Aa
Is it even possible? (medication question)
Hi everyone - I haven't posted in quite a while but hope you all may have some thoughts/input.
Diagnosed Hashi about 10 years ago so have been on Levoxyl all that time, January this year had thyroid removed - have been on calcium and calcitriol b/c of this. Anyway, 3 months ago I convinced my Endo. to also add Cytomel and she agreed - we started with half a dose (12) once per day and then continue with same dose of Levoxyl (137). Said if I have any heart palps or anything to call immediately. All seemed to be fine and I was even questioning taking it b/c I didn't notice anything big changing and since it was costing an extra $25 a month I wasn't sure I should continue with it. So redid my labs a couple weeks ago just before my next appointment was to be so we could discuss.
*A little off topic here but just as more of the story* I had the first appointment of the day at 8:30 (b/c there was a time before I had to wait a long time) and I sat there until 10:30 and still was not seen! Was told by Med. assistant that another Dr. had come in unexpectedly and they were discussing something in the office. Finally I gave up and asked for a copy of labs and said I wanted a call from the Dr. before I would reschedule. Left another message the next day and still no call, called again late that afternoon and the Dr. answered the phone (apparently there was a screwup with the phone lines and somehow I was connected to her - too bad for her!). I told her my long wait, wanting an explaination, she wasn't really apologetic until I wouldn't let up and then was blaming it on the computer system (she is one of those Dr.'s that does everything on the laptop) and said that's why they couldn't get anything done and see any patients. Needless to say she said she would call me back when they got the system up and running again and could look over my labs. Interesting since they had given me a copy of my labs that morning. Oh how I could go on and on about this!
OK, back to the rest. I got a call from the Medical Assistant the next day and was told to stop taking the Cytomel b/c my thyroid was too low (meaning thyroid running too fast) - it was 0.025 so I didn't really argue too much. I stopped taking it on Thurdays and since then have felt really tired, brain foggy, and something else I didn't seem to be getting anymore but had again yesterday was the really hot hands (thinking back I realized I hadn't had that at all since starting the Cytomel). Is it even possible for the lack of taking Cytomel to hit me that quickly? I know Cytomel is a quicker acting and quicker out of the system medication but is it possible to notice it that quickly?
I am thinking of leaving her a message on Tuesday to see if I can go back on Cytomel and reduce the Levoxyl. I don't think she's a huge fan of Cytomel but at least she was willing to prescribe it at that point. By the way, she agreed to try it in the first place so we could see if it would get rid of some of the usual hypothyroid symptoms and give me a little boost. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Sorry so long on this!
Diagnosed Hashi about 10 years ago so have been on Levoxyl all that time, January this year had thyroid removed - have been on calcium and calcitriol b/c of this. Anyway, 3 months ago I convinced my Endo. to also add Cytomel and she agreed - we started with half a dose (12) once per day and then continue with same dose of Levoxyl (137). Said if I have any heart palps or anything to call immediately. All seemed to be fine and I was even questioning taking it b/c I didn't notice anything big changing and since it was costing an extra $25 a month I wasn't sure I should continue with it. So redid my labs a couple weeks ago just before my next appointment was to be so we could discuss.
*A little off topic here but just as more of the story* I had the first appointment of the day at 8:30 (b/c there was a time before I had to wait a long time) and I sat there until 10:30 and still was not seen! Was told by Med. assistant that another Dr. had come in unexpectedly and they were discussing something in the office. Finally I gave up and asked for a copy of labs and said I wanted a call from the Dr. before I would reschedule. Left another message the next day and still no call, called again late that afternoon and the Dr. answered the phone (apparently there was a screwup with the phone lines and somehow I was connected to her - too bad for her!). I told her my long wait, wanting an explaination, she wasn't really apologetic until I wouldn't let up and then was blaming it on the computer system (she is one of those Dr.'s that does everything on the laptop) and said that's why they couldn't get anything done and see any patients. Needless to say she said she would call me back when they got the system up and running again and could look over my labs. Interesting since they had given me a copy of my labs that morning. Oh how I could go on and on about this!
OK, back to the rest. I got a call from the Medical Assistant the next day and was told to stop taking the Cytomel b/c my thyroid was too low (meaning thyroid running too fast) - it was 0.025 so I didn't really argue too much. I stopped taking it on Thurdays and since then have felt really tired, brain foggy, and something else I didn't seem to be getting anymore but had again yesterday was the really hot hands (thinking back I realized I hadn't had that at all since starting the Cytomel). Is it even possible for the lack of taking Cytomel to hit me that quickly? I know Cytomel is a quicker acting and quicker out of the system medication but is it possible to notice it that quickly?
I am thinking of leaving her a message on Tuesday to see if I can go back on Cytomel and reduce the Levoxyl. I don't think she's a huge fan of Cytomel but at least she was willing to prescribe it at that point. By the way, she agreed to try it in the first place so we could see if it would get rid of some of the usual hypothyroid symptoms and give me a little boost. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Sorry so long on this!
