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I'm back for help! (with hypothyroid)
Hi everyone! I'm a 29-year old female. I posted my question here last year, and now I'm back for help...
Back in October 2008 my routine blood test (for physical) showed hyperthyroid, my doctor wasn't comfortable dealing with this and referred me to an endocrinologist. He ordered a thyroid scan (6 and 24 hour uptake), which did not show any abnormalities, and a blood test which showed the exact opposite - hypothyroid (i don't remember the exact TSH level, but it was fairly high). Then, we did several follow-up tests which indicated that the TSH level is lowering (The first test showed TSH at 6.9, the second one - 4.55). Then by summer 2009 TSH level got back in normal range and stayed there in December. My doctor and I agreed that possibly this was an inflammation and then everything went back to normal, so I don't need to take any hormones.
Well, my last routine test showed TSH at 8.8. So, I guess, what I'm trying to figure out is what questions I should ask him during my next appointment. My doctor seems to be set on giving me hormones, which I don't necessary oppose, but I want to know what's causing this. I don't want to take pills for the rest of my life just because it's convenient for my doctor.
On the other hand, I'm trying to get pregnant, and I'm concerned that hypothyroid can cause me problems, and I want to get this under control.
Sorry for my "all over the place" explanation! I appreciate any advice!
Back in October 2008 my routine blood test (for physical) showed hyperthyroid, my doctor wasn't comfortable dealing with this and referred me to an endocrinologist. He ordered a thyroid scan (6 and 24 hour uptake), which did not show any abnormalities, and a blood test which showed the exact opposite - hypothyroid (i don't remember the exact TSH level, but it was fairly high). Then, we did several follow-up tests which indicated that the TSH level is lowering (The first test showed TSH at 6.9, the second one - 4.55). Then by summer 2009 TSH level got back in normal range and stayed there in December. My doctor and I agreed that possibly this was an inflammation and then everything went back to normal, so I don't need to take any hormones.
Well, my last routine test showed TSH at 8.8. So, I guess, what I'm trying to figure out is what questions I should ask him during my next appointment. My doctor seems to be set on giving me hormones, which I don't necessary oppose, but I want to know what's causing this. I don't want to take pills for the rest of my life just because it's convenient for my doctor.
On the other hand, I'm trying to get pregnant, and I'm concerned that hypothyroid can cause me problems, and I want to get this under control.
Sorry for my "all over the place" explanation! I appreciate any advice!
Well, it certainly has been a couple of crazy weeks... I had my test done last week and TSH lowered to 4.9 from 8.8... I don't have FT3 anf FT4 results yet, because the test was done... well... in a hurry. I found out that I am pregnant, which was not planned but it's a wanted baby. The doctor increased the dose to 75 mg and ordered to repeat my tests in 3 weeks. Not sure if I should be scared or excited. The doctor said that my hypothyroidism is pretty mild to effect anything, but still I want it under control.
Again, thank you for your support!
Again, thank you for your support!
COMMUNITY LEADER
It takes several weeks for the med to reach its full potential and having started off on such a high dose, I would agree that you might feel a bit hyper. That's why it's best to start low and work up.
I don't recommend self dosing, but you could try splitting the pill in 1/2 for a couple of weeks, then doing the whole thing.
Once you are started on the whole thing, I'll hope that it works for you.
Please post your FT3 and FT4 whenever you get them done. Always make sure you get a copy of all labs for your records.......
I don't recommend self dosing, but you could try splitting the pill in 1/2 for a couple of weeks, then doing the whole thing.
Once you are started on the whole thing, I'll hope that it works for you.
Please post your FT3 and FT4 whenever you get them done. Always make sure you get a copy of all labs for your records.......
I can't thank you enough for advice and support! I am the only one in my family who is going through this, so people don't really understand how it feels.
My doctor tested me for T4 and T3 free before, and I believe, that is why he put me on meds right away: my thyroid is behaving the same way as it was a year ago. That is why, he said, the dose is that high: I am planning to get pregnant and this is not the first time I test this way.
He said if not for the pregnancy issue and my previous tests, he would have made more tests in 2, 4 and 6 months and then put me on meds. But since it happened before, he feels that I need the meds.
I feel more energetic after only 3-4 doses, but he mentioned that I might feel a little hyper, so it's ok... If I get more juttery or more hyper, I need to cut my pill in half and take it for a few days, but I don't feel the need to do that just yet.
Thank you again!
My doctor tested me for T4 and T3 free before, and I believe, that is why he put me on meds right away: my thyroid is behaving the same way as it was a year ago. That is why, he said, the dose is that high: I am planning to get pregnant and this is not the first time I test this way.
He said if not for the pregnancy issue and my previous tests, he would have made more tests in 2, 4 and 6 months and then put me on meds. But since it happened before, he feels that I need the meds.
I feel more energetic after only 3-4 doses, but he mentioned that I might feel a little hyper, so it's ok... If I get more juttery or more hyper, I need to cut my pill in half and take it for a few days, but I don't feel the need to do that just yet.
Thank you again!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I can't disagree with your doctor's thoughts that you should be on med. With your TT4 and TT3 as low in their ranges as they were, I would suspect that your frees would be much lower. It would have been nice if he'd let you get those tested before going on med, but since a lot of doctors resist testing for the frees at all, we will consider you lucky that he ordered them for the next time.
