Thyroid labs help

[nothuman]

Not necessarily, titrating T4 down when increasing T3 is just a cautionary step. Generally, most men need 100-200 mcg daily fasted to attain euthyroid status. Some will need 5-10 mcg T3 to achieve euthyroid status. (Taking T3 actually stimulates further T4 to T3 conversion in tissues).


Often times lipids and GFR will not improve in men who need more T4 or T3. Liver and kidney function is optimized in a euthyroid state, as well as mood, cognition/memory, etc.


Do NOT look at TSH. Do you look at LH/FSH when titrating TRT? TSH will lead you astray. Generally, euthyroid state will have you at <1 TSH, oftentimes highly suppressed (Like TRT).


TSH is exactly like LH/FSH, they are trophic pituitary peptide hormones that are just signals.

Ok that helps a lot because I’m kind of stuck in a state where I don’t know if I am taking too much or too little since the symptoms are similar (with T3 only, i felt hypothyroid when i took too much but the reality is I wasn’t since my FT3 went down in a state of over medication).

So you don’t think there’s a problem with crushing TSH? There is evidence of cardiovascular risks with suppressed TSH so I still would rather keep it above 0.5 if I can.

 

[Black Beard]

Ok that helps a lot because I’m kind of stuck in a state where I don’t know if I am taking too much or too little since the symptoms are similar (with T3 only, i felt hypothyroid when i took too much but the reality is I wasn’t since my FT3 went down in a state of over medication).

So you don’t think there’s a problem with crushing TSH? There is evidence of cardiovascular risks with suppressed TSH so I still would rather keep it above 0.5 if I can.

Correlation / causation effect.


For hyperthyroidism you will 1. be over the physiological range and /or 2. symptoms ; elevated heart rate, BP, nervousness/anxiety or agitation, muscle weakness, diahrrea, feeling hot, etc.

Note that oral T3 does peak between 2-4 hours and closer to baseline after 24 hours.. If you keep focusing on TSH and RT3, you may never optimized/euthyroid.

 

[nothuman]

Correlation / causation effect.


For hyperthyroidism you will 1. be over the physiological range and /or 2. symptoms ; elevated heart rate, BP, nervousness/anxiety or agitation, muscle weakness, diahrrea, feeling hot, etc.

Note that oral T3 does peak between 2-4 hours and closer to baseline after 24 hours.. If you keep focusing on TSH and RT3, you may never optimized/euthyroid.

Oddly enough, I don't get elevated heart rate or any of that when I seem to be taking too much T3. Just horrific brain fog to the point I have to cancel my day and lay in bed.

In any case, I am now on combo therapy and never plan to attempt T3 monotherapy ever again.

 

[Black Beard]

Oddly enough, I don't get elevated heart rate or any of that when I seem to be taking too much T3. Just horrific brain fog to the point I have to cancel my day and lay in bed.

In any case, I am now on combo therapy and never plan to attempt T3 monotherapy ever again.

T3 mono is the worst protocol for sure. I also never felt the heart rate on high T3 experiments but cognitive function sucked. (likely hypo in some parts of brain without T4,but true hyper is known to cause cognitive issues as does hypo).


T4 and T3 affect tissues differently, so you can be hypo , euthyroid and hyper in different tissues at the same time.

 

[MouthBreather1982]

My t4 is almost not existent, t3 is close to top of range and tsh is 1.2
I’ve had my thyroid tested many times over the years and it’s always normal even thou I thought something might be up and also have a nodule. Seems like the cortisol is low because if I add any t3 or t4 I get sleepy and or hyper feeling. Plan on getting more bloods but it’s not easy with my insurance currently and the way NY makes it impossible.

 

[MouthBreather1982]

I am starting to think you are correct. All my blood work for everything else that was checked is normal. I honestly don’t feel much better since being on the dessictated thyroid. I do have a little more energy but still have fatigue, elevated heart rate at times and dry skin. I feel this is thyroid related in some way but can’t pinpoint it. I will ask for a slight increase when I am due for a refill and see if that helps. Thanks again for all your help

Is your dry skin on hands and feet? Mine is

 

[mike036]

Is your dry skin on hands and feet? Mine is

Yes. My hands and feet have been unusually dry

 

[MouthBreather1982]

Mike actually burns. Party from vaping I think which I’m stopping

 

[qbkilla]

Bumping this one up. I've noticed my maintenance calories greatly decreased lately to the point where no matter how low I go 2k 1.5k, 1.2k, I can't lose a lb. Also constipation bad. Went to patient first to get bloods and due to constipation and my sodium was 130...probably drinking too much water so cut back. But the thyroid results are in range but everything online Saya these numbers are pretty bad basically hypothyroidism. I also have been constipated and sensitive to the cold...

