Is my "high" TSH a problem?

[MrPeaPaw]

I take 35 mcg T3 daily.

No levothyroxine as I don't feel well on it.Tests taken according to recommendations here

TSH 4.24. (.45 - 4.5)

Free T3 4.4 (2.0 -4.4

)Free T4 .12 (.82 - 1.77)

Ferritin 261 (30 - 400)

Folate 11.2. (>3)

Vit D 41.9. (30 - 100)

Vit B12 564 (232 - 1245)

I feel good. Today I notice a slight weak feeling in my legs and a bit short of breath when playing frisbee with my big poodle.

I thought it was a given that any amount of Liothyronine would suppress TSH.

And is my very low Free T4 a problem?

I monitor my heart rate, blood pressure and temperature regularly and all are fine.

This is the second TSH results over 4

[jrbarnes]

Were you on Levothyroxine before and how long since you switched to T3 only?

[MrPeaPaw in reply to jrbarnes]

Diagnosed 2 years ago. Probably hypo for a longer time. Started on T3 only, six months or so ago. Was on 100 mcg LT4 the rest of time. My case was poorly managed from the start and I had to basically take care of myself.

All five siblings and my mother hypothyroid. I was on Levo long enough to check conversion and it was "poor".

I self test and now I'm going to self source T3 as my doctor refused to renew my prescription for some unknown and unstated reason and I'm afraid of him reversing his "permissiveness." I've got plenty of T3 on hand currently so he isn't going to stop me.

Grateful for your response.

[jrbarnes in reply to MrPeaPaw]

okay 6 months on T3 is plenty of time for FT4 to drop below range. Sounds normal. I also self test all of my labs and dose based on symptoms. The only time I go for blood work is when I can't determine if my levels are high or low. I usually know if somethings too high based upon my blood pressure. It's good you take charge of your care. I have a stash of different doses of Levo and T3 so I can dose however I want!

[MrPeaPaw in reply to jrbarnes]

That's good to know (T4 dropping below range in six months). I wasn't aware of that. (That's why I'm here).

[jrbarnes in reply to MrPeaPaw]

If you still feel weak in the legs it's possible you need more. 35mcg of T3 isn't too high of a dose.

[greygoose]

If you feel good, that's all that matters. The TSH itself doesn't make you feel anything. It's the T3 that causes symptoms when it's too high or too low.

As for the FT4, mine has been zero for years, and I don't have a thyroid and I only take T3.

[MrPeaPaw]

The doctor who prescribes is fine with the TSH, but not happy with the low T4. He is sorta "educatable" up to point.

[greygoose in reply to MrPeaPaw]

Well, the TSH is within the range, isn't it - just! So, he thinks it has to be good. They know nothing about thyroid and have no idea how to interpret blood test results! Makes you wonder what they do learn in med school.

Does he know you take T3 only? If so, where does he think the T4 is going to come from? lol

[MrPeaPaw]

Oh yes, he knows I take T3 only. I'm amazed my battered thyroid still produces any at all. I have Ord's and two nodules as seen on ultrasound (which I paid for myself, of course).

I sent him my private tests with LabCorp and he hasn't made any comments. He challenged me before for private testing and I had to take my result in printed form before he'd believe me. He thought I was a liar.

You and Shaws are my inspiration. As a long time lurker here, I thank you.