hypothyroidism reading

[Bcwalker1964]

thx was 0.093. t3 was 2.7. now it 0.008 tosh. t3 is3.4 don't know what it means. could you please explain I take 88mg of levothyroxine Bcwalker 1964

[greygoose]

Hi Bcwalker1964, welcome to the forum.

Do you have a range for that T3? The numbers on their own don't mean anything much.

Your TSH is very low, so I'm wondering how you got diagnosed with hypo and put on levo. How long have you been taking 88 mcg (not mg )?

Did your doctor do an FT4?

[Bcwalker1964 in reply to greygoose]

My T3 is 3.4 (2.4-4.5). T4 was 100 (0.80-1.80 in Jan been on 88 mcg Do have hypo very bad

[greygoose in reply to Bcwalker1964]

Is that correct for the FT4? 100? Haven't you forgotten a decimal point? Your FT3 is not quite mid-range, when most people need it up the top of the range. But, if your FT4 is really 100, then you have a terrible conversion problem.

You've been on 88 mcg since January? You probably need an increase in dose. I'm sorry, I'm just guessing. I don't really understand what you're saying. It just isn't clear.

[Bcwalker1964 in reply to greygoose]

It is 1.00 I don't understand anything about the numbers I am 76 and my doctor doesn't explain it very good he is a family doctor

[Bcwalker1964 in reply to Bcwalker1964]

He said my thyroid meds just worn out

[Bcwalker1964 in reply to Bcwalker1964]

My thyroid and with more out not my med

[greygoose in reply to Bcwalker1964]

OK, so let me explain a little.

T4 and T3 are the thyroid hormones. TSH is a hormone secreted by the pituitary, which tells the thyroid when to make hormone. But, if you are hypothyroid, your thyroid gland cannot respond. The TSH usually goes higher, and the T4 and T3 - we call them the Frees - are usually low.

It's difficult to tell how bad your thyroid is/was, without seeing the results from the time you were diagnosed. If you've been on levo since January, then the results will have changed. They're not too bad, now, but I think you could do with an increase in dose. Most people need their Frees to be up the top of the range. Yours are just below mid-range.

Doctors are notorious for saying stupid things, because they think we're too stupid to understand the truth. Thyroids don't just wear out. Hormone levels do drop as we get older, but that's what nature intended. But, if yours were very low, then it would have made you ill, and you need the levo to keep your levels up. Besides, I don't suppose he knows very much about it, himself! lol

But, how do you feel? Do you feel well? Or do you still have symptoms? If you still have symptoms, then you need an increase in your dose. 88 mcg is a very small dose.

Did your doctor do any other tests? Do you know if he tested any antibodies? Or any vitamins? Hypos are usually low on vitamins and minerals, so he might have done those.

[Bcwalker1964 in reply to greygoose]

I look on the doctor portal and in jan my numbers were tosh was 5.286 (0.300-5.00) my t4 was 1.00 (0.80-1.80) Vit D. 15(30-100) VitB12 563(200-100) I took 100mcg to feb my numbers were0.093my t3 was 2.7(2.4-4.5) and he change dose to 88mcg in June tosh was 0.008. t3/3.4(2.4-4.5) left me on 88mcg just tired can't lose weight I want to thank you for your help seem when you get older they don't do much thank you thank you barbara

[greygoose in reply to Bcwalker1964]

Oh, it's not just when you're older! The thyroid is the Cinderella of the medical world. Doctors know very little about it, and therefore prefer to ignore it. Most of us get bad treatment, I'm afraid.

OK, so your doctor obviously doesn't know very much, because he started you on too high a dose. It should have been 50 mcg, increased by 25 mcg every six weeks, until all your symptoms are gone.

Now, he is dosing you by the TSH. He reduced your dose because your TSH was very low. But, so was your FT3, so he should not have reduced it. It's gone up a bit, now, but it's still too low, and that's why you're still having symptoms.

You must tell him you're still having symptoms, and you want an increase in dose. Do not be put off by him offering you antidepressants or anything like that, you want an increase in levo and that's all there is to it. You have to be firm!

Your vit d is much too low. You need to take supplements for that. It should be up nearer the top of the range. Ask him to test your ferritin. That could also be low, and that will make you feel very tired.

[Bcwalker1964 in reply to greygoose]

I will go back to him thanks again for all you help. barbara

[greygoose in reply to Bcwalker1964]

You're welcome. Happy New Year!

[CSmithLadd]

What are your symptoms and how do you feel? Not sure what you wish explained. Please clarify what it is you are questioning so we can be of help to you.

Hugs!