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Am I overmedicated, undermedicated or high RT3 or?
10 months ago I became over medicated and my doc has been lowering my dose of Tirosint by 12 mcgs ever since. A week or so ago my eyes had a flare up of swelling, running and aching [have had this when under medicated too] apparently it isn't too common because I posted about this with not much response. Now I have fluid retention else where too [maybe I had too much sodium] and my digestion is slow with reflux again. I have had the jitters off and on, trembling, racing heart at times, but now feeling tired/slow,, palps have stopped. My doc lowered my dose again, 4 days ago to 88mcgs Tirosint, I was told to stay at 12.5mcgs Cytomel. Every lab done before this had had a FT4 at the very top of the range, FT3 has been at the upper 2/3 or higher, no TSH and high RT3. Here are my labs from last week, before dose lowered:
100mcgs Tirosint 12Cytomel
TSH less than 0.006
FT4 Direct 1.48 0.8-177
FT3 3.3 2.0-4.4pg/ml
RT3 24.1 9.2-24.1ng/dl
Do you think the RT3 could improve as I lower the T4? Am I over medicted or do I need additional Cytomel for the fluid, vision thing? Any opinion would be helpful! I have Hashi's and my last labs where good on iron, D etc... But I do have some low cortisol in the AM, based on saliva testing. My last labs on Cholesterol and Trigs where very high, also my A1C was high...which is unbelievable because I eat so well, so I think my thyroid meds are not working at the cellular level, hence the high RT3 [which my doc is not concerned about] She's about ready to put me on Statins and Metformin. Had none of this until my thyroid got wacked out..gained 30lbs in 3 months, the vision issue and totally debilitated from pain and my body not functioning properly. Have not been right since. I wonder if I may have Graves as well, will ask for that test! Very concerned that this is causing permanent damage to my organs and bones...put my doctor has no sense of urgency.
Thank you so much for your help!
100mcgs Tirosint 12Cytomel
TSH less than 0.006
FT4 Direct 1.48 0.8-177
FT3 3.3 2.0-4.4pg/ml
RT3 24.1 9.2-24.1ng/dl
Do you think the RT3 could improve as I lower the T4? Am I over medicted or do I need additional Cytomel for the fluid, vision thing? Any opinion would be helpful! I have Hashi's and my last labs where good on iron, D etc... But I do have some low cortisol in the AM, based on saliva testing. My last labs on Cholesterol and Trigs where very high, also my A1C was high...which is unbelievable because I eat so well, so I think my thyroid meds are not working at the cellular level, hence the high RT3 [which my doc is not concerned about] She's about ready to put me on Statins and Metformin. Had none of this until my thyroid got wacked out..gained 30lbs in 3 months, the vision issue and totally debilitated from pain and my body not functioning properly. Have not been right since. I wonder if I may have Graves as well, will ask for that test! Very concerned that this is causing permanent damage to my organs and bones...put my doctor has no sense of urgency.
Thank you so much for your help!
Anxiety through the roof! Posted as a new question since no one has responded to the above in a while..thanks
I forgot to add that i get bouts of trembling and Tachycardia after a puff of cigarette, which hasn't happened before, yes I am trying to quit again. Also the continued night sweats and chills at times, low temps, never over 97.8.
Thanks
Thanks
I just got my new labs back today and have continued to feel poorly, although they look pretty good, but the rt3 is missing. May have it tomorrow.
@ 4 weeks of 88 Tirosint 17.5 cytomel:
TSH less than less than .0.01
FT4 1.3 0.9-1.8
FT3 3.7 2.3-4.2
I still don't feel well and don't know whether to go up or down on the cytomel and need opinions. The doc says to try and go down to 15mcgs or less, although my swelling was worse then.
My symptoms are mild swelling of the eyes, continued blurred vision and light sensitivity and swelling face, but less than before when dose was first dropped. light edema of hands and legs, have become very sensitive to humidity which causes more swelling, bouts of cold feet, bouts of foot and leg pain, sort of light cramping and skin sensitive to cold at times, acne, but less, just developed headaches every evening and a nervous stomach like Adrenaline surges possibly, jittery with bouts of tearfulness and constipation since at 17.5, but was less before, brain fog. It seems 3 weeks after any decrease in dosage change there is this terrible "crash" but my symptoms aren't getting much better. Am I over medicated or under? Concerned that raise will cause the nervous feeling to become worse. I feel this may be hypo..isn't the ratio like 4 to 1?
Thanks so much for you opinion!
@ 4 weeks of 88 Tirosint 17.5 cytomel:
TSH less than less than .0.01
FT4 1.3 0.9-1.8
FT3 3.7 2.3-4.2
I still don't feel well and don't know whether to go up or down on the cytomel and need opinions. The doc says to try and go down to 15mcgs or less, although my swelling was worse then.
