low T3 medication adjustment

Help, need to understand my results! Been on thyroid medication for 1 1/2 years. I started with high levels of tsh anywhere from 5 to 7. Started with 50 mcg levyothroxine then went to 75 mcg after my first 6 months. Just had my levels checked about 2 weeks ago. My TSH is at 1.040 - free T4 1.5 ng/dL - T3 60 normal range is 79- 165. So my T3 Is low. Dr upped my medicine to 88 mcg. Is this normal to go up on medication?

The TSH range is .400 - 5.500 uU/mL (mine was 1.040 uU/mL)
the FT4 range is 0.9 - 1.7 ng/dl (mine was 1.5 ng/dl) this was Free T4

It just says T3, not FT3

I was starting to feel some of my old symptoms coming back on 75. Gaining weight, dry hair and skin, palpatations. I was tested in July but only my TSH and doctor just called said it was ok but I don’t know what it was. At that time I was complaining about some of my symptoms also.

Hello sylviarose54 -

As Girlie mentioned Free T3 is more modern and accurate than the old T3 test.

You mention your thyroid med is in MCG, that based on the amount tells me your still on basic levothyroxin which is synthetic T4 only. (natural thyroid comes in MG's). This will most likely not raise your low T3 as your FT4 levels should allow your body to make a higher level of T3 than what you have.

Based on this, your body probably does not convert from T4 to T3 very well. Not totally uncommon and this is why they have separate synthetic Cytomel T3 hormone/med and natural pig thyroid like Armour which has both hormones in it.

Your Dr is probably hoping that you will convert better from just raising your T4 medicine. If that does not work you will need a littleT3 supplementation too.

T3 is made by conversion at multiple areas in your body from T4. It just doesnt work right in some people though.

Never go only by TSH, its just a signal and not to accurate. The free's are the actual hormones your body uses.

I suggest you self study as much as possible on thyroid. This is your homework Ha Ha!, Im seroius though.

Drs treat what works for 75% of thyroid people and ignore other treatment options. I had to learn this and teach my doctors- not kidding, as they left me sick for years. Our medical system is pathetic.

Endos are not that good either- very strict in their limited view for 75% of the people- and they ignore the rest.

Stop the Thyroid Maddness is a good web site, the owner is a little extreme, but has good intentions. Dr Izabel Wentz has some good info too. Most everything else on the web is just repeated info from these two sites.

While your at it you NEED to know if your thyroid is an autoimmune condition - hashimoto. Elevate antibody tests; TPO and or TgAb will tell you this.

how are you feeling what is your dose and labs now?

When I was taking 100mg of tirosint, I could not fall asleep until 12-1 at night, but felt tired during the day, I switched to 75 of synthroid and I feel tired, but I get sleepy now around 10 pm, which is better, I'm afraid my labs will not look good on this lower dose, as my hair got very thin and is falling more, and my skin gor very dry

Tirosint It’s a hypoallergenic t4 medication. I’ll have my labs redone mid February.

astroman - i'm curious - why do you need the antibodies testing, too?

I'm speaking more from those people who take the levothyroxine and their TSH, FT3 and FT4 are in good range...how does the antibodies testing help with treatment?

Looks like you’re not converting the FT4 to T3 very well.

But you really should have the FT3 done.

As Astroman mentioned in his post, you may need to discuss adding in the Cytomel (synthetic T3)

You have been given excellent advice. Why test for antibodies? This will determine the root cause of your thyroid issues. It can explain thyroid swings or changes. It also allows you to monitor for other autoimmune disorders that you may have or may develop.

Personally, I do not do well on Synthetic thyroid replacement. I have been using Armour (pig) for over 20 years. When my TSH is close to a 1, I feel best. It is all about how you feel. If I feel “off” for days (like need a nap), I ask to be tetested. Chances are I need a dosage adjustment. However, if all my other autoimmune issues are not flaring, my thyroid is very stable.

Research. Be your own health advocate and consider your doctor as a team member. Do remember they can make mistakes, but find one willing to listen to you. I do not assume to know more than my doctor, but I do know my body!

Girlie said...
astroman - i'm curious - why do you need the antibodies testing, too?

I'm speaking more from those people who take the levothyroxine and their TSH, FT3 and FT4 are in good range...how does the antibodies testing help with treatment?

Conventional Drs say antibodies are not important.

They are wrong.

They dont care because they sold their soul to big pharma, and med school tells them is OK. "take thyroid med for your remaining life".

Its not OK.

I examine my antibodies after certain "health accomplishments". Few people are health nuts, so few understand what Im taking about.

Autoimmune is about YOUR genes and how your body reacts to ANY inflammation. ANY. Food , illness ect, all of it combined. There are autoimmune genes. I have some.

Lyme gone............antibodies improved.

Inflammatory foods gone, antibodies improved more.

Then, I no longer needed to increase thy med as Ive done every 6 months for 20 years.

Then thyroid nodual of ten years dissolved on its own per same imaging clinic.

I almost fell over from happiness. I did what some others said was BS.

I proved its possible. I doubt my thyroid will 100% heal, I will see though.

Per gut biopsy, im not celiac either.