again, Im happy for you :-)

Thanks! I'm excited to see her approach. But it is expensive. $400 for me! Ack. Just for one visit. But from the start it is different. Just the intake paperwork is amazing compared to the stupid endocrinologist. These forms ask real questions.

My labs look. Eh. So tsh at 50%? T4 at 50%. But t3 at more like 10 %??? I think this is part of why I feel so hypo bad. Coupled with the tsh fluctuations. Also my urinalysis keeps coming back whack. Kidney stones for sure. But protein ketones wbc and a rack of icky cells keep showing up. Like for a year now. Maybe my problem is kidney disease? Time to make a urology appointment too I guess.

I spend more time with doctors than friends.

My endo or primary runs liver and kidney function tests once a year. So far, good. It sounds like you have multiple endocrine problems. I think your new doctor would run the tests for the kidneys if your not seeing an endo. I'm not sure, but I think a urologist is the wrong doctor for that.

Congrats on your new doctor and labs.

Yeah I couldnt work out your T3 as I only get FT3 here.

Thats what Im like on levothyroxine. If I take NDT my figures flip and come polar opposites.

So Ive been trying to increase my FT4 a bit. My compounder can change the value of the FT4 ratio in NDT but its cheaper for me to use Levo.

Im also looking at changing to Levo and Slow Release dessciated T3.

Actually good point. Not even sure why she did total. Seems not as relevant as FreeT but I'm a newbie or rather. I'm just now paying attention.

Maybe ask butterfly the relevance of Totals.

Are you on synthetic thyroxine?

The reason I ask is 1 is a really low number for antibodies (but these tests can be run multiple times and be random i believe).

If your FT3 is good, 50% up and you are on levo, Id say no hashimotos? and that you are a normal converter.

if it comes back low then you may be one of the very few who just dont convert well due to a gene issue (i read that somewhere so dont quote me). but you could have other inflammatory issues (gut, liver, brain, general tissue). or you may have other conditions occuring.

none of this is medical advice etc etc. just sharing possibilities i went through on my own journey.

your tsh and ft4 are perfect and antibodies low, would love to see a FT3. What medication and amount are you taking?

I haven't seen butterfly on the past day or two. But my phone doesn't load this group well. (You ok butterfly? Know you were struggling)

So I've never been on thyroid meds despite my surgery. My tsh is going through some fluctuations. My t4 is staying steady. (Good!) and yea my antibody is low so I think or hope that means good things. Looking back over labs I regularly have both t3 and ft3 in the low end. I wish that stupid endo had tested ft3 and reverse t3 like you all suggested.

Incidentally I'm rocking some short menstruel cycles now. My postpartum hormones are so effing whacky. I wish they'd leave me alone. (12 month out now. ) Integrative doc tomorrow. And some urine or kidney doc. I caught some of the stones to examine. Fun stuff. :-/

Again, I think it's INSANE that they took out half your thyroid and didn't put you on replacement meds. TSH is going to naturally fluctuate depending on the time of day and other factors, another reason why it isn't a reliable test for thyroid health. Free T4 and Free T3 are the only tests you should be looking at to see how your thyroid is doing.

As for the antibody test, you should have zero antibodies. The body isn't supposed to have antibodies that tell the immune system that the thyroid is an invader to be destroyed. A low level of antibodies indicates that you have the potential to develop full blown Hashimoto's. High antibodies means you already have. However those can fluctuate a lot too - flare up and go into remission if you will.

That's exciting about the new doctor! Remember, if she runs new tests ask to have the frees done.

well i kind of disagree.

my understanding is TSH and maybe total t4 are the most consistent measurements.

FT3 I have found is definitely the most fluctuating and especially if you are on T3 meds like cytomel or Armour as its all to do with taking your tests exactly the same timing as before.

either way id be getting that FT3 done asap as it doesnt appear you have high antibodies. which doesnt mean you cant have a problem converting T4 or just simply be one of the few who have a bung thyroid.

none of us are doctors so this isnt medical advise just opinion.

but the main thing is you have a new holistic Dr and can afford them. i envy you and I hope it all goes amazing for you :-)

Thanks all. Good advice as usual. I'll let you know how the doc goes today.

It is as expensive as heck! I'm putting it on credit. They way I figure is that I'm on short term disability for work. It cuts my pay by 40%. SOoooo if I just throw the credit card down maybe I can save myself extra months of decreased pay.

Flip side. What if she is a quack?! I'm so weary of doctors now. Her name is Janine Blackman in bethesda Maryland.

I'm sorry you had to suffer through the old song and dance of, "Oh, gee, we'll take out half your thyroid and the other half will compensate."

That, pardon my French, is total B*ullsh*t. With a capital B.

It's kind of like spotting bigfoot. It's rumored to exist and there are those who say, "Yep. I saw him...hanging out there in the woods, drinking a sweet tea through a straw." But, there's usually no proof that bigfoot was indeed spotted. Ya know?

Having HALF of anything compensate for the other almost never happens. The liver, sometimes, but that's about it.

Make sure this new expensive doctor isn't a TSH worshipper. If he/she is- Run, don't walk out of his/her office.

TSH - not a reliable test in getting to "optimal".
Total T4 - not a reliable test in getting to "optimal".

Why? TSH is like looking at the oil gauge on your car to find out how much gas is in the tank.

Total T4 - pretty much the same. Total T4 is BOUND T4 - meaning it hasn't been "processed" yet (converted to Free T4) which may or may not happen if you have an auto-immune issue with your thyroid. Antibodies (many sorts) can interfere with that...as can many, many other things.

Free T3 and Free T4 tell you exactly what you've got available for your cells to use (and every cell needs optimal levels of both Free T4 and Free T3 to function properly). It's "unbound" and available for use by the cells.

To get to "optimal" you have to know what your Free T3/Free T4 is...along with your symptoms.

Ok, now prepare yourself...I'm gonna throw some info at you:

If you have trouble viewing these posts...please join the "Thyroid Resources" group - where some of our members have compiled a great deal of information.

Now for the info blast:

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/thyroid-resources/discussions/messages/17754063

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/thyroid-resources/discussions/messages/20301339

http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/thyroid-resources/discussions/messages/17882791

PS There's also some doctor find resources over there - there's a whole thread dedicated to it.

Ah, I see you already took advantage of the doctor find resources? Let us know how it goes...

DO ask questions: What's my Free T4? Why can't we start meds and see how it works?

BTW: I hope you're one of the rumored few, and don't have to get deal with the hypo rollercoaster, but if you do...you're in the right place.