Active Low-Carber Forums - How to interpret these numbers

Active Low-Carber Forums (http://forum.lowcarber.org/index.php)

- Thyroid Disease (http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=76)

- - How to interpret these numbers (http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=474325)

How to interpret these numbers

Hi, all.

I've been on generic synthroid for hypothyroid for over 20 years. I don't think the dosage has ever wavered from 50mcg/day. I just had it rechecked and my MD wants to up my dosage to 75mcg/day for the first time. These are the test results:

T3free - 3.02 (was 3.19 7 mos ago)
T4free - 1.2 (was 1.4)
TSH - 6.01 (was 3.11)

Looking at all 3 #s, do you agree that my thryoid function has lessened, or is she just looking at the TSH. I don't understand how these interact, and I know some of you are very knowledgeable about it. I appreciate your help in understanding this.

Yeah, a TSH that high definitely warrants looking into.

TSH is Thyroid signaling hormone. The pituitary gland is responsible for that. It signals the thyroid to produce more hormone. When the thyroid doesn't respond or the pit. gland thinks more is needed, then it secretes more hormone, which in turn means TSH gets higher.