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High TSH Normal FT3&FT4 Afraid to try Armour
Hello,
Sorry lots of questions again but could use a little help. Have been on several different doses of Synthroid for 4 1/2 years. I seem to do ok for awhile then start to experience panic attacks, anxiety, hot flashes, palpations, shakes, tired but can't sleep, and a mind that goes a mile a minute then I go thru periods of being tired, cold, body aches, digestive problems, headaches, slow brain, gain weight easy,
At times Synthorid dose is adjusted but there have been MANY times I am told labs are normal it's just anxiety,depression ect.
Recent labs
Feb 2011 Synthroid 650mcg weekly
TSH .37 (0.34-4.82)
June 2011 Synthroid Alternating 600mcg & 625mcg weekly
TSH 3.16 (0.34-4.82) FT4 0.9 (0.6 - 1.9)
Oct 2011 Synthroid 525mcg weekly
TSH 17.60 (0.35-4.94) FT4 .94 (0.70 -1.48) FT3 1.76 (1.71 -3.71)
Thyroglobulin Antibodies 83 (<20)
Why would my TSH be high and my FT4 & FT3 normal??
My new Dr wants me to try 60 Armour and I am afraid to take this since it contains T3 and I am already so anxious.
Is 60 of Armor the same as .75mcg of Synthorid?
I just don't know what to do any more any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Sorry lots of questions again but could use a little help. Have been on several different doses of Synthroid for 4 1/2 years. I seem to do ok for awhile then start to experience panic attacks, anxiety, hot flashes, palpations, shakes, tired but can't sleep, and a mind that goes a mile a minute then I go thru periods of being tired, cold, body aches, digestive problems, headaches, slow brain, gain weight easy,
At times Synthorid dose is adjusted but there have been MANY times I am told labs are normal it's just anxiety,depression ect.
Recent labs
Feb 2011 Synthroid 650mcg weekly
TSH .37 (0.34-4.82)
June 2011 Synthroid Alternating 600mcg & 625mcg weekly
TSH 3.16 (0.34-4.82) FT4 0.9 (0.6 - 1.9)
Oct 2011 Synthroid 525mcg weekly
TSH 17.60 (0.35-4.94) FT4 .94 (0.70 -1.48) FT3 1.76 (1.71 -3.71)
Thyroglobulin Antibodies 83 (<20)
Why would my TSH be high and my FT4 & FT3 normal??
My new Dr wants me to try 60 Armour and I am afraid to take this since it contains T3 and I am already so anxious.
Is 60 of Armor the same as .75mcg of Synthorid?
I just don't know what to do any more any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Best Answer
Yes I take my meds daily sorry posting the weekly amount.
My TSH has only been below range 2 times but that was back in 2009 I was not due for labs so I had to beg my Dr to test.
I agree anxiety is an awful thing I also am taking meds to help with it. My Dr has talked about giving me something to help with palps, but has not yet.
Between the anxiety and palps I'm alittle nervous about taking the Armour, but guess I should give it a try and see how it goes.
Thanks so much for your time.
My TSH has only been below range 2 times but that was back in 2009 I was not due for labs so I had to beg my Dr to test.
I agree anxiety is an awful thing I also am taking meds to help with it. My Dr has talked about giving me something to help with palps, but has not yet.
Between the anxiety and palps I'm alittle nervous about taking the Armour, but guess I should give it a try and see how it goes.
Thanks so much for your time.
Yes I am taking Synthroid daily, sorry for the confusion.
I am currently taking .75mcg Synthroid daily.
Dr wants me to discontinue Synthroid and start taking Armour 60mg. I have never taken any kind of T3 med and am very nervous about trying it.
I did have a ultrasound of my thyroid in 2008 before surgery to remove my right lobe, but have not had one since. I have never had TSI tested but will ask Dr. about both of these at my appointment next month,
Thanks so much for your time and all the great info, greatly appreciated.
I am currently taking .75mcg Synthroid daily.
Dr wants me to discontinue Synthroid and start taking Armour 60mg. I have never taken any kind of T3 med and am very nervous about trying it.
I did have a ultrasound of my thyroid in 2008 before surgery to remove my right lobe, but have not had one since. I have never had TSI tested but will ask Dr. about both of these at my appointment next month,
Thanks so much for your time and all the great info, greatly appreciated.
COMMUNITY LEADER
You do seem to have hyper symptoms, however, none of your labs indicate hyper at all. Have you ever had labs that show you were hyper?
It's amazing what anxiety can do to us; I know, I've been there and eventually had to go on low dose of anti-anxiety med to counteract it. I'm also on a beta blocker to help with the palps, fast heart rate.
I would ask the same question as flyingfool - are you only taking medication once per week? If so, that could be a problem.... Or do you take it daily and only listed your weekly dose?
Also agree that your TGab indicates that you have Hashimoto's. Your treatment won't change, but could be harder to control.
It's amazing what anxiety can do to us; I know, I've been there and eventually had to go on low dose of anti-anxiety med to counteract it. I'm also on a beta blocker to help with the palps, fast heart rate.
I would ask the same question as flyingfool - are you only taking medication once per week? If so, that could be a problem.... Or do you take it daily and only listed your weekly dose?
Also agree that your TGab indicates that you have Hashimoto's. Your treatment won't change, but could be harder to control.
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Sometimes with Hashi's you can swing between Hypo and Hyper. And your symptoms would indicate that is what is happening to you.
"normal" ranges are FAR to broad and most people to stay symptom free seem to need to be stabilized and keep their FT4 mid range. AND keep their FT3 in the upper 1/3 of the range. Your last labs show you to be on the lower end of both and I would suspect that you are feeling Hypo.
You mention that you are taking Synthroid in "weekly" amounts. I have never heard of people taking this once per week. Or are you taking it daily and your only listing the total?
T3 medication the rule of thumb is that it is 4 times more effective than a T4 med. because T4 has to be converted into T3 whereas if you directly take a T3 med it is available immediately. Therefore for each 5 mcg of T3 med you take, your T4 med should be reduced by 20 mcg. HOWEVER. If you are already low on FT4 9Which you are) you may not need any reduction.
Now you also have to take into account that you seem to be swinging between Hypo and Hyper. Have you had a ultrasound of your Thyroid to look for nodules. Some of the nodules are known to "leak out" thyroid erratically or randomly from time to time. This can sometimes explain why you will be Hypo and then suddenly swing to Hyper. You may want to ask your Dr. about nodules and possibly getting an ultrasound done.
You may also want to be tested fro Graves disease. This is done with a TSI test. Some people have both Hasimoto's and Graves.