No thyroid 10 years/cancer Syth recently reduced

[Wolveslayr]

I got thyroid cancer in 2001 totally removed. Took them a loooong time to get dose right 225mcg of Syth.

Got tested 6-8 weeks ago. I have never paid much attention to them as I trust my doctors who found the cancer.

That said they cut my dose to 150 mcg after almost 10 years at 225. Dr's offc. called a few days later said they think they made a mistake with the 150mcg, come in and get blood work again. Maybe I'm stupid but my endo and the other Dr's have really taken extra good care of me. They never called back saying 150mcg was a mistake. They have called me many times over the years when something was up.

Well this week I hit the wall. Fell asleep at my desk. Seriously, like someone put valium in my drink (I'm sure no one did) I had to take a break and man I felt like I did right after my surgery. I had Nothing as far as energy or brain power. I slept in my car almost an hour. Decided to break a 150 mcg in half (I know that's stupid but ...it's the dose I'd been on forever.

Bottom line, Last Thurs and Fri. I was in a Fog. It may cost me my job and insurance. I don't take any other meds that could  possibly make me feel this way.

I wanted to share my numbers with the group maybe somebody can enlighten me. I've been reading but seems like I'm half asleep and not making progress.

All that said (geez), My second test had these #'s

TSH, 3rd Gen W/reflex to FT4    0.14 lab report says should be 0.40-4.5mIU/L
T4. Free   1.6 well with in the Quest report of 0.8-1.8 ng/dL
T3 Total 86 also seems with in lab reference.

It's 10/23/2010

Thanks in advance to anybody who can clue me in. I re-typed this multiple times so I have to believe something is off. I'm on the keyboard all day

Worried,

Todd

[Wolveslayr]

Thanks Smilerdeb, I have been taking my old dose of 225mcg combining one of the new 150mcg dose and half of another. I've felt better but clearly "In My Mind" I'm bouncing between Hypo and Hyper. My dosage was reduced 3/1. Work performance clearly dropped hard in April and until the last few days May.

That said, today I'm kicken fanny and hitting goals then all of a sudden I'm in a brain fog zombie state. Left work ( to my possible peril) to lay down at home. Was afraid to go back as everything was so foggy. Took 3 hours between leaving and returning but was able to have a good afternoon. Honestly, I'm in sales and did well for maybe 2 hours then I had zip.

Endo called said to stay on reduced dose (message mach.) In my opinion it's a catch 22.
10 years on 225mcg then 150 for 11 weeks. I think because of the time delay 150mcg clearly messed me up. Jumping back to 225 also has problems. Maybe 150 one day 225 the next.

One thing I DO know is that my dose if "inappropriate" should have been reduced gradually and not by 75mcg in one jump.

Am I thinking right?

Todd

[Smilerdeb]

Armour is banned in Australia and New Zealand so we have to rely on the T3 med and T4 med.
Most wont prescribe T3 meds especially if you have heart issues (which I do) but usually I am fine on a T4 med alone , although a lot arent.

[Wolveslayr]

No Smilerdeb, any help understanding these tests are awesome help. Thanks.

So looking st my Quest labs from 5/17/10 the only FREE is T4 @ 1.6 referenced to 0.8-1.8 ng/dl

Specifically is the TSH 3rd gen w/reflex to FT4 "OUTDATED"? (0.14 referenced to 0.40-4.5 mIU/L)

I see now that the T3 is TOTAL at 86  referenced to Quest 76-181 ng/dL
NOT specified at T3 FREE.

It's almost 5 am Monday and I'm awake (unusual) I will be contacting new Endo's this morning to see how soon I can get in. Based on what I am understanding I should be retested specifically for FREE T3, FREE T4 and TSH (NO 3rd Gen. w/Reflex to FT4?)

Thanks, for your time and effort. Further reading has led me to believe I should at least be asking questions about some of the other meds like

"There are several alternative desiccated natural thyroid products available, similar to the old Armour Thyroid, that will work better than the new Armour, they include: Nature Throid and Westhroid from RLC Labs, and Thyroid from Erfa in Canada. You people are too hypo to realize you have to let Armour and Forest RIP, they are producing a product for their profits, not for your health and wellbeing. I just hope I can get some of the Erfa or Westhroid before my old stock of Armour runs out...."

Read more: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/rx/armour.html#ixzz0oprKk7CG

Todd

[Smilerdeb]

Your labs are very outdated and FREE T3, FREE T4 and TSH should be done.

By that comment I meant ....
the tests needed are the FREE's NOT the normal T's.

Sorry if I confused you

[Wolveslayr]

Thank you Super_sally888!

After finding the sight last night and reading for about 4 hours. I came to the same conclusion and decided to take a 150mcg and break one in half to equal the dosage I had been on for so long. I felt better today and was actually able to get back to doing 65% of the work I needed to do.

So tomorrow I'm contacting the endo's my dermatologist recommend. None of us should have to go through dosage mismanagement when the consequences are so severe.

Thanks again to all and this was my wake up call to ask questions like WHY? the huge dosage drop and trust what my own body is telling me.

In closing, to the posters I read that have been getting over emotional and weepy those were the first symptoms for me (my family really noticed). If you've been on your meds for a while and they want to change. Ask WHY. Then pay attention to your "self" and how you react in familiar situations

Todd

[Super_sally888]

I reckon you should go back to your usual dose (of the past 10 years) and request new labs to work out if everything is really ok.  It is very unusual to have to reduce meds when you have no thyroid and everything else is stable and has been for 10 years.  OVer time it may be necessary to increase meds, but very unusual (unless there was regrowth of the thyroid) to have to decrease meds.......

The hitting the wall is quite classic hypothyroid symptom.  Hope you can sort it out very soon.

[Wolveslayr]

Thanks, for the quick reply Smilerdeb much appreciated.

Now sure what you mean by out dated labs. Had to re-read my post. These #'s are from 5/17/2010


TSH, 3rd Gen W/reflex to FT4    0.14 lab report says should be 0.40-4.5mIU/L
T4. Free   1.6 well with in the Quest report of 0.8-1.8 ng/dL
T3 Total 86 also seems with in lab reference.

I guess that first # is what scared me. My dermatologist ordered these had so skin issues. So she must have seen something.

Lastly this just hit me out of the blue last week. I need to get things right, right away as I am having trouble working. Need to go in this morning and I'm just not up to it energy wise and my cognitive function is just not there.

Dermatologist recommended a couple new endo's so I will start there Monday.

Any one have ideas on how long it will take me to get back on an even keel. If my meds are returned to levels I took for YEARS?

Thanks again,

Todd    lastly, you said "I would be questioning the decvrease and also ask for the 'proper' thyroid function tests to be done.
My Question is are these not "proper thyroid tests"? Also, just wanted to repeat I have no thyroid.

[Smilerdeb]

Your labs are very outdated and FREE T3, FREE T4 and TSH should be done.
There is no way any Doc/Endo can get a correct knowledge of your labs without these done and also you should have these done everytime.
As for dropping the T4 med by that much...unless you are med induced Hyper then it is madness.
Its like supplying a blood vessel with oxygenated blood then withdrawing the blood.
Its just not done in that big of  a decrease.
I would be questioning the decvrease and also ask for the 'proper' thyroid function tests to be done.