Got results in, please help!

[dolphin27]

I got the results in after starting a new combo of thyroid meds 6 weeks ago. I was on 175 mcg of Synthroid with symptoms of hypothyroid still and asked my dr to let me try Cytomel.

My results on 10-27 were:
Free T4   1.03 (.58-1.64)
TSH        .76   (.34-4)
My Free T3 was checked last Summer and it was 2.66   (2-3.9)

I then was started on 150 mcg of Synthroid and 5 of Cytomel. I felt great for about a week and then started having
body aches, dry skin, moodiness and weight gain.

My results done today are:

Free T3    2.85    (2.77-5.27)
Free T4     0.88   (.78-2.19)
TSH         1.78     (.46-4.68)


Please help, what should the dr be doing to my dosage??? Should I be on higher Synthroid and Cytomel???

I feel awful!!!!

[dolphin27]

So donot add anymore Synthroid? Just Cytomel?
What do you think about the compound pharmacies and the desiccated?
Should I try that?

[stella5349]

Goolara is right. Both Frees are pretty low. You are on the low side for both. Optimally, the FT4 should be mid range- some higher and the FT3 should be near the highest point to relieve you of all symptoms. The problem is when the FT3 is raised the TSH drops and most doctors will not allow an abnormal low TSH , even though taking a direct T3 will drop that number.

With the shortage of desiccated - it may be even tougher to suggest this to a doctor. And you have more flexible ways to tweek a seperate T4 meds with a T3 meds than taking a combo like natural desiccated.

You may find that actually lowering ( just a tad ) of your Synthroid and bumping up the Cytomel - your T4 labs "may" even out with the additional Cytomel increased. and definately the active T3 lab will get better too with the T3 meds increased too.

BUT - that TSH will drop. Just know that.

[dolphin27]

Stella~

Thanks for the input, but I did these labs yesterday. I have been on Sythroid/Cytomel for one month now. I felt great for 2 weeks and the last 4 weeks were awful! I felt worse than ever. Gooloarra expressed that the Free T4 is low too. What do you suggest? More T3 and T4???
I want to get on dessicated, but I am waiting for a few months because I am moving out of state this month.

Labs done on 12-5-09:
Free T3    2.85    (2.77-5.27)
Free T4     0.88   (.78-2.19)
TSH         1.78     (.46-4.68)

[stella5349]

Initally - going on a T3 med - Cytomel in addition to the Synthroid - you will feel great - then crash. This applies to natural thyroid combo meds too.

T3 hormone is direct - which means your body accepts it immediately. You expressed you felt aweful prior to starting Cytomel - so that says you were hypothyroid and wanted direct T3. Well, you gave the body - what it needed - but it wants more.

This is proven on your FT3 lab - the only thing is this is an old lab so one can only assume.

"When you take T3 meds and/or use a desiccated thyroid hormone with direct T3 - YOU MUST get the free T3 - Free T4 labs done each time you take them.)

Its guess work - but I think you may need an increase on the Cytomel. You body has to find an optimal level of T3 meds and it hasn't. Also - if you were hypothyroid previously then your body is still in heal mode and you must give it time to get through it.

Your dose of T3 is very small - you should ask for another .5 and try increasing with your doctor, Then test the free T3 and Free T4 after 2 weeks on that increase.