Aa
Continue to gain weight
I am on 75/88 alternating synthroid plus 2 (5mg) cytomel a day. After a year my blood levels are finally in the "normal" range. Towards the high end of normal. I won't say all my symptoms are gone...still have hair loss, on and off joint pain, IBS flaring again and many sleepless nights but over all a lot better than a year ago ( guess it doesn't sound that way). My biggest problem is I'm gaining a half a pound a week...5 lbs.... In 2 months! May not sound like a lot but I'm very small and every pound is huge. I keep a food journal (1200 calories a day) and walk 1 hour a day. Any suggestions!? I'm really scared there will be no end.
Hi just looked at my blood test after reading your post. Dr tested for ANA
It came back high for speckled pattern 1:60.....dr said this really didn't mean anything. She tested for Sjoren and said that was negative. Is this the test for RA? Can only go by what dr said which this is nothing. By the way I have heard those words before! Nothing until it becomes something! It would be nice to catch something before it becomes something. This was what happened with my thyroid. It was nothing until it became a big something with complete failure!
It came back high for speckled pattern 1:60.....dr said this really didn't mean anything. She tested for Sjoren and said that was negative. Is this the test for RA? Can only go by what dr said which this is nothing. By the way I have heard those words before! Nothing until it becomes something! It would be nice to catch something before it becomes something. This was what happened with my thyroid. It was nothing until it became a big something with complete failure!
Thank you so much for the information. I will be seeing endo on Monday and discuss with her. And to Lyme and RA testing......the answer is.....not to my knowledge although I'm not sure what I would be looking for in my blood test result. It is always possible the Dr has tested for it and I just don't know. I can certainly ask. The last few days I have been feeling better. I would say that's my biggest problem. I go in waves. Feel really bad for several days to a couple of weeks and for no apparent reason the wave comes down and start to feel better. I always try to figure out what the trigger is and what I did to make it better. I'm a loss....and hate to admit this may be my new normal!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Rule of thumb for FT4 is about mid range; your FT4 is only at 27% of its range, so you have a long way to go. FT4 should be brought up to mid range, as you need adequate FT4 to be converted to FT3 for cellular use; if FT3 doesn't track on up with it, then you increase T3 med.
Your symptoms are what prompted me to ask about Lyme Disease. Many have it and don't know they've been exposed.
Have you been tested for RA?
Your symptoms are what prompted me to ask about Lyme Disease. Many have it and don't know they've been exposed.
Have you been tested for RA?
Thank you for commenting so quickly. When I see my endo you are suggesting I discuss getting my T3T4 levels higher? And possibly increasing T3 cytomel? She is very flexible and will be willing to work with me. I often wonder how my IBS is impacting the bigger picture. Wonder if it is time to go back to gastro and see if he has any suggestions. IBS has taken a turn for the worse this month. It is disappointing since it is the first major flare up since hypo diagnosed. Joint pain has been pretty bad which is why they tested for Lupus (I think).
As for Lyme disease ....never been tested an truthfully have not been exposed to tick bite. What prompted you to ask that question?
As for Lyme disease ....never been tested an truthfully have not been exposed to tick bite. What prompted you to ask that question?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your FT3 and FT4 levels are still too low in the ranges. Looks like you might benefit from a bump from alternating the 75/88 mcg to straight 88 mcg/day. That should bring up your FT4 level some and if FT3 doesn't track it up, you may need an increase in T3 med as well.
Have you been checked for Lyme Disease?
Have you been checked for Lyme Disease?
Hi hope your labs came back in a good range. I'm more confused since receiving mine. Here they are:
FT3 2.8 ( range 2.0-4.4)
FT4 1.08 (range 0.82-1.77)
T3 total 106 (range 71-180)
T4 total 7.4 (range 4.5-12.0)
TSH 3rd gen 0.292 ( range 0.450-4.50)
As a reminder I take 75/88 alternating synthroid an cytomel 2x a day 5 mg each
Still gaining weight and lots of muscle aches, dry skin and IBS has flared to where it used to be. Was checked for Lupus- negative.
Positive for ANA Speckled pattern ( dr says not to be concerned)
So any thoughts?!! I see endo Monday and would like to be prepared for the appointment. Thanks
FT3 2.8 ( range 2.0-4.4)
FT4 1.08 (range 0.82-1.77)
T3 total 106 (range 71-180)
T4 total 7.4 (range 4.5-12.0)
TSH 3rd gen 0.292 ( range 0.450-4.50)
As a reminder I take 75/88 alternating synthroid an cytomel 2x a day 5 mg each
Still gaining weight and lots of muscle aches, dry skin and IBS has flared to where it used to be. Was checked for Lupus- negative.
