Re: Can anyone help me interpret my lab work? Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hello Lise,

LA> TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)

LA> T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)

on the low side- the median is 1.3 for this range

LA> T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)

also low - median is 325

the t3 and t4 should be higher

LA> NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)

don't know what this is

--

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Hello Lise,

LA> TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)

LA> T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)

on the low side- the median is 1.3 for this range

LA> T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)

also low - median is 325

the t3 and t4 should be higher

LA> NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)

don't know what this is

--

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Hello Lise,

LA> TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)

LA> T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)

on the low side- the median is 1.3 for this range

LA> T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)

also low - median is 325

the t3 and t4 should be higher

LA> NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)

don't know what this is

--

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer!

So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's what

I don't understand.

> Hello Lise,

>

> LA> TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)

> LA> T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)

>

> on the low side- the median is 1.3 for this range

> LA> T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)

>

> also low - median is 325

>

> the t3 and t4 should be higher

> LA> NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)

> don't know what this is

>

> --

> Best regards,

> Alison

> http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@w...

> new work uploaded

> http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer!

So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's what

I don't understand.

> Hello Lise,

>

> LA> TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)

> LA> T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)

>

> on the low side- the median is 1.3 for this range

> LA> T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)

>

> also low - median is 325

>

> the t3 and t4 should be higher

> LA> NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)

> don't know what this is

>

> --

> Best regards,

> Alison

> http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@w...

> new work uploaded

> http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer!

So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's what

I don't understand.

> Hello Lise,

>

> LA> TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)

> LA> T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)

>

> on the low side- the median is 1.3 for this range

> LA> T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)

>

> also low - median is 325

>

> the t3 and t4 should be higher

> LA> NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)

> don't know what this is

>

> --

> Best regards,

> Alison

> http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@w...

> new work uploaded

> http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Your FT4 is only 10% into it's range and your FT3 is only 8%. If you are having symptoms, I'd say increase slowly. You have plenty of room for increasing. I'm not as knowledgable on the other results so am curious to see the comments of others. I've never heard of NOBI T4.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: Lise Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 12:50 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Can anyone help me interpret my lab work? Thanks!OK, I've been on Armour 1 grain twice a day for a few years. LatelyI've been feeling like I might need more. I got my bloodwork done.Here are the results:T4, Total: 5.0 (3.8 - 12.0)T3 Uptake: 29.9 (22.0 - 37.0)TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)Thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

Your FT4 is only 10% into it's range and your FT3 is only 8%. If you are having symptoms, I'd say increase slowly. You have plenty of room for increasing. I'm not as knowledgable on the other results so am curious to see the comments of others. I've never heard of NOBI T4.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: Lise Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 12:50 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Can anyone help me interpret my lab work? Thanks!OK, I've been on Armour 1 grain twice a day for a few years. LatelyI've been feeling like I might need more. I got my bloodwork done.Here are the results:T4, Total: 5.0 (3.8 - 12.0)T3 Uptake: 29.9 (22.0 - 37.0)TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)Thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

Your FT4 is only 10% into it's range and your FT3 is only 8%. If you are having symptoms, I'd say increase slowly. You have plenty of room for increasing. I'm not as knowledgable on the other results so am curious to see the comments of others. I've never heard of NOBI T4.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: Lise Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 12:50 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Can anyone help me interpret my lab work? Thanks!OK, I've been on Armour 1 grain twice a day for a few years. LatelyI've been feeling like I might need more. I got my bloodwork done.Here are the results:T4, Total: 5.0 (3.8 - 12.0)T3 Uptake: 29.9 (22.0 - 37.0)TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)Thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

Hello Lise,

Wednesday, August 18, 2004, 8:05:56 PM, you wrote:

LA> Thank you so much for taking the time to answer!

LA> So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's what

LA> I don't understand.

your pituitary production of TSH has been switched off by your thyroid meds -it

is

easily fooled by the medication-even when people are actually fairly

low in hormone. I have wondered whether that is something to do with

the initial high concentrations when the meds are absorbed-maybe the

receptors are saturated and this stimulated the reduction in TSH?

Anyway, unless you currently have hyperthyroid symptoms, you are not hyper

--

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Hello Lise,

Wednesday, August 18, 2004, 8:05:56 PM, you wrote:

LA> Thank you so much for taking the time to answer!

LA> So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's what

LA> I don't understand.

your pituitary production of TSH has been switched off by your thyroid meds -it

is

easily fooled by the medication-even when people are actually fairly

low in hormone. I have wondered whether that is something to do with

the initial high concentrations when the meds are absorbed-maybe the

receptors are saturated and this stimulated the reduction in TSH?

Anyway, unless you currently have hyperthyroid symptoms, you are not hyper

--

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Hello Lise,

Wednesday, August 18, 2004, 8:05:56 PM, you wrote:

LA> Thank you so much for taking the time to answer!

LA> So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's what

LA> I don't understand.

your pituitary production of TSH has been switched off by your thyroid meds -it

is

easily fooled by the medication-even when people are actually fairly

low in hormone. I have wondered whether that is something to do with

the initial high concentrations when the meds are absorbed-maybe the

receptors are saturated and this stimulated the reduction in TSH?

