6 Weeks Into Syntroid and Having a Bad Time

[j4jules]

Hi.  I am new to the boards.  I tried to proved to numerous doctors over the past decade that my numbers were high and I had hypothyroidism.  Finally I found a doctor who was absolutely suprised I was not on anything for my thyroid.  I was thin 9 years ago and now and very over weight.  I have high blood pressure, sleep apnea and some other things.  Trying to get on track now.  

I have been on Synthroid for 6 weeks.  .5 for 4 weeks and up to .75 two weeks ago.  The first two weeks I felt better.  Mentally and physically.  By 4 weeks some numbers in my blood work other than thyroid were out of range and are now normal.  But I have been so sick.  It started with a sore throat and then vomiting, then deydration.  Dizziness, right arms, legs, face and even tongue.  Then I got bronchitis and that gave me my first bad asthma flare up.  So many new things.

Is this normal cuz of the meds?  Is it that my metabolism is more active again and for instance dehydration is harder to come out since it was when the meds were probably starting to hit me.  Why would I get have bad asthma attacks with bronchitis when I have never had that before (the asthma).  I just feel so crappy.

He is measuing my free T3's and T4.  Does it just take awhile or is this the way it is on Synthroid?

I have been trying to read as much as I can.  Any suggestions, ideas, anything is appreciated.

Julie

[j4jules]

Thank you so much for your reply.  Today I am not doing well at all.  I just posted.

Have a nice day!!!

Julie

[goolarra]

This is kind of a tough call.  Your newest labs don't look too bad.  Your meds are raising your FT4, which is what they're supposed to do.  The rule of thmb for FT4 is midrange, so you have some room for the increase to 75 mcg.  Labs seem to be on track.

Starting meds can be difficult, especially if you've been hypo for a long time (you indicate a decade).  Your body is no longer used to having adequate thyroid hormone available.  One possibility is that your initial dose was a bit high to start off.  Some of us have to start low and work up very slowly as tolerated.

On the other hand, the symptoms you list (sore throat, vomiting, bronchitis, asthma) are not symptoms we typically associate with starting meds.  (The dehydration probably came from the vomiting.)  I'm kind of wondering if that might be coincidental to when you started meds.  It sounds to me that it could be just as likely that you picked up a viral/bacterial infection and/or that it has to do with pollen season.  This is supposed to be one of the worst seasons in recent history...we all have a point where we become intolerant.

All synthetic T4 meds (Synthroid, Levoxyl, generic, etc.) contain the same medicine.  However, each has its own fillers (inactive ingredients), and sometimes people have reactions to those.  It's sometimes as simple as changing brands to reverse the problem.  

If I were you, I think I might give it a little time and see if the respiratory problems resolve.  

How are your thyroid symptoms coming along?  Are you feeling some relief of your hypo symptoms?  Have you developed any hyper symptoms?

[j4jules]

First Visit 3/26/11 (prescribed .5 Synthroid)
T3 Free= 3.7    Range[2.0-4.4]
T4 Free= 0.97    Range[0.82-1.77]
TSH = 4.060    Range[0.450-4.500]
Thyroglobulin Antibodies = <20    Range[<=40]
Thyroid Peroxidase (TPO) Antiboidy = 7    Range[<=35]

Second Visit 5/4/11 (prescribed .75 Synthroid)
T3 Free= 3.2    Range[2.0-4.4]
T4 Free= 1.15    Range[0.82-1.77]
TSH = 2.840    Range[0.450-4.500]


Thank you in advance!!!!
Julie

[gimel]

Please post your thyroid test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.