T3 Levels too High, TSH Bordeline High

[MrsKT]

2 Years ago I switched from Levothyroxine 100 mcg to Armour Thyroid 180's. My first test came back HIGH that my TSH was .10, but the doctor kept me on that dose. The next test TSH was normal along with all the others except the T3 has come back high 2-3 different times. It's been two years of that but I felt fine the whole time. 12 Weeks ago they stopped making my 180's so I started taking a Generic 180 Armour. Ever since then I've been having Anxiety Attacks and just this week started getting heart palpitations (Extra Heart Beats). Got two EKG's done and they found PVC's. Is this from my thyroid meds being to high and is this reversable or did I damage my heart?
What dose should I step down to to make the heart palpitations go away 90mg ot 120's?
And how long will it take before I feel less anxious on the 120's?
I am a runner (run 20 miles a week) and have a healthy heart otherwise. Had a Good EKG 3 years ago, no bad reports. Do you suspect all this is from the High Thryoid medication?

I'm super worried. Thanks for your help!

[AR-10]

The most obvious thing is that the generic medication was too strong, because of poor quality control, and upset your apple cart.

I'm trying to wrap my head around the whole dosage thing. You did "fine" on it for nearly two years, but the change from Levothyroxine to Armour was huge.

Isn't 30mg a grain? Three grains are equivelent to 100mcg of Levo? You went from 100mcg of levothyroxine to six grains of Armour?

I guess if your labs were good and you felt good, that's great, but I don't understand it.

I'm not sure what you should step down to. What does your doctor say?

You said your TSH is borderline high. Is that because your Free T4 is borderline low? If your Free T4 is at the bottom and your Free T3 is above limits, maybe you need to go back to Levoxyl or Synthroid. Just a thought.

[ken3430]

Yeah that is a huge jump! I was on 150mcg Synthroid and am on 2 grains Armour.  At 3 I felt bad however I do suspect slight adrenal fatigue.

[stella5349]

There is no generic med for Armour - i just inquired about that last Tuesday.

I'm confused.

I think you immediately need to ge back to what you were on.

A high free T3 is very normal and rightfully should be. A low TSH really means nothing on Armour.


60 mg is a grain. and that works out to about .88 mcg Armour

You need to lower back to 120 and start over. It will take about 3 days

[AR-10]

Thanks for the correction, Stella.

I was working off of memory. LOL!
A grain is 60mg, and the chart I am looking at (which may not be reliable) says that is equivelent to 100mcg of Synthroid, but 100,88, whatever. It's a substantial increase.

The title says her TSH is borderline high, which is strange.
More detailed info would be helpful.

[MrsKT]

Hello let me clear this up.

Here are my test results:

TSH 0.396 Range (0.350-5.500)
T4 7.6 Range (4.5-12.0)
T3 Uptake 40 (H) Range (24-39)
Free Thyroxine Index 3.0 Range (1.2-4.9)

Today is my 3rd day switching from the 180's to the 120's. And I feel pretty lethargic. I don't know if it's from the stress of having to see a cardiologist for the palpitations, or if it's my body feeling the differenece of the 120's. I hope it's not dangerous for them to switch me that low. You would think that maybe compunding a 150 would be a more gradual step? I wish I could go back to the first brand of 180's that I took. I had a great 2 years on it. Until the evil switch. They were discontinued so I cant switch back.
Just got my ultrasound done on the heart, and the heart itself is ok, just palpitations. Can''t wait to figure this all out!