I think I need T3 but doc says no way

[Flys4Food]

I have been taking synthroid for about 2 months now after finally being diagnosed. I started on .5 and within a week started feeling better. However...after the third week started feeling run down again. Called the doc and he increased to .75. Started to feel better again and just had my blood retested. I think I need some t3 added to synthroid but doc says all is normal.

Here's the last labs...

TSH 0.89.....started out at 3.5

FT4 1.1....started our at .9     lab range is 0.8-1.8
FT3  319...started out at 319  lab range is 230-420

Although I'm much better I'm still having hypo symptoms; achiness, joint pain, etc.
My morning temp is still under 97 and my pulse still under 60.

However, My family physician, not the endo that is treating me, has wanted to put me on cholesterol meds for about three years. I wouldn't do it! After the synthroid my levels have dropped from 270 to 183 with LDL and HDL doing the same. On the right track but not quite there yet.
So what do you all think...agree with me or the doc about the t3?

Thanks

[Flys4Food]

The numbers are the same as I posted except...I was mistaken on the FT3. It actually went down from 321 to 319 six weeks after starting treatment.  I'm also borderline low on Testosterone, DHEA, and B-12.
I was low in Vitamin D but took 50,000 units once a week and got it up to 50.

thanks

[goolarra]

Your FT4 is still quite low, and you've only just started on levo a couple of months ago.  It can take a long time for meds to stabilize in your system...we all wish it didn't  I think you need a fine-tuning T4 increase, but still think it's too early to try T3.  It can help, but it has it's own set of problems.  

I'm editing my article after lunch...will PM it to you..  

[dani2776]

I would love to read the article too!!!!!

[Flys4Food]

Sooooooo, actually all the T4 has done right now is suppress my TSH?
Should I feel better in the coming weeks as my FT4 comes up...and I actually convert to FT3? I'm  feeling a bit better now...the body stiffness that I had is going away after years and I'm definately not as tired. If my T's didn't go up...how did I improve? Just trying to learn....

Thanks

[goolarra]

Well, your FT4 has actually gone up from 0.9 to 1.1.  That's a significant improvement (20% of the range from low limit to high limit).  However, as I said above, there's still plenty of wiggle room to increase meds a bit and push that FT4 up a bit more in the range, until your symptoms are all alleviated.  I don't think it will take a huge adjustment, either.  My guess is perhaps to 81.5 (1/2 an 88 + 1/2 a 75, or 75 and 88 on alternating days) or even 88.  Don't forget, although a low TSH often indicates hyperthyroidism, it is not the TSH per se that makes you hyper.  It's high levels of T4, and especially T3, that make you hyper.  You are no way near the upper limits on either of these two.

You should feel better as your FT4 comes up.  Your free's WILL go up with meds increases.  Never heard of anyone who increased their levo and didn't increase their FT4, unless they were taking their meds with something (food, drink or other meds) that blocked absorption of the levo.  You're not doing this, are you?

You also have to remember that if you have been hypo for years and years, it is going to take a while for your body to heal.  You also have to remember, Mr. Impatience ;-), that you've only been at this for a couple of months.  I think your progress in two months is excellent.

[Barb135]

I'd like to see your article as well.  Is it possible that you could just post it?  Or if you can't do that, could you PM it to me also?  Thanks