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littlebigeyes · 07-16-2006, 04:02 PM

Is this ok? I know the recommended range is .3 to 3.0 per the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (2003) - but my lab is using .5 to 5.0 and I understand many labs still are. So this recommendation is not a "rule"? I am confused about the two different ranges and what I should really expect to ask from my Dr.

My Dr's office left me a message Friday and said keep taking 75 mcg of Levoxyl b/c they got my Wednesday test results and I was in the normal range - 3.47 on scale of .5 to 5.0. I went from 8.97 to 3.47 in just 4 weeks, so that is good. But I am still curious and was hoping to be within the bottom range (I know this is not a competition but I really want to be sure I am healthy.) And, if I really should be under 3.0 then I am am not now at 3.47.

I will be sure try to talk to my Dr. this week and ask him. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!

Lady50 · 07-17-2006, 04:22 AM

Hi, I would demand your doctor to do the Ft4 and Ft3 tests. They show the actual circulating thyroid hormones. The TSH should not even be looked at and is useless IMO.

The Frees FT4 and FT3 need to be in the upper 1/3 of the range for you to feel good. Even the AACE mentions the Ft4 needs to be in the upper 1/3 of the range.

If you have a doctor that is not willing to tests the Frees, then look for one that will. It is your health, and you deserve good treatment.

midwest1 · 07-17-2006, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlebigeyes

Any thoughts on this?

I think you're undertreated and that that doctor will be content to let it go on forever. Over 90% of healthy people without thyroid disease have TSH in the 1-2 range. You can ask him about that... ask to try at least 100 mcgs to aim for the bottom of the range. Still, it's better to dose by FT4 and FT3 levels and ignore TSH altogether. You can see where you get with your argument, but keep in mind you may need a different MD to get the right treatment for you.

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