Update from Endo on Synthroid dosing

[ChitChatNine]

Gameplan is to take

5 days a week of 88mcgs and
2 days a week of 100mcgs

and see how I feel!  I am all for that .. Endo wants me to call back in 2 weeks with an update and if I don't feel well just go back to the 88mcgs but at least we tried.  I totally agree with her 100%

Cheryl

[redhed87]

Hopefully it works, sounds like a pain though.  I would have to get one of those pill cases with the days of the week and put the pills in so I would remember what to take!!  Good luck.

[kipland]

Good for you!!  I hope that's the ticket for you to feel better.  I'll be taking that journey myself in about a month, so I'm glad to read some of these posts in case I have to play around with my dosage too.

Lori

[ChitChatNine]

I guess it is the trickle affect that Jeni talks about (well, those are my words)  .. in that it takes time to build up fully in the system and thus, takes time to trickle down, too, I bet .. so this way it isn't exactly 88mcgs or 100mcgs all the time and, maybe, levels off in the midpoint and probably the TSH will do the same .. or at least that is the premise.

Was 1.3 on the .88 and on 100 was .7

Maybe this will bring it close to the 1.0 mark which <1.0 is ca supression if tolerated levels. Do recall, I have another nodule on the other side (only 3.0mm and stable) but I know I know I can have a TT and then not be bothered with the # game and only go by symptoms .. but not ready for that TT at all right now.

C~

[Venora Moonwind]

endo just increased me to 175mcg and I am seeing some improvement after about 3 weeks now.I feel lots better. I hope this dosing works for you.
Love Venora

[kipland]

That's right, I forgot that you still have part of your thyroid.  I'm hoping that means mine will be easier to regulate, since it's gone.  I sure hope this works for you, though!!!
Lori

[Jenipeni]

Hi Cheryl,

I really like your interpretation - the trickle effect.  It could take longer than 2 weeks to acheive the full effect though...  It's great you and your Endo are on the same page!  

If it works for you... you could just take the 100mcg on days that begin with an 'S', ie; Saturday and Sunday!  But you've probably already got a weekly pill dosette!  

Here's praying for a optimum result!!! x

[ChitChatNine]

I was wondering which days to do the 100 but if I do the two days in a row will I increase that chance for anxiety back to back dosing???  That was my concern.

I have a pill doser but it is for my husband's BP and cholesterol meds LOL .. I am the "pill keeper" in the house for everyone ::hee hee hee:::  And, the funny thing is that the 100mcgs and one of my hubby's BP meds are similar in color and size so wouldn't that be funny if he got my Synthroid one day ROTFLOL (well, not so funny for him I'd think).

I was thinking Wed and Sun to spread it out.

Lori:  They say my thyroid is pretty much non-functioning so the # game  is more of a TSH <1.0 bca of cancer supression than regulating the Synthroid to get a good TSH ....within 8 weeks they had a decent TSH for me on the Synthroid for general people who had TT but not for Ca Supression so we plug on for the optimal TSH <1.0 AND quality of life.

I never would have even thought of the 100/88 mix if not for this board!!! THANKS GUYS!!!

C~

[Jenipeni]

Hi Cheryl,

I understand your concern about anxiety returning from higher dose if you do two days in a row.  As long as you take your 100mcg on the same days each week you'll be right - cancels out having to allow for odd days in the month/week (more accurate dose).  Wed and Sun is a good idea.

Especially now that you are undertaking alternate dosing you should try to evaluate your reaction in a chunk of time rather than on a day by day basis. I'm not sure how you have been evaluating so far BUT I do know that you state that you have been quite sensititve to thyroid dose adjustments - and I don't doubt your account at all!  My point is that alternate dosing relies on the 'trickle effect'  so an accurate reflection of any difference this new dose will make for you really should be considered given a good chunk of time.  

I know you are going back to the doc's at 2 weeks, -of course do that.  Maybe then consider another 2 to 4 week block on the same dose if you are not experiencing any adverse reactions?  When considering adverse reactions, don't just write off the new dose if feeling jittery or a little bit anxious for one or two days - especially if this fluctates.  Easier to say than to live with I know.  But live with the hope that it should settle as your body adjusts and accomodates this change in dose.

Of course if you consistently have the same adverse reaction or increased anxiety I'm sure you don't need anyone to say what you ought to do!  You and the doc have a good plan!

Have you taken your first 100mcg dose then?  No difference so far I hope!  

[scarlet37]

thank god for understanding doctors!

  I hope this helps you reach your sweet spot!

[ChitChatNine]

I haven't taken the first 100mcg yet .... I actually need to pick up the refill at Walgreen's and kind of gave myself a little break before starting this new venture LOL!!!!

I think you are right on target with your post ...... when I was on the 88mcgs I felt break-thru anxiety here or there when dealing with other issues that were stressful but the am't of anxiety was > than the issue causing it compared to non-Synthroid days.  Then insomnia and hot flashes started to come when never had them before and gone now on the 88mcgs.  As long as the break-thru anxiety was not interfering with my quality of life the Endo said to continue with it for which I agreed.  As the time wore on the anxiety lessened and the 88mcgs was pretty good 95% of the time but when on the 100mcgs for about 10weeks it really started to affect me about 8 weeks into the 100mcgs dosing in that I was getting the anxiety much more and for no known reason .. this kind of anxiety is different than stress-induced anxiety .. it is "nervousness" .. does that make sense to you all?  Kind of like nervousness of anticipation of taking a huge exam or something like that and it lingers all day long.

I have a 2 week phone update and see the Endo in October for 3mos eval and then get my 6mos followup serial ultrasound for other side.

After I wrote the post my Primary Doc called for an update.  He totally agrees with the gameplan and thinks I won't feel the difference at all .. I think it will be ok too and I won't even try to think about it and/or the days i take it .. I think the little bit more won't make a huge difference just as in the beginning 4-6 weeks on the 100mcgs I was ok . I think it will be subtle and I am willing to do anything I can to get the TSH below 1.0 for cancer supression.

Who needs this crud ..........?!  But you guys are the BEST!!!!!

C~

[kipland]

Thanks for explaining that!!  I'll keep that in mind when they start me on my meds if I don't feel quite right.  Yeah....this forum IS the best!!
Hope you're feeling better soon,
Lori