My latest lab results

[Wolfman10]

This is my latest thyroid test. These are the things my dr tested. He told me that it looks good and he doesn’t think my anxiety is due to this. He says the TSH has stayed pretty consistent around 3 over the last year. I have been doing testosterone therapy and he wants me to back my dose down and try this and see how I feel. I was feeling great when I first started taking the testosterone injections and then I cut down my dose of antidepressant because I felt like I didn’t need it since this was working. We are going to try one thing at a time instead of switching a lot of things all at once. Anyone see anything in these results I could relay to my doc?

[fuchsia-pink]

I understand from your previous post that you are not taking thyroid meds.

These results show that your free T3 is nice and high; your free T4 is quite low; your TSH is much higher than I would want. BUT with a TSH result in range, your GP will not start prescribing levo: s/he will require it to go waaaay over range first.

So I guess if there are other things you want to try, it is worth doing those first, see how they make you feel, and if no real improvement, try your thyroid bloods again and see how/if your TSH is moving. When you do future thyroid blood tests, try and get as early a blood draw as you can, as your TSH is highest first thing. Good luck

[greygoose]

You're hypo. And if your TSH has been 'consistent around 3 over the last year' then you have been consistantly hypo over the last year. You're hypo when your TSH gets to 3.

Your FT3 is high-ish because your thyroid is driven by the high TSH to make more T3 than T4, to keep you alive (and save on energy, etc.). But, as your thyroid is failing, that can't last forever.

As to your symptoms, never take a doctor's opinions on symptoms to be gospel. They know nothing about symptoms. In fact, your doctors opinions on labs is pretty suspect. How can a TSH of 3 look good? He doesn't appear to understand what the TSH does.

Pretty sure that 50 mcg levo would improve your anxiety.

[Wolfman10 in reply to greygoose]

Well I told him that once I try what he suggested that I would like to try to address the thyroid and see if it is the issue. He said we should do one thing at a time.

[greygoose in reply to Wolfman10]

I bet he did! Anything rather than treat thyroid. So, what is he proposing to 'try' next? I would have thought thyroid was the obvious first port of call.

[Wolfman10 in reply to greygoose]

Why don’t they want to address the thyroid?

[greygoose in reply to Wolfman10]

Good question. But, I think it all comes down to lack of education. They just cannot believe that thyroid is as big a problem as we patients make it out to be. They always think there has to be 'something else'. And, of course, for the most part they are totally out of their depth treating it. None of them really know what they're doing.

[Wolfman10 in reply to greygoose]

How do I go about finding someone who does know something about it. I mean I’d like to get myself in order and not fight this all the time. My anxiety just flips on like a switch and for no reason. I’m not worried about anything other than how I feel. It’s weird. I had it hit me at age 30, then by 33 didn’t have anymore symptoms again till 39. Here I am at 40 so almost two more years and being here, there, and everywhere mentally.

[greygoose in reply to Wolfman10]

Probably, the only solution is to self-treat - learn all you possibly can, ask questions on here, then buy your own levo and tell this doctor to take a hike. Or, you could try telling him that's what you're going to do if he doesn't listen to reason and try treating your thyroid!

There are very few doctors left that know anything about thyroid. The situation is getting worse and worse. I know of a good one in Paris, and one in Belgium, but you'd have your work cut out getting to see either of them - and it would cost you a fortune!

Rather sounds to me as if you have Hashi's, even if yor antibodies were low at that point. How many times have you had them tested? And were they always low?

Antibodies fluctuate all the time, so one or two negative tests don't prove you don't have it. And, as SlowDragon said, you also need your Tg antibodies tested. They can be high when your TPOab are low - that was my case. But, also, 20% of Hashi's people never even have high antibodies, so you just have to go by the way the disease progresses. Or have an ultrasound. Have you had one of those?

[Wolfman10 in reply to greygoose]

I’ve never had an ultrasound. So what would it hurt to try the Levo medication? I guess I would see an improvement if it truly was my thyroid?

I’ve been with this dr for about 8 months. Felt great after starting the testosterone therapy.

[greygoose in reply to Wolfman10]

It wouldn't hurt anything. 50 mcg might not be enough. In fact, it might just be enough to stop your thyroid's natural production, but not enough to replace it, given that your FT3 is so high. So, it would have to be a long-term trial (something that doctors fail to understand). Six weeks on 50 mcg, then an increase to 75 mcg after a retest. So, it might possibly make you feel worse to begin with, but that should only be temporary.

Then, if it really didn't work out, you could just slowly reduce your dose and stop it, no harm done.

An ultrasound would show if there's any damage done by Hashi's, so worth doing, just so that you know.

[Wolfman10 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your help.

[greygoose in reply to Wolfman10]

You're welcome.

[NWA6 in reply to greygoose]

I wholeheartedly agree with greygoose.

You’re gonna crash and crash big time! I’d get all my ducks in a row if I were you. Only thing I’d change atm is getting Vits/minerals tested, get those levels optimal. Then I’d embark on seeing a new Doc or a private one, then I’d look at the testosterone and anti D’s.

[Wolfman10 in reply to NWA6]

I’ve crashed big time several times in the last 10 yrs but I fight on. I’d just love to figure something out and enjoy my life again! I have a wonderful family but it’s tough when you never feel too good.

[greygoose in reply to Wolfman10]

How long have you been with this particular doctor?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you want to know more you need both TPO and TG Thyroid antibodies tested...possible ultrasound scan of thyroid....if thyroid antibodies are negative

Vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin need testing regularly

A TSH of 3 is higher than average ...that might be normal for you.....or it might suggest you could have a problem

Median TSH graph

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Was this test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water

[Wolfman10 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes it was done first thing in the morning with no food or drink.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wolfman10]

Come back with new post once you get both thyroid antibodies and vitamin levels

Also getting ultrasound scan

Are you in USA?

[Wolfman10 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I am in Ohio, USA.