Strange thyroid results

Posted by lgrec @lgrec, Jan 20 1:39pm

I’ve been diagnosed with hypothyroidism a few years ago so kind of new to this. I have a small nodule on my right thyroid. I take NP Thyroid everyday and my TSH is reading 3.96 (previously 3.54), Free T3 is 8.27 (previously 3.54), Free T4 is .91 (previously 1.06). What am I doing wrong?

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You are doing nothing wrong. Do you take your meds on an empty stomach? (if not you should as it helps with absorption) Maybe as simple as a change in medication is in order. NP Thyroid has been recalled before for lacking enough levothyroxine. Everyone's body is different so consider a change.

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@difrnt1

You are doing nothing wrong. Do you take your meds on an empty stomach? (if not you should as it helps with absorption) Maybe as simple as a change in medication is in order. NP Thyroid has been recalled before for lacking enough levothyroxine. Everyone's body is different so consider a change.

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Yes, I take it on a empty stomach. Yes, Levothyroxine works better for me. I’ll switch.

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@lgrec

Yes, I take it on a empty stomach. Yes, Levothyroxine works better for me. I’ll switch.

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I just started on Tirosint. It does not have the additives that other meds do. I have not taken it long enough to give you a proper review. It is expensive and my insurance doesn't pay much but the Sterling Pharmacy offers a one year discount. Cost $60 a month for the first year.

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Bless you. You are doing nothing wrong. Thyroid Disease is very hard to balance. EMPHASIZE to your Endocrinologist how you feel versus what the numbers say. I have hashimotos (Hypothyroidism) and Grave's Disease (Hyperthyroidism) and I go back in forth with symptoms between the 2. My thyroid antibodies & antiglobulin were very elevated when I was diagnosed with hashimotos, BUT, my TSH, T3 & T4 were great. Then my TSH got low and I was diagnosed with Grave's Disease. Now my T3 is a tad low. I am on Methimazole 5 mg daily for Grave's Disease. I go every 3 months and get bloodwork done and an ultrasound every 6 months. I have an enlarged thyroid. I also have had nodules, but, they went away. A lot of people can have nodules with Thyroid Disease, you just have to keep that on check. Praying for you lgrec.

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Where does one go to find a good doctor? My first, in college, told me unexpected weight gain despite being in several sports, riding my bicycle several miles a day to/from classes and having three pt jobs was because I was drinking too much beer and eating pizza. I was a non-drinker and ate healthfully for sports performance. My second told me I was too young to have a thyroid problem, that only old ladies become hypothyroid. My third told me he “didn’t believe” the hype behind “all this hypothyroid fervor”, said it had nothing to do with weight gain or my unexplained infertility, PCOS, or what had become by then troubling symptoms. He also accused me of looking for an excuse for weight gain for my bad habits (I was a vegetarian and he was obese). Fast forward to now, thirty some years later and I have never had my thyroid under control. My GP doesn’t care how I feel, or which symptoms I display, all she focuses on are the numbers. My TSH is “ slightly too high” but my T4 is barely in range so she keeps my medication at this current level despite hair, skin and nail issues, headaches, visual disturbances, constipation, slow gastric emptying, feeling faint and dizzy and now lethargic all day. I have told her repeatedly that, after thirty years of this I know I need to have my TSH no higher than 2 - 2.5 to feel good and have normal GI functioning and to prevent hair loss, but of course she knows better, being the almighty doctor. My current level is at 5.8, but I know that means nothing without knowing which type of test they use (honestly, standardize it already to prevent confusion between docs using different lab tests!)
The endocrinologist I had been seeing left my insurance clinic system and the department is now short staffed and none are taking new patients, at least not for almost 9 months. Worse for finding new GP’s.
I tried to be seen by Mayo but they determined that I should take it up with my GP. When I told her I would like to see an endocrinologist or internal med again, she became upset and said that I don’t need that, and she marched me to the lab for my recent blood draw.
This is the type of thing so many of us must deal with- Egos over patients’ needs.
Does anyone know of a resource for patients seeking information or ratings on doctors that keeps current and which one does not have to pay to use?

