Opinions on a couple of Synthroid questions

[FaithforHealing]

As synthroid lowers a TSH number of 11.90 mlU/ML (ref range of 0.30 mlU/ML - 6.00 mlU/ML), what would be the expected effect on the numbers for Free T4 and Free T3? Is there a direct standard correlation or is it different on a case by case basis?

Could a daily increase of 7mcg to a daily dose of 50mcg be very effective?

Thanks in advance.

[Barb135]

As we get closer to our optimal dosage and actually begin tweaking, a very small dosage change can make a big difference.

[FaithforHealing]

Thanks, Barb, I always appreciate your input. I did in fact talk to someone today who had a dose change of 5mcg and it made a difference. I just didn't realize it could be that sensitive to such a small change. I'm trying to "live and learn" and you are a big part of that. Thanks again!

[Barb135]

Okay, I'm with you now... little bit of brain fog there... sorry about that...

There are times when a tiny increase can be very effective; it just depends on what you need at a given time.  I've alternated dosages a lot of times to get a small increase - for instance, I've alternated 50 mcg with 75 mcg to get 62.5 mcg, if 50 mcg wasn't enough, but 75 was too much... and when I really got down to tweaking, I alternated 88 mcg with 100 mcg to get 94 mcg.  

All you can do is try it and see how your body reacts.

[FaithforHealing]

Thank you. Great graph, very interesting to reflect upon the patterns, or lack thereof. :)

[gimel]

If you were to try and predict the effect of reduced TSH on Free T4 and Free T3, you would need to know the correlation between TSH and Free T4 and TSH and Free T3.  If you have a look at the graphical data in this link, it is easy to see that the correlations are so poor that there is no way you could predict Free T4 or Free T3 from a known level of TSH.  This is part of the reason that TSH is such a poor indicator of thyroid status.  The best indicators currently are symptoms, and also levels of Free T4, free T3, and sometimes Reverse T3.  

http://www.clinchem.org/content/55/7/1380/F2.expansion.html

[FaithforHealing]

I'll try to clarify. A dose of 57mcg per day as opposed to 50mcg per day. That dose change happens by taking (8) 50mcg "a week" rather than (7); one every day for 6 days and then two on the 7th day.

The math is: 50 x 7 = 350p/wk as opposed to 50 x 8 = 400p/wk. 400/7 = 57.14 a day. Yeah, I know...weird...that's why I'm asking. :)  I hope this helps!

[Barb135]

Synthroid's effect on FT3 and FT4 will vary from one individual to the next, depending on how you metabolize the hormone and how your body converts the Free T4 to Free T3.  My body won't react the same way yours does.

I don't understand the rest of your question.  First off, Synthroid isn't increased by increments of 7 mcg at a time; it's typically increased by 12.5 mcg to 25 mcg at a time.  Also it's not increased on a daily basis, because it takes 4-6 weeks for each increase to take effect.  

Maybe I'm not understanding your question.