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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jamie on September 9, 1999, at 14:46:54
I remember reading somewhere that when an AD is only partially effective it is important for thyroid level to be in the upper quartile range of normal. I see my pdoc tomorrow and hope someone can help before then. My blood test results came in today and my thyroid is at the 25% of the normal range. Range is .35 to 4.94. Mine was 1.13. I will talk to my doc about T3/T4 augmentation, but I'm really hoping someone here can comment on this issue. Thank you very much.
Posted by Noa on September 9, 1999, at 23:17:18
In reply to Thyroid level help, posted by jamie on September 9, 1999, at 14:46:54
I think that your TSH level is as or even more important than the t3 and t4 levels.
Posted by jamie on September 10, 1999, at 3:26:45
In reply to Re: Thyroid level help, posted by Noa on September 9, 1999, at 23:17:18
If anyone can help with comments on thyroid, here are my test results: T4 6.4, range is supposed to be 4.5-12.0. TSH 1.13, range .34-4.94. My results seem skewed toward the low side which would probably fall in a category of "subclinical yet significant" in depression. I don't know how those numbers work though. Are they close to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism? Anyone know this stuff?
Posted by Ian on September 10, 1999, at 5:00:23
In reply to Re: Thyroid level help TSH, T4, posted by jamie on September 10, 1999, at 3:26:45
The normal range normally encompasses 95% of the population: being mathematical its the mean(average) level plus and minus 2 standard deviations, (conjures up notions of standard deviants and extraspecial deviants or is that just me). Being in the range for practical purposes rules out you being Hypothyroid, giving you more thyroxine(T4) may just make you hyperthyroid.
T3 and T4 are both stimulated by TSH as T3 and T4 act on the same receptors only tbyroxine is used when people are hypothyroid.TSH(thyroid stimulating hormone) is a sensitive indicator and will increase to stimulate your thyroid gland if your low on T3/T4. I don't think your thyoid is the lynch pin in all this as although its not totally inconcievable.As a crude analogy your engine oil is low but its still above the lower marker. Other symptoms that may occur with hypothyroidism are
acute awareness of the cold (really averse to cold weather)
hoarse voice, dry brittle hair, heavy periods,weight gain,puffy thickened skin aswell as the symptoms shared with depression i.e decreased energy,libido,appetite .Ian
Posted by Annie S. on September 10, 1999, at 11:36:06
In reply to Re: Thyroid level help TSH, T4, posted by jamie on September 10, 1999, at 3:26:45
> If anyone can help with comments on thyroid, here are my test results: T4 6.4, range is supposed to be 4.5-12.0. TSH 1.13, range .34-4.94. My results seem skewed toward the low side which would probably fall in a category of "subclinical yet significant" in depression. I don't know how those numbers work though. Are they close to hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism? Anyone know this stuff?
Dear Jamie,
I suffer from hypothyroidism and have had many blood tests done. From what I see of your test results, your thyroid is functionting perfectly normal. The TSH is really the key number to focus on. If your thyroid is under active (hypothyroidism), the TSH number will go way up. When I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism my TSH was 12. My doctor likes to keep it around 3.0. Hope this helps. Also, search the web for thyroid info.
Posted by Noa on September 10, 1999, at 18:12:03
In reply to Re: Thyroid level help TSH, T4, posted by Annie S. on September 10, 1999, at 11:36:06
Like Annie wrote, Jamie's TSH of 1.something is low, and it is a *HIGH* TSH that suggests hypothyroid. From what I have read in abstracts gleaned from pubmed searches, apparently the high TSH is actually one of the best indicators of whether thyroid hormone would be a good augmentor for ADs. Mine wasn't as high as Annies, but it was just above the "within normal limits" line. I take both synthroid and cytomel as part of my cocktail.
Posted by jamie on September 11, 1999, at 6:07:35
In reply to Re: Thyroid level help TSH, T4, posted by Noa on September 10, 1999, at 18:12:03
> Like Annie wrote, Jamie's TSH of 1.something is low, and it is a *HIGH* TSH that suggests hypothyroid. From what I have read in abstracts gleaned from pubmed searches, apparently the high TSH is actually one of the best indicators of whether thyroid hormone would be a good augmentor for ADs. Mine wasn't as high as Annies, but it was just above the "within normal limits" line. I take both synthroid and cytomel as part of my cocktail.
I found out indeed TSH is an inverse relationship. In other words, a high TSH is closer to low thyroid activity, and vice versa. My pdoc wouldn't touch T3/T4 augmentation considering the apparently favorable numbers on my test. I guess I am actualy closer to hyperthyroidism than hypothyroidism considering the lowish TSH. Learned stuff I didn't know though.
This is the end of the thread.
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