My symptoms are mild swelling of the eyes, continued blurred vision and light sensitivity and swelling face, but less than before when dose was first dropped. light edema of hands and legs, have become very sensitive to humidity which causes more swelling, bouts of cold feet, bouts of foot and leg pain, sort of light cramping and skin sensitive to cold at times, acne, but less, just developed headaches every evening and a nervous stomach like Adrenaline surges possibly, jittery with bouts of tearfulness and constipation since at 17.5, but was less before, brain fog. It seems 3 weeks after any decrease in dosage change there is this terrible "crash" but my symptoms aren't getting much better. Am I over medicated or under? Concerned that raise will cause the nervous feeling to become worse. I feel this may be hypo..isn't the ratio like 4 to 1?
Thanks so much for you opinion!
The Dandelion tea didn't work. I remembered that a pharmacist told me about vitamin.b6...i used 100mgs and within 2 hours, i started going and it has worked ever since. Thought I'd let you know.
Got the tea and it tastes and smells nutty, didn't notice the bitterness maybe because I dumped the Stevia in before tasting. I just let the bag sit in there for the 10 or so minutes. The brand is Alvita, it says it supports liver function, nothing about a diuretic on the box. Do you think it's our Liver's not functioning properly that makes us hold fluid? That would make sense in Hypo. I would swell a bit premenstrually even in my 20's, like you I was prone.
I think it must have been the Hashi's then in 2009. Maybe it was your surgeries that triggered yours, maybe even the drugs they used. I'm pretty sure mine was triggered by drugs, my doc had me on[he lost his license] but possibly the Mono i contracted and just before that the Hysterectomy and high stress when my husband got ill in 1999 and died.in 2004..i was left with baby and a teenager with Migraines, homeschooling her..everything in my life crashed. I was weaning off the drugs the doc put me on and was happy to finally be getting a life when I got sick and have been pretty much too ill to do much ever since. I have been home-bound with dizziness,pain or something for nearly 4 years. Went to at least 20 specialists to find out why each part of my body wasn't working right. No one checked my thyroid other than TSH. My TSH was at around 7, antibodies around 200, in 2011. Yours was unbelievable!
My A1C was not too much over range, but I don't know the exact numbers without digging. Would that be the same as insulin resistance? Did you have this test done..how was your issue detected? Oh, I was exercising for 1 hour a day, when I gained those 30lbs and developed the high Cholesterol and sugar. I think sometimes the thyroid etc..can over ride all good intentions. Unless I'm laid up, I keep moving, have some great muscle tone and I'm strong but my tests don't look so good. My liver showed up mildly fatty..I'm just blown away! I keep trying though.
I would think that a D.O could manage Hashi's and may be more open minded. Maybe I should look there. The reason I feel I need the doc is for the meds and testing to be covered by my insurance. I would know better than they on how to treat this..I wish i had the support of a doctor, but if having one means I will get sicker than I don't think this is too wise. There a many people, i have heard, that are treating by symptoms only and buying their meds from overseas and doing great. I don't want to go that route, but it's getting to that point. Doctors and their over prescribing and treatment of me in general, is in large part, why I lost my health. Yes, I can't believe my friend's willingness to stay drugged, after she's seen what I've been though. She would have to order her own tests though and would get no more than T4, but at least it's a step in the right direction.
You are very fortunate that your tummy doesn't do what mine does. Sometimes I can't hold the food down once in and I feel like its in my throat, breathing is difficult. I have heard of Leptin Resistance, have you? Apparently you have trouble feeling full, hungry often and eat often. My appetite is not too good most of the time. I long for the day that I can just eat! The easiest thing to digest is bread, but I rarely eat that because of the blood sugar. I occasionally have this dream that I'm locked in a Bakery overnight!
I have been at the additional 2.5mcgs for about 1 week and although I have less swelling, my morning temp was 96.1, and my muscles hurt with aching feet, I get very hot and sweaty and my temp is low...I do believe this is hypo.
Thanks!
I think it must have been the Hashi's then in 2009. Maybe it was your surgeries that triggered yours, maybe even the drugs they used. I'm pretty sure mine was triggered by drugs, my doc had me on[he lost his license] but possibly the Mono i contracted and just before that the Hysterectomy and high stress when my husband got ill in 1999 and died.in 2004..i was left with baby and a teenager with Migraines, homeschooling her..everything in my life crashed. I was weaning off the drugs the doc put me on and was happy to finally be getting a life when I got sick and have been pretty much too ill to do much ever since. I have been home-bound with dizziness,pain or something for nearly 4 years. Went to at least 20 specialists to find out why each part of my body wasn't working right. No one checked my thyroid other than TSH. My TSH was at around 7, antibodies around 200, in 2011. Yours was unbelievable!
