Aa
levo
After 10 months on Levothyroxine my TSH dropped from 38 to around 2.2, or mid range for the lab that made the test. FT3 and T3 are consistently toward the lower end of the scale but nothing alarming. FT4 and T4 are consistently toward the higher end but not noticeably so. But my symptoms are as deadly as ever, like an atrocious hangover, sick, dizzy, malaise, fatigue etc 8 to 10 days a month. Many in this forum urge careful adjustments in dosis. But the docture said fine-tuning was not indicated and that I'd better look for some cause other than hypo. Now here's a thing: my worst symptoms which have had me banging my head on the floor in anguish, can be cleared by someone treading on my back - Chinese massage style. Doesn't this look like I'm not free yet of the stress symptoms I've had for 30 years. I'm 80 and would like a little peace before I leave the planet. This is a complex story but maybe there is another freak like me out there? If so, please answer
Your FT3 is pretty low. There are exceptions, but many people don't feel best until FT3 is in the top third of the range. Yours is in the bottom quarter. However, your FT4 looks really good. Your TSH is also close to the top of the currently accepted range of 0.3-3.0 (we, on this forum, consider any other range obsolete), indicating that you might need an increase in meds.
I would talk to your doctor about adding a tiny bit of a T3 med (e.g. Cytomel) to your current meds to try to nudge the FT3 up a bit.. I think you truly are in the fine-tuning stage, so I'd be pretty conservative about the dose, perhaps five to 10 mcg. (T3 is about four times more powerful than T4.) Most people who take T3 meds, split them into a couple of doses during the day. T3 is very fast-acting and neutralized by your body if not used promptly, so two doses keep the level more consistent. Often they take the first dose with their levo first thing in the morning, then take the second when it works best for them to get a metabolism boost...early afternoon?...late afternoon? whatever is best for you personally.
Hope this starts you off in the right direction.
I would talk to your doctor about adding a tiny bit of a T3 med (e.g. Cytomel) to your current meds to try to nudge the FT3 up a bit.. I think you truly are in the fine-tuning stage, so I'd be pretty conservative about the dose, perhaps five to 10 mcg. (T3 is about four times more powerful than T4.) Most people who take T3 meds, split them into a couple of doses during the day. T3 is very fast-acting and neutralized by your body if not used promptly, so two doses keep the level more consistent. Often they take the first dose with their levo first thing in the morning, then take the second when it works best for them to get a metabolism boost...early afternoon?...late afternoon? whatever is best for you personally.
Hope this starts you off in the right direction.
FT3 is 2.56 (lab range 2.0-4.43), FT4 is 1.67 (lab range 0.71-1.85)
How I hope you have a finding on this! In the 80's I went through every test under the sun and don't want to start again.
How I hope you have a finding on this! In the 80's I went through every test under the sun and don't want to start again.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
