[joandunne50]

#1060365

Where to begin?!!?
My numbers
TSH = 0.01
THROIXIDE PEROXIDASE ANITBODY = 585
THYROIXE IMMUNGLOBULIN = 450
T3 TOTAL = 150
T-3 UPTAKE = 3.63
T-4 FREE 1.49
TOTAL T4 = 11.6

And my endocrinologist has me on Synthroid 150 and recommended to drop to 137. I am very perplexed – and after getting a second opinion – I am on Synthroid 100.

Why if I am hyper am I on Synthroid?
Why are my very high antibodiy and immunoglobulin numbers being ignored?

My pulse rate with a minimum of activity is 120 – I am exhausted, depressed, anxious and tired of seeing “specialists” who reduce a dosage and tell me to come back in 6 months!

My GP says my thyroid should come out – it is showing signs of vascular activity – the surgeons I have seen say no and refer me to an endo.

I do not have a goiter, nor swollen thyroid, just the incredible fatigue, mind fog etc but I have scoured the internet and cannot find a single thing that states synthroid should be taken for these numbers.

I am beyond frustrated – can someone help

[Kimberly]

#1182209

Hello and welcome! We are fellow patients here, not doctors, so we can’t make treatment recommendations, but hopefully the following general comments will be helpful.

First, it’s important to have the “normal” ranges that your lab uses for each test. Each lab uses a slightly different normal range, so your actual numbers can only be interpreted in light of your own lab’s normal range. In hyperthyroidism, T3/T4 will be above the normal range and TSH below the normal range.

Were you previously treated with RAI for Graves’ disease – or were you previously diagnosed as hypothyroid (underactive thyroid)? If so, keep in mind that dosing with thyroid hormone replacement can take some trial and error before you find the right dose that will get you to the point where labs are normal and stable. In general, follow up labs are done a few weeks after a dose change to see if that is the right dose for you. You shouldn’t have to wait 6 months for repeat labs after a dose change!

TPOab and TGab are “markers” for autoimmune thyroid disease. They are very common in Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, but a certain percentage of Graves’ patients (even those who do not have HT) test positive for them. Unfortunately, there is not a way to specifically target these antibodies.

Take care – and please keep us posted!

[joandunne50]

#1182210

Hi

My radiation ablation was for hyperthyroid – and treatment with anti thyroid drugs brought on severe hypo. The radiation uptake scan of 51% indicated Graves. The ablation was to have brought on a hypo thyroid condition – which it did for one month – and thus the Synthroid which brought me down to a hyper state. All my numbers are out of range of the blood tests markers but are hyperthyroid – I feel I am over medicated on Synthroid – and that may be contributing to the worsening of Graves. 4 Endos, 2 Surgeons and a GP later – a year later – I am still suffering.

UPDATE: According to my GP because my T4 numbers are in the normal range and despite a hyper TSH and evidence of anti-bodies – the need for synthroid is to provide the T4. He is convinced the thyroid has t come out but the 2 surgeons I have seen refuse to operate and feel the numbers will “level out”. Upped the dose on anti depressant and beta blockers to help the symptoms. This is insane

[Raspberry]

#1182211

Hi Joanne, sorry to hear you are still on a rocky road I hope things can get better soon. Here’s a few ideas to try out. Studies show that the Graves’ antibodies often stay high for years after the RAI treatment subsiding down to zero at about ten years. So your antibodies continuing to be high is not unexpected.

You might find it helpful to get the FT3 test done and like Kimberly said it’s good to always look at (or post) your lab results with the ranges. The Free T3 is supposed to be what describes how we feel the most. Total T3 can be thrown off by other factors in the blood and I’ve always read the FT3 is the better test to get. My own FT4 never went of range when I was hyper but the FT3 did. Good luck!

PS – And getting another opinion is always a good idea too, especially if you can get another doc not in the same practice

[joandunne50]

#1182212

Thank you for your support and help. It is only thru persistence and almost harassment that I have gotten this far (blame it as a side effect of mental issues!) but just in the postings here I have gotten very important information which makes me feel less “nutty”. I wish everyone the very best of health and the courage to get thru this!

[Author]

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