My A1C was not too much over range, but I don't know the exact numbers without digging. Would that be the same as insulin resistance? Did you have this test done..how was your issue detected? Oh, I was exercising for 1 hour a day, when I gained those 30lbs and developed the high Cholesterol and sugar. I think sometimes the thyroid etc..can over ride all good intentions. Unless I'm laid up, I keep moving, have some great muscle tone and I'm strong but my tests don't look so good. My liver showed up mildly fatty..I'm just blown away! I keep trying though.
I would think that a D.O could manage Hashi's and may be more open minded. Maybe I should look there. The reason I feel I need the doc is for the meds and testing to be covered by my insurance. I would know better than they on how to treat this..I wish i had the support of a doctor, but if having one means I will get sicker than I don't think this is too wise. There a many people, i have heard, that are treating by symptoms only and buying their meds from overseas and doing great. I don't want to go that route, but it's getting to that point. Doctors and their over prescribing and treatment of me in general, is in large part, why I lost my health. Yes, I can't believe my friend's willingness to stay drugged, after she's seen what I've been though. She would have to order her own tests though and would get no more than T4, but at least it's a step in the right direction.
You are very fortunate that your tummy doesn't do what mine does. Sometimes I can't hold the food down once in and I feel like its in my throat, breathing is difficult. I have heard of Leptin Resistance, have you? Apparently you have trouble feeling full, hungry often and eat often. My appetite is not too good most of the time. I long for the day that I can just eat! The easiest thing to digest is bread, but I rarely eat that because of the blood sugar. I occasionally have this dream that I'm locked in a Bakery overnight!
I have been at the additional 2.5mcgs for about 1 week and although I have less swelling, my morning temp was 96.1, and my muscles hurt with aching feet, I get very hot and sweaty and my temp is low...I do believe this is hypo.
Thanks!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Beginning stages of Hashimoto's are often characterized by periods of hyperthyroidism, alternating with periods of hypo, so your initial "craziness" could very well have been caused by the Hashimoto's.
I know you've already changed doctors several times; many of our members have had to do that. We've had some who have had had half a dozen or more doctors before they found one who would work with them.
You'd be surprised at the people who have drugs thrown at them in lieu of thyroid medication. I can't imagine why doctor would prefer to prescribe morphine and Lyrica over thyroid medication... makes no sense, but happens all too often. It also makes no sense that your friend prefers to stay on the morphine and Lyrica... wow.
I'm glad you got the dandelion tea; yes, it will be as good as pills. I just sometimes don't have time to steep a cup of tea. The brand I have says to steep about 5 minutes, longer for stronger tea, but since it tends to be a bit bitter, I don't steep it longer. I've had mixed results using Epsom salts.
Yes, licorice CAN raise blood pressure, as well as cause edema, plus it depletes potassium, which causes cramps. Of course, as I said, it won't affect everyone that way, but for some of us unlucky ones, it will. Like you, I love licorice....lol
We aren't sure what caused my initial swelling back in Jan/Feb; I've always been somewhat prone to swelling, but, typically, it would go down on it's own. This time it took months to get rid of it and only the dandelion tea/capsules helped. Could have been thyroid, because I was a bit hypo, in Jan/Feb, but couldn't get anyone to raise my med. Somehow, I ended up with extra T3 pills, so I raised my own dosage from 7.5 mcg to 10 mcg and felt much better (I don't recommend self medicating to anyone). The last bout I had with swelling, just a couple weeks ago, can definitely be attributed to the supplement that contained licorice.
I do know that cinnamon is good for helping to control blood sugar. I actually eat quite a few things with cinnamon on them; I even add a dash or two to my protein shakes.
Do you know what your A1c actually is? If it's too high, it could be considered type II diabetes vs insulin resistance, which is sometimes called "pre-diabetes" and is a factor in metabolic syndrome.
I'm not sure if my blood sugar issues are thyroid related or not. I had been keeping track of them for a while, but my previous pcp refused to even look at them - this was back in 2007, but I did start gaining weight in late 2007, following 2 surgeries on my vocal cords. At that time, my TSH was in the neighborhood of 0.9, so no sign of thyroid issue, then. I wasn't diagnosed with hypothyroidism until spring of 2008, with a TSH of 55, so something happened in there; I've often wondered if the vocal cord surgeries had anything to do with it. Trauma can trigger Hashimoto's.
My current pcp used to be in practice with my former pcp, but went out on his own and when I got ready to switch, a friend recommended him. He's not real open minded with thyroid issues (may be more so now, than he was at first), because he puts too much stock in TSH and since mine lives at 0.01 or < 0.01, that's disastrous for me. Other than that, he's excellent and very diligent about everything. He's a D.O, so is more open to alternative type things than many M.D.'s. I have an endo that manages my thyroid.
I don't feel full after eating very little; it takes quite a bit to fill me up, so I try to stick with more veggies than anything else. I'm slowly making changes to my diet, in hopes of losing some weight AND keeping blood sugar levels under control.
