Please Help

[Rasta15]

Hi,

I would appreciate any feedback someone could give me.  I have been having many undiag. symptoms since Sept.  I went off Birth control pill and everything went wrong.  I am hypothyroid and have been since I had RAI in 2003.  I have been on Lev. since and never had a problem.  Every since I went off the BCP I have been feeling horrible.  My symptoms include, muscle aches/fatigue, fatigue, numbness/ting. in hands, headaches, shortness of breath, etc.  I have had every test in the world.  I am now in surg. menopause, I might add.  My endo. had been working with me on my thyroid.  Although, all my levels have been in low of normal range, he is treating my symptoms.  We first tried decreasing my dose and taking me off generic.  Then we tried cytomel.  I was only on it for two days before I got extremely itchy.   So for the past two weeks I have been on compounded natural thyroid.  I am starting to have muscle twitching, my feet feel tingly and burning, and I am over all itchy.  Now I have read many website that state these can be hypo. symptoms.  Has anyone experienced these?  I assume my lev. is wearing off, and the n. thryoid is not enough or not kicking in yet.  Or maybe it is something else entirely?  I am still fatigued, a crashing fatigue in the p.m., I wake up feeling unrested, muscle are weak,  right eye gritty, twitching, muscle feel on the verge of cramping.  I am seeing a rheum. on Friday.  Oh yeah, I have brain fog never thought I would say that.  Help!

[gimel]

From your lab results the only thing I see is that the level for free T3 is a bit low.  the range for FT3 is very broad and many members report that they still have hypo symptoms until FT3 is in the upper third of its range and FT4 is at least at midpoint.  If it were me, I would ask the doctor to increase the T3 in your meds and gradually increase  the FT3 level, with the expectation of improving those symptoms.

The reason that a FT3 in the lower half of its range is inadequate is, in my opinion, because the range has never been adjusted, as was done for TSH 7 years ago.  I believe that is why we hear from so many members with lingering hypo symptoms, even though their FT3 is within the lower limit, but in the bottom half of its range.  I know I was one of those myself.

[Rasta15]

Hi,

Thanks for your post.  Yes, I have talked with my menopause dr.  We are actually changing my patch.  I am already on the highest dose, but I think I am burning through it too quickly.  She is switching me to a daily BHRT of estradial cream.  I am only 41 and she says I need the estrogen, otherwise I would have tried to do this naturally.  My symptoms are pretty constant tho. and that is why I fear it is not the menopause bc I should be getting some relief from the patch.  What kind of symptoms did you have and what did you do to help?  My endo. and gyn. are trying everything.  I am just so scared of all the symptoms.  I just started getting new ones in the last two weeks after changing my meds.  that is why i feel part is the thyroid meds.  Thanks...

[Rasta15]

2/23/10

tsh .45          range .34-3.50
t4 1.1            range .5-1.6
t3-free 3.0      range 2.5-3.9

I think you have answered a question for me before.  I am still struggling.  I was hoping the new compounded thyroid with the t4 and t3 would take care of how I feel.  It has been two weeks on it.  I have talked to my menopause dr. who is switching my HRT to a daily BHRT cream, estradiol cream.  I think part of my problem is the patch I am on, I burn through too quickly.   However, I don't believe it is my only problem.  

[mrsomes]

Have you also talked to your gynecologist?  It could be a combination of coming off the pill, going into menopause and your thyroid.   I was on the pill for 18 months in my late 40's for pre-menopausal symptoms.   Turns out I went thru full blown menopause while I was on the pill so when I came off it I just crashed.   Symptoms just like yours.   Thought I was having a breakdown.   Turned out it was just a total imbalance of hormones which I was able to work through.   I would definately look past just the thyroid issue on it's own.   Good luck.

[gimel]

Please post your thyroid test results and reference ranges.  This will help members give you the best response.  If you don't have the info, suggest that you always get a copy of your lab reports and keep for reference.  Doctors are required to provide you a copy upon your request.