Thyroid Lab Changes While bulking

[oldgrey]

Hey everyone!

Would love some input-

My TSH (usually lower reference range) and T4 (usually lower - low mid reference range) are always normative and i have been regularly taking 100mcg t4/day for 1 - 1.5 years.

Now, 2 months into a bulk my TSH is quite high (I have never need it over 2) and T4 Low (never seen it out of reference range) ..

I have been making some solid and eating probably 15% more calories from starting.

I am kind of confused with the higher TSH as I supplement T4, and as mentioned I have never seen is at all out of the lower reference range.
T4 lower, well I supplement it so that one was likely just related to not having taken my daily dose yet?
Is my metabolism just running wild?
Thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[DugPrime]

Higher TSH means that your thyroid starts to slow down, and so that you're far in the bulk, and slowly your body doesn't want to keep gaining weight.

At this point, keep increasing calories, and probably supplementing a low dose (5-15) mcg of T3 (MEDICAL, NOT UGL) a day would be a great thing if you want to push it further.

 

[oldgrey]

Higher TSH means that your thyroid starts to slow down, and so that you're far in the bulk, and slowly your body doesn't want to keep gaining weight.

At this point, keep increasing calories, and probably supplementing a low dose (5-15) mcg of T3 (MEDICAL, NOT UGL) a day would be a great thing if you want to push it further.

Thanks,

Yes TSH is high as the body wants more thyroid activity-

So, the T3 supplementation would be to keep the metabolism 'going' and satiate the TSH through back filling? Are you suggesting adding in a caloric increase now? Would love further explanation if you would share!
Thanks!

 

[mochul]

Yes TSH is high as the body wants more thyroid activity-

No, he is wrong. High TSH means your thyroid gland is not capable of producing enough thyroid hormones hence the high TSH. It is reflected in your low t4 levels. Measure free t4 and free t3 next time too.
You are extremely hypothyroid at the moment. Your body wants more thyroid hormone but your thyroid gland is not functioning properly. I would suggest consulting with a professional doctor rather than asking random dudes on a forum. But in my opinion, your t4 dosage is not enough or you are not absorbing it. Increase the dosage and retest in two week

 

[DugPrime]

No, he is wrong. High TSH means your thyroid gland is not capable of producing enough thyroid hormones hence the high TSH. It is reflected in your low t4 levels. Measure free t4 and free t3 next time too.
You are extremely hypothyroid at the moment. Your body wants more thyroid hormone but your thyroid gland is not functioning properly. I would suggest consulting with a professional doctor rather than asking random dudes on a forum. But in my opinion, your t4 dosage is not enough or you are not absorbing it. Increase the dosage and retest in two week

Stop spreading dangerous misinformation. A low TSH level means the thyroid is overactive, producing excessive amounts of T3 and T4, which suppresses TSH.

 

[mochul]

Stop spreading dangerous misinformation. A low TSH level means the thyroid is overactive, producing excessive amounts of T3 and T4, which suppresses TSH.

His tsh is high not low. I said the same thing you said here but in reverse. But i confused him with someone else blood work which was way out of range. His is normal high

 

[DugPrime]

His tsh is high not low. I said the same thing you said here but in reverse. But i confused him with someone else blood work which was way out of range. His is normal high

Oh okay, but why saying that I am wrong then?

 

[DugPrime]

Are you suggesting adding in a caloric increase now? Would love further explanation if you would share!

Track your daily weight (on empty stomach) and aim for 1lb a week, if you're not gaining that amount, then you can increase the calories.

 

[mochul]

Oh okay, but why saying that I am wrong then?

Maybe i got it wrong. I thought you meant his body is down regulating thyroid hormone to halt wait gain. I dont think that higher metabolism would actually make you gain weight slower, just that you need to eat more. Maybe i am wrong.

 

[SalsaCat]

For what it's worth, some people have seasonal variations in thyroid hormone demand. I have to take slightly more of my T3/T4 combination in the colder months and less in the summer months. I have years of blood work showing this trend for me, and the doctor just seasonally adjusts what he verbally tells me to take while prescribing plenty in case I need more at any time. Having a good relationship and being trusted to manage my dosage based on symptoms (am I getting tired/cold/dry skin/malaise? - need more for the cold season; am I getting some jitters, sweats, and heart flutters? - time to cut back for the warm season) really helps in that I don't have to call for changes. It's just whether or not I have to split pills or take whole ones, for the most part. Perhaps seasonal changes could be having more effect than your bulk?

 

[buck]

A high TSH points to the brain thinking it needs more T4. And the low T4 level would point to the thyroid not being able to make more to keep up with the TSH request.

 

[sinistral]

Are you by chance running growth hormone? Those lab ranges look like you're measuring TT3 and TT4. You might want to check FT3 and FT4.

If running GH then you'd see High TSH, High FT3 and Low FT4. GH increases the T4-T3 conversion rate.

 

[oldgrey]

For what it's worth, some people have seasonal variations in thyroid hormone demand. I have to take slightly more of my T3/T4 combination in the colder months and less in the summer months. I have years of blood work showing this trend for me, and the doctor just seasonally adjusts what he verbally tells me to take while prescribing plenty in case I need more at any time. Having a good relationship and being trusted to manage my dosage based on symptoms (am I getting tired/cold/dry skin/malaise? - need more for the cold season; am I getting some jitters, sweats, and heart flutters? - time to cut back for the warm season) really helps in that I don't have to call for changes. It's just whether or not I have to split pills or take whole ones, for the most part. Perhaps seasonal changes could be having more effect than your bulk?

thanks thats interesting

 

[oldgrey]

Are you by chance running growth hormone? Those lab ranges look like you're measuring TT3 and TT4. You might want to check FT3 and FT4.

If running GH then you'd see High TSH, High FT3 and Low FT4. GH increases the T4-T3 conversion rate.

yeah i will have to get free's done!

Short story is yes on the GH, but I haven't changed doses etc in a very very long time and my labs have always looked more like this (This is from Dec)