Thyroid tests are normal?? Are you sure?

[ew1]

Hi Pam. I have been getting those little flashes in the corner of my eyes too, they seem to have quited down now that I am a week on the Cytomel
I've split my dosage per your "instructions". Still waiting for some magic to kick in. The only thing I notice is that it still makes me kind of gassy, etc, so I am cutting back on grains to see if that's the problem (oatmeal, whole wheat, etc).OK, that's how I am feeling -

How are you feeling?

Hugs,
Elaine

[nonstickpam107]

Well, wish I could feel better today. Had an allergy attack last night, with the asthma...ACKKK just when I was starting to sleep good, wouldn't ya know!

Look up plantar fasciitis. My husband gets this EVERYTIME his levels are low in T3...and the podiatrist thought we were NUTS when we told him WHY he had it, now he makes patients who have this a LOT plus other symptoms go and get tested for thyroid.

Pam

[MAMZELLE]

can you give me a HINT. I can't look things up with this faulty laptop.... it COULD take me an hour including popups if I even GOT an answer, most of the time NOT and can't invest that time just to look up a word. Do you know what it means?

[MAMZELLE]

Pam......What if my free T3's are at a good level (at least mid range), but my antibodies are high and I have many symptoms [not any of the 'odd' one's you've mentioned, but the obvious, common ones.... chronic low temp, thinning hair, slow weight loss or none, chronic fatigue, low energy, etc.]

[TinaBina]

Mamzelle, I found this on Healthlink:

Plantar Fasciitis is a Common Cause of Heel Pain

Plantar fasciitis, which may cause the heel to hurt, feel hot or swell, is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thin layer of tough tissue supporting the arch of the foot. Repeated microscopic tears of the plantar fascia cause pain. Sometimes plantar fasciitis is called "heel spurs", but this is not always accurate, since bony growths on the heel may or may not be a factor.


HTH

[nonstickpam107]

Also called fallen arches in the old days.

Mamzelle, antibodies fall once they destroy the thyroid, so you need a full panel from NOW. Did you check out www.healthcheckusa.com Thyroid Profile II and if you use the coupon code: 12345 at checkout it's only about 85 bucks (testing at the docs is over 350 dollars...quite the bargain). They send you to a lab near YOU and have THEIR doc write the test Rx. for you, then they report the results back to YOU either via FAX or email. Lots of people here get their testing done that way.

I'm off to radiate.

Pam

[carrielyn]

Pam,
I want to thank you for the link to the Texas Thyroid Group and also for some very good information that has proven useful to me.

I was on Synthroid, asked to be put on Armour which my GP said fine to. Earlier this year I started taking 200 mcg selenium because I had read it helped to support the thyroid and after taking it for a few weeks I became very tired much as I had felt when I first found out I had low thyroid. Went back to the doctor and he said my TSH was low and my T3&T4 were normal would not test for free Ts and reduced my Armour. I take 90 gr and didn't want to throw it away so I told him I would take 3/4 of a tablet which would make it 75 gr (he wanted me on 60). I read that some take 1/2 their Armour at night and it helps them sleep so, based on the many things I've read about TSH and doctors who base everything on the TSH reading, I continued to take my Armour 3/4 very early in the morning and the other 1/4 sublingually about 20 to 30 minutes before I go to bed. Oh and I quit taking the selenium supplement except 100 mcg 2-3 times a week. I'm sleeping better and have more energy until around 2ish in the afternoon and then I start to peter out.

My next testing is in June. My GP is a reasonable person and I plan to take much of the information I've gathered and have him sit down with me and discuss this situation more thoroughly. There is an endo in the same clinic he's in (she won't prescribe Armour) and I'm going to see if he will let me get the FT3&4 readings and then prescribe based on that. I cannot believe that in Houston, TX, with our incredible medical community that no one seems to want to work with getting us better. It sure seems we're a large group and that someone would listen.

[TeaLeaf]

Pam, I hope everything goes well with your recovery. I know that many of us whose lives you've touched and helped to IMPROVE are praying for you!

In other news...I finally got off my duff and picked up the lab results from my doctor:

TSH = 0.52 (0.35-5.5)
Thyroxine = 0.74 (0.80-1.80)
T3 Triiodothyroxine = 3.0 (2.4-4.2)

The values are "in range" but I know that isn't always optimal for each individual patient. I feel like I'm still trying to prompt my doctor to educate himself a bit more so he can help me! I switched from 2.5mg of Synthroid per day to 2 grains of Armour per day on February 1st and am feeling much better! Not perfect, but getting there.