Positive for ANA Speckled pattern ( dr says not to be concerned)
So any thoughts?!! I see endo Monday and would like to be prepared for the appointment. Thanks
COMMUNITY LEADER
Will look forward to seeing your labs. I've already done my labs, so am waiting for the results. I hope they get here before my appointment with endo on 2/3.
Thank you for all the information. Good luck with your appt. ill post after next round of blood test around Feb 8.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Will look forward to seeing how your labs turn out. Coincidentally, I see my endo on the 3rd, as well. I go to lab for blood work a week ahead of my appointment, so we know the results when I have my appointment and can make whatever adjustments needed, at that time.
Insulin resistance and Metabolic Syndrome are 2 different things, but they're usually seen together and both are linked to being overweight.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces enough insulin but doesn't use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that's supposed to move energy into the cells, but if the body becomes resistant, that doesn't happen and usually results in higher than normal blood sugar levels, which in turn causes the pancreas to pump out more insulin. Eventually, the pancreas can't make enough insulin to bring blood sugar levels down and one ends up with diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome is a set of conditions that cause biochemical processes to malfunction. To be diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome, one must have at least 3 of the following 5 conditions: large waistline, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
I haven't done the research to find a link between insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism, but I know I didn't have either one, until after I became hypo and couldn't get rid of the weight I gained prior to diagnosis. I've read articles linking high T3 levels with high blood sugar, but I don't have high T3 levels.
In regards to the Armour, it's not true that it's unreliable. Armour's been used with great success for many years and was in use long before Synthroid and other synthetics were manufactured. The articles, doctors, etc who say Armour is unreliable are those that push the synthetics as being the best. Armour's manufacturer has to adhere to the same standards as other pharmaceutical companies. There are many people who simply have to have Armour (or other desiccated) in order to feel well.
Insulin resistance and Metabolic Syndrome are 2 different things, but they're usually seen together and both are linked to being overweight.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body produces enough insulin but doesn't use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that's supposed to move energy into the cells, but if the body becomes resistant, that doesn't happen and usually results in higher than normal blood sugar levels, which in turn causes the pancreas to pump out more insulin. Eventually, the pancreas can't make enough insulin to bring blood sugar levels down and one ends up with diabetes.
Metabolic syndrome is a set of conditions that cause biochemical processes to malfunction. To be diagnosed with Metabolic Syndrome, one must have at least 3 of the following 5 conditions: large waistline, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, high blood pressure and high blood sugar.
I haven't done the research to find a link between insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome and hypothyroidism, but I know I didn't have either one, until after I became hypo and couldn't get rid of the weight I gained prior to diagnosis. I've read articles linking high T3 levels with high blood sugar, but I don't have high T3 levels.
In regards to the Armour, it's not true that it's unreliable. Armour's been used with great success for many years and was in use long before Synthroid and other synthetics were manufactured. The articles, doctors, etc who say Armour is unreliable are those that push the synthetics as being the best. Armour's manufacturer has to adhere to the same standards as other pharmaceutical companies. There are many people who simply have to have Armour (or other desiccated) in order to feel well.
The blood test I shared with you was from early December, however, I had one 8 weeks prior and is was very similar. I do take my cytomel in 2 doses. One within in an hour of waking up and the next one between 12-1 depending on the time of the first. I happen to be going for a physical on Feb 3. I will have another blood test and will ask for free T3. Can you tell me more about insulin resistant metabolic syndrome? How do you test for that?
I will also take 88 daily for the next few weeks and see how I feel. Like I mentioned my endo is willing to work with me and address my symptoms not just my blood levels. She even discussed Armour with me but I'm not sure i want to take that leap yet. I have not been comfortable with the reliability of Armour based on what I have read. Thank you again for the valuable information.
I will also take 88 daily for the next few weeks and see how I feel. Like I mentioned my endo is willing to work with me and address my symptoms not just my blood levels. She even discussed Armour with me but I'm not sure i want to take that leap yet. I have not been comfortable with the reliability of Armour based on what I have read. Thank you again for the valuable information.
COMMUNITY LEADER
"In summary what I think I hear you saying is that my thyroid levels are still to low. Is that correct?" Yes, that's correct.
Since you've been alternating the 75/88 for a while, maybe you won't have that much trouble going to 88 on a daily basis. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for any med adjustment to take full effect, but you could start seeing improvement sooner. If you can wait until after you get your blood work done, it might be better (can you get that done prior to your appointment?).... and do make sure you ask for Free T3, this time, not Total. They aren't the same test and Total is considered obsolete and of little value. When did you have the blood test you posted above?
