Blood Levels To Soon?

[juliva]

Hi everyone, Can someone tell me how soon is to soon to have another blood draw? My Endo was having me do a draw about every 3 months depending on how I felt but this last visit June 4th I had dropped lower then I had ever dropped since right TT 10 months ago. He upped my meds again and told me 2 months this time but it's been 7 weeks and I don't feel any better possibly worse. My immunity is shot. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm ever going to level back out. Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[juliva]

Totie, they now have me on 125 mcg also. I was on 88 mcg before surgery.
Yes, I've heard those with total TT they like to keep the TSH numbers in the very low range although I'm not sure what they do when only half is removed maybe the same?

Sounds like you've been all over the place with your levels.. never heard of going back hyper after them many years but it is good to know it can happen.

My sister and Grandmother had/has Graves.. my sister devoloped it in her early twenties where as my Grandmother was DX in her late seventies and it was cancerous. My Mother had hypo like me.. seems to run in the family pretty strongly.  

[Totie]

I don't know what level your Endo wants your TSH to be, but mine wants it almost close to 0 since I do not have a thyroid. I do feel good when it is below 1.0.

My last TSH check it was .67 and I am on 125mcg.

I have been through all the dosage levels in the last 15yrs.

10yrs 200mcg, My doctor can not explain why after 10yrs I went back to hyper (they did check for tissue regrowth), he did say our hormones change as we get older so that could be the reason for the hyper episodes. right now I am on 125mcg.

I had mine removed due to graves/hyper/goiter.

I was also told to get a bone density test because people with graves are more likely to develop ostoperosis.

Just keep your appt....

[juliva]

That sounds like a plan to me!!! I just needed to know I wasn't pushing it. My Endo has given me a open lab so that shouldn't be a problem.

Totie, I had to have surgery because I had a nodule that began having cellular changes that was putting me at a high risk of turning to cancer.

You guys are great... I know I don't post much but I do follow the forum!

[gimel]

If it were me,  I would push to be re-tested and meds adjusted about every 6 weeks until they are above the midpoint, then perhaps extend the time between tests to allow symptoms to catch up.  For best results, I would want to have the "Frees" at least at the midpoint of the range, and if symptoms persist, then into the upper third of their ranges.

[Totie]

So did you have a TT due to hyper/graves?

[juliva]

Before surgery my TSH 0.58  and TF4 1.5  I always stayed pretty consistent and I felt good. Here are my levels as of 7 weeks ago..

TSH 2.29   Ref. Range  0.40 - 4.50
T4 Free 1.1                  0.8 - 1.8
T3 Free 266                  230 - 420

I know these levels are not out of whack as so many others I have read on this forum but for me they are effecting my life greatly.

Totie, thanks for the info it's been 7 weeks so maybe I'll get checked again and yes since my surgery my Endo checks all the levels you mentioned above. I'm just feeling worse in the last 2-3  weeks so I figure I must be dropping quicker then my Endo is increasing my meds. It's good to hear your encouraging stories that what I'm going through is normal at this stage of post op. I just thought I'd be feeling better by now and not having my greatest level drops this far out. Thanks!!!!!

[Totie]

Sorry you feel bad. What was low?

It took a little over a year for me to get my levels & dosage right after my TT. (1994).

I was great for 10yrs. Then out of the blue my levels when haywire again, this time it took about 2yrs to get my levels correct. I think I am finally at the correct dosage since my levels have been consistent for the last year on this current dose.

During the dose adjustment I had to go every 6-8 weeks. Your will feel better once you get to where you need to be with the dosage.

Did anyone not warn you about PATIENCE, AND MORE PATIENCE with this..:))

Make sure all your other levels are okay, Vit D, Calcium, Iron.

You will be okay, just hang in there. DO NOT THROW IN THE TOWEL YET....Do not give into the depression, just know it will get better..

[gimel]

If we were talking about the time required to notice changes in symptoms, then 2-3 months would be reasonable, in my opinion, because overt symptom changes occur much slower than changes in thyroid levels in the blood.  Slow and steady is a good suggestion when it comes to med changes.  That said, it would be very helpful if you would list your lab test results, reference ranges and meds dosages since your TT.