So if anyone wants to comment, I'm here to listen! Thanks for all your help and support!

[nonstickpam107]

There are several VERY GOOD doctors Rx'ing Armour and T4/T3 combo's plus doing Free T testing in Houston...as I'm sure you've seen in teh links at your Texas thyroid group. I've not met very many endo's who are much good at thyroid...they like to worship TSH...and when a doc only wants TSH that doesn't help a patient on Armour (cuz Armour dumps the TSH to the bottom of the lab range before you are actually medicated properly). I hope you find someone GREAT!!

Tamara, thank you so much...I just stared getting my treatment lined up (they marked all over me today...indelible ink I think!! ACKKK). I'm doing better every day. The prayers help and continue to help of course....and I'm breathing better...and there's a reason why (thought this was very interesting). The tumor and parts were SO huge that my intestines were pushed up under my diaphragm/lungs/ribcage. Ever since the surgery, I've been able to breath all the way down in my lungs! I'm doing more every day, my incision looks wonderful (well, as good as it gets, lol). I haven't gone back to working out YET...but soon, very soon. OH, and I slept through the night last night, first time in over 11 years (before I was up and in the potty all night from the pressure). I've lost 15 pounds but am able to eat pretty well now and I know I'll put it back on once I get all my treatment in.

Thank you EVERYONE for your prayers and good thoughts...I feel all wrapped in a blanket of prayers...warm and content....lulled to better health. Never have I believed more in prayers.

Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Tamara, my doc would say you have room to go up about 1/2 grain. Are you splitting that dosage of Armour? If you are not, then do that first, take one grain am and one grain early afternoon. If you already ARE, and you feel like you could 'try' another 1/2 grain, call the doc. NOW, there's a problem with your testing. Since you are female and you make hormones (or do you take them??) you NEED a Free T3 test, the one you have can be WAY different (I'm betting a FT3 would be very low in range and would tell you you can take more Armour). You need FT4 too.

Hard to tell without the Free's (my T3 (total) is WAY high, but my FT3 is low, telling us that the meds and hormones I am taking are binding over HALF of my incoming Armour, and that's very common, but if the doc went by totals, I'd never feel well).

Please keep in mind those women who are approaching or in menopause, or post meno and not taking hormones...the same symptoms could be from lack of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone cuz low steroid (sex) hormones have the same symptoms and it's hard to tell without having them tested. Many women in menopause get treated for thyroid when it's the low steroid hormones that's actually giving the symptoms. An FSH is useless...make the doc do estradiol, progesterone and FREE testosterone to get blood levels.

Pam

[carrielyn]

Pam,
I'm very pleased to hear there are multiple pluses to your surgery. Being able to breath deeply is a very good feeling and one that you can now enjoy.

Sadly, according to the Texas Thyroid Group Houston doesn't have any good thyroid doctors listed. There is one in Katy, TX (not too far) but he has issues and the person going to him said she wasn't sure she would go back. There is one down in Clear Lake/Nasa area that has gotten very good reviews and I may end up going to her if she's still accepting new patients.

Thankfully, though I am feeling better and I plan to bombard my GP with lots of info and questions on why he won't treat me better. I am post menopause for several years and am no longer on HRT. I will keep the information you supplied earlier to also ask him about hormones I may no longer be producing.

Thanks again and get well soon.

Carolyn

[Cheyennedawn]

Hi Pam,

So glad your surgery went well and you are recovering so well.

I wanted to post my results because my freeT4 is a little tiny bit low and I was wondering if that means anything.. I'm taking armor (Thanks to you!) and love it and am feeling really good except for the 2 weeks before tom when the anxioty, night sweats and lack of sleep are beatingme up! Marina was nice enough to share her good doctor with me so hopefully I can address those issues too!

Free T4 .69 (.71 - 1.85)
Free T3 1.91 (1.45 - 3.48)
TSH 1.09 (.49 - 4.67)

Thanks!!

Sherry

[nonstickpam107]

Sherry, I would be CRAWLING with a FT3 THAT LOW. Armour produces a lower FT4 than FT3, but your labs clearly are those of someone who is very undermedicated. My FT3 is at highest point in range, and my FT4 is about midway (I'm on Armour, 3 grains, most adult human women are on between 3 and 5 grains) and my TSH is .033 (not a typo). If one is being treated optimally with Armour Thyroid, their TSH is almost ALWAYS way below a 1. You have a lot of room to move up in dosage with those labs.

