New Labs Need Help

[Jeanne49]

I've posted previously but never had
a free T3 test before, but I am still having symptoms. I have headaches, tired, hair falling out, weight gain, forgeting words, hot, cold,pain in joints.I had tt in Nov. 12, 2009 for follicular and pappillary cancer. On levoxyl 137. Please advise.
Test             Result                Range
TSH              0.082 low           0.45-4.500                   albumin,serum                4.3              3.5-5.5
T4 Free          1.55                  0.82-1.77                     Thyroglobulin,Qn           <0.5              0.5-55.0
T3 Free, Serum  3.2                 2.0-4.4                       AntithyroglobulinAb        <20               0-40
T3                  133                    71-180
calcium,Serum  9.5                  8.7-10.2

[stella5349]

Take your T4 meds  - morning.7ish.. about 2 /3 hrs later add in the T3 meds. then about 1 or 2 take the T3 again...

You may have to play with it - if T3 taken too late it could cause insomnia.. Also if you are supplementing try to not do that during the T4 dose in the Am and the first T3. It may be best to supplement at nightime for best results.

[Jeanne49]

Do you mean the first dose of cytomel? Instead of taking it with my levo should I wait and take cytomel at 10 or 11 then take it again around 3pm.

[stella5349]

Great news Jeanne. Trail and error asTamra said. And really - hats off to your doctor lowering the T4 while trying this new script T3 Cytomel.

It better to work up slow than to push too much in and I am happy to hear your doctor is playing that safe w/ you.

You may find taking the T3 med around 10 or 11 is best for you. Taking it a few hours after your T4 med sometimes works good

[Jeanne49]

What dose of synthroid are you on with the 5mcg of cytomel? I know everyone is different I'm just curious. I'm just so happy that I found an Endo that would actually listen to me and not think I was crazy. :) Jeanne

[TamraW]

Trial and error. A suggestion: If the you still feel hypo after a few days, then call the doc and ask for a bump in Levo. The Cytomel should work right away. It is pretty potent.

Taking the Cytomel with your Levo at five is fine. You can take the second part whenever you like in the afternoon. Try to wait two hours after lunch and an hour before eating again. Or, if you feel sluggish by mid-morning, then take the Cytomel at eleven and don't eat until noon.

:) Tamra

[Jeanne49]

I just picked up my prescription. The doctor reduced my levoxyl from 137 to 100 and added 5mcg of cytomel twice a day. I take my levoyxl at 5 am, I guess I can add the 5mcg of cytomel then and take the other 5mcg of cytomel at 2pm like you suggested. Do you think that would be alright?

[TamraW]

BTW- Your FT4 labs look good. I don't know if the doc will lower your Synthroid. I only take a small amount (5 mcg) Cytomel and that does the trick for me. The doc may just add some Cytomel and keep your current T4 prescription.

:) Tamra

[TamraW]

My TSH is a 0.04. TSH is a pituitary  hormone, not a thyroid hormone. My doc doesn't treat according to TSH. My frees are in the top 1/3. That's what's important. I'm glad your doc is giving you Cytomel.

Here's a tip, break up the pill. I take one half in the AM with my Synthroid and 1/2 around 2 pm. I wait an hour before eating anything after I take  my Cytomel. Also, if you take it too late in the evening, you will have trouble falling asleep . It is a potent thyroid drug, but it sure has made a difference for me.

:) Tamra

[Jeanne49]

Just came back from new endo's office. He actually listened to my symtoms and is willing to try me on a small dose of cytomel. He is calling in a script so I don't know what the dose is yet but he does know to reduce T4 med when adding cytomel.