Dosage increase and hypothyroid symptoms

[Robbie0710]

Hi All,

I'm due to get my TSH, free t4 and t3 checked again in about a week and a half.  I've been on generic levothyroxine for seven weeks, it will be eight when it's checked again and my question is this.  Do symptoms reappear when needing an increase?  I experienced lots of symptom relief about two weeks ago but have now found that they are reappearing, falling asleep during the day, muscle weakness in my thighs, dry skin, low level anxiety?

Another question that is related, right now I'm not optimally medicated, give. This fact would the hormonal changes that occur during menstruation be exacerbated?  I noticed that I was extremely depressed and that my anxiety level spiked but only around that time of the month?

Thanks for any insight

[gimel]

Yes, assuming the thyroid gland is capable of producing hormone, it will continue to do so in response to the amount of TSH produced to stimulate production of thyroid hormone.    By definition suppression it is when the TSH level drops below the reference range.  

[Robbie0710]

Hi Gimmel,

Thanks for your reply.  Yes, since I started taking levothyroxine my TSH (only test that the two previous Docs used) has gone down from 8.2 (June 3) to 2.54 (July 10).  Fired those two and have a new Doc as those two felt testing free T3 and free T4 unnecessary.  I fired the first Doc because that Doc left me at a TSH average of 2.5 - 3.0 and told me I should've felt fine.  Current Doc tested TSH and frees and knows I need a definite increase in t4 meds with maybe some T3. He has stated that he's closely watching my T3 because in May, my ob gyn, tested it and it was at 36% of its range with a TSH of 3.14 (yikes!).   As he has nothing to compare the Free t3 and t4 to right now I'm not sure if they've gone up or down but will definitely compare when next labs are taken.

Is it possible for my thyroid to continue producing hormones while taking levothyroxine until it is fully suppressed from making hormones?  How does one know when thyroid becomes fully suppressed?

[gimel]

Serum thyroid levels are comprised of natural thyroid hormone and also any thyroid medication.  When starting on thyroid meds, the TSH will be diminished according to the dosage.  The reduced level of TSH will then stimulate the thyroid gland less, resulting in diminished output of thyroid hormone.  So often when starting on thyroid med, frequently serum levels don't go up until the dosage is such that the TSH level becomes suppressed below range.  Then the serum level will start to rise.  If you look at your before and after test results, do they show that pattern?

Being male, I can't speak from experience about your other question, but I expect the answer is yes.