Thread: My bloodwork. Thyroid BAD!!

Rocco,
I have no Idea what all that is . What do YOU suspect all that is telling you ?
Something from when you were "cycling" ? Good luck bud !

I don't understand those numbers either. Help, please!

All I know is that the T4 isn't great but not horrible. The TSH levels is something I would worry about. When was the last time you took T3 or anything like it?

The TSH can be suppressed for a few reasons. The first thing I would ask is are you taking cytomel (T3) or have you in the past? Taking cytomel will quickly cause low TSH. Extending use of T3 can cause the thyroid to decrease the out put of T4 which would explain the lowish T4. Another cause of low TSH would be if you have a nodule and/or tumor on your thyroid that is causing the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. However the thyroid hormone it is putting out, while suppressing the TSH, may not be bioactive thyroid hormone. Your thyroid is big time suppressed and a good endo will grill you about what drugs and supplements you are taking. Contrary to some belief, even ephedra cause cause thyroid hormone in balances. It can cause increased output of thyroid hormones. The increase in circulating hormone will cause the decreases in TSH levels. Inaddition to grilling you, a good endo should palpate your thyroid and send you for an ultrasound of the thyroid. If the endo is aggresive he should send you for an iodine uptake scan.

The bottem line, it will depend if the suppressed TSH is drug induced or tumor/nodule induced. If it drug induced, I would say it will depend on how long and what you have taken. It is possible the thyroid and TSH will recover naturally. A low TSH can be lived with, but usually requires the person supplement with T4 such as synthroid or levoxyl.

Side note: I wouldn't stress the slightly low absolute neutrophil count. Most if not all docs go by the % neutrophils.

Dev is the definate expert here

Originally Posted by gwcaton

Rocco,
I have no Idea what all that is . What do YOU suspect all that is telling you ?
Something from when you were "cycling" ? Good luck bud !

I have no idea LOL. I imagine it's probably from cycling T3.

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

All I know is that the T4 isn't great but not horrible. The TSH levels is something I would worry about. When was the last time you took T3 or anything like it?

I was taking T3 for about 2 weeks when I had the tests done. I went into the Doc for something else and he noticed my left eye was swollen and droopy a bit and wanted to test my thyroid. I told him I was taking T3 and that's when he got concerned and we did the blood tests.

Originally Posted by Devlin

The TSH can be suppressed for a few reasons. The first thing I would ask is are you taking cytomel (T3) or have you in the past? Taking cytomel will quickly cause low TSH. Extending use of T3 can cause the thyroid to decrease the out put of T4 which would explain the lowish T4. Another cause of low TSH would be if you have a nodule and/or tumor on your thyroid that is causing the thyroid to produce thyroid hormone. However the thyroid hormone it is putting out, while suppressing the TSH, may not be bioactive thyroid hormone. Your thyroid is big time suppressed and a good endo will grill you about what drugs and supplements you are taking. Contrary to some belief, even ephedra cause cause thyroid hormone in balances. It can cause increased output of thyroid hormones. The increase in circulating hormone will cause the decreases in TSH levels. Inaddition to grilling you, a good endo should palpate your thyroid and send you for an ultrasound of the thyroid. If the endo is aggresive he should send you for an iodine uptake scan.

The bottem line, it will depend if the suppressed TSH is drug induced or tumor/nodule induced. If it drug induced, I would say it will depend on how long and what you have taken. It is possible the thyroid and TSH will recover naturally. A low TSH can be lived with, but usually requires the person supplement with T4 such as synthroid or levoxyl.

Side note: I wouldn't stress the slightly low absolute neutrophil count. Most if not all docs go by the % neutrophils.

Thanks Devlin. My guess would be the T3 is what suppressed my TSH. I've used it off and on around 2 years. Should I not stress this and be positive that most likely my levels will recover?

If you were taking T3 within a couple of days of the test I wouldn't worry, just get off and let it rebound back to normal. You may want to taper it.

Also, look up Grave's disease, it is the condition where your eyes are affected by thyroid. The most prominent eye issue is protruding eyes, but conjunctivitis is also common.

Funny you should post this, I have been having irritated eyes for the past week and I am on T3. Needless to say I started my taper today, the probs came right around when I went to 80mcg a day. I had done that much before, but I am prone to dry eyes so I am going to go ahead and come off. I am pretty sure I had a bacterial infection at the time though, I had it only in my right eye and then it popped in my left eye a day after I had accidentally switched my contacts around, plus my eyes are not protruding, just irritated. It should be healed by now though. Better safe than sorry. I owe ya one, I may be in VA Beach at then end of March, if you are around there, I will buy you a wine cooler.

Rocco...Welcome to the world of drug induced TSH suppression The good news, T3 has a short half life and if you stop cold turkey it will clear in about 10-14 days. However, depending on your dose, I would recommend tappering off. You can take supplements such as iodine and the "thyroid support" supplements to help the thyroid rebound. However, your T4 wasn't that low and I would say your thyroid is probably completely functional. As for the issues with the eye, not touching that one, I haven't had any problems with my eyes besides being blind as a bat without glasses or contacts. My endo does ask if my eyes get dry, but then she asks about my hair falling out too because that is a side effect of both high and low T4.

