High T4 with normal TSH?

[constellation]

I am on .75mcg of T4only medication that gives me a normal TSH of 0.3. however, my t4 went beyong normal to 2. At a lower dosage of .5, my TSH was still high at 4 although my T4 then was normal.

1)What should I do? Will there be problems if i stick to .75mcg for life, with high T4?

I tend to have heart palpitations once in a while that can last almost a whole day sometimes.

2)Is it safe for me to take T3 medication, as my T3 is in very low normal range?

3)Is there a need to see a heart specialist? (my weight, cholestrol and blood pressure are normal).

Thanks!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Try alternating 50 and 75mcg (ie every other day)

People with history of palpitations may have a worsening with T3 - but it is worth a trial - cytomel 2.5mcg (1/2 a 5mcg tab) twice a day in combo with a lower dose of T4.

Hard to advise about cardiology eval -- if the palpitations persist then may be necessary.

Would pay more attention to TSH than to T4

[Chocobabe]

Hey, I noticed that you stated that "1/2 grain of armour = 50mcg of T4". I found out, and so have apparently lots of others, that those equivalency charts aren't worth beans. I was on .125 Levothyroxine, and it said my equivalency was 1 1/4 grains Armour. Instead, I am now over 3 grains and finally doing wonderful!!

Constellation--I did want to pass along that I have MVP and occasionally got palps, too. When I switched to Armour, each dose raise gave me palps, but they subsided within the first week of each raise. Now I have no more palps.

[nuawlinsyat]

I would try the T3 in a small dose. That's what I'm going to do. I've went up from 50mcgto 100mcg to 125mcg to 175mcg of levoxyl and was still gaining weight! I was also getting the heart palpitations at 175mcg. I'm now back on 50mcg and it's not enough. I've heard that some people feel better in less than a week after taking the T3. I'm going to ask for 1/2 grain of armour which is = to 50mcg of T4 which I'm taking now. If I need more I can always go up in as little as 3 weeks so I've read. T3 works faster than T4. It's not for everyone but it's worth a try.

[ancientmariner]

Could it be the equivalency wasn't right because the amount of T4 you were taking was too low?

[HashiMan]

I wrote another message to you on our other thread but the heading seems to have dissapeared. I wanted to make sure you find it.

[Chocobabe]

That's a possibility, ancientmariner. But I am on about 3 1/2 grains Armour, and the equivalency charts says I should have been on MORE than 300 mcg. (which is equivalent to 3 grains), and I was on .125. I wonder if I had increased to .300, I might have been VERY T4-hyper. LOL.

[ancientmariner]

I was on .125 of Synthroid and I'm now on 3-1/2 grains of Armour, too.....and not yet optimized. But I know I wasn't optimized on Synthroid!

[Chocobabe]

I just had to laugh when I saw that you too were once on .125 T4-only meds and are ALSO on 3 1/2 grains (though it sounds like you'll be higher than me.) Anytime I try to go up even 1/4 grains, I get palps, so I figure I'm where I should be! Are you feeling as fabulous on Armour as I am??? It TOTALLY changed my life around. No more low-grade depression, no more weight gain issues, no more dry skin and hair...and I have GREAT stamina and energy!

[ancientmariner]

It's amazing how much better I feel than when I was on Synthroid. But I still have a few nagging things. I'm due for an increase in a week or two, and I'm hoping that'll do the trick. My attitude is totally better, and motivation is coming back, too. I have just this weekend noticed that my jeans are loose!Now I'm wishing I hadn't given away all my skinny clothes, 'cause maybe I'll be back to that size someday soon. Without Armour, I don't think I'd ever have felt this way again.

[nolapoo]

Hello I need to ask about the dosage for Armour. I pulled it up on their website. Armour 1/2 grain is supposed to be equal to 50mcg of levoxyl. Is this not right? I've had half of my thyroid removed and need something more than levoxyl. Levoxyl at many different dosages didn't work for me. I need to know how much I should start on since my doc doesn't want to give it to me, but I think I may only have one shot to get the Armour. I think I can talk her into it but I at least need to know what I'm talking about when I see her next week. If 50mcg of levoxyl isn't working ...then what's next? How much Armour should I ask for 1 grain? TSH is 0.97 and T4 is 0.87  Are these numbers good?  I feel tired, gaining weight, memory is foggy, nails are brittle, hair falling out, cyst on ovary, and fatty tumor all of a sudden. Thanks