Anyway, unless you currently have hyperthyroid symptoms, you are not hyper

--

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

[Guest guest]

Because you are supplying the hormone orally so the pituatary sees no need to send out the message. Once on Armour, the tsh really doesn't matter.

-----Original Message-----From: Lise Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 1:06 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Re: Can anyone help me interpret my lab work? Thanks!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's whatI don't understand.

[Guest guest]

Welcome Lise,

Looks like you could kick it up... couple of questions...

How are you taking your Armour? Are you doing it sublingually - under the tongue.. or swallowing it - with food or without?

Have you changed your diet (foods you eat)? Have you gained significant weight?

What was your original diagnosis?

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 17:49:52 -0000 "Lise " writes:

OK, I've been on Armour 1 grain twice a day for a few years. LatelyI've been feeling like I might need more. I got my bloodwork done.Here are the results:T4, Total: 5.0 (3.8 - 12.0)T3 Uptake: 29.9 (22.0 - 37.0)TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)Thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

Welcome Lise,

Looks like you could kick it up... couple of questions...

How are you taking your Armour? Are you doing it sublingually - under the tongue.. or swallowing it - with food or without?

Have you changed your diet (foods you eat)? Have you gained significant weight?

What was your original diagnosis?

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 17:49:52 -0000 "Lise " writes:

OK, I've been on Armour 1 grain twice a day for a few years. LatelyI've been feeling like I might need more. I got my bloodwork done.Here are the results:T4, Total: 5.0 (3.8 - 12.0)T3 Uptake: 29.9 (22.0 - 37.0)TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)Thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

Welcome Lise,

Looks like you could kick it up... couple of questions...

How are you taking your Armour? Are you doing it sublingually - under the tongue.. or swallowing it - with food or without?

Have you changed your diet (foods you eat)? Have you gained significant weight?

What was your original diagnosis?

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 17:49:52 -0000 "Lise " writes:

OK, I've been on Armour 1 grain twice a day for a few years. LatelyI've been feeling like I might need more. I got my bloodwork done.Here are the results:T4, Total: 5.0 (3.8 - 12.0)T3 Uptake: 29.9 (22.0 - 37.0)TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)T3, Free: 245 (230 - 420)NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)Thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

That's why I asked about your original diagnosis.. if you have Hashi's (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) that can skew the labs a bit and would account for your need for an increase dose as well.

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:05:56 -0000 "Lise " writes:

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's whatI don't understand.

[Guest guest]

That's why I asked about your original diagnosis.. if you have Hashi's (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) that can skew the labs a bit and would account for your need for an increase dose as well.

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:05:56 -0000 "Lise " writes:

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's whatI don't understand.

[Guest guest]

That's why I asked about your original diagnosis.. if you have Hashi's (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis) that can skew the labs a bit and would account for your need for an increase dose as well.

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:05:56 -0000 "Lise " writes:

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer! So, why is my TSH registering as close to hyperthyroidism? That's whatI don't understand.

[Guest guest]

My initial diagnosis was 's Syndrome -- I was not converting T4

into usable T3. After 2 months on compounded Liothyronine (T3) I got

pregnant -- something my husband and I had been trying,

unsuccessfully, to do for over 7 years. After the birth of my

daughter, my doc checked my levels and found that I was now also

deficient in T4 -- so he switched me to Armour.

Lately I have been gaining weight, sleeping too much, having trouble

with depression, all the signs I had before, when I was not on thyroid

meds. I have thought of increasing my dosage from 60 mg. to 90 mg.

twice a day. I swallow my Armour (not sublingual -- would that help?),

and usually take it on a partly empty stomach.

Any advice is sooooo appreciated! My original doc moved, and the one I

see now really doesn't know that much about thyroid problems, so I

kind of need to educate myself.

> Welcome Lise,

>

> Looks like you could kick it up... couple of questions...

>

> How are you taking your Armour? Are you doing it sublingually -

under the

> tongue.. or swallowing it - with food or without?

>

> Have you changed your diet (foods you eat)? Have you gained significant

> weight?

>

> What was your original diagnosis?

>

> Topper ()

>

>

>

> On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 17:49:52 -0000 " Lise "

> <pickleshoeboing@y...> writes:

> OK, I've been on Armour 1 grain twice a day for a few years. Lately

> I've been feeling like I might need more. I got my bloodwork done.

> Here are the results:

>

> T4, Total: 5.0 (3.8 - 12.0)

> T3 Uptake: 29.9 (22.0 - 37.0)

> TSH: 0.16 (.40 - 5.50)

> T4, Free: 0.9 (0.8 - 1.8)

> T3, Free: 245 (

230 - 420)

> NOBI T4, Free, Calculated: 1.50 (1.20 - 3.22)

>

> Thanks for any help!

[Guest guest]

Well... I have some suggestions for you that have worked for quite a few of us that might help you too, without having to see your doc or get more meds....

First. Taking thyroid with food can reduce absorption by as much as 70%. If you have to swallow it, you have to do it on an empty stomach, either four hours after a meal or one hour before. You have to be careful about when you take both calcium and iron as they will both bind with thyroid and make it unusable by your body. The actual dose that your body is able to use will vary according to stomach contents and the efficiency of your digestive tract.

