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Am I really over medicated???

15 yrs ago had trouble swallowing, suggested post-partum thyroiditis, the goiter was not big enough to cause it, US showed no large nodules to worry about, RAI normal revealed possible hyper 10 yrs ago. I have been on Armour Thyroid 90 mg for about 8 yrs after a few trial dosages of synthroid. I have had doctor's take me off it, then I am miserable. Last doctor took my off, cut it in half or more and with synthroid and cytomel replacement. I felt awful and gained weight. Then changed back to Armour 60 mg because he said I was over medicated because I was less than a 2. & would not give me the 90mg. New doctor put me back on 90mg, but says I may be over medicated.  In the last year & 1/2, I am tired all the time, cholest is elevated, sugar is elevated, dry skin, my hair is falling out to the point it's noticeable, dry skin, my eyebrows are thin on outer edge, my weight has been gradual up and down, I have folic acid deficiency & have been diagnosed w/fibromylagia/chronic fatigue syndrome, migraines have increased. I just feel like I am falling apart at the seams. Now I have an enlarged thyroid AGAIN, 1.6cm nodule that has to be biopsied, 6 nodules all together, one side has 4, 1.6cm is on this side and one side has 2. Petrified its cancer, which magnifies the fear of the breast lump that was found too. Has anyone else on medication have labs like below?  Did you feel bad too and have hypo symptoms? I don't understand how my total T3 could be low and Free T4 could be normal low on meds.

Name                     Standard Range                   5/7/2010    11/23/2010
Antithyroid Peroxidase  LESS THAN 35Unit: IU/mL     <10
Antithyroglobulin           LESS THAN 20Unit: IU/mL     <20
TSH                           0.30-5.27 uIU/mL                     0.42             1.28
T3 TOTAL                       87-167 ng/dL                       90                71 L
T4 FREE                         0.8-1.8 ng/dL                     0.93             0.85
4 Responses
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, you aren't crazy at all.

I'm not a firm believer in the term "normal", when you say "My folic acid was low, but I was told the Vitamin B12 was normal"........... judging from the way your doctor is treating you, in general, I would say he's figuring that "in range" is "normal"; however, B12 is one of those, like FT3 and FT4, that needs to be at least mid range or higher for many of us.  You would do well to get an actual number (with lab range, since these vary from lab to lab).  

Yes, I'm sure with both a large thyroid nodule and breast lump, you would certainly be a nervous wreck; however, while I know it's easier said than done, please try to relax a bit.  Stress can really throw your thyroid out of whack even more than it already is and you can't afford any more.  Will pray that neither are cancer.

We've had people on here who have been through way more than 3 endos, so don't feel badly about that all -- if you can't get this one to treat you properly, don't hesitate to fire him and get another; when you run out of endos in your area, try an ENT, or a pcp, internist -- doesn't matter, so long as it's someone who is knowledgeable about thyroid issues and is willing to test and treat properly.  
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798555 tn?1292787551
Eve though total T3 is outdated, I would suspect free T3 is low too.....and the source of your symptoms.
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Avatar universal
OMG, that makes me feel better. I was beginning to think I was going crazy or had some rare cancer they have been missing. Then the large thyroid nodule and the breast lump really has me scared.  I know that 90% are benign, but that 10% scares the hades out of me. I am scheduled for the thyroid needle biopsy Dec 9 and I get my results from the breast biopsy Dec 1st. I have been a basket case in the last month to the point I have no appetite and starting to lose weight from not eating. I have had blood work up the ying yang in the last year. Lyme disease, MS, RA, lower lumbar MRI all negative. My folic acid was low, but I was told the Vitamin B12 was normal. My lower extremity/ pain was chalked up to fibromylagia, numbness, tingling, severe pain, been taking vicodin for 2 years, can't vacuum or more than light housework or walk very far or climb stairs, it affects me sleeping too. I even forgot where I parked my car three times now!!! It's scared me enough now I am trying to quit smoking, all this compounded with the loss of hair, etc I feel like I will be needing prozac soon ha ha. This is my 3rd endo in 3 years.
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, you are not over medicated; in fact, you are under medicated.  I would guess your doctor is basing his thoughts on your TSH level; which is going to keep you sick.

The test for Total T3 is considered obsolete and of very little value; you need to have the test for FREE T3 done; this will tell how much T3 hormone is actually available for use.  But the simple fact that your T3 is that low, should tell your doctor you aren't over medicated.  

Even though your FT4 is "normal", look where it's at in the range --- very low.  Many doctors think that as long as a result in "in range", it's normal; that's not the case. While some people may do fine with their FT4 at that level, most of us would be horribly sick.  As a general guideline, most of us need to have FT3 in the upper 1/3 of its range, and FT4 at least mid way in its range, in order to feel the best.   Yours doesn't even come close.  

You should go back and ask to have the tests rerun, with Free T3, rather than Total T3.  If your doctor refuses to retest you or to increase your med, you should get another doctor immediately; this one is doing you no favors.

Being hypo can cause all the symptoms you listed, and then some, except the elevated blood sugar - that could be caused by either insulin resistance or type II diabetes; you need to get that looked into asap.  You may be able to control that with diet, but it's possible you might need a med for it.  That could also contribute to your inability to lose weight.  

In addition, if your folic acid is low, you need to have your vitamin B12 levels tested.  B12 deficiency and folic acid deficiency often go hand in hand.

Firbromyalgia is generally diagnosed when a doctor can't find any other reason for your symptoms - in your case, all he has to do is look at your thyroid levels.  I'd guess that the fibromyalgia symptoms are caused by hypothyroidism, and if you get your levels where they need to be, your cholesterol levels will fall, and many of your symptoms will be alleviated.

In regards to the nodules - many of us have nodules on our thyroid and the majority of them cause no harm.  In the event that yours would be cancerous, rest assured that thyroid cancer is one of the easiest to treat.  

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