Went to see my family practitioner today. Great guy and open minded doctor! I told him about Entrolab, and he wrote down the name and wanted to go to the site and research it. I love it when a doctor will listen that something is working to help his other patients!
Now my question: Got my thyroid levels back today:
TSH 1.670 (0.4500 - 4.500) limits
Thyroxine (T4) 6.9 (4.5 - 12.0) limits
Triiodothyronine 4.0 (2.0 - 4.4)
I've been feeling tired lately, and notice my hair falling out more than normal. That's usually a sign that I need to increase my dosage...He said my results are within normal. He's pretty good about letting me set the dosage based on how I feel, but I just kept it the same this time because I was unsure.
Anyone that knows more than me have an opinion on my results?
Thyroid question
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Unfortunately, there's not much that one can conclude from those results (TSH, Total T4, and Total T3) except that they appear to fall within the normal ranges established for those particular tests.
Those are the tests that most doctors order. Why they choose Total T4 and Total T3 is anyone's guess, because those test results really don't provide any meaningful information as far as thyroid functioning is concerned. Testing for Free T4 and Free T3 provides much more useful results, because those results specify exactly how much T4 and T3 is actually available for the body to use. For some people, a high percentage of Total T4 and Total T3 is tied up and unavailable for use, so the results of those tests can be misleading.
Some of us (me for example) are hypothyroid even though our TSH, Total T4, and Total T3 results are normal, because either our Free T4 or Free T3 are below range. In that situation, it's necessary to ignore the TSH and treat the Free TR4 or Free T3 results. This is true even when the TSH results are below range. Unfortunately most doctors can't comprehend that, because their training was inadequate.
You're correct, increased hair loss is a pretty strong signal that your treatment dosage is insufficient, and before the advent of the TSH test, most doctors would have increased your dosage based on that symptom.
But remember, I'm not a doctor, so this is only my personal opinion, not a medical opinion.
Tex
Those are the tests that most doctors order. Why they choose Total T4 and Total T3 is anyone's guess, because those test results really don't provide any meaningful information as far as thyroid functioning is concerned. Testing for Free T4 and Free T3 provides much more useful results, because those results specify exactly how much T4 and T3 is actually available for the body to use. For some people, a high percentage of Total T4 and Total T3 is tied up and unavailable for use, so the results of those tests can be misleading.
Some of us (me for example) are hypothyroid even though our TSH, Total T4, and Total T3 results are normal, because either our Free T4 or Free T3 are below range. In that situation, it's necessary to ignore the TSH and treat the Free TR4 or Free T3 results. This is true even when the TSH results are below range. Unfortunately most doctors can't comprehend that, because their training was inadequate.
You're correct, increased hair loss is a pretty strong signal that your treatment dosage is insufficient, and before the advent of the TSH test, most doctors would have increased your dosage based on that symptom.
But remember, I'm not a doctor, so this is only my personal opinion, not a medical opinion.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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ladyathome
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Thank you for your reply Tex. My DO does the full testing (I am hypo as well). I don't convert T4 to T3 (?). I think I will go back to her and get her opinion. I take Nature-Throid, and have had pretty good success with it, but I've found I have had to increase more and more.
I've been reading about a natural thyroid in Canada called ERFA that you can do subliminally. A lot of people have had success with it from what I've read. Have you heard of it? It's supposed to be more like the old Armour before they re-formulated it.
I also just read this and may give it a try:
I've been reading about a natural thyroid in Canada called ERFA that you can do subliminally. A lot of people have had success with it from what I've read. Have you heard of it? It's supposed to be more like the old Armour before they re-formulated it.
I also just read this and may give it a try:
What (if any) connection is there between MC and thyroid issues? I think I've seen several posts on here about peeps with thyroid issues...FAILING TO MULTI-DOSE Occasionally, some patients take their natural thyroid all at once in the morning and say they do fine. But, most individuals report better results by dosing at least twice a day. For example, a person on 3 1/2 grains might take 2 grains in the morning, and 1 1/2 grains by early or mid-afternoon. Multi-dosing better imitates what your own thyroid would be doing, and gives you the direct T3 throughout the day when you most need it.
I've heard of that product, but I'm not familiar with it. I definitely preferred the older Armour formulation to the newer one.
Poll About Thyroid Issues
Tex
I haven't come across any specific medical research articles on this topic, but according to our own informal poll, we're approximately 7 times as likely as someone in the general population to have thyroid problems.ladyathome wrote:What (if any) connection is there between MC and thyroid issues? I think I've seen several posts on here about peeps with thyroid issues...
Poll About Thyroid Issues
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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ladyathome
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Not to worry, I was sure that was what you meant.
