Please comment on my TSH and Free T4 blood results

[rjb112]

I just received my TSH and Free T4 blood results. The same blood sample was mailed out to another lab to do the Free T3 and I don't have that result yet.

TSH: 3.41 uIntUnt/mL Reference range: 0.55-4.78

FREE T-4: 1.1 ng/dl Reference range: .67-1.52

Appreciate your comments on these results.

What are your favorite references or documents that discuss appropriate test results for TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 ? Thank you.

[greygoose]

Well, your TSH is still much too high. You're still hypo. Your TSH is 50.59% through the range. You probably need it more like 75/80%. But, it's a very individual thing.

And, therefore I doubt there ae any references or documents that discuss appropriate test results. Everyone needs different results.

Personally, I need my TSH and FT4 at zero and my FT3 a bit over-range. But, that's just me, and that's what I've found is best for me after years of experimentation.

Unfortunately, doctors rarely give us the freedom to experiment like that. Which is why I self-treat.

But, it's common knowledge among patients that nobody is going to feel well with a TSH over 3 - you're hypo when your TSH reaches 3 - even if it is in the so-called 'normal' range.

[rjb112 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks very much. I'm going to need some "ammunition" to convince my Primary Care MD to increase my dose of levothyroxine. I'm guessing the best ammunition would be a document showing that my TSH of 3.41 is too high; or that most hypo patients do not feel well with a TSH of 3.41

Regarding: "But, it's common knowledge among patients that nobody is going to feel well with a TSH over 3 - you're hypo when your TSH reaches 3"

Is that published anywhere, so I could show my Primary Care MD?

Thanks

[greygoose in reply to rjb112]

Probably, somewhere. But I don't know where. I've spent years on internet reading, reading, reading. Even if you bookmark everything you find interesting, there's so much of it that in the end, you've no idea what you've read where.

But, I think Dr Toft says something of the sort in his guidelines. I don't have a copy, but I think SeasideSusie can help.

[rjb112 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks very much. I'll try to contact SeasideSusie

[greygoose in reply to rjb112]

You're welcome.

[pastimz in reply to rjb112]

I was stable on 112 levo for years. Full of energy? Well, not so much but maybe due to the A-G-E condition, lol. Anyway, later last year my TSH climbed to 3.136. We kept the dose the same. Next time tested it was 7.451. We upped my levo to 125. Next time TSH way low. I now take 6- 125 a week and 1/2 of a 125 the 7th day. TSH low but OK. Who knows why the TSH started to climb.

Would like to try a small dose of T3 but since I'm almost 69 my endo is afraid of afib---I have no other reasons I might get afib but that pesky A-G-E thing. Anyone here start T3 after age 65?

Forgot to add: TT 6-10-15 due to a large substernal goiter.