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TSH is 10, should be 1 to 2, should I stop taking my Synthroid?
I had bloodwork this past week and my TSH level is 10. My Chlor, Trys and sugar levels are all high and can't get my sugar below 200. My endo has me on 300mcgs of Synthroid. I got the call late and wasn't able to call my doc office in time to see what I should do, if anything. I put a call into their afterhours service but didn't get a call back. It's the weekend and I'm a little concerned....any suggestions?
2008 Papillary Thyroid Cancer-Stage 4
2012 History of Pap. Thy. Cancer
Thank you in advance, Deb
2008 Papillary Thyroid Cancer-Stage 4
2012 History of Pap. Thy. Cancer
Thank you in advance, Deb
In talking with my new endo's nurse, she was very surprised that I'm on such a high dose of synthroid. I have my first visit with her on June 4th. I told the nurse I want to explain whats going on and see if the new doc can do anything to change it. I will want to know all the answers before I decide. The only problem is I was waiting for my Thyrogen to come in so I can go for my annual. This endo will also be treating me for my thyroid and my diabetes where the other was only treating my thyroid. Oh, one other problem, I have to learn how to pronounce the new endo's last name =)
You can't take care of all those people in your life if you're not well yourself. When you're flying, they always tell you that when the masks drop down, put your own on first before helping kids with theirs...
Try interviewing a couple of doctors over the phone (probably through a nurse). Ask which tests they customarily order for their hypo patients and make sure FT3 and FT4 are included. Also ask which meds they're open to using (T4-only, synthetic T3/T4 combos, desiccated). If you're in a small town, I wouldn't hold out for a doctor who uses desiccated...it can be hard to get, and, for the moment, you just need to get some T3. Those two questions will weed out the worst of the worst.
Try interviewing a couple of doctors over the phone (probably through a nurse). Ask which tests they customarily order for their hypo patients and make sure FT3 and FT4 are included. Also ask which meds they're open to using (T4-only, synthetic T3/T4 combos, desiccated). If you're in a small town, I wouldn't hold out for a doctor who uses desiccated...it can be hard to get, and, for the moment, you just need to get some T3. Those two questions will weed out the worst of the worst.
And to answer your question about my FT3 & FT4. My primary had them checked 6 to 8 months ago and my FT3 was low. I showed it to my endo and she sat me down and explained why I didn't need FT3, that I'm getting all I need from the Synthroid (FT4). Needless to say, I left the office upset. Why have I stayed with this endo for so long if not happy? A lot of things going on in my life that need my attention too. Close family friend is dying from stomach cancer, baby boy getting a divorce and being drug over the coals and the Hubby has a heart condition, enough stress? .....lol, I could go on but that would be a whole new post in a different Forum. =)
The endo is not caring for my blood sugar, my primary is and he has recently put me on Januvia, that with the Metformin has my blood sugar is under control again....thanks!
I was on Metformin and Actos but with the scare of Actos causing cancer and me being without insurance, I couldn't afford to buy the Actos. That is when my sugar leaped up. After the bloodwork, Doc started me on the Metformin/Januvia (samples) and I'm good there now!
I was on Metformin and Actos but with the scare of Actos causing cancer and me being without insurance, I couldn't afford to buy the Actos. That is when my sugar leaped up. After the bloodwork, Doc started me on the Metformin/Januvia (samples) and I'm good there now!
Is the endo treating your blood sugars? What with? If you can't get them below 200 this is also a very serious problem.
Have you been tested for FT3/FT4?
Some people do need very high doses of meds to feel well. However, dosing based on TSH alone is not enough.
Have you been tested for FT3/FT4?
Some people do need very high doses of meds to feel well. However, dosing based on TSH alone is not enough.
Thank you, you have explained more to me then my doc has in the 4 years since I was diagnosed. It's good to have someone that knows what I'm talking about and not thinking I'm crazy! Been VERY depressed over this! Thank you again!
