Starting Thyroid Meds

[Lockout888]

Looking over my last 2 blood test results, my Doctor decided to put me on a thyroid medication: Nature Throid 3/4 grain daily.

Just wondering what to expect with this added to my TRT protocol. Any expected sides? Does taking thyroid Meds suppress what I naturally make like TRT?

[Baxter35]

No, the thyroid is very resilient and unlike with testosterone production, there is generally no concern with suppressing any natural production or function of the thyroid. If your thyroid is under active, there really is no downside to treatment. Just out of curiosity, do you know what your levels were that prompted the recommendation of treatment?

[Lockout888]

TSH = 4.04 (0.45-4.5)
T4 = 7.7 (4.5-12)
T3 uptake = 33 (24-39)
Free T4 Index = 2.5 (1.2-4.9)

[ScotchGuard02]

I don't get it. Those are numbers BEFORE your diagnosis or AFTER? They look perfect.

[gymffiti]

TSH = 4.04 (0.45-4.5)
T4 = 7.7 (4.5-12)
T3 uptake = 33 (24-39)
Free T4 Index = 2.5 (1.2-4.9)

Just to add weight to ScotchGuard02's post (who is obviously more knowledgeable than me)

Your TSH is higher than mine, which is ...

TSH = 1.82 mIU/L (0.270 - 4.200)

and my doctor didn't flag it up as a problem

[Lockout888]

I don't get it. Those are numbers BEFORE your diagnosis or AFTER? They look perfect.

Before. He was asking about my sleep and energy levels. I told him I have been sleeping through the night but not feeling rested. I have been feeling generally sluggish and low on energy lately.
Here are my results from 3/30/16:
TSH = 4.17 (0.45-4.5)
T4 = 6.7 (4.5-12)
T3 uptake = 30 (24-39)
Free T4 Index = 2.0 (1.2-4.9)

Should I have free T3 and T4 for accurate diagnosis?

[hammerheart]

Before. He was asking about my sleep and energy levels. I told him I have been sleeping through the night but not feeling rested. I have been feeling generally sluggish and low on energy lately.
Here are my results from 3/30/16:
TSH = 4.17 (0.45-4.5)
T4 = 6.7 (4.5-12)
T3 uptake = 30 (24-39)
Free T4 Index = 2.0 (1.2-4.9)

Should I have free T3 and T4 for accurate diagnosis?

TSH is definitely elevated and an index of thyroid underfunctioning, no matter T4/3 be them either free or total. But next time, have the free quotas tested in place of total, which are of no interest. Drop the T3 uptake and FT4 index in favor of Reverse T3.

[hammerheart]

I don't get it. Those are numbers BEFORE your diagnosis or AFTER? They look perfect.

Are you looking at the ranges? They are outdated. If my TSH were 4 I would be feeling like total crap. An upper limit of 2.5 - 3 is more appropriate.

[Baxter35]

Bizzarro is right on. Those ranges are outdated and tsh of 4 is elevated. Under 2 is ideal. Sounds like a decent Doctor to have picked up on that.

[Baxter35]

Just to add weight to ScotchGuard02's post (who is obviously more knowledgeable than me)

Your TSH is higher than mine, which is ...

TSH = 1.82 mIU/L (0.270 - 4.200)

and my doctor didn't flag it up as a problem

With Tsh lower numbers are better, 1.82 is a great number, 4 or above is a concern.

[Lockout888]

TSH is definitely elevated and an index of thyroid underfunctioning, no matter T4/3 be them either free or total. But next time, have the free quotas tested in place of total, which are of no interest. Drop the T3 uptake and FT4 index in favor of Reverse T3.

Thanks Bizzaro. Is the 3/4 grain daily a good dosage for my levels? Or should I get a better thyroid panel before starting the Nature Throid?

Doctor wanted me to try it out for a few weeks to see how I feel.

[gymffiti]

With Tsh lower numbers are better, 1.82 is a great number, 4 or above is a concern.

Ohhhh

This makes sense of mine & Lockout's results

Cheers Baxter

[hammerheart]

Thanks Bizzaro. Is the 3/4 grain daily a good dosage for my levels? Or should I get a better thyroid panel before starting the Nature Throid?

Doctor wanted me to try it out for a few weeks to see how I feel.

Well

NATURE-THROID®
(Thyroid USP)
Tablets

DESCRIPTION

Nature-Throid® (Thyroid USP) Tablets, micro-coated, easy to swallow with a reduced odor, for oral use are natural preparations derived from porcine thyroid glands (T3 liothyronine is approximately four times as potent as T4 levothyroxine on a microgram for microgram basis). They provide 38 mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9 mcg liothyronine (T3) for each 65 mg (1 Grain) of the labeled content of thyroid.

