All new to me - Please look at my Labs

mad-about-yarn · 04-09-2009, 09:50 AM

Hi Everyone,
I am a longtime lurker on LCF. I have been eating low carb for several years so have mainly been reading the posts about diet, etc. I was diagnosed with a low thyroid about 2 1/2 months ago so was thrilled to find a group on this board dedicated to these issues.
Was having very long, heavy periods, lots of fatigue, unexplained weight gain. I am 46 with very regular periods. I suspect that my Progesterone is in decline but my gyno is not interested in testing it until I begin to miss periods. I have to eat like a bird to keep my weight down.
So I have been on 30mg of Armour since I was diagnosed.
These are my latest labs (3 weeks ago):

TSH 0.62 (range 0.34-3.50)
T3 Free 2.2 (range 2.5-3.9)
T4 Free 0.7 (range 0.5-1.6)
TPO Antibody 22 (range 0-59)
Thyroglobulin Antibody 26 (range 0-59)

I also tested low for Vit D, Calcium and Sodium

Today I am getting my Total T3, Free T3 and reverse T3 tested again, as well as the calcium and sodium.
I see my doctor next week - Stephen Langer in Berkeley.
I am hoping he ups the Armour or adds more T3. I am still having major fatigue in the afternoon, as well as very foggy head most of the time.
Thanks for any input!

inatic · 04-09-2009, 11:24 AM

you are still UNDER medicated!

you dont need totals, waste of time.

mad-about-yarn · 04-09-2009, 05:47 PM

Thanks Ileen, I expected my doctor to adjust the Armour after the last labs. This time I will insist on more. I don't think I am on an optimum dose.
I have another question. If I am taking the Armour sublingually, do I need to avoid food or cream in my coffee for an hour after I take it?

nonstickpam107 · 04-10-2009, 07:23 AM

See the TSH? You are a prime example of when I say that giving the tiniest bit of Armour (and you are on the tiniest) drops the TSH like a rock in a pond. But it doesn't optimize...and this is WHY you need to see FT's to determine dosage. Patients are going to Dr. Justanybody and asking for Armour and then when the doc sees the TSH, that's where the dosage stops.

Yep, you'll need more, and it's a long process, hormone gets into the body slowly. I don't avoid food/coffee anything cuz my doc goes by FT's....but taking it subling will avoid all that...I wouldn't worry about it.

Pam

mad-about-yarn · 04-10-2009, 08:49 AM

Thanks Pam, I know that this can take a while and I now know that I need a dosage adjustment.
One more question. I am still trying to figure out why my Thyroid is low. I thought that Hashimotos would be the answer until I saw the antibody tests. Since my TSH is low should I suspect a pituitary problem? Any ideas? Thanks, Jeanne.

nonstickpam107 · 04-11-2009, 06:06 AM

You would need further testing to determine 'why' and TPO antibodies don't always just show right up....I've known people to be treated first and then they showed up, also a FNB (biopsy by needle) of thyroid would catch that. But there is also tertiary hypo (caused by the pituitary) and there is general hypothyroidism (many who've had virus' attack the thyroid can develop hypothyroidism). It's all treated the same way though.

Pam

mad-about-yarn · 04-11-2009, 03:27 PM

Thanks Pam, I see my doctor next week after my new labs come back. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me...so much to learn!

Jeanne

04-09-2009, 09:50 AM	#1
mad-about-yarn Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5 Gallery: mad-about-yarn	All new to me - Please look at my Labs Hi Everyone, I am a longtime lurker on LCF. I have been eating low carb for several years so have mainly been reading the posts about diet, etc. I was diagnosed with a low thyroid about 2 1/2 months ago so was thrilled to find a group on this board dedicated to these issues. Was having very long, heavy periods, lots of fatigue, unexplained weight gain. I am 46 with very regular periods. I suspect that my Progesterone is in decline but my gyno is not interested in testing it until I begin to miss periods. I have to eat like a bird to keep my weight down. So I have been on 30mg of Armour since I was diagnosed. These are my latest labs (3 weeks ago): TSH 0.62 (range 0.34-3.50) T3 Free 2.2 (range 2.5-3.9) T4 Free 0.7 (range 0.5-1.6) TPO Antibody 22 (range 0-59) Thyroglobulin Antibody 26 (range 0-59) I also tested low for Vit D, Calcium and Sodium Today I am getting my Total T3, Free T3 and reverse T3 tested again, as well as the calcium and sodium. I see my doctor next week - Stephen Langer in Berkeley. I am hoping he ups the Armour or adds more T3. I am still having major fatigue in the afternoon, as well as very foggy head most of the time. Thanks for any input!

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04-09-2009, 11:24 AM	#2
inatic Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alpharetta,Ga. Posts: 17,806 Gallery: inatic Stats: 182+/126 5'4 50!yo 16/4 5 kidlets later! WOE: Coach:Erik Ledin leanbodies consulting Start Date: LowER C since 2/02 wt training 10/15/02	you are still UNDER medicated! you dont need totals, waste of time.

04-09-2009, 05:47 PM	#3
mad-about-yarn Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5 Gallery: mad-about-yarn	Thanks Ileen, I expected my doctor to adjust the Armour after the last labs. This time I will insist on more. I don't think I am on an optimum dose. I have another question. If I am taking the Armour sublingually, do I need to avoid food or cream in my coffee for an hour after I take it?

04-10-2009, 07:23 AM	#4
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 17,684 Gallery: nonstickpam107	See the TSH? You are a prime example of when I say that giving the tiniest bit of Armour (and you are on the tiniest) drops the TSH like a rock in a pond. But it doesn't optimize...and this is WHY you need to see FT's to determine dosage. Patients are going to Dr. Justanybody and asking for Armour and then when the doc sees the TSH, that's where the dosage stops. Yep, you'll need more, and it's a long process, hormone gets into the body slowly. I don't avoid food/coffee anything cuz my doc goes by FT's....but taking it subling will avoid all that...I wouldn't worry about it. Pam

04-10-2009, 08:49 AM	#5
mad-about-yarn Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5 Gallery: mad-about-yarn	Thanks Pam, I know that this can take a while and I now know that I need a dosage adjustment. One more question. I am still trying to figure out why my Thyroid is low. I thought that Hashimotos would be the answer until I saw the antibody tests. Since my TSH is low should I suspect a pituitary problem? Any ideas? Thanks, Jeanne.

04-11-2009, 06:06 AM	#6
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 17,684 Gallery: nonstickpam107	You would need further testing to determine 'why' and TPO antibodies don't always just show right up....I've known people to be treated first and then they showed up, also a FNB (biopsy by needle) of thyroid would catch that. But there is also tertiary hypo (caused by the pituitary) and there is general hypothyroidism (many who've had virus' attack the thyroid can develop hypothyroidism). It's all treated the same way though. Pam

04-11-2009, 03:27 PM	#7
mad-about-yarn Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5 Gallery: mad-about-yarn	Thanks Pam, I see my doctor next week after my new labs come back. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with me...so much to learn! Jeanne