Synthroid--getting the correct dose

[tennis58]

I had a full thyroidectomy and 1 1/2 parathyroids removed and the cancer was wrapped around one of the vocal chords.  I had the surgery on Feb 21st.  

I started on Synthroid 137 and it resulted in too much because of my symptons.  Then, I changed to S 125 and same symptoms and NOW, I am on S 112 with about 6 days under my belt.  I am so very sleepy most of the day.  My most recent lab results came back at 0 (flatlined) which is why they changed my meds once again.

I am supplementing Vitamin D, calcium, B-12 and Flaxseed Oil (I had a little hair loss).

I'm still not myself with regards to energy and my general mind is "sleepy" and not accurate.

Does anyone have  any ideas???

Thanks!!!

[AR-10]

Getting your medication adjusted is a guessing game. Sometimes the first guess is a good one. Sometimes it is not. It may take another adjustment or two, and as you know it takes six weeks to see how your levels are after an adjustment.

Are you getting a TSH and a Free T4 every six weeks or so?
Have you had a Free T3 test run since the surgery?

If you haven't had a Free T3 run yet, you might want to insist on looking at that with your next round of tests.

[tennis58]

Thanks so much for your comments.  I am getting a TSH test every six weeks as we have changed my meds so many times.  I don't know what a FREE T4 or FREE T3 is.
Can you explain please?  I will def ask my doctor to give me that test if it will help!

:)

[AR-10]

Your doctor should order a TSH AND a Free T4 with each test. Two reasons.
1) By looking at the two tests together you can usually tell if one of them got screwed up by the lab. Because accidents happen.

2) TSH is often a very good indicator of thyroid hormone levels, but not always. You could have a low TSH and low hormone levels if your Pituitary gland decides to go on holiday.  

Free T4 and Free T3 are the active thyroid hormones you need to control, or supplement. The Synthroid is not to treat your TSH. It is to replace your T4/T3 hormones.

So once in a while someone needs to measure those hormones.

A Free T3 test is run less frequently than a Free T4 test, because it costs more money and the test has to be sent away, so you wait for the results. Also, if everything is right, your Free T4 test and your Free T3 test should look the same. So doctors run it less often. It is often redundant and a wasted expense.

Problem is, some people have trouble converting T4 to T3. Your body uses the Free T3 to feed all of your cells. The Free T4 is just storage capacity until the body converts it to T3 so it can use it.

To get a true picture of what your hormone levels are, it takes all three tests run on the same day, from the same blood draw.

If your TSH is bottomed out and it is not budging, your Free T4 should be looked at. You may still be on too high a dose of meds. 100mcg or 88mcg may be all you need. Or it could be that your hormone levels are better than you think, but your TSH is wonky. Or it could be that you are way high on your T4, but low on your T3.

I can make it more confusing if you followed all that...
:o)

Ask for a TSH and a Free T4. It's standard procedure.
Hope you get your levels straight soon.

[tennis58]

Can't thank you enough.  I will be going in for tests in about 4 weeks and will request those tests as well.  

This is such a complicated disease; especially when you add in taking meds to regulate something that should just work naturally!

I'm all about being proactive because as we all know, we have to take care of ourselves first and foremost!!

Have a wonderful day and I'll reply once I get my results.  :)

[elhunt0101]

I found this site very helpful: aboutthyroid.com