Edited, Sherry your FT4 is not 'a tiny bit low' it is in the toilet. Your FT3 is not even midway of it's range, and would be classified as low. I didn't want you thinking that it was 'ok' to have a TSH that high either. Yes, good for you try out Marina's doc...good idea.

Pam

[TeaLeaf]

Breathe in...AAAHHHH. Breathe out...AAAHHHH. It must feel wonderful to finally have that all opened up again! I'm so happy for you!

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Tamara, my doc would say you have room to go up about 1/2 grain. Are you splitting that dosage of Armour? If you are not, then do that first, take one grain am and one grain early afternoon. If you already ARE, and you feel like you could 'try' another 1/2 grain, call the doc. NOW, there's a problem with your testing. Since you are female and you make hormones (or do you take them??) you NEED a Free T3 test, the one you have can be WAY different (I'm betting a FT3 would be very low in range and would tell you you can take more Armour). You need FT4 too.

Hard to tell without the Free's (my T3 (total) is WAY high, but my FT3 is low, telling us that the meds and hormones I am taking are binding over HALF of my incoming Armour, and that's very common, but if the doc went by totals, I'd never feel well).

Please keep in mind those women who are approaching or in menopause, or post meno and not taking hormones...the same symptoms could be from lack of estradiol, progesterone, testosterone cuz low steroid (sex) hormones have the same symptoms and it's hard to tell without having them tested. Many women in menopause get treated for thyroid when it's the low steroid hormones that's actually giving the symptoms. An FSH is useless...make the doc do estradiol, progesterone and FREE testosterone to get blood levels.

Pam

Yes, I remember you told me to split my doses up so I cut each pill in half when I pick up my prescription. I specifically asked both the doctor and the lab tech for a FREE T3 test, so I'm hoping that's what the T3 number is. They had to ship the sample to Utah for processing because apparently the local lab doesn't do a Free T3? Made no sense to me.

I'm 41 and not taking any hormone replacements. But just ask my husband, I'm hormonal enough! I am starting to think that I need to shop for an endo, though. I love my family doc, but I've gotta think of me first!

Waves to everyone here! I hope you're all having a great Friday!

[nonstickpam107]

Tamara, once again, MOST endo's don't do bio identical hormones and thyroid...if you have diabetes, then shop, but don't set your heart on an endo helping you....I'd be looking at www.armourthyroid.com docfinder and also looking at DO's also call pharmacies ask if they compound bio identical HRT and ask WHO is Rx'ing them...that works a lot of the time.

If you have the copy of those labs in front of you and it doesn't SAY FREE or F in front of the T3 than you have only a Total, not a free. It would say.

Pam

[MAMZELLE]

Pam, I just ordered Shomon's 3 books on thyroid, that Linda suggested and I read up on them and Shoman's site, [also got Thyroid for DUMMIES lol] but can't find the link again to the Book thread and remember your recommending some others. Since I just bought these as a start, and don't want to buy too many more yet, is there ONE more of those you recommended, that you would advise as the best LEVEL ONE and easy to read, [not too technical] foundation in addition to Shoman's? Thanks [how are you feeling?]

[nonstickpam107]

I don't recommend the Shomon books (sorry, the very SAME info can be had for free by reading the site www.thyroid.about.com).

My favorite of all times continues to be: The Thyroid Solution by Dr. R. Arem

Pam

[MAMZELLE]

I always get books 'used' from two specific places on the Net, and they're always in new condition, these were only a couple dollars each [her first one 1.75 lol] so it's worth it for me to get right to the pages I want fast without internet navagation if the books are that cheap, and not just published, and with my slow moving dialup delays. But a book like Bernstein's Diabetes solution, although it can also be read on the Internet, I bought that one new cause it's a bible to me, and some others as well... It's always nice to have them in one's medical library for instant access and the 'entire' book.

Yes, that was the one I couldn't remember.... Arem, I knew it started with an A, and they have that one used also. Is this the easiest to UNDERSTAND and most THOROUGH for 'Thyroid' beginners, and especially those who are also diabetic... and coming from THAT perspective as opposed to someone so experienced as yourself in thyroid problems, who understands it much more easily? Thyroid, metabolism, issues and evaluations and treatments are so much more complicated than Diabetes and hard to find a good doctor for and a diagnosis.