The decision I was refering to was the decision to perscribe Cytomel.
She should have run a Free T3 test first.
Your Free T4 can vary quite a bit and you can get along. Your Free T3 is a little more finicky. It needs to be in a certain spot.
Like you said, Stella. Compare the Free T4 level to the Free T3 level. The Free T4 levels are good. Nobody knows if the Free T3 level was good or not.
If it was a little low, then Cytomel would have been a good idea, but back off on the Levoxyl a bit.
If the Free T3 level was good, then the Cytomel may not have been such a good idea.
She should have run a Free T3 test first.
Your Free T4 can vary quite a bit and you can get along. Your Free T3 is a little more finicky. It needs to be in a certain spot.
Like you said, Stella. Compare the Free T4 level to the Free T3 level. The Free T4 levels are good. Nobody knows if the Free T3 level was good or not.
If it was a little low, then Cytomel would have been a good idea, but back off on the Levoxyl a bit.
If the Free T3 level was good, then the Cytomel may not have been such a good idea.
She only tested 2 things this past test on 8/14/08
Vitamin D Total = 37
Free T4 = 1.44
TSH = 0.025
When she tested months before that on 4/30/08
She tested a bunch of things but to follow the above was
Vitamin D Total = 39
Free T4 = 1.31
TSH = 1.597
When she and I looked over my labs for the past few years we noticed how much my TSH jumps everywhere and since I was talking about some of the typical brain fog, dry skin, tired, etc. we decided to try a little boost to see if it would help. I think you guys are right that she probably should have lowered the Levoxyl when prescribing the Cytomel but I am guessing she didn't think I would make that much of a jump?
Stella - to answer how I felt when I was 0.025 I felt pretty good, didn't think I would be that hyper. Also, I did not take any medicine before my test - was fasting.
Vitamin D Total = 37
Free T4 = 1.44
TSH = 0.025
When she tested months before that on 4/30/08
She tested a bunch of things but to follow the above was
Vitamin D Total = 39
Free T4 = 1.31
TSH = 1.597
When she and I looked over my labs for the past few years we noticed how much my TSH jumps everywhere and since I was talking about some of the typical brain fog, dry skin, tired, etc. we decided to try a little boost to see if it would help. I think you guys are right that she probably should have lowered the Levoxyl when prescribing the Cytomel but I am guessing she didn't think I would make that much of a jump?
Stella - to answer how I felt when I was 0.025 I felt pretty good, didn't think I would be that hyper. Also, I did not take any medicine before my test - was fasting.
AR
Hi -
What decision?
sorry I may be tired here - I don't understand your first sentence.
Compare FT3 FT4 to TSH right?
Hi -
What decision?
sorry I may be tired here - I don't understand your first sentence.
Compare FT3 FT4 to TSH right?
That's a decision that should be based on a Free T4 test and a Free T3 test to compare it to.
And your symptoms.
Your TSH was 0.025. That's pretty hyper. She should have dropped your Levoxyl a little when you started the Cytomel.
If you don't have a conversion problem, you don't need Cytomel. I guess that's my opinion on the subject. Others may disagree, and I may be completely wrong.
Your Free T4 and your Free T3 should be above midline on the test range, about two thirds up the scale.
If your T4 is above midline but your T3 is not optimal, then you may have a conversion problem. If your T4 is below midline and your T3 is low, then you need more T4 med.
And your symptoms.
Your TSH was 0.025. That's pretty hyper. She should have dropped your Levoxyl a little when you started the Cytomel.
If you don't have a conversion problem, you don't need Cytomel. I guess that's my opinion on the subject. Others may disagree, and I may be completely wrong.
Your Free T4 and your Free T3 should be above midline on the test range, about two thirds up the scale.
If your T4 is above midline but your T3 is not optimal, then you may have a conversion problem. If your T4 is below midline and your T3 is low, then you need more T4 med.
we'll you were on the low end of the TSH at the time of the test.
How did you feel when your were 0.025? Did you take your meds (T3) before your blood draw?
How did you feel when your were 0.025? Did you take your meds (T3) before your blood draw?
My TSH as of 2 weeks ago was 0.025
My T4 Free, Direct was 1.44
at the time I was taking Levoxyl and Cytomel, now (as of Thursday) I am only taking Levoxyl.
My T4 Free, Direct was 1.44
at the time I was taking Levoxyl and Cytomel, now (as of Thursday) I am only taking Levoxyl.
Cytomel is a T3 and short lived
Yes- it can take only days to feel it whether in a good way or not.
Where are your labs at right now? Do you have the results? Can you post the number?
Yes- it can take only days to feel it whether in a good way or not.
Where are your labs at right now? Do you have the results? Can you post the number?
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