If you can take it sublingually, you get consistent dosing approaching 100 %. It's not that bad. Just tuck it under your tongue, way in back and let it dissolve. You can still take liquids while it's under there and can eat just before you take it.. or right after it's dissolved. There is a bit of residue left... a bit of grit, from the fillers... that you can swish with some water or other liquid and swallow.

So. Either of those two methods (empty stomach or sublingual) will effectively increase the amount of hormone that your body can use.

Another thing that has been a big help is to add the mineral, Selenium, to your list of supplements. You can safely take up to 400 mcg a day. This mineral is used by the body during the T4 to T3 conversion process. Increasing your Selenium intake will help to increase your conversion rate.

Two things to remember with Selenium.

First: Don't exceed 400 mcg a day for more than 2 weeks... It is a mineral that is toxic and can be fatal in excessive doses over long periods of time. But it is also a mineral that our bodies very much need. We used to get adequate amounts of it in fruits and vegetables. But with commercial agriculture and chemical fertilizers we've depleted our soil of this mineral and now it's best to add it by way of supplementation.

Second: When you take Selenium and Vitamin C together you have to take them with food. Without getting into the whole chemistry angle of it, it has to do with amino acids and camouflage... if you take them with food they don't cancel each other out. Normally Vitamin C increases the absorption of pretty much everything... it's just Selenium that it doesn't get along with.

What did your last labs look like? When are your next ones due?

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:42:44 -0000 "Lise " writes:

My initial diagnosis was 's Syndrome -- I was not converting T4into usable T3. After 2 months on compounded Liothyronine (T3) I gotpregnant -- something my husband and I had been trying,unsuccessfully, to do for over 7 years. After the birth of mydaughter, my doc checked my levels and found that I was now alsodeficient in T4 -- so he switched me to Armour.Lately I have been gaining weight, sleeping too much, having troublewith depression, all the signs I had before, when I was not on thyroidmeds. I have thought of increasing my dosage from 60 mg. to 90 mg.twice a day. I swallow my Armour (not sublingual -- would that help?),and usually take it on a partly empty stomach.Any advice is sooooo appreciated! My original doc moved, and the one Isee now really doesn't know that much about thyroid problems, so Ikind of need to educate myself.

[Guest guest]

Well... I have some suggestions for you that have worked for quite a few of us that might help you too, without having to see your doc or get more meds....

First. Taking thyroid with food can reduce absorption by as much as 70%. If you have to swallow it, you have to do it on an empty stomach, either four hours after a meal or one hour before. You have to be careful about when you take both calcium and iron as they will both bind with thyroid and make it unusable by your body. The actual dose that your body is able to use will vary according to stomach contents and the efficiency of your digestive tract.

If you can take it sublingually, you get consistent dosing approaching 100 %. It's not that bad. Just tuck it under your tongue, way in back and let it dissolve. You can still take liquids while it's under there and can eat just before you take it.. or right after it's dissolved. There is a bit of residue left... a bit of grit, from the fillers... that you can swish with some water or other liquid and swallow.

So. Either of those two methods (empty stomach or sublingual) will effectively increase the amount of hormone that your body can use.

Another thing that has been a big help is to add the mineral, Selenium, to your list of supplements. You can safely take up to 400 mcg a day. This mineral is used by the body during the T4 to T3 conversion process. Increasing your Selenium intake will help to increase your conversion rate.

Two things to remember with Selenium.

First: Don't exceed 400 mcg a day for more than 2 weeks... It is a mineral that is toxic and can be fatal in excessive doses over long periods of time. But it is also a mineral that our bodies very much need. We used to get adequate amounts of it in fruits and vegetables. But with commercial agriculture and chemical fertilizers we've depleted our soil of this mineral and now it's best to add it by way of supplementation.

Second: When you take Selenium and Vitamin C together you have to take them with food. Without getting into the whole chemistry angle of it, it has to do with amino acids and camouflage... if you take them with food they don't cancel each other out. Normally Vitamin C increases the absorption of pretty much everything... it's just Selenium that it doesn't get along with.

What did your last labs look like? When are your next ones due?

Topper ()

On Wed, 18 Aug 2004 18:42:44 -0000 "Lise " writes:

My initial diagnosis was 's Syndrome -- I was not converting T4into usable T3. After 2 months on compounded Liothyronine (T3) I gotpregnant -- something my husband and I had been trying,unsuccessfully, to do for over 7 years. After the birth of mydaughter, my doc checked my levels and found that I was now alsodeficient in T4 -- so he switched me to Armour.Lately I have been gaining weight, sleeping too much, having troublewith depression, all the signs I had before, when I was not on thyroidmeds. I have thought of increasing my dosage from 60 mg. to 90 mg.twice a day. I swallow my Armour (not sublingual -- would that help?),and usually take it on a partly empty stomach.Any advice is sooooo appreciated! My original doc moved, and the one Isee now really doesn't know that much about thyroid problems, so Ikind of need to educate myself.