Billie-Thanks. I am no where near close to being an expert. I have just learned a lot the hard way. Plus my endo going to really love me tomorrow when I hit her with my list of current questions on which supplements will affect absorption of my levoxyl.

Rocco majority of Endocronologist are freaken idioits and only treat by numbers. you needs a free t-3 free t-4 and reverse t-3 readings along with antibodies for a complete picture for what is going on. Take temperature 5 mornings in a row before getting out of bed and average them it should be 98.2. With thyroid that low some thing is tweaking and from my research its looking like an autoimmune response like hashimotos. Well taking t-3 explains it since it lowers t-4 and suppresses tsh. If you had a free t-3 reading it would probably be elevated higher then usuall I am sure.

Originally Posted by hardasnails1973

Well taking t-3 explains it since it lowers t-4 and suppresses tsh. If you had a free t-3 reading it would probably be elevated higher then usuall I am sure.

It's a classic case of T3 suppression of TSH. However, it wouldn't hurt to get the T3 levels done as well as thyroglobulin antibody level. If it truely the T3 suppressing the TSH than I would expect, a normal to elevated T3 and a normal thyroglobulin antibody level.

Also too your low WBC count indicates to me over training as well, so it might be advisible to up your glutemine supplementation to 20 grams a day for a bit

Glutamine improves the immune systems ability to manufacture white blood cells that in turn fight infection. Supplementing your body with nutrients such as Glutamine assist the body in resisting outside assaults from pathogenic micro-organisms (un-friendly bacteria).

also might want to bump up zinc to 50 mgs a day with 3 mgs copper to prevent deficiency, have you had cholesterol check at all ? Some peoples body can rebound back faster others take time so it might be advisble to cut back on training for a bit.

Rocco,

Have you hAd any body image issues lately? Low thyroid can lead to body dysmorphic disorder. It is separate from depression. Also these tests do not show how much antibody is actually being absorbed into the tissue, therefore they are not always accurate.

Originally Posted by topolo

Rocco,

Have you hAd any body image issues lately? Low thyroid can lead to body dysmorphic disorder. It is separate from depression. Also these tests do not show how much antibody is actually being absorbed into the tissue, therefore they are not always accurate.

If he has elevated levels of thyroglobulin antibodies he has a problem such an auto-immune disorder or a nodule/tumor on his thyroid. Antibodies do NOT get absorbed into the tissue in this case. Plus the thyroglobulin antibody level is used as an indicator for auto-immune disorders of the thyroid and for thyroid cancer screening/monitoring. It is considered to be fairly accurate as a screening tool. The thyroid hormone levels such as free T4, free T4 and TSH are accurate measures of bio available hormone. For the most accurate and comprehensive testing of the thyroid one needs to get an ultrasound of the thyroid and a radio active iodine uptake scan. However, I believe in Rocco's case the radio active iodine scan would not be accurate if done with his TSH so low. For the most accurate radio active iodine scan, one needs to have a sky high TSH level (talking TSH levels of 15-20+,I had one done when TSH was 77 normal level is 5.5 or below).

Yes antibodies came to my mind as well, but since he is coming off t-3 that pretty much explains the whole scenerio IMO, with proper supplements it will rebound back in 4-5 weeks. Study's done with 200 mcgs a week of t-3 rebound with 8 weeks with out help unless there was an underlying cause before you started.

Originally Posted by hardasnails1973

Yes antibodies came to my mind as well, but since he is coming off t-3 that pretty much explains the whole scenerio IMO, with proper supplements it will rebound back in 4-5 weeks. Study's done with 200 mcgs a week of t-3 rebound with 8 weeks with out help unless there was an underlying cause before you started.

Thank you, well said

Rocco give it for 4 weeks and then see, you might want to look up on net there is a good post about post t-3 cycle protocol that has been used numerous times. Search under post t-3 cycle mallet. That should answer any of your questions. In my opinoin no need to go any further with endos unlesss after 8 weeks you still feel shitty, but all research I have said if you are healthy no pre-existing problems you will rebound just fine

Originally Posted by Devlin

If he has elevated levels of thyroglobulin antibodies he has a problem such an auto-immune disorder or a nodule/tumor on his thyroid. Antibodies do NOT get absorbed into the tissue in this case. Plus the thyroglobulin antibody level is used as an indicator for auto-immune disorders of the thyroid and for thyroid cancer screening/monitoring. It is considered to be fairly accurate as a screening tool. The thyroid hormone levels such as free T4, free T4 and TSH are accurate measures of bio available hormone. For the most accurate and comprehensive testing of the thyroid one needs to get an ultrasound of the thyroid and a radio active iodine uptake scan. However, I believe in Rocco's case the radio active iodine scan would not be accurate if done with his TSH so low. For the most accurate radio active iodine scan, one needs to have a sky high TSH level (talking TSH levels of 15-20+,I had one done when TSH was 77 normal level is 5.5 or below).

