thryoid labs in...what does it mean?

[springmum]

I posted about 1.5 weeks ago about my adrenal/thyroid symptoms becoming really bad.

I finally got my bloodwork back, but in all my reading I'm still a little confused.

TSH - 3.48 (0.35-5.00)  A little high from what I've read. My TSH has been as high as 4.19 and as low as 2 something...it keeps changing.

Free T4 - 14 (12-22) Normal, but on the low end...does this mean anything?

Free t3- 3.8 (2.6-5.7) Seems right in the middle...is this good?

thyroglobulin AB <20 (<40) I thought I asked for both, but apparently she didn't order them.

My ferritin is slightly low at 50 (normal 80-300)

So both my family dr and my reproductive endocronologist say it's "normal".

We are trying to TTC, so I'm watching this closely and really want to get better control of it.

I am taking high doses of B vitamins for my adrenals. I'm reading that adrenals should be addressed first when both are off. I'm not sure what else to do to help?

I have lot's of hypo symptoms (very dry skin, very tired, forgettful, gaining a little bit of weight with no reason etc).

My ND gave me Thyrocsin (sp?) a natural thyroid support, but I get really tired after taking it (I'm already VERY tired)

I've been playing around with eating extra seaweed, but I'm not really sure what I'm doing (hadn't eaten any iodine before the blood test). I eat a brazil nut everyday too.

I've read through the thyroid threads, but I've forgotten a lot already (I'm back in school and a SAHM to a 3 yr old and my brain is full!)

I'm going back to my ND, but would love some experienced mama's opinions too. 

Thank you!!

[Marnica]

You sound just like me last year. Your TSH is too high - the fact that you have hypo sxs indicate this. Free T3 should be at the top of the normal range.

 I found a holistically minded MD. I am now on armour thyroid and cortisol and feel much better.

You ND should at least do a cortisol saliva hormone test. This is really the only accurate way to determine how fatigued your adrenals really are. Can ND prescribe in your state? If so I would do a trial of armour. If not find an MD who would be willing to try you on it or try isocort. My brother has the same issues and his MD who is NOT holistically minded was at least willing to rx it for him to see how he did. He feels much better so the doc agreed to keep prescribing it. Did you read through the link to stop the tyroid madness I think I posted on your last thread. You can try educating your current docs with that. I would def order the book if you haven't already. also take a look at this. Ideally you want to get this sorted out before you conceive.

http://www.thyroid.org/professionals/publications/clinthy/volume22/issue7/clinthy_v227_6_8.pdf

[SandyMom]

I agree with what Marnica has said. If it were me I'd try to get a saliva test for adrenals.

Your iron is WAY too low!!!! I'd bet that is partly why you are feeling so fatigued. You likely have other symptoms of low iron.

Standard lab ranges are notorious for being off - but yours are low even by those standards! You want that number in the high end of the range. If it were me, I'd definitely work on getting your iron up, especially if you are TTC.

[springmum]

Thank you ladies!

I have read through that site a few times now. I would love to order the book, with school I don't think I have extra reading time though.

I'm actually quite surprised that my iron is low (it is a Canadian reference, and they separate into 3 categories "deficient, low, and sufficient" and I fall into the low range so my dr didn't even suggest I take an iron supp!) I will definitely get on a iron supp right away.

What is that herbal one that people say is good?

I suspect I'm going to have a tricky time with my MD - the labs are the ancient 1-5 is normal labs, and she didn't even add the anti tpo test after I asked her to.

I'm going back to see her Fri maybe I should print out some "medical" references to ask her to take me a little more seriously? What should I print?

My ND can't prescribe and can't order bloodwork, so for continuity I think it makes sense to try to get my MD on the same page, since I will need her for bloodwork.

ugh...thyoid stuff sucks!

[Marnica]

I take Iron bysglycinate as it is absorbed better but I think you are referring to Floravital. It's a liquid. Ive taken that as well

Low iron is common in people with adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism. It's the Trifecta :)

It does suck. I would seriously look for a holistically minded MD. I may be able to help if you want to PM me and let me know where you live. Something to consider - many of these types of MD's dont take insurance. mine doesnt and i have to submit as out of network and only a portion is covered. It's $$ but sooooo worth it. You can try to get your MD on board - look again at the website. They have advice on what to discuss with your doc. As for the book. I hear you are short on reading time - but I think this may be something that would be worth making time for - this is your health!

check out these links - they make reference to books written about this problem by other MD's

http://www.otiswoodardmd.com/hypothyroidism-the-hidden-pidemic/

[SandyMom]

I like floradix w/ iron. But my iron didn't come up til I took a homeopathic formula w/ it - I think it really helped me absorb better.