Are you taking the 2 cytomel pills at the same time, every day? If so, you might try to split them into 2 doses. Most of us on a T3 med find that it works better to split the dosage, because T3 is fast acting and doesn't stay in your system for more than a few hours, so if you take it all at once, you get an initial "blast", then nothing the rest of the day. For instance, I, too, take 2 5 mcg pills, but I take one in the morning, with the rest of my meds, then another around noon, so I have a more steady supply, since FT3 is the hormone, actually used by the individual cells.
Have you looked at blood sugar levels, in relation to your weight issue? I have insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, which makes losing weight a constant struggle.
Since you've been alternating the 75/88 for a while, maybe you won't have that much trouble going to 88 on a daily basis. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for any med adjustment to take full effect, but you could start seeing improvement sooner. If you can wait until after you get your blood work done, it might be better (can you get that done prior to your appointment?).... and do make sure you ask for Free T3, this time, not Total. They aren't the same test and Total is considered obsolete and of little value. When did you have the blood test you posted above?
Are you taking the 2 cytomel pills at the same time, every day? If so, you might try to split them into 2 doses. Most of us on a T3 med find that it works better to split the dosage, because T3 is fast acting and doesn't stay in your system for more than a few hours, so if you take it all at once, you get an initial "blast", then nothing the rest of the day. For instance, I, too, take 2 5 mcg pills, but I take one in the morning, with the rest of my meds, then another around noon, so I have a more steady supply, since FT3 is the hormone, actually used by the individual cells.
Have you looked at blood sugar levels, in relation to your weight issue? I have insulin resistance/metabolic syndrome, which makes losing weight a constant struggle.
You have shared some very interesting information with me. I will discuss with my Dr. She is willing to work with me and would be ok with me taking 88 every day. In the past when I did not alternate I started feeling very hyper (not hyper thyroid ) just jittery, heart racing a bit, anxious. So as a result started alternating. I will be seeing her in 2 weeks, however, going for a complete physical on Feb 3. I will get a full blood work up at the time. If I go to 88 until then will the blood test be a true representation of what's going on? I have always been hyper sensitive to medication ( including vitamins, Advil, any drug). Any vitamin I take seems to cause my IBS to flare so it is difficult to introduce anything . It is a true challenge and while I don't give up it is frustrating. I have aged 5 years in one! And while I have always watched my weight this is insane! It's funny...my weight seems to be an indicator that something is not working well internally but Drs just insist on saying you must be eating too much! What a joke. I'm extremely disciplined and hate hearing Drs use the default answer. I know there is a solution. I'm just not sure what it is. Thank you for the valuable information . In summary what I think I hear you saying is that my thyroid levels are still to low. Is that correct?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Apparently, you'd had Hashi for some time and it all finally hit at once. That's sort of what happened to me, only not that drastically, because I caught it in time. One day my levels were fine and 2 months later my TSH was up to 55+ and my actual hormone levels were below range.
As I said, rule of thumb is for FT3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range, but your doctor isn't even testing FT3; she's testing Total T3, which is considered to be obsolete and of little value. Your TT3 is at 50%, and of that, a good share will be bound by protein and can't be used. The FREE T3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells and your doctor isn't testing that.
Rule of thumb is for Free T4 to be approximately mid range, which would be 50%. Yours is only at 36%. It's FT4 that's converted to T3, not the other way around.
Do I think you need more hormones? Yes, I do. Personally, if it were me, I'd ask to start 88 mcg of synthroid every day, rather than alternating them, then retest in 6 weeks to see if levels are coming up. I would ask to keep increasing Synthroid until FT4 is at the mid range point, then work on the FT3 if it doesn't track FT4 up. You may not convert well, but there's bound to be some conversion.
You should only ever make one change at a time, and you can't know whether you need more cytomel or not, without testing Free T3.
As I said, rule of thumb is for FT3 to be in the upper half to upper third of its range, but your doctor isn't even testing FT3; she's testing Total T3, which is considered to be obsolete and of little value. Your TT3 is at 50%, and of that, a good share will be bound by protein and can't be used. The FREE T3 is the hormone that's actually used by the individual cells and your doctor isn't testing that.
Rule of thumb is for Free T4 to be approximately mid range, which would be 50%. Yours is only at 36%. It's FT4 that's converted to T3, not the other way around.
Do I think you need more hormones? Yes, I do. Personally, if it were me, I'd ask to start 88 mcg of synthroid every day, rather than alternating them, then retest in 6 weeks to see if levels are coming up. I would ask to keep increasing Synthroid until FT4 is at the mid range point, then work on the FT3 if it doesn't track FT4 up. You may not convert well, but there's bound to be some conversion.
You should only ever make one change at a time, and you can't know whether you need more cytomel or not, without testing Free T3.