Exercise also plays a role in both the weight, and blood sugar issues, as well as cholesterol. Time for me to get off my duff...
I know you've already changed doctors several times; many of our members have had to do that. We've had some who have had had half a dozen or more doctors before they found one who would work with them.
You'd be surprised at the people who have drugs thrown at them in lieu of thyroid medication. I can't imagine why doctor would prefer to prescribe morphine and Lyrica over thyroid medication... makes no sense, but happens all too often. It also makes no sense that your friend prefers to stay on the morphine and Lyrica... wow.
I'm glad you got the dandelion tea; yes, it will be as good as pills. I just sometimes don't have time to steep a cup of tea. The brand I have says to steep about 5 minutes, longer for stronger tea, but since it tends to be a bit bitter, I don't steep it longer. I've had mixed results using Epsom salts.
Yes, licorice CAN raise blood pressure, as well as cause edema, plus it depletes potassium, which causes cramps. Of course, as I said, it won't affect everyone that way, but for some of us unlucky ones, it will. Like you, I love licorice....lol
We aren't sure what caused my initial swelling back in Jan/Feb; I've always been somewhat prone to swelling, but, typically, it would go down on it's own. This time it took months to get rid of it and only the dandelion tea/capsules helped. Could have been thyroid, because I was a bit hypo, in Jan/Feb, but couldn't get anyone to raise my med. Somehow, I ended up with extra T3 pills, so I raised my own dosage from 7.5 mcg to 10 mcg and felt much better (I don't recommend self medicating to anyone). The last bout I had with swelling, just a couple weeks ago, can definitely be attributed to the supplement that contained licorice.
I do know that cinnamon is good for helping to control blood sugar. I actually eat quite a few things with cinnamon on them; I even add a dash or two to my protein shakes.
Do you know what your A1c actually is? If it's too high, it could be considered type II diabetes vs insulin resistance, which is sometimes called "pre-diabetes" and is a factor in metabolic syndrome.
I'm not sure if my blood sugar issues are thyroid related or not. I had been keeping track of them for a while, but my previous pcp refused to even look at them - this was back in 2007, but I did start gaining weight in late 2007, following 2 surgeries on my vocal cords. At that time, my TSH was in the neighborhood of 0.9, so no sign of thyroid issue, then. I wasn't diagnosed with hypothyroidism until spring of 2008, with a TSH of 55, so something happened in there; I've often wondered if the vocal cord surgeries had anything to do with it. Trauma can trigger Hashimoto's.
My current pcp used to be in practice with my former pcp, but went out on his own and when I got ready to switch, a friend recommended him. He's not real open minded with thyroid issues (may be more so now, than he was at first), because he puts too much stock in TSH and since mine lives at 0.01 or < 0.01, that's disastrous for me. Other than that, he's excellent and very diligent about everything. He's a D.O, so is more open to alternative type things than many M.D.'s. I have an endo that manages my thyroid.
I don't feel full after eating very little; it takes quite a bit to fill me up, so I try to stick with more veggies than anything else. I'm slowly making changes to my diet, in hopes of losing some weight AND keeping blood sugar levels under control.
Exercise also plays a role in both the weight, and blood sugar issues, as well as cholesterol. Time for me to get off my duff...
I started having highish blood sugar at the same time my digestion slowed down..which I believe is due to thyroid, which I think is causing the high sugar. Have you had this happen? I feel full after eating very little.
No, my doc gave no reason for the refusal of the diuretic. I have had my heart checked, stress tests, ultra sounds,EKG's etc..because when this all started I had hyper symptoms, trembling, diarrhea and racing heart with weight loss for about 8mos, then came the hypo with the weight gain and fluid retention, palps. Last check was 1.5 years ago. They just think I'm nuts and have emotional problems..which I do now from all I've been through and dealing with doctor's. Maybe it was the Hashi's..i will never know, I guess. The heart doc only checked my TSH! It was .45 and .63 which then it was pronounced normal. So even the Cardiologists aren't testing correctly..can you imagine how many thyroid sufferers are left to suffer? How many psyc. patients have thyroid issues that are over looked and on all kinds of drugs! It really is concerning! My friend has never had a FT3 test and is on Morphene and Lyrica and doesn't even try to find out why she's like this. My pain is gone when I'm treated correctly and she still won't listen. Her Cholesterol can't be lowered with Statins either. I truly suspect thyroid issues. Her willingness to be drugged just blows me away!
Yah, she's willing to leave me sick, but so were the last 4, so I don't know what to do. No point in talking to her about any natural remedies, she won't be helpful there either. My boyfriend got me the tea, thank goodness. Will start it today. It says to steep for 12min! Wow! The tea will be good as pills are just a bit much..so sick of them.
