I am new to this forum. I'm 55, a mother, ex-runner (since my muscles were so weak I had to stop last Fall), gained 50 pounds in 3 years (exercise and food staying fairly consistent) and finally fell apart 3 months ago, dropping out of grad school because I couldn't think! Ugh!
I went to the VA for blood work and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism (again). Here are my numbers:
TSH is 12.3. (0.34-5.60)
T3 is 4.1 (2.4-3.9)
T4 is 0.73 (0.58-1.64)
Mild malformation of thyroid
TPO 2.3 (0-9)
Thyroglobulin 2.6 (0-4)
My primary put me on 50mcg Levothyroxin. It was upped to 112mcg after 4 weeks and I had an extreme reaction to it. They were baffled so I went with my naturopath's treatment wanting nothing more to do with the other clowns. She says the numbers are indicative of a pituitary problem. I have plenty of T3 and T4.
She has me on ThyroCode, Thyro Life Force and Aconitum. I just started so we'll see how it goes. Anything's better than Levothyroxin!!
Written by
Jampuppy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Usually, with a pituitary problem you have LOW TSH, unless you have a tumour tha troduces thyroid hormone (usually T4), but you don't have high T4. You need to make sure that your ferritin, B12 and folate, and D3 are optimal or you won't be able to tolerate thyroid meds well. It's unusual to have T3 over range with high TSH and low T4 - were those frees or totals? Totals are pretty useless - need free T4 and free T3. Looks a s thugh yiou have high anti-bodies so going gluten-free would probably help.
As you used to exercise a lot, you might have damaged your adrenals. Problem with the adrenals can make it hard to tolerate thyroid hormone. But usually dose is increased by 25mcg every 6-8 weeks, so you probably had too large a dose increase too soon.
I am entrusting my care to my naturopath. This treatment is purported to balance the whole system. It's a very different approach to our medical system here in the western world. It does overlap though. She has me on a product that has desiccated cow thyroid and supportive nutrients. All my values are normal other than the TSH, including the vitamins you mentioned. Exercise only damages adrenals if there's something wrong with them. Running saved my heart and might have saved my life after the doc overdosed me.
I look after my own health and educate the medics when appropriate. I have also listened to the wise ones here on this forum over the six years I have been a member. So do obtain copies of your results so you can post with more information and not have to say all is normal which prevents the wise ones here from offering sound advice ☺
This particular post was not a request for advice. It was simply to share my experience for those who might want to look into his treatment.
What other results were you looking for?
Of course by now these are outdated. When I'm feeling better I might post my updates but they aren't static so it would continually have to be updated.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Latest thyroid tests, trialling T3 
Struggling with Thyroid Levels
Advice before Monday please 
Starting T3(Tiromel) on top of existing levothyroxin: suggested doses/daily timings
Levothyroxin reduction and Painful Backache.