And yes, she has her eye on TSH. I do take T3 in the form of cytomel. Total 10 mg a day. She doesn't think I convert t3 to t4. Do you think I should be increasing synthroid or cytomel?
Thank you for responding. I do not take any replacement hormones. As for the thyroid failure....4 months prior tested in normal range....December all of my thyroid hormones were off the charts. Liver enzymes elevated. I couldn't think, couldn't remember how to drive to my daughters house, had a bizarre smell in my nose, face so swollen it was unrecognizable, etc! It was scary. They terminology the dr used was complete thyroid failure due to Hashimoto. They couldn't understand what happened and how it happened so fast. I have my theories. I had quit smoking a year before, was traveling a lot for work, and finally Hurricane Sandy hit so no heat for days, and extremely stressful (this happened in October). By December I could barely complete a thought. Can you explain to me in summary if you think my overall levels are too low? Not sure i understand. Once again thank you so much!
COMMUNITY LEADER
It's not silly -- you had no idea what we would ask for...
Are you taking any reproductive hormones to replace those your body is no longer making?
What do you mean by "complete thyroid failure"? Typically that doesn't happen all at once; Hashimoto's is a gradual process that destroys healthy thyroid function over a period of time, which can be months/years.
Unfortunately, your doctor is testing Total T3, instead of Free T3. Total T3 is considered obsolete and of little value. Even at that, your level is only at 50% of the range, so we could expect the Free T3 to be similar. Rule of thumb is for FT3 to be upper half to upper third of its range.
Your FT4 is only at 36% of its range; rule of thumb is for it to be approximately mid range. FT4 is a storage hormone and must be converted to FT3 in order to be used by the body. Too little FT4 results in too little conversion and too little FT3.
The rules of thumb are just that, but those levels tend to be the area that most of us feel best.
You should try to get your doctor to test Free T3, not Total T3.
Somehow I have a feeling that TSH has been the main target throughout your treatment. Is that correct?
Are you taking any reproductive hormones to replace those your body is no longer making?
What do you mean by "complete thyroid failure"? Typically that doesn't happen all at once; Hashimoto's is a gradual process that destroys healthy thyroid function over a period of time, which can be months/years.
Unfortunately, your doctor is testing Total T3, instead of Free T3. Total T3 is considered obsolete and of little value. Even at that, your level is only at 50% of the range, so we could expect the Free T3 to be similar. Rule of thumb is for FT3 to be upper half to upper third of its range.
Your FT4 is only at 36% of its range; rule of thumb is for it to be approximately mid range. FT4 is a storage hormone and must be converted to FT3 in order to be used by the body. Too little FT4 results in too little conversion and too little FT3.
The rules of thumb are just that, but those levels tend to be the area that most of us feel best.
You should try to get your doctor to test Free T3, not Total T3.
Somehow I have a feeling that TSH has been the main target throughout your treatment. Is that correct?
How silly of me not to share more info. I'm so new to this. Have never posted anything before. I am 58 post-menopause. In fact I had to have an ovary removed due to a mass that grew on it 6 months ago ( they were afraid of ovarian cancer) but all turned out ok. approximatley 1 year ago I had a complete thyroid failure due to Hashimoto (Decemebr 2012). It was really really bad. It took about 6 months to recover and we spent the next 6 months just trying to get me into the normal range. Like I said feeling almost back to myself. I have resigned myself to a new normal. With the exception of this terrible prospect of continuing to gain weight. Thank you for your response. I have listed blood test results below.
FT4- 1.17 ref range 0.82-1.77
T3, Total 126 ref range 71-180
T4,Total 7.9 ref range 4.5-12.0
TSH 3rd Gen 0.915 ref range 0.450-4.50
FT4- 1.17 ref range 0.82-1.77
T3, Total 126 ref range 71-180
T4,Total 7.9 ref range 4.5-12.0
TSH 3rd Gen 0.915 ref range 0.450-4.50
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do you have the results of your most current thyroid labs that you could post for us? Be sure to include reference ranges, which vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report. Do you have Hashimoto's?
Just because your labs are in the so-called "normal" range, doesn't mean they are normal for you.
There are other things that may need to be considered, as well as hypothyroidism, when it comes to weight issues. Have you been tested for insulin resistance, PCOS, metabolic syndrome? We don't know your age; is it possible you could be entering peri-menopause?
Just because your labs are in the so-called "normal" range, doesn't mean they are normal for you.
There are other things that may need to be considered, as well as hypothyroidism, when it comes to weight issues. Have you been tested for insulin resistance, PCOS, metabolic syndrome? We don't know your age; is it possible you could be entering peri-menopause?
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