I have taken many supplements and have had no luck with them. I have had Licorice in some and have never had an issue yet. I love Licorice but realize it can raise cortisol levels and Bp etc.. I swelled before taking the last supplement containing Licorice, so that isn't it, but thanks for alerting me! Am down to just whole food vitamins, fish oil if i can remember and Selenium, Cinnamon for high blood sugar..have you investigated that yet? I hear other countries have good success with it. My doc never called it insulin resistance but says my A1C is too high. Do you know how the 2 are different? I had none of this until my Hyper like episode in 2009..i feel it's related to the thyroid issue,I really do.
Why are you swelling so much, if you don't mind my asking? Is it the thyroid crapolla? And, how did you find such an open-minded doctor?
Epsom salts didn't help much, but the real bad swelling is around my eyes..can't hold my breath long enough to try it ..HAHa. When my eyes swell my vision gets worse. No doc believes me that it's thyroid related, even the eye doc! When the hypo hit in 2010 it was one of my first symptoms, with the 30lbs in 3 month gain, distended stomach and acne. Took another year of searching for help to get it. In 2011, I had to ask my to run thyroid tests and had to tell him which ones..he didn't even know! Unbelievable! My GP said I needed a dietitian and a dermatologist and refused me testing. It's been just awful, Barb.
Yah, she's willing to leave me sick, but so were the last 4, so I don't know what to do. No point in talking to her about any natural remedies, she won't be helpful there either. My boyfriend got me the tea, thank goodness. Will start it today. It says to steep for 12min! Wow! The tea will be good as pills are just a bit much..so sick of them.
I have taken many supplements and have had no luck with them. I have had Licorice in some and have never had an issue yet. I love Licorice but realize it can raise cortisol levels and Bp etc.. I swelled before taking the last supplement containing Licorice, so that isn't it, but thanks for alerting me! Am down to just whole food vitamins, fish oil if i can remember and Selenium, Cinnamon for high blood sugar..have you investigated that yet? I hear other countries have good success with it. My doc never called it insulin resistance but says my A1C is too high. Do you know how the 2 are different? I had none of this until my Hyper like episode in 2009..i feel it's related to the thyroid issue,I really do.
Why are you swelling so much, if you don't mind my asking? Is it the thyroid crapolla? And, how did you find such an open-minded doctor?
Epsom salts didn't help much, but the real bad swelling is around my eyes..can't hold my breath long enough to try it ..HAHa. When my eyes swell my vision gets worse. No doc believes me that it's thyroid related, even the eye doc! When the hypo hit in 2010 it was one of my first symptoms, with the 30lbs in 3 month gain, distended stomach and acne. Took another year of searching for help to get it. In 2011, I had to ask my to run thyroid tests and had to tell him which ones..he didn't even know! Unbelievable! My GP said I needed a dietitian and a dermatologist and refused me testing. It's been just awful, Barb.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Have you ever tried soaking in a warm tub, with about a cupful of epsom salt? Epsom salt tends to pull excess moisture from your tissues. Again, best to check with your doctor, but I find, sometimes that soaking my feet or hands in epsom salt, reduces swelling; we replaced my bathtub with a shower stall, so I no longer have the option of soaking my whole body.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow - I don't blame you, I'd be angry, too. I can't believe your doctor wouldn't even give you a diuretic. Did she give any reason for not being comfortable with that? There are OTC diuretics you can get, but I've never used them and would be afraid to suggest any.
I'm afraid you're going to have to find a different doctor, because while this seems to be trying to work with you, she's still stuck on TSH and the fact that she's willing to leave you with severe edema (which can be a sign of hypo or a sign of heart issues) scares me. Have you had a heart work up to make sure you don't have issues there? Congestive heart failure, as well as other conditions can also cause edema.
Just for your info, my health food store (I go to several of them, but mostly Vitamin Shoppe, because it's closer to me) also carries a Dandelion Root capsule that might work a bit faster for you than the tea. The brand I use is Nature's Way, but I'm sure there are others. I keep both on hand. If any of this information gets "bleeped", I'll send you a PM.... lol
Did you happen to talk to your doctor about the dandelion tea? As I said, my doctor gave me his blessing for both the tea and the capsules, but of course, it's best to get your own doctor's blessing.
Oh -- one more thing...... do you happen to eat licorice or take any supplements that contain licorice extract? I ask you this because I was taking a supplement recommended/sold by my doctor that contained licorice extract and I swelled up like a balloon and we had to double my Lasix dosage and it still didn't do anything. Took a while to figure out what was doing it, but as soon as I started researching the ingredients in that supplement, I knew what the problem was, so I stopped it. The swelling went down and has been "almost" normal, so I just tried that supplement again last week and, again, I immediately started swelling. It won't affect everyone that way, but it will some of us. It can also lower potassium levels enough to cause muscle cramps; it does that to me; at the same time I started swelling, last week, I got muscle cramps that were coming so fast and furious it was unreal. I popped an OTC potassium pill, which quelled the cramps and since I haven't taken that supplement again, I haven't had any more.