I might have been more comfortable if your doctor had started you on a lower dose for a week or so, then raised you to 50, but I'm very happy to hear that you feel better already (after how many doses?). Do keep in mind that it takes 4-6 weeks for the med to reach its full effect. I felt better right away too because I finally had a dx to my problems. In addition, I began to see symptoms disappear gradually. The first to disappear was the bags under my eyes, then my hair loss was less, etc.
I think 2 months might be too long to wait for retest, but see how you feel. If you begin having any symptoms of being hyper (over medicated) don't hesitate to call your doctor.
At any rate, it seems that this doctor is listening, so hang in there....
I might have been more comfortable if your doctor had started you on a lower dose for a week or so, then raised you to 50, but I'm very happy to hear that you feel better already (after how many doses?). Do keep in mind that it takes 4-6 weeks for the med to reach its full effect. I felt better right away too because I finally had a dx to my problems. In addition, I began to see symptoms disappear gradually. The first to disappear was the bags under my eyes, then my hair loss was less, etc.
I think 2 months might be too long to wait for retest, but see how you feel. If you begin having any symptoms of being hyper (over medicated) don't hesitate to call your doctor.
At any rate, it seems that this doctor is listening, so hang in there....
Thank you again for all information and advice. I asked my doctor a lot of questions during my appointment. He said that he tested me for antibodies before and the test came back negative, but he'll test me again in 2 months. He also ordered test for T4 and T3 (free), but he said that I should really start medication. I started taking levothyroxine (50 mg) and I already feel better (much more energy!). Thank you again! It's really great to find help like this!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Some doctors think that knowing you are hypo is enough; some think that there's no point in knowing whether or not you have an autoimmune because it will be treated the same way - with replacement hormones.
If you are hypo, you will need replacement hormones; if your thyroid is not working, there's nothing that will make it start working, so you will need to replace the hormones that your thyroid isn't making.
In your original post, you said you are trying to get pregnant -- you really need to get on med and get your levels right before getting pregnant, but in order to do that, you need to have the proper tests.
If you are hypo, you will need replacement hormones; if your thyroid is not working, there's nothing that will make it start working, so you will need to replace the hormones that your thyroid isn't making.
In your original post, you said you are trying to get pregnant -- you really need to get on med and get your levels right before getting pregnant, but in order to do that, you need to have the proper tests.
Thank you for your response! T4 and T3 are total. I will ask my doctor to check for T3 and T4 free as well as for antibodies. What concerned me with him before is the he seems eager to put me on hormones without finding out what causing this exactly. I'm going back today, and if he will maintain his position, I'm thinking of getting a second opinion, although he is a good doctor...
Thank you again!
Thank you again!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do you know if the T4 and T3 are Free or Total? If it doesn't specify "Free" or "FT" on the lab report, they are most likely total. Tests for Total T3 and Total T4 are considered obsolete and of very little value because a certain amount of that will be bound by protein and are unusable by the body. That's why you should insist on the "FREE's" - as that's what immediately available for use (FT3) or for conversion (FT4).
You have a lot of symptoms of hypothyroidism, so you really do need to get those tests for the frees. I think you should also get the antibody testing, because with Hashimoto's, it's entirely possible to bounce back and forth like you've been doing. It's also very possible to have symptoms of hypothyroidism before the labs really indicate an issue.
You have a lot of symptoms of hypothyroidism, so you really do need to get those tests for the frees. I think you should also get the antibody testing, because with Hashimoto's, it's entirely possible to bounce back and forth like you've been doing. It's also very possible to have symptoms of hypothyroidism before the labs really indicate an issue.
Thank you for your response!
I am looking at my lab results right now (I did not have then yesterday with me when I posted this):
TSH, 3rd Generation - 8.84 (range 0.40-4.50)
T4 - 6.7 (4.5-12.5)
T3 - 98 (76-181)
My symptoms are: weight gain (despite regular workouts (4-5 times a week) I gain constantly, not a lot, but still about 20 within last year or two), muscle aches (doctors before said it might be dehydration, but I drink a lot of water), fatigue, lack of energy and anxiety...
When I saw my doctor last year, he could not explain what caused last years thyroid issues, and I'd like to find out this time, since it all came back :(
I am looking at my lab results right now (I did not have then yesterday with me when I posted this):
TSH, 3rd Generation - 8.84 (range 0.40-4.50)
T4 - 6.7 (4.5-12.5)
T3 - 98 (76-181)
My symptoms are: weight gain (despite regular workouts (4-5 times a week) I gain constantly, not a lot, but still about 20 within last year or two), muscle aches (doctors before said it might be dehydration, but I drink a lot of water), fatigue, lack of energy and anxiety...
When I saw my doctor last year, he could not explain what caused last years thyroid issues, and I'd like to find out this time, since it all came back :(
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You should insist on getting the actual thyroid hormones tested. That would be Free T3 and Free T4; and I'd also suggest, if you have insurance or can afford it, to get tested for thyroid antibodies (TPOab - Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies; and TGab - Thyroglobulin antibodies).
These tests will tell you whether or not you may have an autoimmune disease, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, in which you have antibodies which attack and eventually destroy the thyroid. Many of us here have Hashi's and though it's generally treated the same as hypothyroidism, it can make hypothyroidism harder to control, but if you know you have it, there may be things you can do to make it easier.
Do you have any symptoms of hypothyroidism? Weight gain, constipation, brain fog, muscle/joint aches/pains? Those are some of the most common ones, but there are more.