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@inminn

Where does one go to find a good doctor? My first, in college, told me unexpected weight gain despite being in several sports, riding my bicycle several miles a day to/from classes and having three pt jobs was because I was drinking too much beer and eating pizza. I was a non-drinker and ate healthfully for sports performance. My second told me I was too young to have a thyroid problem, that only old ladies become hypothyroid. My third told me he “didn’t believe” the hype behind “all this hypothyroid fervor”, said it had nothing to do with weight gain or my unexplained infertility, PCOS, or what had become by then troubling symptoms. He also accused me of looking for an excuse for weight gain for my bad habits (I was a vegetarian and he was obese). Fast forward to now, thirty some years later and I have never had my thyroid under control. My GP doesn’t care how I feel, or which symptoms I display, all she focuses on are the numbers. My TSH is “ slightly too high” but my T4 is barely in range so she keeps my medication at this current level despite hair, skin and nail issues, headaches, visual disturbances, constipation, slow gastric emptying, feeling faint and dizzy and now lethargic all day. I have told her repeatedly that, after thirty years of this I know I need to have my TSH no higher than 2 - 2.5 to feel good and have normal GI functioning and to prevent hair loss, but of course she knows better, being the almighty doctor. My current level is at 5.8, but I know that means nothing without knowing which type of test they use (honestly, standardize it already to prevent confusion between docs using different lab tests!)
The endocrinologist I had been seeing left my insurance clinic system and the department is now short staffed and none are taking new patients, at least not for almost 9 months. Worse for finding new GP’s.
I tried to be seen by Mayo but they determined that I should take it up with my GP. When I told her I would like to see an endocrinologist or internal med again, she became upset and said that I don’t need that, and she marched me to the lab for my recent blood draw.
This is the type of thing so many of us must deal with- Egos over patients’ needs.
Does anyone know of a resource for patients seeking information or ratings on doctors that keeps current and which one does not have to pay to use?

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Hi! I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.
My daughter was diagnosed as a teenager! Our symptoms were a lot like yours. Our worst symptoms were exhaustion, fatigue and weight gain . I also had bodily pain
Your lab results at 5.8 are very abnormal. This reading is your TSH level. "Thyroid Stimulating Hormone" My TSH was 5.9.
My doctor that diagnosed us is an Endocrinologist. Both of us were put on the typical medication, Synthroid. We started taking a lower dose and had labs done every 6 weeks to check the TSH level before increasing the dose. I also had to take a
T-4 medication for year.
My daughter and I began to improved drastically in a couple of months.
I hope this helps you!
Take care!❤️

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@inminn

Where does one go to find a good doctor? My first, in college, told me unexpected weight gain despite being in several sports, riding my bicycle several miles a day to/from classes and having three pt jobs was because I was drinking too much beer and eating pizza. I was a non-drinker and ate healthfully for sports performance. My second told me I was too young to have a thyroid problem, that only old ladies become hypothyroid. My third told me he “didn’t believe” the hype behind “all this hypothyroid fervor”, said it had nothing to do with weight gain or my unexplained infertility, PCOS, or what had become by then troubling symptoms. He also accused me of looking for an excuse for weight gain for my bad habits (I was a vegetarian and he was obese). Fast forward to now, thirty some years later and I have never had my thyroid under control. My GP doesn’t care how I feel, or which symptoms I display, all she focuses on are the numbers. My TSH is “ slightly too high” but my T4 is barely in range so she keeps my medication at this current level despite hair, skin and nail issues, headaches, visual disturbances, constipation, slow gastric emptying, feeling faint and dizzy and now lethargic all day. I have told her repeatedly that, after thirty years of this I know I need to have my TSH no higher than 2 - 2.5 to feel good and have normal GI functioning and to prevent hair loss, but of course she knows better, being the almighty doctor. My current level is at 5.8, but I know that means nothing without knowing which type of test they use (honestly, standardize it already to prevent confusion between docs using different lab tests!)
The endocrinologist I had been seeing left my insurance clinic system and the department is now short staffed and none are taking new patients, at least not for almost 9 months. Worse for finding new GP’s.
I tried to be seen by Mayo but they determined that I should take it up with my GP. When I told her I would like to see an endocrinologist or internal med again, she became upset and said that I don’t need that, and she marched me to the lab for my recent blood draw.
This is the type of thing so many of us must deal with- Egos over patients’ needs.
Does anyone know of a resource for patients seeking information or ratings on doctors that keeps current and which one does not have to pay to use?

