Thyroid function test - any experts out there to give me ideas?

[tb]

OK, have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but despite 7 years of treatment, still not really feeling much better.

I've been prescribed 175mcg of thyroxin and 25mcg of iodothyronone (Cynomel) per day.

Having been told by the specialist that there was nothing more that could be done medically, I got really fed up, and even more sick of taking tablets that I don't feel are doing me much good. Felt as if I were being accused of being a fat cow that should just eat less to lose weight, as I haven't lost any since treatment began.

So, nearly 6 months ago, I stopped taking the tablets, and have just had a blood test prior to my next specialist appointment.

Here are the results

On tablets
Free T3 3.83 pg/ml
Free T4 13.84 pmol/l
TSH .06 mc UI

Off tablets
Free T3 3.87 pg/ml
Free T4 7.47 pmol/l
TSH 17.47 mc UI

OK, I can understand why the TSH has rocketed. It proves that I really do have an underactive thyroid, but I was wondering what the unchanged T3 figure means, apart from the fact that the T4 to T3 conversion doesn't seem to be working.

Any medics out there, what do you reckon the test results mean?

Thanks for your help

So, on levo and liothyronie t3/t4 combo, your TSH was a tad on the low side, your FT4 was low in range and our FT3 was low in range.

Off the meds, your TSH is well above range, but your FT4 is below range and your FT3 hasn't really moved.

First question would have to be, how do you feel? Do you feel any different?

It looks as if your pituitary is pushing your thyroid (raised TSH) but your thyroid isn't responding, but it wasn't really responding to the meds either.

If it was me, I'd be asking for a referral to an endocrinologist who specialises in thyroid, not diabetes.

D

Thanks for that

It was the endo I saw in March/April who said that nothing more could be done with tablets...so, I'm almost wondering if there's something else. She specialises in thyroid problems, and is unusual in treating symptoms rather than blood test results.

Don't really feel much different whether on or off the tablets, and my skin is a flaky mess whether I take them or not. Still have ridges in all my nails, and bursitis which is worse when I'm stressed (with a 14 year old dd who has possible pda - an asd, that happens quite often )

Basically, I'm sick of not feeling 'right' if that makes sense, not to mention being 10-11stone overweight, and nothing seeming to shift any of it, not even Cambridge.

Have just found out that I'm very short of vit D, and the gp has given me a supplement to take. Don't know if that will change anything.