Hello, I had an original and then a follow up question. It's at the very bottom. Thank you so much, Dr. Lupo!
I was diagnosed August 1, 2010 with silent thyroiditis.
My stats are (Range: TSH 0.40 - 4.50 // Free T4 0.8 - 1.8 )
08/01/10 TSH 0.03
08/09/10 TSH 0.01
09/23/10 TSH 0.41
10/28/10 TSH 1.36 -- T4 0.96
12/6/10 TSH 3.80 -- T4 0.92
12/28/10 TSH 0.99
02/11/11 TSH 2.45 -- Free T4 1.1
*****PUT ON 25 MCG of SYNTHROID*****
03/28/11 TSH 4.18 -- Free T4 0.9
*****PUT ON 50 MCG of SYNTHROID*****
04/28/11 TSH 0.6 -- Free T4 1.1
06/06/11 TSH 1.23 -- Free T4 1.2
06/14/11 *****PUT ON 25 MCG of SYNTHROID, 5 of CYTOMEL*****
07/07/11 TSH 2.91 -- Free T4 0.9
T3 Uptake 34 (Range 22-35 Percent)
Free T3 2.9 (Range 2.3-4.2 pg/mL)
07/14/11 *****PUT ON 50 MCG of SYNTHROID, 10 of CYTOMEL*****
08/04/11 TSH 0.36 -- Free T4 0.9
08/12/11 *****PUT ON 50 MCG of SYNTHROID, 15 of CYTOMEL*****
08/22/11 TSH 0.07 -- Free T4 1.1 -- Free T3 3.3
08/26/11 *****Discontinued Thyroid Medication*****
10/06/11 TSH 2.97 -- Free T4 1.0
I am still symptomatic (exercise intolerance, fatigue, muscle aches, etc.). I do not feel well. What do you think I should do? What do you think may happen at the next labwork in 4 weeks - same lab values, better, or worse?
Do you think it might be wise to do a 24 hour saliva test? I was tested for A.M. Cortisol of 19.5 on a scale of 4.0-22.0.
Is this as good as it gets? Is this as good as my thyroid is going to get or is there a chance it will recover more?
YOUR ANSWER:
Would give it more time without medication for additional recovery.
The adrenals are fine (not insufficient with cortisol >17).
Saliva testing is not helpful for thyroid.
If symptoms persist would look into other causes - with muscle aches, a rheumatology evaluation may be indicated eventually.
FINAL QUESTION:
What would be a REASONABLE amount of time to wait for the additional recovery? How many weeks/months until I really need to examine other possible issues?