Lab Test after starting Synthroid

[Otto44$]

Any suggestions on when it's best to get TSH, FT4/FT retested after starting synthroid? Would 5 wks. post be sufficient enough time for a more accurate result in how the hormone replacement is working? Also, should I take my synthroid the morning of retesting? I've heard it's better to retest later in the day. My only problem is I've to fast, due to my Dr. also retesting Lipid Panel & A1C. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[flyingfool]

My wife too as she got more thyroid mediation dosage was able to stop her acid reflux medication.

Interesting my wife had migranes, which went away when she started taking acid reflux medication.  Then as she got more andmore thyroid dosage, she was able to stop completely taking the acid reflux medication which she was on ever increasing dosages and prescriptions for at least two or three years.

Not saying that this will happen to you. Just that is what my wife experienced which sounds very similar to what Gimel experienced as well.

[Otto44$]

I was put on protonix yrs. ago for a misdiagnosis of having a hital hernia. I remember telling the ENT that I don't get heartburn, ect. well, needless to say my issue at that time he prescribed that to me, was because I was having a allergic reaction to their allergy drops & ended back in his office (same Dr. that performed negligent sinus surgery on me by putting holes in my maxillary cavities) which at that time he realized what was causing my throat causing and it wasn't from acid reflux. Therefore, he gave me a steroid shot and put me on Levaquin to prevent infection in my throat, because I'd went so long before he treated me properly.  Anyhow, me not realizing it at the time didn't think to stop taking the protonix as I was told by a friend. To be careful taking acid reducers on a daily basis, because your system will get use to it and you'll always be on it. Me being so naive, and believing what Dr.'s tell me (which I've learned the hard way) I continued to take it. I have issue's in trusting Dr.'s after the above issue and a couple other bad experience's I've had because of them. Anyhow, unfortunately, my PCP didn't check my FT3 the last time I'd labs, so I don't know if it was low, high or what, but when he did check it awhile back it was over the range and I was still having heartburn. So, I'm not sure if what my good friend told me is so, or if it's coincidence now learning that I have Hashimoto's and hypo symptoms & have had other symptoms for a very long time now. Either way, I know it's very uncomfortable. I was able to persuade my PCP into checking my Free T3 along with the Free T4 and TSH level each time I go for labs. I've also shared a lot of material including the letter you share with us members for him to review. He said, he definitely will read the material. I must say he is easy going and does listen. I tried my best in explaining to him more or less about treating symptoms before levels. Using the example with me losing hair so bad one time, that I had a bald spot. As well, as other issue's and being that he's the one that diagnosed me with Hasimoto's. wouldn't it make sense that I was having, I believe hyper symptoms at that time as well as some hypo and at that time my levels were all within lab ranges, but my Free T4 was on the low end. He did agree and said that he will treat my symptoms before levels. We shall see.

[gimel]

Just for info, a while back when Armour Thyroid was not available, I had to try to get by on mainly T4 med.  I got back into being hypo due to low Free T3 and among other symptoms, I had the worst acid reflux I ever had, even though I was taking 20 mg of Prilosec twice a day.  Since I badly needed T3 in my med, as soon as Armour was available again, I went back to it and in two days my acid reflux was gone.    Not saying it was only due to Armour, just that my Free T3 was too low because I do not adequately convert T4 to T3, so I needed a source of T3.

[Otto44$]

Thanks so much once again for your assistance & fast response. I will go tomorrow morning & will post my results with ranges once I receive them back. Thanks to all of you wonderful people. I've learned that symptoms tend to lag changes in serum thyroid levels. Luckily, I've been feeling great and the only symptom that I'm still experiencing is heartburn & indigestion & that's only if I don't take my protonix before drinking coffee in the am. I wasn't taking it as I usually would when first getting up, because of having to wait at least 1 hr. after taking the synthroid. Yet, I would still drink my coffee. well, now I don't drink my coffee till after taking the protonix. I'm really enjoying life so much more at this time anyways. It's been a very long time, since I've felt good. :)

[gimel]

Since T4 is so slow in building up in the blood it takes about 4 weeks to achieve over 90% of final effect.  So, yes, 5 weeks should be sufficient for re-test.   With T4 meds, therefore, it does not matter if you take your med in the morning before blood draw.  Be aware that symptom changes tend to lag changes in serum thyroid levels.