We don't think about some of the things we buy OTC that can cause adverse reactions. It took a very good friend to remember that when I eat licorice I get cramps.
I'm afraid you're going to have to find a different doctor, because while this seems to be trying to work with you, she's still stuck on TSH and the fact that she's willing to leave you with severe edema (which can be a sign of hypo or a sign of heart issues) scares me. Have you had a heart work up to make sure you don't have issues there? Congestive heart failure, as well as other conditions can also cause edema.
Just for your info, my health food store (I go to several of them, but mostly Vitamin Shoppe, because it's closer to me) also carries a Dandelion Root capsule that might work a bit faster for you than the tea. The brand I use is Nature's Way, but I'm sure there are others. I keep both on hand. If any of this information gets "bleeped", I'll send you a PM.... lol
Did you happen to talk to your doctor about the dandelion tea? As I said, my doctor gave me his blessing for both the tea and the capsules, but of course, it's best to get your own doctor's blessing.
Oh -- one more thing...... do you happen to eat licorice or take any supplements that contain licorice extract? I ask you this because I was taking a supplement recommended/sold by my doctor that contained licorice extract and I swelled up like a balloon and we had to double my Lasix dosage and it still didn't do anything. Took a while to figure out what was doing it, but as soon as I started researching the ingredients in that supplement, I knew what the problem was, so I stopped it. The swelling went down and has been "almost" normal, so I just tried that supplement again last week and, again, I immediately started swelling. It won't affect everyone that way, but it will some of us. It can also lower potassium levels enough to cause muscle cramps; it does that to me; at the same time I started swelling, last week, I got muscle cramps that were coming so fast and furious it was unreal. I popped an OTC potassium pill, which quelled the cramps and since I haven't taken that supplement again, I haven't had any more.
We don't think about some of the things we buy OTC that can cause adverse reactions. It took a very good friend to remember that when I eat licorice I get cramps.
Left a message for my doc telling her about the severe swelling, pain etc..and that my FT3 is too low for me at 3.2, did well when at 3.7 and can i raise the cytomel a bit. and that i had 3 good weeks at that level for the first time in years. Requested a diuretic also. The message i received back was: "that your level is fine at 3.2, am not comfortable giving you a water pill, will discuss this at our appointment on Sept.5" I'm very angry!
My dose was lowered to 88mchs Tirosint about 2.5 weeks ago, because of her fear of the TSH being too low. Just incredible! But this will help me RT3 inadvertently, just hope she stops lowering it.
So encouraged about the tea! I have got to get to the health food store ASAP!
My dose was lowered to 88mchs Tirosint about 2.5 weeks ago, because of her fear of the TSH being too low. Just incredible! But this will help me RT3 inadvertently, just hope she stops lowering it.
So encouraged about the tea! I have got to get to the health food store ASAP!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your FT4 is high enough that you could probably drop to 88 mcg and still be okay, if you need to increase your T3 med.
Yes, the dandelion teas will help with severe edema. My feet/legs were swollen to the point that you couldn't even tell I had ankles and I was desperate to do something, so I tried the dandelion tea. I get it from my health food store. You buy the tea bags and simply steep them in hot water for a few minutes. I add a bit of stevia for sweetening, because the tea is a bit bitter. Then just sip a couple of cups/day.
Since my swelling was pretty severe, it took a couple days before I noticed a lot of difference, but once the swelling started coming down, it went pretty fast.
Yes, the dandelion teas will help with severe edema. My feet/legs were swollen to the point that you couldn't even tell I had ankles and I was desperate to do something, so I tried the dandelion tea. I get it from my health food store. You buy the tea bags and simply steep them in hot water for a few minutes. I add a bit of stevia for sweetening, because the tea is a bit bitter. Then just sip a couple of cups/day.
Since my swelling was pretty severe, it took a couple days before I noticed a lot of difference, but once the swelling started coming down, it went pretty fast.
Thanks Flyingfool and Barb!
I surely hope that the 15mcgs does the job, because the doc won't let me go higher without dropping the T4 more..which who knows maybe I can get away with 76mcgs or so. I was feeling pretty good until my FT3 got to 3.2 [2.0-4.4] once i got this low my health has been deteriorating. Last time it was at 3.7, so i know my target range is about there.
I used some prescription water pills for the Edema and I'm out now. Would really like to try the Dandelion tea. Does it treat pretty severe edema too? How is it used?
I surely hope that the 15mcgs does the job, because the doc won't let me go higher without dropping the T4 more..which who knows maybe I can get away with 76mcgs or so. I was feeling pretty good until my FT3 got to 3.2 [2.0-4.4] once i got this low my health has been deteriorating. Last time it was at 3.7, so i know my target range is about there.
