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Avatar universal

Confused with no answers =*(

I am a 33 yr old female who gave birth 15 months ago.  3-6 months ago I noticed I had "brain fog, slight chest anxiety and was tired all the time.  I was recently diagnosed with hypothyroid TSH level was 34.18 (range 0.4 - 4.5), Free T4 1 (range .8 - 1.8) my Dr put me on levothyroxine 50 mcg.  In two weeks I started experiencing panic attacks, depression and insomnia.  My Dr sent me to an Endo Dr. who told me to stay on the same dose of 50 mcg.  The panic and depression got worse, I cant sleep but cant get out of bed because I am so tired.  I have no appetite or desire to eat and have now lost 10 lbs in 1 month without trying.  I begged my Endo dr. to do more blood work at week three (which they said there wouldnt be any change because it was too soon) my TSH now showed a level of 0.62 (range 0.4-4.5), Free T4 1.4 ( range .8-1.8) Total T3 96 ( range 76 - 181).  I was tested for Hasimoto's antibodies and it came back negative.  

My question is.... is it normal for someone to drop from a TSH of 34 to TSH of .62 in three weeks on levothyroxine?  My endo dr has agreed to switch me to synthroid and drop the dose now to 25 mcg.  However they did allow me to stop for the next two days until I see them on Mon.  Is it possible that this i post partum and my thyroid is correcting itself?  I am so nervous and worried but dont seem to get many answers from either of my Drs right now.  The anxiety/depression, tired/insomnia and loss of appetite all have me really worried and nervous that I am overdosing right now.  
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Avatar universal
It wasnt without calling the office about every day and just popping in to speak with the nurses.  They probably think that I am over the top.... but I know how I feel and I know that this isnt right!  Dont stop until you feel right... and if they wont listen to you then get a second opinion!  This is your life and your health....  MAKE THEM LISTEN!  
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Avatar universal
It sounds like you have a better Endo than I do. Mine hasn't suggested I could be sensitive to the fillers and refused to try a different med with me.
Let me know how you are doing, hope it gets resolved soon.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the information... I am too trying to make sense of everything.  To have anxiety and depression... to be so tired but unable to sleep.  This is the worst I have felt EVER!  My grandmother on my mom side had hasimotos but that was after her 50s and my uncle on my dads side had HYPER thyroid and "killed it off."  But other than that no other issues.  I was tested for the antibodies and it came back negative.  I went to the endo today because I stopped taking my meds sunday.  He told me to stop taking them for the next week and a half and he is going to do more blood work next week.  He thinks either the dose was too much for me and I was sensitive to it, that I may be reacting to the fillers and binding agents or else that my body is correcting itself and the added hormone was too much.  I will be sure to keep you posted on what the outcome is.  This has been the biggest mystery EVER... and such a horrible experience.  Please keep me posted on how you are doing...  it sounds like the 12.5 is the way to go if necessary.  If you dont have to I wouldnt rush into the 25 mcg.... I am nervous about the medication all the way around now.  I felt like I was putting poison into my body every time. :-(
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Avatar universal
I'm not real sure how that double post happened!
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Avatar universal
I wanted to add that I went untreated for a few months, my labs were in range but in the low range. I didn't start treatment until my TSH got to 15. Have only been taking Synthroid for almost 8 weeks now. Almost 5 or so weeks at this steady 12.5 dose.
I was diagnosed Hashimoto's after more blood tests, ultrasound, and uptake scan.
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Avatar universal
I wanted to add that I went untreated for a few months, my labs were in range but in the low range. I didn't start treatment until my TSH got to 15. Have only been taking Synthroid for almost 8 weeks now. Almost 5 or so weeks at this steady 12.5 dose.
I was diagnosed Hashimoto's after more blood tests, ultrasound, and uptake scan.
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Avatar universal
I am going to try to remember the time line of all of this:
6 months postpartum-blood tests confirmed HYPER thyroid. Was then diagnosed with postpartum Thyroiditis.
