New Lab Numbers

[Guest guest]

Hi Gang,

Well I have my new lab numbers. Funny thing is my endo didn't even ask for a

TSH level, she said it's pretty useless anyway.

Free T4 1.3 Last labs a month ago 1.5

Free T3 494 Last labs a month ago 530

I'm on two PTU per day so the endo said to stay on this dosage and repeat

labs in three months. The only thing is I'm gaining weight and not happy

about it! I have been eating smart for years now and had actually lost 80

pounds a few years ago. Now, since being on meds again I've gained back 25

pounds! Could it be that some people just have naturally higher thyroid

levels or need higher thyroid levels for optimal body function? It's like my

mother in law. Her cholesterol is 350+ and no amount of diets or medications

has brought it down. My husband also has a high cholesterol count, could it

be that it's just normal for them like higher thyroid hormone levels might

be normal for me??

in MA, USA

Diagnosed w/Graves, March 1997

Glad I've refused RAI Treatment and Surgery!!!

On lose dose of PTU (2 50 mg. per day)

(was in remission for three years 2000-2003)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My doctor no longer runs TSH on me either, thank goodness.

Your FT4 might be lower than what you normally run. For instance, I do best

with an FT4 of at least 1.6 ng/dl.

But because your FT3 is still elevated, your ATD dose seems appropriate. Once

FT3 starts falling faster, you'll be able to reduce your ATD dose more.

Propranolol might help because it reduces conversion of T4 into T3, so your FT4

would be higher and your FT3 lower.

Some people have a genetic tendency to run higher cholesterol levels, but

this is usually associated with higher risk factors for cardiac disease. Often,

people who do not respond well to cholesterol-lowering meds are hypothyroid. In

hypothyroidism, the body produces more cholesterol. Take care, Elaine