Insomnia/Hypothyroid medications comparisons

[ElaineZoe]

I have high TSH (42), T3 120 and T4 .53.     I have been on synthroid 25 mcg for years.  According to my doctor, I should increase the synthroid because the TSH is too high.  I have almost no symptoms of hypothroidism, except dry skin.  Every time I try to increase the synthroid, I have to stop immediately because I get serious insomnia.  I can't take any kind of drugs for insomnia.  Are there other ways to lower my TSH without creating insomnia?  


This discussion is related to Hypothyrodism -  test results for TSH level.

[laura1967]

Welcome Elaine!
Your free t3 and free t4 levels are way too low and your tsh is way too high. You need to find a way to increase meds or change meds. It is unhealthy to stay at these levels. Hypothyroidism can affect the heart, cholesterol levels, hormones, respiratory system, etc etc etc. It is one of your master glands and needs proper hormone levels to do its job.
You may not have many symptoms now, but the consequences down the line might not be so good.  Are you seeing an endo for this??
Are you taking meds in the AM? Maybe taking them before bed would be a better option? Just some thoughts.  :)

[goolarra]

Laura's right - your TSH is too high and your FT4 is too low.  TT3 is in normal range.  Total T3 is considered pretty much an archaic test.  Also, the normal range for TT3 is one that has to be adjusted for age.  Do you have free T3 results?  This lets you know exactly how much T3 is available to your cells.

My TSH is in the upper teens, and both FT3 and FT4 are just barely in "normal" range.  I have no symptoms, either.  And my symptoms had all gone away when my TSH was still in the 40s.  Like you, every time I try to increase my levo, I start having some hyper symptoms...join the party at the all-night diner!

I don't know of any other way to lower TSH except taking thyroid meds.  If you find anything, please, please, please let me know!

Understand that I am not a doctor.  However, I am working on a theory:  that there is a subpopulation of people whose "normal" TSH is a lot higher than the normal range stated for the tests.  I have spent the last year increasing my dose of levo, increasing the beta-blockers that I had to go on because of the levo, and very little has changed.  I'm really interest in finding a group and support from those who feel they are "normal" with very abnormal TSH.  I think there are a lot of people out there in the category, but we don't hear from them because 1) they don't feel sick and 2) general screening for thyroid problems has never been recommended, so how would we know about them.  Furthermore, most people tolerate thyroid meds well and don't complain about taking them (even if they might be unnecessary), so there may be many people being treated who also fall into the category.  Anyway, just a thought.

I'd be interested to hear whatyou think.