I used some prescription water pills for the Edema and I'm out now. Would really like to try the Dandelion tea. Does it treat pretty severe edema too? How is it used?
COMMUNITY LEADER
While T3 is a fast acting, it can still take a while for it to be in our system long enough to feel a difference. I was on T3 for an entire year, before I could a difference between taking it and not taking it. It was almost that long before my FT3 level started coming up, too. Your dosage was raised a very small amount, so the effect you feel from it could be minute.
Are you doing anything for the edema? You need to talk to your doctor about that; edema that doesn't go away can be serious.
I take dandelion tea or capsules, when I have edema; you might ask your doctor if that's okay. I have my doctor's blessing.
Are you doing anything for the edema? You need to talk to your doctor about that; edema that doesn't go away can be serious.
I take dandelion tea or capsules, when I have edema; you might ask your doctor if that's okay. I have my doctor's blessing.
Osteo is 100% unrelated to TSH levels themselves. UNLESS the Dr Has Immaculate TSH belief. That is that the TSH is a 100% accurate reflection of your motabolism.
Osteo is a underlying separate problem. the only reason why it speeds up due to thyroid is due to the speeding up of the metabolism. To the transporting removal of the bone occurs at a higher rate simply due to the fact that everything is happening at a higher rate. I think gimel has a letter from a Dr about that so you may want to try to Private Mesage him with that.
You have pretty much proven at least to yourself that the TSH is NOT reflective of your current matabolism. Your low TSH in a perfect world would by its number indicate you are Hyper. Yet you are pretty clearly Hypo. So your matabolism is actually slower than it should be. And your Dr is trying to slow it down even more.
The fact that your Dr is willing to increase your T3 to speed up your matabolism while trying to raise TSH indicates to me that your Dr does not know what is going on. You are in a tug of war battle and your Dr. is pulling on both ends with you tied in the middle wondering why you are in distress!
Fortunately for you your Dr is unknowlingly I think going in the right direction. It won't however result in a raising of your TSH. So be prepared for that.
T3 acts WITHIN HOURS. in terms of it getting into your blood stream. So it is nearly immediate. It is not like T4 which takes 6 weeks or so to build up into your blood and have to convert etc.
That said however any medication increases can cause a shock to the body and initially you may feel a bit worse or not notice any improvement for a while. Unless things get really worse, I'd wait a few more days or a couple weeks to get a better reflection of how the increase is doing for you.
Osteo is a underlying separate problem. the only reason why it speeds up due to thyroid is due to the speeding up of the metabolism. To the transporting removal of the bone occurs at a higher rate simply due to the fact that everything is happening at a higher rate. I think gimel has a letter from a Dr about that so you may want to try to Private Mesage him with that.
You have pretty much proven at least to yourself that the TSH is NOT reflective of your current matabolism. Your low TSH in a perfect world would by its number indicate you are Hyper. Yet you are pretty clearly Hypo. So your matabolism is actually slower than it should be. And your Dr is trying to slow it down even more.
The fact that your Dr is willing to increase your T3 to speed up your matabolism while trying to raise TSH indicates to me that your Dr does not know what is going on. You are in a tug of war battle and your Dr. is pulling on both ends with you tied in the middle wondering why you are in distress!
Fortunately for you your Dr is unknowlingly I think going in the right direction. It won't however result in a raising of your TSH. So be prepared for that.
T3 acts WITHIN HOURS. in terms of it getting into your blood stream. So it is nearly immediate. It is not like T4 which takes 6 weeks or so to build up into your blood and have to convert etc.
That said however any medication increases can cause a shock to the body and initially you may feel a bit worse or not notice any improvement for a while. Unless things get really worse, I'd wait a few more days or a couple weeks to get a better reflection of how the increase is doing for you.
How long could it take to find relief once raising the Cytomel? It's been a few days and the edema is getting terrible. Was at 12.5, now 15mcgs. I can't believe my doc is doing this to me!
Thank you
Thank you
Thanks so much!
I do wish they would look at RT3 as it seems to be pretty important.
I do wish they would look at RT3 as it seems to be pretty important.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I don't think RT3 info will debunk the TSH ideas, because a lot of doctors don't put any stock in RT3.
Try this one about suppressed TSH; it's pretty short.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8252740
Try this one about suppressed TSH; it's pretty short.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8252740
COMMUNITY LEADER
Here's one article that you could show your doctor, if you think she might be willing to read it.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16269872
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16269872
Yes, the doc thinks I'll get Osteoporosis etc..and keeps lowering my T4 for that reason only, not even asking my symptoms when lowering the meds by phone. I have no confidence that my 6th Endo would be any different. I do think it's possible if I explain the swollen eyes and body, acne etc..she might not object to the raise of T3, but I'm so warn out by the whole begging pleading crap, I have gone through for 3 years. I recently found old labs from 2011 and I was barely in range on any testing and my doc not knowing why I had all these symptoms. I will have to take things into my own hands in order to feel well enough to function. She's not especially concerned about my high cholesterol and trigs, my sugar is high too, probably from my slow digestion[which is horrible]. Have you had luck finding a doctor?
