Been suffering fatigue, joint/muscle pain, asthma, allergies, GERD, poor cholesterol, poor memory for a few years now. Been to a a few doctors/specialists with lots of (basic) blood tests and no results. Last TSH was 4.1, which the latest medical marvel considered OK. I've never had T3/T4 or antiboidies tested that I know of. I've also got low Ferritin levels. Recently paid for my own T3/T4 test, but don't have the results yet.
I lost about 50 lbs over the last six months (was not easy I assure you) and I still can't lose my gut and the back aches have been bad. My resting pulse has dropped into the low 50s and recent body temps are in the 96.5 to 97.2 range depending on the ToD.
I've tried to see an Endo in the past, but it's not possible without a referral form the GP. Considering dropping the PPI (Pariet) to improve my absorption of minerals and taking a natural Thyroid supplement. But without knowing the cause, this might make things worse?
Last TSH was 4.1, which the latest medical marvel considered OK.
Well it's not OK - this is definitely on the HypoT side. Please post the FT4 and FT3 (hope you got these "frees" tested) results with their reference ranges when you get them . Any way you could get thyroid antibodies (TPO and Tg ab) tested? If you have high thyroid antibodies it may be easier to get medication.
Well it's not OK - this is definitely on the HypoT side. Please post the FT4 and FT3 (hope you got these "frees" tested) results with their reference ranges when you get them . Any way you could get thyroid antibodies (TPO and Tg ab) tested? If you have high thyroid antibodies it may be easier to get medication.
Turns out the test I did does include TPO, but I had real trouble getting enough blood for spot test, so I hope it turns out OK.
So Free T3 is the most suspect, but I'll never get past the GP with these results. Had a swollen/painful neck last week (1st time), but it only lasted a few days and is gone now. Tempted to take some 'raw thyroid' to see what the results might be, but with no way to be retested, it's a crapshoot. Going to have Iodine tested 1st, a my Ferritin is low, so perhaps Iodine is too.
Those results are not "OK"....your FreeT4 level is below mid-range....most people feel/function best with their FreeT4 level towards the high end of the range.
Some levothyroxine will help raise your FreeT4 level and, if your body converts that T4 into T3 adequately, your FreeT3 level just might increase as well.
You just might want to get a copy of the following book that will tell you all you need to know about hypothyroidism - including having levels within the normal range that are too low for your body's needs:
"What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism" by endo Dr. Ken Blanchard.
Maybe you could share the book with your doctor and ask him/her to let you start on a trial dose of levothyroxine to see if it helps you feel better.
Not sure what "raw thyroid" you are referring to - care to clarify?
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Dx'd Graves' June 2007..used ATD's, achieved remission Nov '09....went hypo Mar '10
I would likely have to find a Naturopath to get any results, but they cannot prescribe and are not covered by insurance. They just run the same tests I'm already paying for in the US.
Thanks, BTW.
Last edited by moderator2; 03-21-2011 at 02:33 PM.
Reason: please do not post a commercial website
Kelp is a big no-no for thyroid patients and I see it's listed as one of the ingredients.
Hope you can talk some sense into your GP....or possibly try another GP (I do believe that's an option in Canada)
You also might want to check your selenium level...if it's below mid-range, you might consider supplementing with at least 100mcg - selenium is a vital part of the T4/T3 conversion process
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Dx'd Graves' June 2007..used ATD's, achieved remission Nov '09....went hypo Mar '10
Last edited by moderator2; 03-21-2011 at 02:34 PM.
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I doubt there is much Kelp in there, as the capsules are fairly small. I take a multi-mineral every day, which has some selenium, but apparently it has not been doing me any good, as my Iron is still dropping like a stone. They did a Urine test a few weeks ago, I'll have to get a copy and see what the test included.
Last edited by moderator2; 03-21-2011 at 02:33 PM.
- this is definitely on the HypoT side. Please post the FT4 and FT3 (hope you got these "frees" tested) results with their reference ranges when you get them 
. Any way you could get thyroid antibodies (TPO and Tg ab) tested? If you have high thyroid antibodies it may be easier to get medication.
