Thyroid levels

[karenscar]

Hi.  I need help!!!  I have hashimoto's and have been on many different doses of Synthroid over the years.  I am also vitamin d and iron deficient.  I take meds for both of those issues.  I have been on 50 mg of synthroid and that is definitely not enough...please see results below.  I feel horrible.  I was just wondering if you think I should move up slowly with the Synthroid, or just move up quickly.  Do you have any idea what the dose of Synthroid would be for this TSH, remembering that I am already on 50 mg.  Thank you for the input.

TSH   32  (.45-4.5)
Free T3   1.9 (2.0-4.4)
Free T4  66  (.93-1.71)

[goolarra]

It can get confusing to try to reply to more than one person in the same thread.  Please go to the top of the page, click the orange "Post a Question" button and start your own thread so that we can respond to your individual concerns.

When you do, please tell us about your symptoms, post recent thyroid labs (including reference ranges that vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report) and give us a brief history of your diagnosis and treatment.  Tell us, also, which meds you are on.  See you there!

[goolarra]

It's always best to move up slowly.  Typically, increases are in not more than 25 mcg increments.  When actively adjusting meds, you can retest in 4-5 weeks, see your doctor a week after labs and make further adjustments as needed to relieve all symptoms.  Slow and steady increases...  

Deficiencies in D and iron will make it difficult for your body to metabolize thyroid meds, so as those are corrected, you'll get a "boost" on the meds.  With both these deficiencies being addressed and thyroid meds being adjusted at the same time, it's even more important to take it slowly.

Your dose of Synthroid is not based on your TSH level.  TSH is nothing but a messenger hormone from your pituitary to your thyroid to tell it to make more T3 and T4.  A very high TSH can just signal a very healthy pituitary.  

Much more important are FT3 and FT4, and both of yours are still below range.  FT4 should be about midrange and FT3 upper half of range...that's where many of us find we have to be to feel well.  What dose each of us reaches those numbers at and feels well at is very individual and depends on many factors, including age, weight, general health, lifestyle, stress, trauma, just to name a few.  

Trying to correct hypo quickly often backfires.  If you've been hypo for a while, your body isn't used to having thyroid hormones available, and you can start feeling hyper with too much, too fast.  It's a process.

[tee_kay]

I have hypo and am on 50's as well and my numbers are off still even on that and no dr has upped my dosage I feel like crap all the time and graves disease runs in my family both my parents have it. The doctors that I went to before just wouldn't listen. And now I feel worse than ever. I am always tired and super anxious. I have an appointment with a dr soon and I'm trying to decide what I should do if they don't listen either and I don't know anyone with my condition to see if I'm normal with how I feel.  If you can help please do. Thank you