Guest guest Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Hi Sheila Ref:recent diagnosis of underactive thyroid i have been back to the doctors this morning armed with a little more knowledge and asked for a more detailed breakdown of my test results. They are as follows: Free T4 level is 5.2 - i am told that the normal level is between 8 and 20 My serum TSH level is 76 - apparently the normal level is from 1 - 4. I feel i am somewhat excessively above the normal levels. They do not test your T3 levels at all - is this something i should be asking for? Lynette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Lynette With results like those you need to be on a good dose of thyroxine. Your Free T4 is extremely low and your TSH is extremely high - you are practically not putting out any thyroid hormone whatsoever. What dose of thyroxine did your doctor start you on and when has he asked you to go back for another blood test. Usually, when you are SO short of thyroid hormone they up the dose pretty quickly. No wonder you feel so bad and it might take you a while to start feeling the benefit of hormone replacement. Wait and see if you start to feel better after 3 months (Thyroxine has a long half life and can take from 4 to 6 weeks for your body to absorb it all. If you feel no better, ask your doctor to test your Free T3 to see if you are converting (T3 is the active hormone and needs to get into every cell in your body to make it function). If your doctor (or more likely your local laboratory) refuse to test this, you can get it tested through NPTech services. Thank goodness you have what sounds to be a good doctor. Luv - Sheila Hi SheilaRef:recent diagnosis of underactive thyroidi have been back to the doctors this morning armed with a little more knowledge and asked for a more detailed breakdown of my test results.They are as follows:Free T4 level is 5.2 - i am told that the normal level is between 8 and 20My serum TSH level is 76 - apparently the normal level is from 1 - 4. I feel i am somewhat excessively above the normal levels.They do not test your T3 levels at all - is this something i should be asking for?Lynette No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.21/1109 - Release Date: 04/11/2007 11:05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Hi sheila I started off on 25mcg four weeks ago and then just over a week ago the doctor upped it to 50mcg. I am due to have my bloods checked again in 3 weeks. do you think with my levels i will be needing a lot more than 50mcg? I am finding out more and more too that carbamazepine does inhibit the release of T4 into your system Lynette > > Lynette > > With results like those you need to be on a good dose of thyroxine. Your Free T4 is extremely low and your TSH is extremely high - you are practically not putting out any thyroid hormone whatsoever. What dose of thyroxine did your doctor start you on and when has he asked you to go back for another blood test. Usually, when you are SO short of thyroid hormone they up the dose pretty quickly. No wonder you feel so bad and it might take you a while to start feeling the benefit of hormone replacement. Wait and see if you start to feel better after 3 months (Thyroxine has a long half life and can take from 4 to 6 weeks for your body to absorb it all. If you feel no better, ask your doctor to test your Free T3 to see if you are converting (T3 is the active hormone and needs to get into every cell in your body to make it function). If your doctor (or more likely your local laboratory) refuse to test this, you can get it tested through NPTech services. > > Thank goodness you have what sounds to be a good doctor. > > Luv - Sheila > > > > > Hi Sheila > Ref:recent diagnosis of underactive thyroid > i have been back to the doctors this morning armed with a little more > knowledge and asked for a more detailed breakdown of my test results. > > They are as follows: > Free T4 level is 5.2 - i am told that the normal level is between 8 > and 20 > > My serum TSH level is 76 - apparently the normal level is from 1 - 4. > I feel i am somewhat excessively above the normal levels. > > They do not test your T3 levels at all - is this something i should be > asking for? > > Lynette > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.21/1109 - Release Date: 04/11/2007 11:05 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 6, 2007 Report Share Posted November 6, 2007 Hi Lynette Whilst you may need alot more than 25mcg - the doctor really is being wise as low and slow is the fastest and safest route. If you had higher dose all at once, it can be too much for the system to handle and you could get palps and all sorts of problems. Thyroid hormone affects every single cell and it needs to do this gently and not 'shock' the system. Make sure you get copies of your blood tests, which may be being done every 6-8 weeks for the next little while until you get more optomised. May I suggest that you write on the printed copy the dose of meds you were on, and the main symptoms you were experiencing. This way you will be able to track your improvements. Also I am sure you have read to avoid all SOY products (check packets its in everything) and to take your meds 4 hours away from any calcium/iron. Also try and get bloods taken at the same time. First thing in the morning before meds is a good plan as you can get a spike in the TSH after meds which could affect your dose of meds the doc prescribes and we dont want any unecessary reduction. jenny freeman > Hi sheila > > I started off on 25mcg four weeks ago and then just over a week ago > the doctor upped it to 50mcg. I am due to have my bloods checked > again in 3 weeks. do you think with my levels i will be needing a > lot more than 50mcg? I am finding out more and more too that > carbamazepine does inhibit the release of T4 into your system > > Lynette > e > Date: 04/11/2007 11:05 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hi Lynette, Don't forget not to take meds on day of blood test until AFTER blood is drawn. Otherwise you test can look better than it actually is leading to undermedication. Hi Lynette Whilst you may need alot more than 25mcg. Also try and get bloods taken at the same time. First thing in the morning before meds is a good plan as you can get a spike in the TSH after meds which could affect your dose of meds the doc prescribes and we dont want any unecessary reduction. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hi Lynette, A very obvious diagnosis of hypo- no doubts there. Sadly they don't often test for T3 unless it is specified- then often it is still not done. I get it done because my GP writes on the form 'taking T3' My serum TSH level is 76 - apparently the normal level is from 1 - 4. I feel i am somewhat excessively above the normal levels. They do not test your T3 levels at all - is this something i should be asking for? Lynette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Hi lynette, A normal full replacement dose is 125 to 150 mcg T4 so you may have a good way to go. Dose increases tend to be further apart as you get nearer to optimum. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Thank you for the advice. Can i also ask about supplements too? I did the questionaire for adrenal fatigue and came out as bordering moderate/severe. I notice from some of the other mails that people use Nutri -Adrenal support - is this something that would help? I am concerned that even though i am now on thyroxine that i won't start to feel better unless i address this too Sorry for all the questions Lynette > > Hi lynette, > A normal full replacement dose is 125 to 150 mcg T4 so you may > have a good way to go. Dose increases tend to be further apart as you get > nearer to optimum. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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