Well, I just went back to read the synopsis, also professional and NON professional reviews [from sufferers] and everything else about the book, and it seems to focus MAINLY [a quote] on the emotional aspects, which I'm not in need of, only exstensive TESTING. I know pretty much [thanks to you, linda and these boards what further tests we NEED, and not to believe our 'normal' readings.... now I need a book to tell me where to find a doctor who TAKES MY MEDICAL PLAN and who will do what I say. :-(...

All the one's I've called [as Ive said before] either won't or don't take my plan. Even people at the plan, are trying to help me, but are having a hard time with the geographical proximity, AND it's difficult to get a guarantee before going, that they WILL comply and not waste our time and a worthless visit! It always comes down to finding a doctor which is the impossible part... when not being able to travel far out of one's area for it and especially on an ongoing regular basis to keep going back and forth.

[nonstickpam107]

People with hypothyroidism have distinct emotional 'problems': depression, anxiety, etc. If you don't have ANY emotional problems, you probably are barking up the wrong thyroid tree. Things that MIMIC thyroid disease: low ferritin and iron, low progesterone, low estradiol (estrogen), low free testosterone (menopause).

Pam

[MAMZELLE]

No, I don't have emotional problems, nor more than the expected amount of anxiety only caused by being a victim of our ''system'', nor am I depressed about anything other than the frustration about doctors not giving me what I WANT and DESERVE and the proper PHYSICAL treatment[and that's more justifiable ANGER than anything else] but I DO have the PHYSICAL symptoms... chronic fatigue and exhaustion and no energy, not being able to stand or walk long, and getting bad pains in my shoulders, neck and across the back of my hips when I DO, and shortness of breath, plus thinning hair, low temp [usually in the mid to low 97's, never reaching 98 for the 2 years I've been taking it, except twice RECENTLY [and when I woke this morning it was 96.0], and it took a whole YEAR to lose just 11 lbs, on Atkins INDUCTION, then I recently and suddenly gained it all back plus another 9 and then another 3 WITHOUT changing my diet and the little I added to it couldn't have accounted for that much a weight gain, nor could Diabetes...... and last but not least, although my Tsh, FT4 and all others were "NORMAL"..... my TPO was 574 with a normal range being 100 [and as I said above, neither my regular doctor NOR the Endo even bothered to TELL me about it on the phone, and I had to see it when a copy of my test results arrived in the MAIL which THEY didn't know I was going to even GET, so I would have NEVER known as far as they were concerned.... or even cared]. Yup, angry and appalled and shocked at all this kind of behavior [and much MORE in addition to that] from medical professionals..... but my problems are strictly physical, aside from being livid and fed up with THEM, for which I'm desperately trying to find new ones and still can't.

[nonstickpam107]

The gaining back of the weight etc. is indicative of unbalanced hormones too. I gained back a solid 55 pounds right after I'd lost 65 pounds, and it came on like NOW. I wasn't succesful at getting it off either until I'd balanced my estradiol, progesterone and testosterone.

Well, do you have a PCP or other doctor (I know one person who's dentist actually submitted the test slip for, lol...) that could just run anti TPO antibodies and Total T4, Total T3 and TSH?? That would give a clue right there, some will ok Total levels.... but women need to be able to see the entire hormone panel done, because of the overlap of symptoms between menopause and thyroid disease.

Pam

[MAMZELLE]

I've already elaborately stated my entire Dr. status on the other page, and also thumb nailed it again right above, and that I'm trying to CHANGE doctors because of their neglect and downright 'malpractice' shenanigans, and have also said that I'm not in menopause. And I DID know what I needed before I even went to them and had a long LIST with me that he read and which I discussed with him at LENGTH, but when finally getting him to give in and GIVE me the FT3 along with the estrodial, progesterone, testosterone, ferritin, and c-peptide tests he had LIED to me right to my face, and did NOT do it and he knew he wasn't going to. [the Endo whom I ASKED my other doctor to refer me to]. So a lot of good THAT did. [he DID do the TPO, and also the "TOTAL" T3 and T4 and the "UPTAKES" but not the FREE T3 nor what I stated right above. All the other numbers which he DID break his little heart and do..... are on a prior page here. I'll look for the # of that first post.


ok, my FIRST post was 643 with 'some' numbers, but forget that, those are the numbers that he gave me on the PHONE before I got the test results in the mail..... and he even made a MISTAKE, giving me a fractioned number as my TPO when it was actually my T4 number [I think it was that one 27.8 or something], but I didn't recognize that on the PHONE because I wasn't familiar with those numbers, and HE didn't even realize it either, but I'll paste the actual numbers from the hard copy sent in the mail. Gotta look for it in my files.

