Thyroid numbers .. what do you think?

[michelle23464]

Ok.. got my thyroid checked because of serve dry skin.

My TSH is 3.86
My T4 is 1.1

Doctor said that all is normal.

[Georgiana]

Is there any reason why you wouldn't trust your doctor? If that is the case, you should ask for a second opinion from another doctor, if you have this possibility.

As written in the TOS, we are not medical experts here, so I think your doctor's opinion is the one that matters.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by michelle23464

Ok.. got my thyroid checked because of serve dry skin.

My TSH is 3.86
My T4 is 1.1

Doctor said that all is normal.

Hi Michelle,
Georgiana has a point, we're not doctors but I do have Hypothyroidism and know that your numbers fall into the high end of normal.
T-3 Reference range is 2.4-3.9
T-4 Reference range is 0.6-1.2
So your numbers look great to me.
Maybe your dry skin is just due to winter dryness. A good lotion ought to do the trick.
As Georgiana suggested if you're still not comfortable with the results your doctors lab gave you. You can get a second opinion.
Sherri

[michelle23464]

Originally Posted by Georgiana

Is there any reason why you wouldn't trust your doctor? If that is the case, you should ask for a second opinion from another doctor, if you have this possibility.

As written in the TOS, we are not medical experts here, so I think your doctor's opinion is the one that matters.

Yes there is a reason .. I have been doing some research on this and Noticed the AACE has given new guidelines for dx thyroid problems. The new standard is .03 - 3.04 for TSH . But most doctors are using the old standard of .05 - 5.0 for a TSH and still believe that nothing is wrong. And yes i am getting a second opinion in April. I was merely asking if anyone had any other thoughts on my numbers based on their research or condition.

My dry skin is not a winter problem but a life long problem that I have had.

[Sherri]

Originally Posted by michelle23464

My dry skin is not a winter problem but a life long problem that I have had.

Good evening Michelle,
Oh, okay, then maybe a visit to a dermotologist can help you with that.
Also Michelle, here's a good read you may be interested in
The TSH Reference Range Wars: What's "Normal?", Who is Wrong, Who is ...
That's great that you're getting a second opinion.I hope you get the answers you're searching for.
Sincerely, Sherri

[samanthav]

I think you need to take these numbers to a doctor that you can get to believe you. If this one won't, move on. But you might have better luck by doing a little research to make sure the doctor you see is likely to listen to you before you waste your time and money on him/her. My TSH number just came in at 3.7 and my (new) doctor fortunately had his upper limit at 3.5, so I am finally getting treatment after 7 years of hellacious mood and other hypo symptoms (I saw several dr's for each and every symptom - I definitely dont recomend you do that). There are many doctors who are out there, some of which have written the books on thyroid, who are treating at a TSH of 2.0, and even lower.

[GCC]

Your TSH is too high and your FREE T4 looks too low.

What is the reference range for the FREE T4 (that your lab uses -differnt labs use different reference ranges).

I bet your FREE T4 is near the bottom of the 'normal range' or refernce range' . FREE T4 is an actual thyroid hormone. Optimal for FREE T4 is the middle to UPPER part of the 'normal range', NOT the lower part.

TSH is a pitutary hormone. The higher it is the more your pitutary gland is begging your thyroid gland for more FREE T4 and FREE T3.
That is why optimal TSH is a low number, around 1.0 or at least BELOW 2.0

But a good TSH does not trump a very low FREE T4.

Lots of people have to switch doctors more than once to get proper treatment. Too many doctors will call a TSH of over 2.0 just fine (even if the FREE T4 is way too low ).
Its not just about lab numbers; symptoms matter too!

[Sherri]

Thank you for clearing that up for us GCC. My thyroid numbers are still in the low range but not experiencing any symptoms.
Are you a physician? Or do you have a thyroid disorder? You seem to know so much about the thyroid.
Thanks for the info.
Sincerely, Sherri

[GCC]

Hello Sheri,
Your wt loss is great! Good for you!

I was answering Michelle and her labs.

I am a nurse and have been hypothyriod since 1981.
(But what I am posting I did not learn in nursing school but from my own experiences).
I was poorly treated with Synthroid (only) until 2006- for a long time my TSH was kept too high (with a too low dose of Synthroid) & then years ago I started seeing an endocrinologist who knew optimal TSH is lower than previously thought. Optimal is around 1.0 (NOT as high as 3.5 like many lab reports still say).
But that guy still ignored my low FREE T3 (even after my TSH was down to 1.0).
Synthroid is a T4 only med and Free T4 can often get too low on Synthroid alone.
I was not converting T4 into T3 very well.

I stumbled upon some information about FREE T3 and Cytomel and/or Armour Thyroid.
It took a long time to find doctor who would use Armour - but its been so worth it.
Best wishes.

I now take Armour and feel worlds better.
I think if you feel ok with a higher TSH thats great.
But if someone doesn't feel good and their TSH is high, they need to do something. At the very least...increase the Synthroid dose.
I had to find a better doctor who would do something about my very low FREE T3.

And different labs use different reference ranges. I bet Michelle's lab uses a different reference range and her T4 is at the very low end of the range.

Plus the T's that need to be tested are called FREE T4 & FREE T3.
"FREE" is the measure of a hormone that is free and usable. If it does not say 'free' on the lab report than its not 'free' .
It would then be 'total'. Total is the mesure of the 'free' and the bound added together. Thats not a very good measure.

Best wishes.

[Sherri]

Thank you so much GCC, I appreciate what you said.
Michelle, I apologize for hijacking your thread. Please forgive me.
Sincerely, Sherri