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Posted 4/28/2013 10:51 AM (GMT -7)
Hi everyone,

I've been receiving treatment for hypothroydism for the past 4 weeks - 50 mg of Eltroxin.
My blood results were as follows (pre-meds, i'm taking the next blood test in 2 weeks):

TSH - 7.58 (lab's normal range is 0.55 to 4.78).
Free T4 - 12.45 (lab's normal range is 11.5 to 22.7).
Total T3 - 0.8 (lab's normal range is 0.92 to 2.79).

I have a few questions i'd really appreciate your help with:

- Not sure why the doctor only tested for Total T3 and not free T3 (I have a meeting scheduled with an endocrinologist next month). Should I make sure I test for Free T3 the next time? Does the Total T3 give any solid indication about my situation (as it is currently not in the normal ranges)?

- Aside from the fatigue i've been experiencing for the past year, I have also been experiencing a strong tension in my neck muscles. Did any of you hear about neck muscles problems due to a Thyroid disorder? I also have a severe pain in my hamstrings each morning.

- In several places, I read about T3 mediciations (whereas the Eltroxin is T4). In which scenario should I be alerted that my endocrinologist should consider subscribing T3 medications for me?
I should mention that the medication I am currently taking should have some effect in 4-6 weeks and I cannot say that I had any effect yet (it's been 4 weeks).

Thanks, I greatly appreciate any answer!

Post Edited (btr789) : 4/28/2013 12:54:44 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/29/2013 1:50 AM (GMT -7)
Hi,
It is a good habit to be tested for FT3,FT4 and TSH each time you go for blood tests, however, your TSH is high, and this indicates hypOthyroidism.

If you have goiter and/or nodules on your thyroid, then these could press on the windpipe and cause pains and breathing problems, it is why an ultrasound of the neck is ordered.

To determine the cause to your hypo ask to be tested for TPOab and TGab, those are antibodies which are present in Hashimoto's disease, with hashi, you will need to adjust your dose several times before reaching the correct dose for you, this can take a while, your TSH can rise again after being reduced due to the medication, this process can take up to three months- increasing dose , TSH goes down then up indicating a need to increase dose again-.

Good luck,
S
Posted 4/29/2013 2:44 AM (GMT -7)
I'll make sure i'm tested for FT3 and FT4, thanks!

I had an ultrasound of the neck and it came back without any findings. That is why i'm assuming that the tension i'm feeling involves the muscles. I could be wrong ofc, but I have no other lead and it does feel like a muscle stiffness of sorts.

I have "Thyroid AB Profile" written in the form for my next blood test. I guess that involves checking the TPOab and TGab levels?

Thanks for replying!
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