[Panserbjorne]

Originally Posted by SandyMom 

I like floradix w/ iron. But my iron didn't come up til I took a homeopathic formula w/ it - I think it really helped me absorb better.

this.  I'd take ferrum phos tissue salt 6x along with it.

I'd also read Type 2 Hypothyroidism and look at dessicated thyroid.  Are you off gluten?  That will suppress ferritin and thyroid (which in turn affects adrenals.)

[springmum]

I've been off gluten for 2.5 years now (soy & corn as well as limited dairy - all due to my son's food issues) We're only whole foods, nothing processed, limited (not processed) sugar etc. I've actually cut out all the extra iodine (other than prenatal) and it might be helping? (reading about too much iodine on pubmed triggering hypo symptoms, then resolving after iodine removed) It's very likely that my seaweed kick was too much me....also Thorne's Thyrocsin really made me feel worse...

I can get some ferrum phos....good to know! I'm eating liver a little more frequently, and adding more molasses too. My meats, beans consumption is good..remembering vit c....

I'm taking adrenal support stuff..and get a break from school soon, so stress should decrease significantly....

Talked with my dr - going to talk with my RE next.

She was very honest about the fact that thyroid treatment is not so straight cut and she sees a lot of different studies for/against treatment for someone in my position. She said one "expert" she heard talk about hypo & pregn. said treatment shouldn't be started until TSH over 5, then once on meds keep it no higher than 2.5...she and I both scratched our heads at that one.

She and I both thought it was best to talk to my RE, get his opinion. She is very willing to closely monitor me and/or help me get started on treatment if necessary .

We didn't talk about dessicated thyroid, but both my antibodies are both negative which was my big concern.

Thanks again ladies....I'll get this pieced together slowly I hope.

[Panserbjorne]

http://www.21centurymed.com/?page_id=12

it's something most ND's don't know.  I'd really encourage you to read it.  it's a whole different perspective.

[springmum]

Originally Posted by Panserbjorne 

http://www.21centurymed.com/?page_id=12

it's something most ND's don't know.  I'd really encourage you to read it.  it's a whole different perspective.

Wow! That is truly very interesting! Thank you for sharing.

I thought it was so strange that my dr was talking about the fact that there isn't a definitive answer to treating "mild" hypothyroid (subclinical etc). Meaning so many studies, but so many different conclusions and opinions from "professionals"........instead of just relying on each individual's experience.

It seems that each person is unique with this, depending on nutrient status, heavy metal status, adrenals etc. So a "one size fits all" is really not appropriate.

Fingers crossed that my RE is willing to try dessicated thyroid with me!  What are the possible outcomes....a) I feel better and get/stay pregnant with a healthy baby or b) I feel worse and need to address some other issues (likely adrenals...) 

I mean if I try dessicated and it's not right (I feel worse, #'s go crazy) I can go back off it? Try the synthetic as an alternative? 

I've never had a heavy metals test, and certainly don't expect that I'm free of heavy metals....but I don't have amalgams. I just did my nutrient profile for school and feel pretty good about my nutrients and co-factors...although it's not perfect of course.

I hate struggling with dr's......and just want a healthy baby 

[Panserbjorne]

The old masters used the clinical pictures to determine treatment and they were pretty effective without the benefit of blood tests.  I'm not saying blood tests aren't helpful...but they create a massive blind spot in many, many cases.

It's clearly best if you have a doc on board with the dessicated thyroid.  However not everyone does.  You can also check out www.stopthethyroidmadness.com for some decent info.  It will give you some clues as to what different reactions mean.  I had none.  I just went on and felt a lot better.  Dh needed adrenal support to feel better.  Good luck!

[subtlycrunchy]

I just read a great article on thyroid testing in the LA Times -- basically that doctors are debating whether to change the cut off ranges. I am glad I have someone to pass this on to! Worth a read -- some talk here about specific numbers and what they mean. Show it to your own doc :) http://www.latimes.com/health/os-thyroid-labs-wrong,0,6176653.story