Hypo to hyperthyroid after medication?

Question

My TSH level tested on 5/13/08 at 4.33, so my dr put me on 25 mcg or l-thyroxine.  I started it on 5/25/08 and began having some anxiety on 6/07/08, which became turned to very severe anxiety over the next couple of weeks, along w/heart palpitations, losing 6 lbs (I weighed 111 lbs to begin with), frequent bowel movements and what appeared to be the symptoms over an over active thyroid.  The last pill I took was 6/27/08.  I finally saw my dr on 7/08/08 and she tested my TSH level, which had dropped to 2.72.  She put me on Xanax, wants me to take Effexor and said she had never seen a patient have such a reaction to thyroid medication.  She thinks it is anxiety/depression (as I do have several things going on, but was FINE when I saw her on 5/13 for my physical.  I am taking the Xanax (.25 x a day), but not the Effexor.  Is the TSH drop down to 2.72 "normal" and should I see an endrocronologist?  Should any other blood work have been done?  I feel so, so much better, by the way, but don't know about ever going back on thyroid medication?

ambernaj · Answer

take 2 pinch of Fenugreek leaves [dry leaves] empty stomach for high cholestro l

kitty9309 · Answer

Good that you are waiting on the Effexor. 

I have a friend whose TSH and cholesterol rise and fall together! Now there is proof!

I am on the mend again with my dose increase. Thanks and good luck!

jhodge5 · Answer

The dr just did the reg cholesterol test, but yes it was high - 230 and that was up from 198 last year. She is to retest cholesterol and TSH in early Aug....but I'm still not going to take the Effexor. I have requested to see her pretty quickly to discuss all this, but will have to think long and hard before I go back on Thyroid meds if my levels are just barely high in Aug and I am having no symptoms. Think the endo is probably my best best. You have been alot of help and I hope your problems have been resolved!

HyperT77 · Answer

I started out as Hyper T, went on medication to lower it, went to Hypo T, adjusted meds, then back to slightly Hyper T, then to slightly Hypo T.  When first diagnosed my cholesterol was low (total 145).  Now it is 207 with my LDL being 139.  That was 6 weeks ago.  He will be checking my cholesterol again in a few weeks.  

What can I do to get my cholesterol back under control?

kitty9309 · Answer

I'm glad that my comments have helped!
It's amazing that your doctor put you on meds. Some of us fought to get a diagnoses with levels like yours and even a bit higher!
I did have symptoms at those "lower" levels, but if you don't, do seriously consider just retesting at regular intervals. 
The TSH can drop by 4 weeks. Mine went froma high of  5.96 to 2.89 in one month on 25 mcg.
Is your cholesterol high- particularly the LDL's? 
It will be interesting to see what your levels are at the 6 week mark.

Good luck!

jhodge5 · Answer

Thanks for your comments.  No, I had no symptoms of hypothyroid @ 4.33.  Just the annual visit w/bloodwork and she saying it was low, then putting me on med.  I realize 2.72 is nornal, but also that I had been off a while, and thought that was a pretty big drop for only being on the med for 3 weeks, but I don't know how quickly the med works.  You have confirmed several things I wondered...about the generic medicine, about seeing the endo, and about the t4 blood test, so thanks so much for your reply!!  I am set up for a blood test in 6 weeks, but am really going to have to think hard about going back on the med, even at a lower rate if it is just barely high.

kitty9309 · Answer

2.72 is a normal-ish TSH. It shouldn't cause hyper symptoms. 

Did you have symptoms of hypothyroid at your TSH of 4.33? 

Some people also have trouble with generic thyroid meds (as it looks like you are on) and do better with a brand name. 

I would see an endo. Also consider taking just 12.5 mcg (1/2 pill) for a while. Some people need a lower/slower dose to start with. I started out at 25 mcg, but had to increase my doses in 12.5 mcg increments. 

Other bloodwork for thyroid should include free t4 (not total), and thyroid antibodies- anti-TPO (also called TPOab) and TGab. The antibodies will help pin down whether you have autoimune thyroid disease. 

You also had testing done almost 2 weeks after stopping the med, so the TSH is not an accurate indicator of what was going on when you WERE taking it. The TSH while you were in the meds may have been much lower and causing hyper symptoms. The TSH will naturally rise after you stop the meds.

I would request blood work after being off meds for 6-8 weeks. The med has a long half life and takes that long to get completely out of your system. If the TSH is still on the high side but you have no symptoms, I would leave well enough alone and just monitor the TSH every 6-12 months to make sure it doesn't progress.