Ok, here they are again [he left OUT the 6 additional tests that he PROMISED he'd do for me, that I state above].....>

TESTS ORDERED: THYROID PNL-T3U, T4, TSH, THYROXINE, FREE [T4], T3, TOTAL TSH [THYROID STIM.HORMONE], ANTI-MICROSOMAL AB [THY.PEROX.]

TSH..................................2.190.......0 .27 - 4.02 uIU/mL

THYROXINE [T4]........8.3..........4.5 - 12.0 ug/dL

T3 UPTAKE.....................27.8.........24.3.....3 9 %

FREE T4 INDEX...........2.3............1.1 - 4.5 ng/dL

THYROXINE FREE [FT4].........1.31.......0.93 - 1.7 ng/dL

T3 [THYRONINE, TOTAL.......148.........80 - 200 ng/dL

THYROID PEROX. Ab/AMA...................574 HI....... SEE BELOW [it says]

REFERENCE RANGES FOR ATA/AMA ASSAYS [IU/mL:

Anti-Thyroglobul in [ATA] [#0041] - Anti-Microsomal [AMA] [0412]

IU/mL.......INTERPRETATION...... U/mL^

< 75........................NEGATIVE................ ..........< 40

75 - 100...............BORDERLINE.....................4 0 - 100

> 100.....................POSITIVE.................. .........> 100

*NOTE: Specimens with IU/mL values in the borderline range should be retestede and/or repeated as necessary.

FINAL REPORT

[decodiana]

Well, I've received my test results from the lab. I'm awaiting the doctor's call so we can discuss them. I was diagnosed with Hashi's three years ago and have since been on .1 mg Levothyroxine. This obviously isn't enough. Here's my test results:

T3, Total 63 (60-181)
T3 Uptake 35 (22-35)
T-4 Total 6.5 (4.5-12.5)
Free T4 Index (T7) 2.3 (1.4-3.8)
TSH 3.87 (.4-5.5)
Thyroglobulin Antibodies <20 (<20)
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 271 (<35)

Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity
Iron Total 41 (35-175)
Iron Binding capacity 285 (250-400)
% Saturation 14 (15-50)

When I saw the doctor, he reviewed my last blood test and said that at 2.87 my TSH was high for Hashi's. He wants it closer to 1. Antibodies are high and % of Iron Saturation is low.....

Any comments would be appreciated.

[nonstickpam107]

Most don't comment on TSH, but go by FREE T's (no FT3 there, so that's kind of half a thyroid panel, haven't seen a T4 INDEX for over six years...most do FT's (then you don't need the little indexes and stuff), but if you have a doc who's all about TSH...then I don't suppose he/she would even CARE where your FT's are, huh?

I need my TSH IGNORED in favor of Free T3 tests. You quite obviously are like me and most others with Hashi's...they can put synthetic T4 down your throat until you ChOKE on it, but you aren't ever going to convert any of it into the thyroid hormone you so desperately NEED...that would be T3.

So, if the doc keeps giving you T4 only...it won't matter where the TSH goes...you need T3.

Pam

[1111lisa]

HI
Just curious, what are they telling you is the highest does of Armour, as I am on 6 grains. I used to be on 10, but it was too high for me. thanks lisa

Originally Posted by oow-woo

Wow Pam- isn't it amazing that there are so many doctors out there who are so clueless about Hashimoto's?? I had a similar problem 2 years ago. I had already been on Atkins for 2 years and had not only NOT lost weight but GAINED 10 lbs (all while on induction levels, following plan religiously, eating NO processed meats, cheese, soft drinks etc... AND exercising--even trying KISS). After going to the G.P. he told me there was nothing wrong with my thyroid.....the Endo immediately discovered I had Hashimoto's (by then I was so exhausted, I could hardly walk upstairs--legs ached and were swollen--I was falling asleep at the dinner table). Anyway, you have to make it your business to research when you think you have a problem. Now I am wondering if this is why I have such dry irritated eyes all of the time too! I am still stuck at 156 lbs--now it is 4 years since I have been on Atkins (and I am on the highest dose of Armour thyroid--couldn't take Synthroid--bad reaction)


Carol

[nonstickpam107]

The highest dosage of Armour that I have heard of someone being on (in real life, I know the person) is 15 grains (and they supplement 50mcg. of Cytomel WITH that). That person weighs almost 450 pounds though....I know it doesn't 'go by' weight, but when I weighed 267 I could probably have done 8, 9 grains.

