Re: Free T3?/Kate

[Guest guest]

Kate, I just thought of something about T3 and T4 only testing. Those are tests

that have been around a long time, but the dr has to do a conversion between the

two mathmatically, (if I'm not mistaken) which really only gives them a 'guess'

at how you are doing. Basically, they are old tests that used to be used

because that is all that was available. It also means the dr is 'assuming that

you are converting T4 to T3 with no problems (wrong assumption for the dr to

take).

Since the FreeT3 & FreeT4 tests, there is no more guesswork, it's a done deal.

Keep a log of how you feel, and on the back of those tests copies, write down

the specific symptoms you have at that time the labs are done. You will start

to see where you feel best at, and don't let anybody convince you to differ from

that. But one thing I'll always remember is that most people, including myself

don't feel good unless our TSH is under 1.0, and our FreeT3 and FreeT4 is in

upper ranges.

SandyE~Houston

Re: Free T3?

Sandy,

Thanks this is good information. I have so much to learn. I will ask her

those questions and see if I can from other " articles " to print out for

her. She has always been very laid back and listens to me and my

concerns. I think she is open to learning more.

Kate

At 02:56 PM 12/14/2004, you wrote:

>Kate, the only thing I can think of at this point to tell her is that

>FreeT3 and FreeT4 are the 'unbound' thyroid hormones (meaning they are

>what is available to your cells to use (makes us feel better).

>

>I've been hyperT/Graves, and also have hashi's antibodies (high) and I

>can no longer go by TSH. If I have FreeT3 and FreeT4 ran, and they

>are in the upper ranges, with even FT3 being a little over, is when I

>feel my best. A lot of dr's assume that means we're hyper but it's

>not. I had to have my labs be that way the entire time I was hyperT

>also, and even now when I'm hypoT, those same rules still apply.

>

>Elaine has some very interesting info on www.suite101.com about

>antibodies, and what testing should be done if you'd like to look

>around there. Don't be worried about it stating Graves Disease, as

>it's just the way the site is set up. There is one article that goes

>into different tests and which are the best tests to run for thyroid

>issues. If you have problems, let me know and I'll find some to send

>to you that will explain better.

>

>I would love to know why, if you're dr is doing the T4 and T3 total,

>I'd love to know what she is finding from those actual tests? There

>is a thyroid panel that has the uptake and other tests with it, but

>I've noticed that mostly dr's who have no clue what they are looking

>for are the ones who try to use those. (Most of them are unnecessary)

>If you could ask her, then you could maybe help her to understand that

>once autoimmune disease (hashi's or graves) is at hand, that is why

>it's not good for us to look at TSH. And it's much better for her to

>look at the unbound hormones that you have available then to focus on

>T3 and T4 which are bound hormones. (not available for your body to

>utilize).

>

>SandyE~Houston

>

>

>On Tue, 14 Dec 2004 14:14:31 -0600

> Kate Guynn wrote:

> > Are there any really good articles about testing with Free T3?

> > I just

> > noticed that my doctor isn't running it. She is doing TSH, T3

> >Total, Free

> > T4, and T4. Please no slamming, she is willing to listen and read

> >what I

> > give her. I have good insurance so I'm sure she would run it. She

> >is

> > workable. I just need info to back what I say....

> >

> > Have Hashi's, she took the article about not relying on test with

> >Hashi's

> > and said she would gladly read it. I go back in three weeks. I

> >worked out

> > raising my dose, she also agreed that it might be better for me to

> >split

> > the dose during the day, so I started that a few days ago. I have

> >also

> > made the mistake of taking meds before blood work, stupid on my part

> >and I

> > won't do it again. So that might help my quest for more meds. I

> >don't

> > feel as bad as I did two weeks ago. I think the stress of the

> >holiday's,

> > money and a new part-time job are adding up too.

> >

> > Also I am feeling a lump in my throat too, on and off for about 3

> > weeks. I've noticed it on and off in the past. Almost like I'm

> >starting

> > to get sick. Does anyone else have more energy at night?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Kate

> >

> >

> >