I have been suffering some time now ( years perhaps ) with debilitating symptoms such as exhaustion, puffy face, coldness, constipation, dry skin, hair shedding, muscle aches and more recently severe numbness and pins and needles in my hands. I thought this may be the onset on menopause as I am now 50, I have been medicated with HRT now and monitor my hormone levels which are good. Lately the tiredness has become very difficult to handle and I’ve had to take some time off work which can’t continue! My Mother, Aunt and Grandmother have all had thyroid issues so advised me to get mine checked.
I have paid privately to have my Thyroid levels checked and these are the results... I would appreciate any feedback
Free Thyroxine 11. ( range 12 -22 )
Thyroglobulin Antibodies 265 (range 0-115)
Free T3 3.7 (range 3.1 - 6.8)
TSH 1.05 (range 0.27 - 4.2)
My GP has since done his own blood tests which have come back " within normal range". How can I feel this rubbish if all is well.
Thanks so much for reading.....
Sara
Written by
Sarageorge1971
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As all your levels are low it could suggest Central Hypothyroidism where the problem lies with the Pituitary gland. When FT4 & FT3 are low in range - like yours - then the Pituitary Gland pumps out more TSH - signalling to the thyroid that it needs to secrete more T4/T3. This does not seem to be happening.
B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD need to be tested. Always obtain copies of test results as 'within range' could mean you are very LOW in range. Thyroid issues need Optimal levels....🌻
Were TPO antibodies tested? The Tg antibodies are high, telling us you have Hashi's, but I don't suppose your GP knows what they are. They have very, very little knowledge of thyroid and even less of Hashi's.
My GP has since done his own blood tests which have come back " within normal range". How can I feel this rubbish if all is well.
Because just being within the so-called 'normal' ranges means nothing. You can still be hypo with results within the range. And because doctors know nothing about thyroid nor how to interpret blood test results. Do you have a copy of the tests your GP did? If not, your first step should be to ask at reception for a print-out of your results - it's your legal right to have one.
In the above test, your FT4 is below range, but with Hashi's levels do tend to jump about, and the TSH is slow to catch up with the Free levels when they change. So, it can be a challange to get diagnosed with blood tests alone. Ask your doctor if he will do an ultrasound on your thyroid.
Or, as Marz said, there could be a problem with your pituitary not functioning correctly, as well as the Hashi's. But more investigation is needed. You could also ask to have your cortisol tested, that will give you further clues. And, you need your nutrients tested: vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin. If they are sub-optimal they will be adding to your misery. But, you really are hypo, as witnessed by your high antibodies, low FT3 and very low FT4.
The bottom line is that your FT3 level is miserably low causing you to be hypothyroid!
As the others have explained there might be different reasons for this and there are various tests that should be carried out.
But, you are not going to improve until all the T3 receptors in the cells of your body are flooded with T3 by way of an adequate and constant supply.
Your pituitary and thyroid glands are not achieving this leaving you undermedicated, so replacement thyroid hormone is required in the form of levothyroxine/T4 or sometimes liothyronine/T3
Your FT3 is abysmally low.
Low cellular T3 can affect parts, or all, of your body causing multiple symptoms as you are experiencing
The storage hormone T4 has to be converted to T3 in various parts of the body ....your Frees are too low to be certain of the conversion status
The body's metabolism relies on T3 so, if that is low metabolism consequently runs low, and fatigue and weight gain occur.
You need to be prescribed levothyroxine starting with a 50mcg dose. Test again after 6 weeks when a further increase will be required, repeat the increase/ test until you feel better and FT4 and FT3 are both approaching 75% through their respective reference ranges.
Dosing is very personal to the patient so this may vary
Thyroid problems run in your family which can cause you to be predisposed to thyroid disease
Hopefully your GP is clued up to look beyond TSH and perhaps T4 and will initiate treatment.
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General help and advice on sorting my thyroid
ANY ADVICE WOULD BE HELPFUL
any help and advice appreciated😉
Help and Advice please
