Endo told me T3 med causes Diarrhea. Is this true?

[suggi]

I think the Endo is trying to  pushme away from the T3 add on.  When I aske about it that is the first thing she said.  I would not want that but I dont feel well on the Levoxyl...and changing doses every 6 weeks is not helping.  I have Graves disease and  the Endo overdosed me on RAI as  I was in thyroid storm.

Thans all.

[Barb135]

Our bodies can change over time.  If you've lost a lot of weight, etc you might not need as much thyroid hormones as you once did.  T3 medication is fast acting and doesn't stay in your system for more than a few hours.  Are you taking your dose all at once or splitting it into multiple doses throughout the day?  That can have a big effect on how our body handles the medication.

Although the "normal" range for TSH is 0.45 (or thereabouts) to 4.50 (or thereabouts), I've known people that are comfortable with much higher TSH levels.  TSH should never be used as the sole test for deciding what dose thyroid medication a person should be on.  Free T4, Free T3, and symptoms should be the determining factors.

Again, I'll be able to help you better when I see your actual lab values.

[Gracevd70]

I never had any issues taking T3 with Synthyroid.

[Barb135]

I don't have any trouble taking it either, but we're all different and our bodies handle the medication differently.

[Gracevd70]

You will never know what T3 will or will not do to you if you don't try it.

[Barb135]

I've been taking it for 10 yrs and doing well with it... however if one is already having symptoms of being overmedicated, such as the original poster, it's not customary to add a T3 medication.

[Barb135]

Well, I do understand your problems and that you're reluctant to go out, etc.  There isn't much I can tell you about the thyroid issue without seeing your lab values.  

As for the prolapse, I'd really suggest that you go to our gyn or gastrointestinal doctor as soon as possible to try to get taken care of.  The longer you let remain as it is, the worse it will get.  It will also leave you open for other infections, both vaginal and urological, along with other problems as well.

I will look forward to seeing your labs so we can help you with the thyroid issues.  If your thyroid levels are not where they should be, for you, your body will not respond properly...

[Barb135]

RAI, typically, kills the thyroid.  Have you had 2 rounds of RAI, then?

Anyway, yes, if you can get the blood test results I can help you.  It's always a good idea to get copies of your labs when you have them done and keep them for your records.  You're entitled to copies of them.  Many/most doctors now have patient portals from which you can print the results yourself, so they often charge if they have to print the copies, but it's worth it.

I'll look forward to seeing the results.

[suggi]

Yes, I was fine and in range from the 1st roind od RAI in 2005 until probably Dec 2016 I started to have symptoms but they weren't exactly the same as 2005 so never pieced it together.  Finally had the RAI end of Sept 2017 that killed it off.  If only the doc had done a thyroid test when I had all those complaints earlier I would not have gone through the hell I did as it would not have gotten that bad (and am still in hell with the rectal prolapse and leakage from the severe constipation after RAI).  I am soooo discouraged - I don't know how much the pelvic PT is helping me, especially since the therapist I think got some anal leakage in the vagina when she did the exam.  Still afraid to go to the Gyn as don't want more problems but I do have some yellowy , odorless vaginal discharge that started after the exam.

Hate going to bed as afraid some leakage may go to front area and I am prone to UTIs and am ver atrophic so have vaginitis and vulvitis which does not help -- tried used  a gauze pad but it sticks to prolapse when it decides to pop out, seems only intermittant leakage but I never know when it happens, tried wearing undies with a pad but now urethral area irritated, not good to wear to bed.  I give up.

My symptoms that something is still not in the correct range for me has been loose stool, palpitations back again, very tired, no energy, etc.  Was at my best when my TSH was at 13, which I know is unrealistic but I actually felt much better - had energy, normal BMs, no palpitations, could cope better, etc.  Of course the endo freaked out when I told her that's where I wanted to be.  On 75 mcg Levoxyl Mon-Fri and 88 mcg Sat, Sun.  I had to beg her as she wanted me to stay on 88 mcg where I felt awful yet (TSH bottom of range).  Still trying to gain back that weight as look emaciated but have to still supplement whatever I eat with rice and toast to maintain near normal BMs.  That is crucial since anything messy is bad for the prolapse. Wonder if I will ever get better but hate being a recluse.  However, afraid to make plans to go very far with my problem.  Restaurant, etc bathrooms are not made for folks with back door problems.

Sorry to rant, it happened and i have to live with it.  Not a candidate for surgery -- many other problems, allergies to meds, antibiotics, contrast dyes, etc.

Thanks for your ear -- not something I want to talk about to my daughter, friends, etc.
Again will post labs when I get them.  Thanks again - it just felt you are someone who would understand.
  

[Barb135]

T3 only causes diarrhea if your thyroid hormone levels get too high since diarrhea is, typically, a symptom of hyperthyroidism/over medication.  

What do you mean the "Endo overdosed you on RAI since you were in thyroid storm"?

Can you please post your latest thyroid hormone levels so we can see your current status?  That will help us determine whether adding a T3 medication will be beneficial for you.  Be sure to include reference ranges with any lab results, since ranges vary from lab to lab and have to come from your own report(s).

Also please tell us what symptoms you're having.
Have you had vitamins B-12 and D, along with Ferritin tested?  If so, please also post those results, with reference ranges.

[suggi]

Barb135 - Will get lab results and ranges but in meantime Endo said 10 millicuies is the dose of RAI for Graves to kill the thyroid but because I had gone undiagnosed for so long and so hyperthyroid before anyone did blood work she gave me 20 millicuries to make sure it was dead.  My resting BP was 188/115, heart racing and in AFIB, legs so swollen blood spots were appearing all over up to my groin and i developed cellulitis, lost a lot of weight and only was 112 when this all started,  guess I was acting nutty,   etc, etc. Had been going to PCP for this symptom and that and she finally told me I was coming in too often and she could be audited.  Finally my oncologist (followup for breast cancer a few years ago) did a TSH test and said to get to an endo right away.

I had RAI back in 2005 for 2 hot nodules that made me hyper but after went back to normal range.  Unfortunately this time my thyroid is "deader than a doornail".

Will get those labs....
Thanks