8 months- blood tests confirmed HYPO thyroid. Was started on 50 mcg of Synthroid which I took for 2 weeks. In that time I drove myself to the ER because my heart was flying out of my chest. So I was told by my Endo to cut my dose down to 12.5.
I want to also add that I had PPD. This was diagnosed about 6 weeks postpartum. So I haven't felt "normal" in a long time. I'm sure all of it made everything worse.
I felt some relief after switching to 12.5 mcg. It took weeks to feel better though. The med makes me feel like I drank too much coffee. I HATE it. But I also am exhausted some days, it doesn't make much sense to me.
Like I said before, I do believe that I am on too low of a dose. My last labs showed that I am still in the low range. I should probably be on 25mcg, I'm afraid to go up in dosage.
Is this your first child? Do you have family members with thyroid problems? Do you take vitamins?
I'm new to this as well, I'll help as much as I can. There are some great people here who are so helpful and patient! I couldn't have gotten through the last couple of months without this site.
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Avatar universal
Did you have any problems when you stopped taking the 50 mcg and backed off to 12.5 mcg?  Are you still on the 12.5 mcg after three months?  How long have you been diagnosed with hypothyroid?  Do you know where your levels are now?  Sorry for the 50 questions... I just feel that you are very similiar to me and I can see some hope now.  
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Avatar universal
I really think sOme people are just sensitive to thyroid replacement. My endocrinologist even told me that some people can handle large doses and others just can't.
For about 3 months I thought every single day that I wouldnt make it to raise my son. I know it's dramatic, but I was at the end of my rope. I started exercising too, I think that has made a big difference. I started out slow and over 5 weeks have worked up to running 8 minutes straight. Doesn't sound like alot, but that is huge for me.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for responding tangerinelz3.  I feel soooo horrible.  I am going to see my Endo AGAIN tomorrow and will def ask about dropping more to the 12.5 mcg dose because I DEF think they started me too high!  My body went into shock and I do feel like I am dying.  Id rather have the feelings when my TSH was 34 then now.  I am just scared that dropping my dose will put my body into another shock stage.  I came back negative with hasimotos and am praying that this will be a temporary stage for me.  With it already being 15 months post pregnancy it doesnt seem likely and I fear I will be dealing and feeling this way forever. =*(
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Avatar universal
Hi I just wanted to comment that I too am postpartum and have had problems with my thyroid since giving birth. My son is almost a year old. I have Hashimoto's and am currently hypothyroid. I was also given 50 mcg of Synthroid and couldn't handle it. I had awful panic attacks, fast heartrate etc.... I am now on 12.5 mcg. Honestly I don't think that is enough now. It took me a month to get used to the dose I am on now. I am finally starting to feel a little bit better, not great, but I don't feel like I'm dying anymore.
Hang in there, it might take a little while but I think eventually you will start to feel better.
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Avatar universal
Barb... Thank you for responding.  Sorry I missed your earlier response.  The tests they did most recent were:

Thyroglobulin Antibodies <20 (range <20)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <10  (range <35)
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649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I saw your question on another thread and answered it there, but here it is again:

"Yes, it's possible for TSH to drop that much in 3 weeks.... mine went from 55 to 0.01 in about that time.  I do wish they would have done a Free T3, rather than Total, which is pretty much outdated and rather a waste.  Free T3 is the active thyroid hormone and seems to correlate best with symptoms.  Next time you are tested, ask for TSH, Free T3 and Free T4.

It appears that they started you on too high a dose.  It's always best to start low and work up slowly, in order for your body to get used to having the hormones, it had been doing without. Whether or not your thyroid is correcting itself, remains to be seen.  I'd suggest trying the lower dose for a few weeks, then retest and see where you're at.

Do you know which antibody tests they did?  There are 2 (TPOab and TGab) of them that will dx Hashimoto's and if they didn't do both, it's not definitive.  Some people only have TPOab, some have only TGab, and some have both."  
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