Could Synthroid cause Hyperthyroid?

[mscarrie]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in May of 2007 have been taking Synthroid for five months.  The doctor has increased my dosage three times, starting with 50 mcg, then, 75, 88, and now 100.  My initial test showed my TSH level  at 72.708, my T4 at 3.2 and my Free Thyroxine at 1.0.  My hemoglobin, hematocrit, total protein serum, alkaline phosphate, and my cholesterol were also slightly high.  I take the Synthoid every morning but am suffering from terrible insomnia, fatigue (even when I think I get sleep), irritability, neck and shoulder pain, frequent and loose stools, and a very high appetite, as well as a strong craving for sweets.  I never wake feeling rested and tend to "crash" hard by the afternoon.  I am not overweight and never really have been, but no matter how much I exercise I cannot lose weight.  (I would like to lose five pounds to be back to my pre-pregnancy weight).  I had a baby one year ago.  I recently had my levels tested again on September 5, 2007.  These were the results: TSH: 0.652, T4: 7.1, T3: 38, and Free Thyroxine: 2.7.   I feel like I am losing my mind and my doctor will not do anything further for me.  I have tried chiropractic care and am currently seeing an acupuncturist.  I am desperate for some relief.  Do you recommend adding another hormone for T3 or could the Synthroid be too high, causing me to be hyperthyroid?  Why am I feeling like this?

[mscarrie]

Thank you for your post.  I didn't know that changing the meds so quickly was a problem.  I am also still nursing and am in the process of weaning my daughter.  When you mentioned the estrogen it made me wonder if there was a correlation between nursing and my symptoms since breastfeeding mothers have a very low level of the hormone in their body.  I finally had my first period about six weeks ago and it was very light.  Then the second one I had was VERY heavy.  My acupuncturist treated me for that and was able to stop the bleeding.  My symptoms have seemed to worsen since my period returned.  I will have to talk to my doc about that.  Thanks again for your post.

[GravesLady]

could be that meds dose is incorrect. however, you went awfully fast with dosing just in 4 months. three dosage changes in 4 months doesn't give enough time for each meds. dose effectiveness to levels. the protocol is to do two test 6 weeks apart to confirm levels incase of any errs, before med. dose adjustments.  it takes 6 to 12 weeks for meds to take full effect in our system.

when estrogen by whatever means, the FTs should be done because estrogen interferes with the T levels where as it doesn't interfere with FT levels. so your levels might show off and not true to your thyroid situation.  also labs reference range would tell you more.

then, thyroid meds. nor levels are a 100 percent cure-all for symptoms, but hopefully close enough. whatever symptoms are left with us, we might have to treat separately from each other and from thyroid.