Synthroid Level Imbalance

[RenKat]

I have been on Synthroid for 17 years, due to Hypothyroidism after the birth of my only child.
Average weight-130-145 lbs.  I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis 4 years ago, when a nodule was detected.  Since then, level balances have been a nightmare.  I was 4x over-medicated (weighing 170lbs!) and was reduced from 175 mcg to 75 mcg over the past 6 months.  Recent horrible symptoms prompted blood work, revealing over 8.16 on tsh, so I am back on 100 mcg, profusely sweating, ice cold skin and exhausted, physically, mentally and emotionally.  Is the combination of Armour and Cytomel better for balancing?  Do any doctors in the Tampa Bay Area use anything other than Synthroid?  I have felt so bad, for so long, I don't recognize myself anymore.  I am 49 yrs. old.

[dpleiman]

Is your doctor only treating your TSH? if so it is not the best way to control your symptoms or thyroid numbers. Does your doctor do Free T3 and Free T4? those will be more helpful in determining where you're at and why you feel the way you do.

It sounds like you have had some high dosage increase/decreases in a very short amount of time, it seems to me that you are not being treated appropriately especially with the dosage changes in only a 6 month time frame.

Please post wether you have had the Free T3 and Free T4 and what those results are. If you are only being treated based on your TSH then you need to have a serious talk with your doc or find a new one. TSH is a pituitary hormone and is not a good indicator of how you need to be medicated.

[RenKat]

Thank you for the response.  I just requested those test aspects for next months labs, with a request for a patient copy.  I know the new primary doctor probably only ran the tsh.  The weird icy feeling, the sweats, the dizziness and the abject emotionalism are symptoms that are more pronounced then ever before, so somethings not right.

My endo is Dr. Morrison at USF, in Tampa.  He's got a great reputation and all.
However, I haven't felt well, and its getting worse.  Tampa's pickings seem to be slim.

Thanks for the advice.