The lowering of the T4 IF you have a reverse T3 dominance is the right direction.
But I think this is really just by accident that your Dr. is doing this. Rather than reducing your T4 due to the conversion dominance to Reverse T3. Your Dr. I suspect is doing it in an effort to raise your TSH.
The problem is that with the T3 you are taking. It is amost a sure bet that the T3 medication alone is suppressing your TSH. So no amount of lowering the T4 will likely "cure" the suppressed TSH.
They sypmtoms you still have are all consistent with being Hypo. So my OPINION would be to raise the T3 and lower the T4. Which it sounds like the Dr is doing one part of that and you are self medicating the other. It is always best to have the Dr. on board but understand in certain circumstances as a last resort and inability to find such a Dr. a person has to take things into thier own hands. Unfortunately even has the possibility to do that because of the inability to obtain medicine without a prescription which you need the Dr on board. If the Dr is not then a person often times is out of luck. On the other hand self medicating can lead many to bad, bad consequences which is the whole point of requireing prescriptions from credentialed people. the "rub" lies in the circumstances like Thyroid when so few Drs know how to properly treat thyroid patients.
But I think this is really just by accident that your Dr. is doing this. Rather than reducing your T4 due to the conversion dominance to Reverse T3. Your Dr. I suspect is doing it in an effort to raise your TSH.
The problem is that with the T3 you are taking. It is amost a sure bet that the T3 medication alone is suppressing your TSH. So no amount of lowering the T4 will likely "cure" the suppressed TSH.
They sypmtoms you still have are all consistent with being Hypo. So my OPINION would be to raise the T3 and lower the T4. Which it sounds like the Dr is doing one part of that and you are self medicating the other. It is always best to have the Dr. on board but understand in certain circumstances as a last resort and inability to find such a Dr. a person has to take things into thier own hands. Unfortunately even has the possibility to do that because of the inability to obtain medicine without a prescription which you need the Dr on board. If the Dr is not then a person often times is out of luck. On the other hand self medicating can lead many to bad, bad consequences which is the whole point of requireing prescriptions from credentialed people. the "rub" lies in the circumstances like Thyroid when so few Drs know how to properly treat thyroid patients.
My doc will do the RT3, at my request but doesn't think the results are of importance. Do you know where I can get info that she may find worth looking into? Have been surprised to learn that FT3 levels reflect some RT3 and aren't as accurate as I'd hoped. Had been reading this lately.
I had took my last T3, 20hrs before my blood draw.
I had heard there was a more accurate FT3 test..I think it may have been the "direct dialysis", like they have for FT4. Do you know of this? I know labs aren't as important as how a person feels, but my doc has me lower meds without asking me my symptoms..maybe she assumes I'd call if I had them.
Have increased my T3 to just under 15mcgs. I have acne and odd red oozy sores and the swelling, feel off and sea sick..I'm not waiting another 4 weeks for labs to see what she says.
How did you find a good doc?
I had took my last T3, 20hrs before my blood draw.
I had heard there was a more accurate FT3 test..I think it may have been the "direct dialysis", like they have for FT4. Do you know of this? I know labs aren't as important as how a person feels, but my doc has me lower meds without asking me my symptoms..maybe she assumes I'd call if I had them.
Have increased my T3 to just under 15mcgs. I have acne and odd red oozy sores and the swelling, feel off and sea sick..I'm not waiting another 4 weeks for labs to see what she says.
How did you find a good doc?
I agree that this doc may very well keep me ill and is wrong about osteo and heart damage and so are the last 4. I think it will be unlikely that I find one who does things differently. At least this one returns calls and gives refills and even gave me bio identical female hormones..shes the only Endo in the city who would think to do that. My compounding pharmacist was blown away. I think, with persuasion I may be able to keep her from cutting my T4 too low. I have bought T3 from Mexico in case she won't let me go up, they have T4 too. It really is a pity that it's like this. How can this happen? Apparently they aren't being properly trained properly. She told me some of her patients have Fibromyalgia and Arthritis nd see a Rhemy, which was a warning sign to me because she should have told them to increase their T3..that's what takes my pain away. When my lower back went out, I went to a doc who takes care of the Cincinnati Reds and he said my discs had the usual degeneration for my age and to the pain was mostly from under-treatment of thyroid, same with the Plantar Facitis, very minimal but too much pain. I knew then that I would have to take matters into my own hands, but can't afford the thousands it would cost to see a Nature-path or Alternative med doc. How did you find your doc?
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