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synthroid dosage

The current dosage of synthroid is 75mcg.
In January my test results were T4 13.4
T3 uptake 32
Free Thyroxine Index 4.3
TSH 0.358
When is blood work was done I was on 88mcg then dosage was lowered.
Is this correct?
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Avatar universal
Bubble wrap does sound better than hot coals. Thanks for all the info on fibro and other diseases.
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'd rather walk on bubble wrap than hot coals, at least it's soft... lol  Trying to find a comfortable pair of shoes, that I can walk in for long distances, has been my toughest issue.  

Amazingly, fibro was never heard of (didn't exist) until the 1980's, when TSH became the test of choice to screen for thyroid issues and Synthroid became the medication of choice.  With doctors only testing TSH, with a broad reference range and the goal being, only, to keep TSH levels within the range, all of a sudden there were tons of patients who had "vague" symptoms, usually, pain, with no explanation - voila fibromyalgia was born...

"The word fibromyalgia means pain (algia) coming from the muscles (my) and fibrous tissues (fibro) such as tendons and ligaments."

Amazingly, also, many/most of the symptoms are the same as those of hypothyroidism are very often relieved with adequate thyroid replacement hormones.

I, too, have Pernicious Anemia, which is another autoimmune disease.  When one has one autoimmune, the chances of getting another are greater.  Autoimmune diseases tend to run in families, but not every family member will get the same disease.  For instance, I have Pernicious Anemia and Hashimoto's, my son has Type I diabetes and my daughter has Lupus.  All autoimmune diseases.  All, often, presenting symptoms of fibro....
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Avatar universal
I can't thank you enough. I see neurologist today and will address B-12 issue.An MRI of brain and neck with contrast was taken last week
Two of my family members have pernicious anemia. My feet feel like I'm walking on bubble wrap and I sure would love for this spinning in head to go away permanately.   The balance issue and the coming and going of tingling sensation in hands in feet.I hold onto railings,etc.so I can at least grocery shop for 10 minutes. I seem to be having more problems since I had a bladder cystoscope in January. Docs want to blame it on Fibromyalgia.
Thanks again
Helpful - 0
649848 tn?1534633700
COMMUNITY LEADER
You need to bring "attached note" to your doctor's attention, because untreated B-12 deficiency can cause extreme fatigue, brain fog, easy bruising, etc.  If left untreated long enough, it can cause tingling, burning, numbness in the extremities.

I am, currently, dealing with the neuropathy caused by many years of untreated B-12 deficiency.  My feet constantly feel like they are wrapped in hot coals, yet the nerve function is impaired and it takes longer for sensation in my feet/lower legs to reach my brain.  I often wear blisters on my feet, because I don't feel a sock that might be bunched up in my shoe or a grain of sand, etc. After dealing with the consequences, I hate to have anyone say the doctor thinks 397 is okay, particularly a neurologist, who should know better.

B12 deficiency will cause red blood cells to be larger than normal.

Guidelines for Vitamin D, ferritin, B-12 for those with Hashimoto's are the same as for the general population.  Vitamin D levels are, typically, considered optimal at around 60-80.  Ferritin should be around 70.  As noted above, B-12 should be in the upper end of its range, in order to be sure it's not causing symptoms.  I have to keep my levels at/above the upper limit in order to alleviate symptoms, but not everyone would need them that high.
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Avatar universal
Thank you.My B12 is 397. RefRange is 200-1100 pg/mL. Normal limits. With attached please note.Although the reference range for vitamin B12 is 200-1100 it has been reported that between 5 and 10% of patients with values between 200-400 may experience neuropsychiatric and hematologic abnormalities due to occult B12 deficiency;less than 1% of patients with values above pg/mL will have symptoms. What?
Nothing has been said concerning attached note.
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Avatar universal
Many countried outside the USA the bottom of the range for B-12 begins at 500.  Many people do not feel well until they are over 700 or towards the very top of the range.

Low D3, Iron, Ferritin and B-12 or any combination of them can result in severe fatigue.  Which is also a symptom of low thyroid.
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Avatar universal
What are the guidelines for B12, Vitamin D, and ferratin for someone that has
Hishimoto's?
Thanking you in advance.
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Avatar universal
Thanks so very much. Looks like a new doc might be in my further. Considering I haven't felt up to par in a year.
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much.  I've never had a problem with the dosage of my synthroid in years. Glad to know there are more accurate test to help in this situation.
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Avatar universal
I'm taking Vitamin D-3 2000- 3 times daily. 29.5 was level in range 30.0-100.0
The B12 level was 397. Reference in range 200-1100 pg/ml.The neurologist has no issue with range.
I'll check website and see about alternative testing.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
From your testing and treatment so far I'd say you have two alternatives.  One is to try to provide your doctor enough info from scientific and other sources, to get him to realize that you are not being tested and treated adequately.  If he is just unaware that the best way to treat a hypo patient is by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, and is open minded enough to consider clinical treatment for symptoms, then you might consider that approach.

If not, then you might as well start looking for a good thyroid doctor that will treat clinically, as described in this link.

http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html

In addition, I see you were tested for B12 and it is lower than we recommend.  In addition, you need to be tested for Vitamin D, and ferritin.  Both are very important to good thyroid metabolism.
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Avatar universal
Current levels on 75 mcg are:

TSH  1.72
T4 Thyroxine, Total 9.6
FREE T4 Index  (T7) 2.9
T4 Free                     1.3
T3 Uptake                  30
Vitamin B12                397
I've gained weight,sweat doing the slightest task,not real peppy.
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Avatar universal
Just from looking at your tests, I'd say that your doctor is behind the times.  Total T4, F3 Uptake and FT Index are outdated and not very useful.  You should insist on being tested for the biologically active thyroid hormones, which are Free T3 and Free T4.  Free T3 is the most important because scientific studies have shown it to correlate best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not correlate at all.  

Adjusting thyroid meds based on TSH does not work.  TSH is a pituitary hormone that is affected by so many things that at best it is only an indicator, to be considered along with more important indicators such as symptoms, Free T3 and Free T4.  TSH is frequently suppressed when taking thyroid meds.  That does not mean you have become hyperthyroid, unless you do have hyper symptoms due to excessive levels of Free T4 and Free T4, which you do not even know about.

So, please tell us about any symptoms you are having, and we can comment further.
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