TSH one year after RAI

[Kristina538]

I had 15mci RAI in Nov 2010 and have been euthryoid all year.   A month ago my TSH was 4.5 and my GP refused me medication (Free T3 4.5 (3.00-6.00) Free T4 10 (10-20).   Two weeks ago my TSH rose to 6.8 (Free t3 4.9, Free T4 12) and my symptoms were noticeably worse (fluctuating between very sleepy/tired, a little depressed and a little manic/jittery inside, waking and not being able to sleep).

My Doctor has given me synthrod 25mcg and told me to take it every other day, or every day, whichever I feel is okay.  I tried taking it for two days and had a severe headache, nausea, and on the second day, shivery and deydrated.   I didn't take any this morning, but am conscious that taking meds like this (even though I write it down) is not going to be a good way of treating.   The chemist said not to cut them in half.   I would be really happy with taking half a day or half and then one.  My body needs these hormones and I want to get into a consistent routine.  Can cutting them in half be so bad?   (I did the same with carbimazole when I was hyper and it worked perfectly).  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

It is not uncommon to break the levothyroxine tablets in half.  The 25 µg dose is the smallest dose for most levothyroxine products.  Tirosint is a gel based Levothyroxine product that comes in a 13 µg tablet, this may be a reasonable alternative.  I do agree with you that given symptoms and TSH levels replacement with levothyroxine is reasonable.

[Anniegoose]

i am on a hypoallergenic form of levothyroxine -- i'm terribly allergic to all the fillers.

if you live in an area where there are compounding pharmacies, please consider having your prescription taken care of there.  then you might not have all those side effects.


blessings to all.

[Kristina538]

Thanks so much for your wise advice over the 18 months;  you really helped with confirmation of RAI, Toxic nodules, carbimazole and now, thyroxine.  This site is a Godsend; thanks.