Can someone help me understand thyroid testing? I got my results back and the only thing that came back "technically" abnormal was free T4 by .1. Free T3 was 2.8 normal is 2.0-4.4.
Reverse T3 was 180. Thyroid antibodies were thyroglobulin <10 and thyroid peroxidase 18.0. Normal for that one was 0-33.9.
What is your opinion? Treat with armour or not? I completely trust my doctor, but I'm not knowledgeable about this and my brain wasn't focused at the appointment where we discussed it.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Can you post your Free T4 result with the range?
Your Free T3 is in the normal range; however, there i a lot of room to work within the range. Everyone is different, but I feel the best when the Free T3 is in the upper 1/3 of the range which would be closer to the high end.
Are you having symptoms? This may be hard to answer because hypothyroid and Lyme symptoms can overlap.
You are likely starting at a low dose which is the best way. If your doctor thinks you should treat, maybe you should try to see if it helps.
Posted by fourwinds (Member # 14114) on :
I don't have a thyroid and I'm with Sammi.... I feel best with my FT3 at the upper end.
My husband's labwork is "normal" (at the very low end of normal range) , but he is "subclinically thyroid" based on symptoms (cold, fatigue
He feels better by taking 1 grain of Nature-throid every other day....
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
My free T4 was 0.8 (0.9-1.7 range).
TSH was 3.39 (0.40 to 3.80 range).
So what does this really mean? That "traditional doctors" would say nothing is wrong and do nothing right?
Does everyone have some thyroid antibodies show up?
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
I think the newer high range for TSH is 2.50.
I would feel terrible with your results. Your Free T4 is low, your TSH is high, and your Free T3 has room for improvement.
When a doctor finally ran antibody tests on me, they were over 2000 with the range being 0-34!
In my non-medical opinion, treatment is warranted based on your results.
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
Thanks Sammi. Anything I should know about Armour? I'm a little worried because I thought hypothyroid was associated with gaining weight and that adding the hormones would make you lose. I'm already underweight and losing for no reason so I'm a little worried about what will happen when I start this.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Armour has both T3 and T4 in it which is good. Not everyone who is hypothyroid gains weight.
I know Lyme can cause weight gain and weight loss. So I don't know if the Armour will affect your weight or not.
My guess is you are likely starting at a low dose and building it up slowly over time. This is the safest way to increase thyroid meds.
Make sure you take it the same time every day. Research what interacts with it. I think you need to avoid dairy for an hour after taking, but check to be sure. I dissolve mine under my tongue so I don't have to worry about interactions.
I hope it helps you feel better!
Posted by xoxoxox (Member # 18778) on :
Hi Summer3 - losing weight is one of the HYPER-thyroid symptoms, as opposed to HYPO. It is confusing to me too as this is something I am just starting as well, only I am HYPO. Couldn't lose and just kept gaining. After tests, my doc had me start Armour and in only five days, six pounds have already fallen off.
Someone correct me if I have this wrong but HYPER-thyroidism has a different treatment than Armour, I think. Radioactive iodine and/or anti-thyroid medicine is listed as treatments for HYPER.
It looks like the symptoms for HYPER are: -Being nervous, moody, weak, or tired. -Shaky hands, heart may beat fast, or may have problems breathing. -May be hot and sweaty or have warm, red, itchy skin, have sensitivity to heat. -May have more bowel movements than usual. -May have fine, soft hair that is falling out. -May lose weight even though you eat the same or more than usual.
Do any of these other symptoms apply?
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
Thanks XO and Sammi,
I have both hypo and hyper symptoms and most of those could also be from Lyme and co-infections. I don't respond quickly to abx, so we're going to try working on this and see if something improves.
My lab results lean more toward hypo according to my doctor.
Posted by xoxoxox (Member # 18778) on :
Good luck with the treatment & hope it helps! Keep us posted Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
I'm going to start it tomorrow. My dosage to start is 30mg. I'm already having really bad heart palpitations this week though. I hope they don't get worse.
Hopefully I won't lose any more weight. I'm pretty worried about that.
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