Jump to this post

Here are a couple of resources for you regarding thyroid disease: Isabella Wentz and Dr Alan Christensen. Both are experts. Isabella is a pharmacist that has thyroid disease herself and has become extremely knowledgeable about it. Doctor C is a doctor who also specializes in it. Both offer free information on thyroid disease. Your TSH levels in the fives is completely unacceptable, in my opinion -you should be under two, I believe. I have been dealing with hypothyroidism for 30 years. I have had to go gluten-free, soy free and certain oils free. Also, I have just discovered that hypothyroidism can lead to osteoporosis, which I now have. Keep fighting for your health, and there are experts that will listen to you and help you.

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Thyroid levels are difficult to assess. If your doctor isn't listening to you and how you feel, find another doctor. There is no reason for disrespect in the patient/doctor relationship. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's years ago and my dose was always adjusted based on how I was feeling. I was eventually put on liothyronine as well. My current doctor eventually tested me for antibodies and found my thyroid was being attacked. For a period of time, my current doctor prescribed LDN - Low Dose Naltrexone and monitored me with regular testing. After about a year, I no longer take it and continue to take combination of levothyroxine and liothyronine at adjusted doses.

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@amybem

Here are a couple of resources for you regarding thyroid disease: Isabella Wentz and Dr Alan Christensen. Both are experts. Isabella is a pharmacist that has thyroid disease herself and has become extremely knowledgeable about it. Doctor C is a doctor who also specializes in it. Both offer free information on thyroid disease. Your TSH levels in the fives is completely unacceptable, in my opinion -you should be under two, I believe. I have been dealing with hypothyroidism for 30 years. I have had to go gluten-free, soy free and certain oils free. Also, I have just discovered that hypothyroidism can lead to osteoporosis, which I now have. Keep fighting for your health, and there are experts that will listen to you and help you.

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Thank you! I also have become gluten intolerant and am experiencing osteoporosis, rapid degeneration of the bone/spine at my lower back. I am praying my second appointment request from Mayo will not be denied.
In the meantime, I Will look into the resources you’ve shared. Much appreciated!

REPLY
@inminn

Where does one go to find a good doctor? My first, in college, told me unexpected weight gain despite being in several sports, riding my bicycle several miles a day to/from classes and having three pt jobs was because I was drinking too much beer and eating pizza. I was a non-drinker and ate healthfully for sports performance. My second told me I was too young to have a thyroid problem, that only old ladies become hypothyroid. My third told me he “didn’t believe” the hype behind “all this hypothyroid fervor”, said it had nothing to do with weight gain or my unexplained infertility, PCOS, or what had become by then troubling symptoms. He also accused me of looking for an excuse for weight gain for my bad habits (I was a vegetarian and he was obese). Fast forward to now, thirty some years later and I have never had my thyroid under control. My GP doesn’t care how I feel, or which symptoms I display, all she focuses on are the numbers. My TSH is “ slightly too high” but my T4 is barely in range so she keeps my medication at this current level despite hair, skin and nail issues, headaches, visual disturbances, constipation, slow gastric emptying, feeling faint and dizzy and now lethargic all day. I have told her repeatedly that, after thirty years of this I know I need to have my TSH no higher than 2 - 2.5 to feel good and have normal GI functioning and to prevent hair loss, but of course she knows better, being the almighty doctor. My current level is at 5.8, but I know that means nothing without knowing which type of test they use (honestly, standardize it already to prevent confusion between docs using different lab tests!)
The endocrinologist I had been seeing left my insurance clinic system and the department is now short staffed and none are taking new patients, at least not for almost 9 months. Worse for finding new GP’s.
I tried to be seen by Mayo but they determined that I should take it up with my GP. When I told her I would like to see an endocrinologist or internal med again, she became upset and said that I don’t need that, and she marched me to the lab for my recent blood draw.
This is the type of thing so many of us must deal with- Egos over patients’ needs.
Does anyone know of a resource for patients seeking information or ratings on doctors that keeps current and which one does not have to pay to use?

Jump to this post

You are so correct in your assessment. Your TSH is too high and should be where you have found equilibrium. You can check your current insurance list of Drs in your area and see their 1-5 star ratings by doing a search with the Drs name.

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