15th March 2007
[FONT="Century Gothic"][COLOR="Navy"]Your labs show hypothyroid caused by Hashimoto's as clearly as any I have ever seen and would be a rather obvious reason for feeling very bad. You will obviously have no trouble getting treated and that's a very good thing.
Yes, the last two results are the ones which show antibodies above range and those two lab are used to diagnose Hashimoto's. It isn't the Hashimoto's which is treated, however, but the hypothyroidism.
Your doctor will likely start you with one of the synthetic T4 meds, such as Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl or Unithroid. He will likely not be concerned about T3 at this point and, IMO, there is no reason for him to be. While a small percentage of hypothyroid patients have trouble converting the supplied T4 to T3, that really wouldn't be determined at this point.
I am one of the many who has gone through many months of lab/dose/adjust periods to reach a dose of Levothroid which is probably going to be my sweet spot. Along the way my body gradually began to convert the increasing supply of T4 to T3 and I am now feeling better than I have in my entire adult life.
In my experience there has been no need to test FT3. I say that just to let you know there is nothing in what you have said about your case which should cause you concern if your doctor doesn't order that particular lab. Thus far it sounds to me as if you are in good hands.
You're probably going to feel worse at times and then better, then worse, then better until you find the right dose. Don't let that discourage you. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it does happen to most, especially those of us who were very sick before treatment began.
Please let us know how you are doing. There is a lot of good support on this board. :) [/FONT]
Yes, the last two results are the ones which show antibodies above range and those two lab are used to diagnose Hashimoto's. It isn't the Hashimoto's which is treated, however, but the hypothyroidism.
Your doctor will likely start you with one of the synthetic T4 meds, such as Synthroid, Levothroid, Levoxyl or Unithroid. He will likely not be concerned about T3 at this point and, IMO, there is no reason for him to be. While a small percentage of hypothyroid patients have trouble converting the supplied T4 to T3, that really wouldn't be determined at this point.
I am one of the many who has gone through many months of lab/dose/adjust periods to reach a dose of Levothroid which is probably going to be my sweet spot. Along the way my body gradually began to convert the increasing supply of T4 to T3 and I am now feeling better than I have in my entire adult life.
In my experience there has been no need to test FT3. I say that just to let you know there is nothing in what you have said about your case which should cause you concern if your doctor doesn't order that particular lab. Thus far it sounds to me as if you are in good hands.
You're probably going to feel worse at times and then better, then worse, then better until you find the right dose. Don't let that discourage you. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it does happen to most, especially those of us who were very sick before treatment began.
Please let us know how you are doing. There is a lot of good support on this board. :) [/FONT]