Follow up: Endo didn't believe me when I called her about the high TSH, she asked for my bloodwork to be faxed to her. They were faxed the results but didn't call me. I called her and I was more or less called a liar. Did I take my Synthroid on an empty stomach, did I wait an hour before eating....answer to both was, yes. She says well, I just don't understand this, you were doing better on a lower dose, hmmmm! She was gonna raise me to 300mcgs of Synthroid, told her I was already on 300mcgs, she asked when I started that and I told her, 3 weeks ago when she called them in, ohhhhhh, well now I want you to take 350mcgs. I have a call into my primary doc for the name of the new Endo in his building.
Like I have ALWAYS said, "Treat the Patient, Not the Problem"!!
Follow up: Endo didn't believe me when I called her about the high TSH, she asked for my bloodwork to be faxed to her. They were faxed the results but didn't call me. I called her and I was more or less called a liar. Did I take my Synthroid on an empty stomach, did I wait an hour before eating....answer to both was, yes. She says well, I just don't understand this, you were doing better on a lower dose, hmmmm! She was gonna raise me to 300mcgs of Synthroid, told her I was already on 300mcgs, she asked when I started that and I told her, 3 weeks ago when she called them in, ohhhhhh, well now I want you to take 350mcgs. I have a call into my primary doc for the name of the new Endo in his building.
Like I have ALWAYS said, "Treat the Patient, Not the Problem"!!
Good idea to get a new doctor. You can't ignore FT3. All the T4 you're taking is probably making you feel hyper, and low FT3 is making you feel hypo. You have to achieve a balance between the two.
Good luck, and don't let this doctor keep you sick!
Good luck, and don't let this doctor keep you sick!
Thanks for the info! I have tried talking to my endo about T3, she won't listen to what I have to say. I am having both hyper and hypo symptoms. I plan on changing endos but I don't have a lot to chose from being in a small town. Right now, I'm waiting for my thyrogen to come in for my annual scan, after that I'm getting a new doc...this is killing me!
You don't want to lower your dose without making other changes at the same time. Lowering your Synthroid will likely raise your TSH, and you don't want that.
There are two thyroid hormones, T4 (the "storage" form) and T3 (the "active" form). Our cells cannot use T4 until it is converted to T3 by our bodies. Synthroid contains only T4. If you convert slowly, you sometimes have to add a direct source of T3 to your meds, or you will remian hypo. Since you are on such a high dose of Synthroid, it might indicate that you don't convert well and need to do that.
When you get your results, please post them with reference ranges, Ranges vary lab to lab, so you have to post them with results. My guess is that your doctors aren't testing FREE T3.
How do you feel? Do you have hypo symptoms or hyper symptoms?
There are two thyroid hormones, T4 (the "storage" form) and T3 (the "active" form). Our cells cannot use T4 until it is converted to T3 by our bodies. Synthroid contains only T4. If you convert slowly, you sometimes have to add a direct source of T3 to your meds, or you will remian hypo. Since you are on such a high dose of Synthroid, it might indicate that you don't convert well and need to do that.
When you get your results, please post them with reference ranges, Ranges vary lab to lab, so you have to post them with results. My guess is that your doctors aren't testing FREE T3.
How do you feel? Do you have hypo symptoms or hyper symptoms?
didn't get a hard copy of my labs yet. Got a late call from my primary doc's office telling me to get ahold of my endo. When I called, they had already closed up for the night.
I have been trying to tell my endo that I needed a lower dose, she does bloodwork, says my synthroid dose needs to be higher.
I have been trying to tell my endo that I needed a lower dose, she does bloodwork, says my synthroid dose needs to be higher.
I agree, no, don't stop taking your meds. Stopping meds would only increase your TSH.
That's a very high dose. It probably indicates that your meds are not right for you.
Please post actual lab results and reference ranges as they vary lab to lab.
That's a very high dose. It probably indicates that your meds are not right for you.
Please post actual lab results and reference ranges as they vary lab to lab.
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