This is what I know....

The Thyroid is a tricky little Organ.  It is just about 4cm X1 cm and it controls just about everything.  From regulating the rate of metabolism,  how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and controls how sensitive the body should be to other hormones as well as the growth and rate of function of many other systems in the body. Your emotions and hormones are also tied to this little organ as well. 

As someone I love very deeply about has issues with her Thyroid, I am become quite familiar with this organ.  She has Hypothyroidism plus Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  What does this mean?  Well, her thyroid is under performing PLUS it is attacking itself.  We thought we had got her T3 and T4 (thyroid levels) under control BUT a resent Blood work has shown her levels have skyrocketed. 

Her Microsomal TPO-Ab is OVER 1000, normal range is less then 35.

TSH, Hish sensitivity is 26.5, normal range is .3-4.0

T3 total is 99, normal is 102-200

T4 Free Non-Dialysis .7, normal range is .9-1.5

Thyroglobulin Antibobies is 110, normal range is less then 41

Her Thyroid measured around 5cm X 3cm.  

She has eliminated Gluten, as well as limiting dairy, eggs, and soy from her diet.  Plus she is on the swim team and swims 2 1/2 hours everyday for the last 3 weeks, her weight has gone up.  She has been overall emotional.  And ALL of this is tied to this little Organ called the Thyroid! 

The doctor has ordered a special combination of T3 and T4 medications for her.  We will not know if this will help until after a month of being on this medication.  Then she will go back in for more blood work.

The most important thing I learned about the Thyroid, is unlike my gallbladder I had taken out about 7 years ago and have not missed it sense, you can NOT just take out a Thyroid.  And if your Thyroid does die, you have to take medication for the rest of your life to help your body function. 

Here is hoping we are able to find the right levels to help her.  She is the bravest young woman I have ever known.  From all the blood work that she goes through on a consistent basis and the medications she takes every morning and evening.   She is AMAZING!