diabetes and thyroid/choleterol etc.

[victoria475]

Recent blood work had everything in good condition except tsh was .09 . Cholesteral/ trigly etc were all 146 or lower ..better than in 15 years.  
I was exposed to radiation and have had thryoid cancer (removed 1984), bladder and skin cancers.  I was on 200 synthroid in am and 50 cytomel 2 x per day (i took only once a day as I couldnt sleep).  Doc brought my thyroid meds to 25 synthroid only.

My body aches, and have had sugar issues already.  Is this in my head?  I went to another doc to be sure and he said deal with it.  a low dose isn't going to kill me but he referred to an endo.  anyway.  They dont want to see me because I don't have insurance.  I don't want to run up any bills if I'm just being stupid.
Thanks
Victoria


This discussion is related to thyroid and diabetes.

[victoria475]

Thank you so much for your response.  I will ask for these tests tomorrow.
I appreciate your response very much.

[Super_sally888]

Hello,

your doctor should not have reduced your thyroid meds based on TSH only.  In people who have been on thyroid meds long term (as you have), often the TSH stops being a good indicator of thyroid function.

To go from 200 mcg Thyroxine + 50 mcg of cytomel down to only 25 mcg of thyroxine is a major change.  

If your doctor is wrong you are being put in a life threatening situation and you will be feeling worse and worse.  

You must have FT3 and FT4 tested immediately.  IF these are low you need to get back on your meds at the original doses.  As a general reference FT3 should be in the upper half of the reference range, FT4 should be at least middle of the reference range.

Please don't delay on this. Let us know how you go?  If you get very hypo it can take months to recover, even when the drugs are readjusted.  And yes, hypothyroid can create havoc with your blood sugars.

Btw my TSH is not detectable and has been that way for quite a few years.  My doctor doesn't even test TSH any more; we only test FT3 and FT4 and adjust based on these.  If you go across to the thyroid forum you will find quite a few people in the same situation.

[victoria475]

thank you.  
Yes  reduced dramatically.  I wondered if the blood sugar wasnt tied to thyroid.  It has been handled easily with the old prescription.  All over the map since reduced.
Only took the tsh and doc freaked over the result. (.09) .  Guess I will keep looking for a new doc.
Thank you again...

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

has your doctor only tested TSH?  TSH is not a good indicator of thyroid function.  You need to have FT3 and FT4 tested (these are the active thyroid hormones).  If these are low then you may be undermedicated (particularly if you've been reduced from 200 mcg of thyroxine +  50 mcg of cytomel, down to 25 mcg only of thyroxine).  Did I understand this right?

Blood sugar issues can be made worse by hypothyroid.  Your symptoms could be due to hypothyroid.

[WaveRider]

Don't know where you reside as your bio is blank. In the USA most drug stores carry OTC home glucose test meters costing around $30. Read the instructions carefully b4 using. Test first thing in morning - normal range is 70-99mg/dl.