Lab Results back...any feedback would be great

[Rivergirl2010]

I was diagnosed with Hashi's just about 7 weeks ago.   My beginning levels were as follows:

TSH 5.63 (Ref: 0.40 - 5.50)
Free T3 2.60 (Ref: 2.00 - 4.40)
I didn't see a result for my T4!

I was put on Synthroid .88mg.  I just had my labs drawn again, and they are as follows:

TSH 2.84 (Ref: 0.40 - 5.50)
Free T3 1.90 (Ref: 2.00 - 4.40)
Free T4 1.40 (Ref: 0.70 - 2.19)

My doctor just raised my Synthroid dose to 112mg with a blood test again in 6 weeks.  Based on these results my  FT3 level decreased, while my  FT4 & TSH seem to be mid-range which is what were hoping for.  Does this mean that I may have to look into Cytomel or some other FT3 replacement....or will an increase in Synthroid bring it up rather than down?  Thanks for any input!

[jtlmom1577]

I don't have much experience but I would definitely give the synthroid a chance to work.  You started on quite a high dose.  I started with .25 and increase up from there.  You still might need Cytomel but it is unclear right now.  

The more important question is how do you feel?

[Barb135]

The increase in med should help bring your FT3 up, as well, as your FT4.  I wouldn't worry about adding T3 replacement yet, as you have to give the med a chance to work and for your levels to get stabilized.  

Your body must convert the T4 to T3 in order to use it, and it's going to take time for your body to get adjusted, so after another increase or two, if your FT3 levels don't come up or if you have bad symptoms, you should think about a T3 replacement.

I agree that how you feel, is more important.  

[Rivergirl2010]

Thank you for the input.  While I feel "better" and I use that term lightly, I still don't feel "normal".  I don't have the exhaustion, but I'm tired most of the the day.  I also have crazy mood swings that seem to have worsened since I've started taking Synthroid....my husband has started refering to me as a "lunatic"...not good.  
What kind of a time frame am I looking at here as to when I might address my FT3 levels?  If they aren't up or, go down by the next blood draw, would I continute to wait, or ask about a FT3 supplement.  What is the harm in giving Cytomel at this point? Thanks for your help!!

[laura1967]

You need to also ask your doctor to run a reverse T3 on you next time. Sometimes the labs will show high free t4 and low free t3 when there is a reverse t3 dumping problem. Just in case, I would rule this out. Either way T3 meds may help you. If the T4 can't do the job alone, you might need to partner it up with some T3.  :)