This is true, however, I have spoke with several people who benefited greatly from taking thyroid medication even though their levels were in the acceptable range.

Originally Posted by topolo

This is true, however, I have spoke with several people who benefited greatly from taking thyroid medication even though their levels were in the acceptable range.

I do not doubt that, however those people most likely have normal levels of Total T4 and Total T3 and either normal or more likely low Free T4 and normal or more likely low Free T3. There is a difference. Only the Free T4 and Free T3 is bioavailable for the body to use. They would probably have a normal TSH level too, but their TSH level would drop if they started taking synthetic T4 (synthroid/levoxyl) or synthetic T3 (cytomel).

This is all over my head my Friend, but I wish you nothing but the best!!!

Originally Posted by Dale Mabry

If you were taking T3 within a couple of days of the test I wouldn't worry, just get off and let it rebound back to normal. You may want to taper it.

Also, look up Grave's disease, it is the condition where your eyes are affected by thyroid. The most prominent eye issue is protruding eyes, but conjunctivitis is also common.

Funny you should post this, I have been having irritated eyes for the past week and I am on T3. Needless to say I started my taper today, the probs came right around when I went to 80mcg a day. I had done that much before, but I am prone to dry eyes so I am going to go ahead and come off. I am pretty sure I had a bacterial infection at the time though, I had it only in my right eye and then it popped in my left eye a day after I had accidentally switched my contacts around, plus my eyes are not protruding, just irritated. It should be healed by now though. Better safe than sorry. I owe ya one, I may be in VA Beach at then end of March, if you are around there, I will buy you a wine cooler.

I'm off the T3 now. I was only taking 50mcg. I tapered off a bit and then quite it. My left eye has been like unbearably dry and hurting. I'm not around VA Beach but are you going to pass through DC or close to it?

Originally Posted by hardasnails1973

Also too your low WBC count indicates to me over training as well, so it might be advisible to up your glutemine supplementation to 20 grams a day for a bit

Glutamine improves the immune systems ability to manufacture white blood cells that in turn fight infection. Supplementing your body with nutrients such as Glutamine assist the body in resisting outside assaults from pathogenic micro-organisms (un-friendly bacteria).

also might want to bump up zinc to 50 mgs a day with 3 mgs copper to prevent deficiency, have you had cholesterol check at all ? Some peoples body can rebound back faster others take time so it might be advisble to cut back on training for a bit.

Thanks for dropping in here and all your help!! Oddly enough I haven't taken Glutamine for around 2 years and last week I just ordered a big bottle from Beverly International. So I'm starting that this week.

As far as cholesterol I'm at 132 which is good. My HDL though is 38 which is a little low but nothing to worry about I guess.

Originally Posted by topolo

Rocco,

Have you hAd any body image issues lately? Low thyroid can lead to body dysmorphic disorder. It is separate from depression. Also these tests do not show how much antibody is actually being absorbed into the tissue, therefore they are not always accurate.

I guess you could say I have, but then again I WAS pretty fat again LOL! I certainly had reason to feel bad

Originally Posted by hardasnails1973

Rocco give it for 4 weeks and then see, you might want to look up on net there is a good post about post t-3 cycle protocol that has been used numerous times. Search under post t-3 cycle mallet. That should answer any of your questions. In my opinoin no need to go any further with endos unlesss after 8 weeks you still feel shitty, but all research I have said if you are healthy no pre-existing problems you will rebound just fine

Thanks. I'm taking Thyroid Energy from NOW and also lean extreme from DS for the 7-OH. My Endo appt is not until the end of March and I'm having blood drawn 2 more times before then so I should know before then if I have to keep the appt or not.

Originally Posted by Rocco32

Thanks for dropping in here and all your help!! Oddly enough I haven't taken Glutamine for around 2 years and last week I just ordered a big bottle from Beverly International. So I'm starting that this week.

As far as cholesterol I'm at 132 which is good. My HDL though is 38 which is a little low but nothing to worry about I guess.

Yeah, I will be, I will let you know. Turns out I just have viral conjunctivitis, went to the doc today, jsut need to wait it out, T3 back on.

dude 132 is dangerous low and HDL's ARE TOO LOW as well.
Low cholesterol usually means low adrenals and hormone problems, Also people with cholesterol under 160 are at greater chance of heart attach and suicide becuase cholesterol is needed to bound serotonin to the receptors. Cholesterol is building block for all steroid hormones !! Dude eat some cocconut oil it will help thyroid rebound, and how start taking ZMA before bed time. Since low hdl are from magesium defieincy as well low copper. if you are taking alot of zinc an not copper to balance it zinc will drive copper into the ground and from looking at these results you may have some slightly low adrenal out put as well because when people are put on cortisol there cholesterol rises. Again you may just be eating alot of oatmeal and low saturated fat meals or it just might be hereditary.