I've heard rumors that some of the ipads and iphones make autocorrect changes that cannot be easily overridden. Some of the resulting text that I've seen is sometimes quite entertaining. LOL.
Tex
I've heard rumors that some of the ipads and iphones make autocorrect changes that cannot be easily overridden. Some of the resulting text that I've seen is sometimes quite entertaining. LOL.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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ladyathome
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Yes, I've seen those Tex...they can be pretty funny! Actually I've done a few myself with my daughter on my iPhone! Thankfully she doesn't post them!
Love your response Jean!I would like a subliminal drug, where the mere suggestion of the drug is efficacious and consequently you would never have to actually ingest it.
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MBombardier
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Check out the Stop the Thyroid Madness website and book. There is also a STTM Yahoo group that is very active. I thought I knew a lot about thyroid before I got on the website, read the book, and started lurking on the group, but I know so more now. I can better manage my thyroid disease.
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
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ladyathome
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 101
- Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:08 am
Hi Tex...(it's me again)
I had my thyroid re-tested and they did the free T3 and T4 this time.. I'm taking Nature Throid 2 grain.
Here are my results they called with:
Free T3 - 4.5
Free T4 - 1.2
TSH - 0.65
I have an appointment on April 8th, but I'd love to know what you think about these numbers?
(I know you don't wear a "white coat" haha but I trust your opinion!)
I had my thyroid re-tested and they did the free T3 and T4 this time.. I'm taking Nature Throid 2 grain.
Here are my results they called with:
Free T3 - 4.5
Free T4 - 1.2
TSH - 0.65
I have an appointment on April 8th, but I'd love to know what you think about these numbers?
(I know you don't wear a "white coat" haha but I trust your opinion!)
I agree with Marliss
about reading the Stop the Thyroid Madness book/Website.
The woman that wrote that book takes ERFA.I've been reading about a natural thyroid in Canada called ERFA
There are also facebook STTM groups. They are closed so you have to ask permission to be accepted. It's just to keep out people selling stuff. It's mind boggling all the info on there.
What are the ranges for your new labs? Seems every lab has different ranges. Makes it confusing. From what I have read don't make a big deal over labs but go by how you feel. Finding a good doctor that understands all of that is a real challenge! My Free T3 was 1.8 and my doctor said he likes to see it about double that. I'm on NP Thyroid supposedly a generic for Armour.
Pat
What are the ranges for your new labs? Seems every lab has different ranges. Makes it confusing. From what I have read don't make a big deal over labs but go by how you feel. Finding a good doctor that understands all of that is a real challenge! My Free T3 was 1.8 and my doctor said he likes to see it about double that. I'm on NP Thyroid supposedly a generic for Armour.
Pat
It's kind of tough to predict how your doctor will interpret those numbers, but I would guess that since everything is within what is considered to be a "normal" range, except for the Free T3 (which is slightly high), your doctor may leave your dosage unchanged. If your doctor happens to be one of those who thinks that TSH should ideally be in midrange (which I disagree with), and he or she feels that Free T3 and Free T4 should always be within the so-called "normal" range, then your dosage might simply be reduced. Or alternatively, he or she might suggest reducing the dosage, and replacing part of the Nature Throid with synthroid (which contains T4 only), in order to bring down the Free T3 level.ladyathome wrote:I have an appointment on April 8th, but I'd love to know what you think about these numbers?
IOW, it's tough to predict, not knowing how your doctor feels about interpreting test results.
The big question is, "How do you feel?" That may or may not make a difference to your doctor, depending on whether or not she or he tends to go strictly by the book, or whether she or he considers how patients actually feel, in response to their current treatment dosage.
If you're not having any problems that could be attributed to the dose, and you're feeling OK, my best guess would be that your dosage will probably be left unchanged, but we have to remember that we probably don't think the same way that our doctors do, so nothing would surprise me.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hi Pat,
I suppose it's possible for labs to use different ranges, but the most likely differences are in units, rather than the ranges. I suspect that most labs use the ranges noted on this site:
http://www.globalrph.com/labs_t.htm
IOW, your Free T3 result would indeed have been low, based on this range:
Those ranges match the ranges used by the labs that hospitals in this part of the country use, but of course I could be wrong, since I'm not familiar with the practices of every lab in the country.
Tex
I suppose it's possible for labs to use different ranges, but the most likely differences are in units, rather than the ranges. I suspect that most labs use the ranges noted on this site:
http://www.globalrph.com/labs_t.htm
IOW, your Free T3 result would indeed have been low, based on this range:
And by the same token, 4.5 would be slightly above range.> 18 years old: 2.3- 4.2 pg/mL
Those ranges match the ranges used by the labs that hospitals in this part of the country use, but of course I could be wrong, since I'm not familiar with the practices of every lab in the country.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.