Tsh 2.6 (.45-4.5)
T4 4.5 (4.5-12l

Not as bad as one pulled a few years ago below...but still bad

Tsh 3.5 (.45-4.5)
T4 .8 (.82-1.77) low

I tried years ago to get the endo to give me meds but she refused because my test was high and I told her I was taking a "test booster " and she said that threw my thyroid labs off she won't consider it until my test is in range.

Maybe a wellness clinic? I called a few they don't seem to expense and Siad they can prescribe thyroid. Why is t4 given to patients who are hypothyroid vs t3 which I believe is what bodybuilders take? Sorry never looked into t3 and seems like it's not as used as it was in the 2000s

 

[Sully1234]

Bumping this one up. I've noticed my maintenance calories greatly decreased lately to the point where no matter how low I go 2k 1.5k, 1.2k, I can't lose a lb. Also constipation bad. Went to patient first to get bloods and due to constipation and my sodium was 130...probably drinking too much water so cut back. But the thyroid results are in range but everything online Saya these numbers are pretty bad basically hypothyroidism. I also have been constipated and sensitive to the cold...

Tsh 2.6 (.45-4.5)
T4 4.5 (4.5-12l

Not as bad as one pulled a few years ago below...but still bad

Tsh 3.5 (.45-4.5)
T4 .8 (.82-1.77) low

I tried years ago to get the endo to give me meds but she refused because my test was high and I told her I was taking a "test booster " and she said that threw my thyroid labs off she won't consider it until my test is in range.

Maybe a wellness clinic? I called a few they don't seem to expense and Siad they can prescribe thyroid. Why is t4 given to patients who are hypothyroid vs t3 which I believe is what bodybuilders take? Sorry never looked into t3 and seems like it's not as used as it was in the 2000s

You need more labs. TSH and T4 testing is the outdated gold standard for thyroid. Used to just be TSH so I guess thats progress.

Dont waste your money on another TSH test.
T4 - Total
T4 - Free
T3 - Total
T3 - Free

Use Ulta Labs.

 

[qbkilla]

You need more labs. TSH and T4 testing is the outdated gold standard for thyroid. Used to just be TSH so I guess thats progress.

Dont waste your money on another TSH test.
T4 - Total
T4 - Free
T3 - Total
T3 - Free

Use Ulta Labs.

I got a wellness doc to run the labs.
T3 free1.7 (2-4) low
T4 Free 1.77 low
Tsh 2.25 (.4-4.5)
Reverse t3 12.7 (9.2-24)
Tpo ab 15 (0-34)
Insulin 1.1 (2.6-24) low
A1c glucose normal

She prescribed a baby dose of 12.5 mcg t4 I got her to up to 25mcg but have to get bloods in 6 weeks I'm sure will be low still then hopefully get a real dose atleaast 50mcg

Thing is I've had low thyroid numbers for years. My maintenance calories dropping 500-700 is new. 2000 calories going in my body has always been ....lose weight fast. Like 3-4lbs a week need cheat days eod to not lose weight too fast.

Now I'm at 2000 and can't lose a lb, even gain. No lower amount makes me lose a lb either. No additional amount of cardio budget the scale a lb. I've been tracking calories and taking my am weight for 20 years losing weight and shedding fat for me is easier than writing my name or snapping my fingers...but it just changed and I have no clue why.

Maybe high cortisol...can't think of any reason why my "watch this imma drop 10lbs this week...watch how easy it is" calorie intake is now my maintenance and nothing will drop a lb. I've tried intmittent fasting pamf carnivore...high carb low fat...out of tools

And the other strange thing usually at 2000 calories my starve to shed fat level I'm flat...well I'm full all day...muscle wise...like every day was a carb up

 

[Sully1234]

I got a wellness doc to run the labs.
T3 free1.7 (2-4) low
T4 Free 1.77 low
Tsh 2.25 (.4-4.5)
Reverse t3 12.7 (9.2-24)
Tpo ab 15 (0-34)
Insulin 1.1 (2.6-24) low
A1c glucose normal

She prescribed a baby dose of 12.5 mcg t4 I got her to up to 25mcg but have to get bloods in 6 weeks I'm sure will be low still then hopefully get a real dose atleaast 50mcg

Thing is I've had low thyroid numbers for years. My maintenance calories dropping 500-700 is new. 2000 calories going in my body has always been ....lose weight fast. Like 3-4lbs a week need cheat days eod to not lose weight too fast.