I take a lower dosage NOW because my doc FINALLY balanced my estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone too (the higher dosages sometimes mask an imbalance of the steroid hormones, my doc tests ALL of those in addition to FT4, FT3 every three months for me and replaces steroid hormones with bio identical compound).

I also happen to have insulin resistance (which I've 'overcome' and no longer take Glucophage) and high cortisol, so I need to really watch where my FT3 is (above range FT3 elicits a mighty cortisol release from my body, which, in turn, holds weight on).

Pam

[ew1]

Hi Pam. Wondered if you eat dairy? Do you eat yogurt? Should hypos stay away from this stuff? I think I get bloaty after I eat dairy, even the Lactaid milk, etc.Ice cream has always been my problem food, even the lower fat stuff.

I may have to go back to some low carbing. Know that I have to have at least 60 carbs a day.Bought Dana Carpender's new book that has low carb/lower cal recipes.

Two weeks on the Cytomel, still down at 258 from 261 so that's slow but I noticed some of my energy coming back and some of my interest in looking better-looking at jewelry and makeup, etc. It's definitely having an effect on improving mood.
Just wish I could find some clothes that fit!! Trying not to come home from a shopping trip and binge.

So that's me, how are you doing?Still lifting those 5 lbers?

Elaine

[nonstickpam107]

Depends...I have an Amish neighbor that makes me goat's milk cottage cheese. I can't eat a lot of dairy, but have yogurt 3x a week (homemade). Otherwise, that's about the extent of it,,,,but NOT because I have Hashi's/hypo, because of my Celiac.

Yep, still the 5-lb db's...and every third day (can't do LBWO yet...but I'm doing some unweighted squats and calf raises here and there). I finally slept a whole six hours straight through last night (woohoo!!!).

I'm having the opposite clothes problem, heh heh...I need to add about ten pounds to not look like I"m wearing someone else's clothes right now, lol. I'm being very careful about what I'm eating though....don't want to overdo without being able to exercise/workout and use high end starchy carbs either. I made zuchini lasagne for tonight (better the second day ya know) so that will be good.

Pam

[BBAddict]

I saw in an earlier post that you were stating some other blood tests such as:

Estrogen, progesteron, FSH, LH, TSH, FT4 and FT3, of course

Question -- what is FSH and LH? Are these how they test for antibodies? If not, what are the tests for those?

My doc RX'd me as hypo -- I didn't write down the ranges and she put me on 0.112mg of synthroid. I felt better the first week, reved up, but after that (its been 6 weeks now) I feel just as crappy and run down as before I started the meds.

I have another blood test tommorow and an getting TSH, FT4 and FT3, but when I see her for the results and to grab another blood work req, I want her to test as much as possible from the blood work.

Thyroid ultrasound was normal 6 weeks ago, but in case it makes any difference, my creatinine levels were really high -- I'm not diabetic or anything like that according to my FBS 6 weeks ago.

Is there anything else that I should ask to be tested for? Also, I recall you reconmending a good thyroid book -- but I can't find the thread to get the name, do you recall what book that was?


Thanks in advance!


Janis

[nonstickpam107]

Janis, FSH and LH (well, LH is leutenizing hormone)...FSH is an 'old fashioned' marker for 'maybe going into menopause'. Just like TSH is Thyroid stimulating Hormone and doesn't give you the exact measurements of the actual hormones, FSH doesn't give you the exact measurements of actual hormones (estradiol, estriol, estrone, progesterone and free Testosterone).

Sometimes creatine is high when you are overweight and don't drink enough water too. You'll want to get copies of your Free T4 and Free T3 as well as TSH. That's a really high amount of synthetic T4 to start on. And YES..you'll crash mightily if you need T3 but aren't converting it from all that T4 (so you need to see your Free T4 and Free T3).

It's a long road to feeling better on thyroid hormone, my first year was spent trying to get me started on T4 synthetic, the second year on switching me over to Armour...and the third year trying to balance ALL my hormones as I went into menopause early from being UNtreated for thyroid for so long. Luckily, I have a doc who doesn't JUST do thyroid well, he also Rx's bio identical sex hormones too.

Edit: Oh, you are in Canada. There are, I do believe a couple of gals on the boards who have found a doc in Canada to Rx.Armour Thyroid (just Thyroid in your country). Think most of them pay out of pocket though. You might do a post here on the health BB and post "Who is in Canada and taking Armour Thyroid?".
Pam