Lab results

[Chrssy58]

Hello,

I just received my lab results and am wondering if everything is in range or not. My doctor thinks everything is great,I generally feel okay except fairly frequent flu-like symptoms along with fatigue, weight gain, and my cholesterol is still borderline high. As a result of cholesterol results, I have increased dose of cholestyramine from 1 to 2 doses per day but struggling with side effects (nausea, heartburn,upset stomach). Here they are:

T.S.H. - 1.34 (0.35 - 5)

T3 - 4.7 (3.4 - 5.9)

T4 - 18 (11- 23)

Just wondering if I should up my levothyroxine a bit. Thanks

[greygoose]

Well, yes, they're all in-range - you can see that just by looking at them. But that doesn't mean very much. It's where the results fall within the range that counts.

Your TSH is still on the high-side, for someone taking thyroid hormone replacement. And, there's still wriggle-room in your FT4 to increase a bit. But, doubtful that's going to have much effect on your FT3 because you're a poor converter. And, your cholesterol is high because your FT3 is too low.

If cholestyramine is giving you all those side-effects, I would stop it all together, if I were you. It's probably not going to have much effect on your cholesterol any way! Not while your T3 continues to be too low. And cholesterol just 'border-line high' - whatever that means - is not going to do you any harm. It doesn't cause heart attacks or strokes, as doctors believe. In fact, it's thought that those with higher cholesterol live longer.

Cholesterol levels have nothing to do with diet. It's made in the liver. And, it's made in the liver because you need it. Your brain is made up largely of cholesterol, so are your cell walls and your sex hormones. And, it's necessary for regrowth and reparation of your body. Low cholesterol is far more dangerous that high cholesterol. So, stop worrying about it.

[Chrssy58 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you 😊

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test done as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

[Chrssy58 in reply to SlowDragon]

My blood was taken at 8:30 , I fasted the night before and didn’t take my meds until after bloodwork was done. I am 150 lbs and take 125 mcg of levothyroxine. I increased it last year from 100 mcg because of symptoms (fatigue, palpitations, etc) I don’t think he has ever checked my vitaminD levels but B12 is very good. I take 2000 iu of Vitamin D (plus K2) , bit B Complex and vit B12 spray.

[DippyDame]

T3 is the active thyroid hormone so FT3 is the most important reading.

For good health every cell in the body needs T3 in a constant and adequate supply and FT3 needs to sit around 75% through the reference range..... however since we are all different with different needs this will vary a little. Listen to your body it will tell you when your level is right....or not!

Have you optimised vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin...all essential for effective thyroid function.

Your T4 to T3 conversion looks reasonable but could be improved with optimal nutrients.

High cholesterol is a hypothyroidism symptom....yours is borderline, leave it be.

If you increase levo your cholesterol may drop.

I wouldn't be taking cholestyramine, your symptoms are possibly side effects!

I would first stop the cholestyramine and see if things improve....they most likely will!

If you are still symtomatic after a few weeks then with your labs and your symptoms I'd be inclined to add another 25mcg levo to your current 125mcg then test again after 6/8 weeks.

Medics forget to ask, " How do you feel?"... but they should be treating the patient by clinical evaluation not just by a list of numbers alone!!

[Chrssy58]

I don’t know whether he tested those, I had a phone appt, and he told me about my high cholesterol and slightly low immune function, but other than that, he said everything else was normal. I haven’t taken any cholestyramine today and I feel better already as far as GI issues go. Having low thyroid really bites, not justbecause of how it makes you feel but I also feel I am always fighting with my doctor about treatment. I have never felt so much like hypochondriac either, from the beginning of this. I searched reasons for poor conversion to T3 and there are some dietary changes that Im going to try to make. I eat very little so prob not getting proper nutrients. .Anyway, thank you for responding, I am going to follow your advice.