Now I'm at 2000 and can't lose a lb, even gain. No lower amount makes me lose a lb either. No additional amount of cardio budget the scale a lb. I've been tracking calories and taking my am weight for 20 years losing weight and shedding fat for me is easier than writing my name or snapping my fingers...but it just changed and I have no clue why.

Maybe high cortisol...can't think of any reason why my "watch this imma drop 10lbs this week...watch how easy it is" calorie intake is now my maintenance and nothing will drop a lb. I've tried intmittent fasting pamf carnivore...high carb low fat...out of tools

And the other strange thing usually at 2000 calories my starve to shed fat level I'm flat...well I'm full all day...muscle wise...like every day was a carb up

Did you get Total T4?

 

[qbkilla]

Did you get Total T4?

Nothing beyond those numbers. Perhaps the 4.5 number in post 109 is total? That was taken a week before the numbers I just posted

 

[Sully1234]

Nothing beyond those numbers. Perhaps the 4.5 number in post 109 is total? That was taken a week before the numbers I just posted

Yeah, sorry skimmed over that. Well unfortunately you already started taking T4 so it's going to mess with your labs.

Personally I think diet and supplementation could have (likely) gone a long way in improving labs.

What's typical diet?

 

[qbkilla]

Yeah, sorry skimmed over that. Well unfortunately you already started taking T4 so it's going to mess with your labs.

Personally I think diet and supplementation could have (likely) gone a long way in improving labs.

What's typical diet?

I've changed it over time...t4 has been tested many times and is always in low end or out of range. Typically intmittent fasting. Protein 1.5g per lb, then at times over the years more carvivore but Typically low fat high carb. Fruit as main carb source. I do stay very lean year round and low calories below 2700 always

 

[KingOfSushi]

I've changed it over time...t4 has been tested many times and is always in low end or out of range. Typically intmittent fasting. Protein 1.5g per lb, then at times over the years more carvivore but Typically low fat high carb. Fruit as main carb source. I do stay very lean year round and low calories below 2700 always

I know you diet pretty much 24/7. So you ever refeed? When’s the last time you raised your food?

Any recent pics of how lean you are?

 

[Sully1234]

I know you diet pretty much 24/7. So you ever refeed? When’s the last time you raised your food?

Any recent pics of how lean you are?

2700 calories might just be too low.

I destroyed my hormones back in the day low carb/low cal dieting and doing IF.

Same issue as you - TSH normal but thyroid hormones were low.

I think increasing calories and carbs for a few weeks could possibly be a solution?

And stop fasting.

 

[qbkilla]

I know you diet pretty much 24/7. So you ever refeed? When’s the last time you raised your food?

Any recent pics of how lean you are?

I'll take some recent and pm. I typically have 1 day where I enjoy a cheat meal but still fast. So pre workout shake at 4pm, train, go out and eat a meal, then another before bed. So 2700ish so calories that day then back to around 2k.

 

[qbkilla]

2700 calories might just be too low.

I destroyed my hormones back in the day low carb/low cal dieting and doing IF.

Same issue as you - TSH normal but thyroid hormones were low.

I think increasing calories and carbs for a few weeks could possibly be a solution?

And stop fasting.

If the scale doesn't move I'm considering bumping them up. It's crazy though because this is the way I've always ate and it has worked like a charm forever I can dial calories up or down and the scale moves exactly how I want it to. But all of a sudden it stopped working like my body won't burn fat. I'm thinking I should test to see if my prop is bunk or high cortisol/estrogen maybe?

 

[Sully1234]

I'll take some recent and pm. I typically have 1 day where I enjoy a cheat meal but still fast. So pre workout shake at 4pm, train, go out and eat a meal, then another before bed. So 2700ish so calories that day then back to around 2k.

Calories are too low in conjunction with fasting.

Metabolism slowed due to a stress response... Stop fasting. Eat carbs. Low carb will make it worse.

You're doing exactly what I did and getting the same exact results.