Imo you'll be fine with one full grain. No idea why going for 3/4 of it. I'd have started with half the first two weeks then got tested two months later.

[Lockout888]

Looks like I did get a better Thyroid panel back on 11/19/13:
T3 = 113 (71-180)
T3 Free = 3.4 (2.0-4.4)
T4 = 6.4 (4.5-12.0)
T4 Free = 1.12 (0.82-1.77)
TSH = 2.85 (0.45-4.50)

TSH History:
11/30/2012 = 2.61
7/23/2013 = 3.02
11/19/2013 = 2.85
2/19/2014 = 2.31
5/28/2014 = 2.35
8/20/2014 = 4.0
3/26/2015 = 2.61
9/23/2015 = 3.09
3/30/2016 = 4.17
10/12/2016 = 4.04

[bass]

I don't get it. Those are numbers BEFORE your diagnosis or AFTER? They look perfect.

TSH is very high, not perfect.

[bass]

now to the nature throid. my doc put me on about 6 months ago, started very low and worked my way up to 2.5 grains. to be honest i fell no difference, if anything i feel more sleepy and tired during the day. did BW while back and all my levels were in normal to optimal range. i will ask my doc next time to try something else.

[Baxter35]

I've never tried nature thyroid, but I've been on levothyroxine a few years with good results. I take 75mcg/day right now.

[hammerheart]

Looks like I did get a better Thyroid panel back on 11/19/13:
T3 = 113 (71-180)
T3 Free = 3.4 (2.0-4.4)
T4 = 6.4 (4.5-12.0)
T4 Free = 1.12 (0.82-1.77)
TSH = 2.85 (0.45-4.50)

It's always great to have old bloodwork for reference.

[Lockout888]

TSH History:
11/30/2012 = 2.61
7/23/2013 = 3.02
11/19/2013 = 2.85
2/19/2014 = 2.31
5/28/2014 = 2.35
8/20/2014 = 4.0
3/26/2015 = 2.61
9/23/2015 = 3.09
3/30/2016 = 4.17
10/12/2016 = 4.04

Looking back at my BW history, the elevated TSH seems to coincide with the iron deficiency anemia I had. Could the low iron have caused the Thyroid issues?

[hammerheart]

Looking back at my BW history, the elevated TSH seems to coincide with the iron deficiency anemia I had. Could the low iron have caused the Thyroid issues?

Potentially, yes. Iron status plays a role in T4-T3 conversion. Deficiency of Iron impact the activity of deiodinases, the enzymes that catalyze the conversion. When the body find itself in deficit of essential nutrients it will trigger energy sparing mechanisms in order to preserve homeostasis. However, this should also result in lower TSH, but I guess it depends.

[Lockout888]

But next time, have the free quotas tested in place of total, which are of no interest. Drop the T3 uptake and FT4 index in favor of Reverse T3.

Got those tested a few days later:
T3 Free = 3.3 (2.3-4.2)
T4 Free = 1.2 (0.8-1.8)
Reverse T3 = 19 (8-25)

[hammerheart]

Those looks good.

[Lockout888]

Those looks good.

So do you think my low iron was causing thyroid numbers to be a little off? Do I even need to start the Nature Throid?

[hammerheart]

So do you think my low iron was causing thyroid numbers to be a little off? Do I even need to start the Nature Throid?

I believed you already started it, but really you should go by the TSH, if it's elevated (and it is) you should commence replacement.

[Lockout888]

I've been on the Nature Throid for a little over 2 months now. Didn't really feel any difference.

Decided to get some additional thyroid lab-work, as I will be seeing my Doctor soon. I stopped taking the Nature Throid for 5 days. Here are my latest results. I really think my previous iron deficiency anemia was the cause of the elevated TSH before:
T3 Free = 3.5 (2.3-4.2)
T4 Free = 1.2 (0.8-1.8)
TSH = 2.09 (0.40-4.50)

[bass]

i been on nature throid for over 6 months, i felt no difference except for more joint pain, no weight loss and all the other supposedly good effects of thyroid meds, i just stopped a week ago and to be honest i feel better. i may check my iron as well, i believe i always been low due to blood letting and donating.

[LeeSin1]

i'm on thyroid meds and it definitely changed my life... (levothyroxine). went from having regular migraines (where I had to curl into a ball on the floor and wait for the pain to stop), to having no migraines at all. i also gained 60 pounds of NEEDED weight (i was rail thin).