Synthroid

[carol1314]

I had my thyroid removed Febr. 28, 2011.  Surgery went fine & I am now on 0.088MCG synthroid.  I feel very emotional and depressed in the last few weeks.  How long before I feel better??  I did not feel like this the first few weeks after surgery.

[FTB4]

Yes I meant the Free T3 and Free T4 and the reference numbers, Is your MD an Endocrinologist or GP? It makes it hard to give you much info on your thyroid without the Free T3&T4 and ranges for each. these are the actual thyroid hormone levels. The TSH is a Thyroid Stimulating Hoemone, and is a Pituitary hormone that signals your thyroid when your thyroid hormones are low, in turn, when the thyroid hormones decrease your TSH increases. So the Free T3 and T4 tests should be done for best results in adjusting the dosage of thyroid medication. You should insist on these tests in your next lab work, If your MD treats you by your symptoms and your Free Levels, you will feel much better, we all have had problems with MD's who treat by TSH ranges alone, and most of the ranges they go by are obsolete, this includes the reference range your MD uses for TSH, the new standard advised by the Endocrinology Board is .03 to 3.5  the standard you MD uses is 0.40 to 5.50 Which tells me he has not updated his ranges and most likely is basing his treatment on TSH only. Which will not do much for your symptoms.You could well be within his normal range and be sick with symptoms, We all have been through this with MD's, I have been through 5 in 3 years, and now I have found one that treats by symptoms and the Free T3 and Free T4 Levels. Finding a good MD is half the battle with thyroid,  
Let us know when you get your new results, I hope your MD is receptive about your lab requests. Best Regards FTB4

[carol1314]

Your comments are so helpful.  

I have been on Synthroid 0.088 MCG since about a week after my surgery which was performed on Febr. 28, 2011.  So probably started on Synthroid about March 8, 2011.

I'm not sure what you mean by not seeing any thyroid levels on the lab I posted.  Is that the TSH, The Free T3 and Free T4 numbers?

I also noticed on my lab work from March 7, 2011, that my Free T4 was 0.64 and the TSH was 3.75.

On March 25, 2011, all that was listed was the TSH number & it was 0.64.  No Free T4 or Free T3 number.

(Note that on the one test the Free T4 number was 0.64 & on the next test the TSH number was 0.64.)  Does that make sense?   I have submitted a question about that to my doctor.

[sablelulu]

No i have never worried about nails an such cause soo much thyroid medicine .Watch cause i am talkiin hypo--NOT hyper so hard .Now my mom had barium where they burn extra thyroid .so touchy to do this
Also i have no potasium an show this all the tiime in blood work
I was recently on life support an with chemo,open heart i am soo blessed to be here. So many medical things have chg since lifesupport expecially memory,learnin to walk again i am getting so overwhelmed i sleep all the time.AND Catherine Zeta Jones, YOU are not alone .''82 told i was #2 bipo
an i have never missed my meds yet--april 22 i see my 28th shrink--lol
KEEP LAUGHIN -its the only workable medicine  

[FTB4]

I just forgot to add, that your potassium is just a tad low, you can bring this up a little with a bananna each day, or there are other natural forms of potassium, Avocado, you can Google Natural Potassium and it will show a list of foods that contain potassium. I would not take any potassium supplements without your MD's approval. Good Luck and let us know how you are doing. FTB4

[FTB4]

You are not on any thyroid meds at this time, right? because I do not see any thyroid levels on the labs you posted, I assume your MD will do a thyroid panel any day now, if not I would give him a call, you should be prescribed medication after your first bloodwork, as far as Vitamin D, The AMA said if you are over 60, that you should take 2000 units per day minimum, (You can get 2000 in one tablet in D3) With Hashimoto's, I take 2000 per day with a meal, this helps avoid indigestion, I also take Magnesium Glycinate 400mg and Vitamin B Complex. All of the symptoms you mentioned are Hypo symptoms, and once you get on medication and it travels through your system, you should feel better, but stay on your MD and tell him about your symptoms, there is no reason for you to have them any longer than possible, remember, he works for you, you pay him, he should follow your requests, you should also request  The Free T3 and Free T4 hormone tests with your lab work, then get a copy and you can post the results with the reference ranges, then we can tell you where you are in relation to your hormone levels. Best Regards FTB4

[carol1314]

Thanks so much for your comments.  I am having hair and dry skin problems also.  Also, nails just flake off.  

Have you found any products that help the nail, hair & skin problems.  How long did it take for you to get adjusted????  What do you mean by months (6 months, more?)

Thanks again & hope you continue to get better also

[carol1314]

Thanks so much for your comments.  I can deal with this as long as I know that eventually I will feel better.  

My TSH at 3 weeks after surgery was 0.64  (Reference Range 0.40-5.50).  I'm not sure why she didn't test by T3 and T4  I am getting close to the 6 week mark so I think it will be tested again.  I believe my TSH was 0.11 before surgery.

                                    Reference Range
Sodium was 142            (134 - 148)
Potassium 3.8               (3.5 - 5.5)
Chloride 103                  (98 - 110)
Total CO2   30               (21 - 32)
Glucose, serum 96        (65 - 100)
BUN 10                        (5 - 30)
Creatinine 0.9               (0.0 - 1.5)
BUN/CR Ratio  11         (5 - 30)
Calcium 9.0                  (8.5 - 10.5)      
EGFR   >60      
  
I had 2 really good days yesterday & the day before and maybe over did the physical work because by 10 a.m. this morning I was ready to go back to bed just because I felt so lousy, not necessarily tired but almost a scarey, weird feeling.  Just can't understand the flip flops in my emotions & feelings.

I am curious, are you on any vitamins?  I take a multiple vitamin & she (my endocrinologist) requested that I take 1000 IU of D3.  My multiple vitamin has 800 IU.  Is it important to take calcium???  I am a 67 year old female.

Vitamins sometimes cause me to have heartburn so that is also a problem.  I take a prescription for that.

How long does this adjustment period usually take?

I really would prefer that my husband not divorce me - ha ha

Again, thanks for your comments.

[sablelulu]

please watch your thyroid . i am on 200 mg an hve no thyroid an  i think it is the answer to TRI-polar of the century lollol - I cannot take these mood swing an menopause on top , They dont know too much abut thyroid is what i gather ..your probalbly not on enough -plyed with my dose for months before right -i can tell if i am loosin hair ,nails wont grow ..so if i dont loose hair i ma on the right amount --keep in touch -an get better (^!^)