Increased dose of levoxyl and have odd side effects that scare me

[Shedding01]

I know I’ve mentioned a lot of issues but not one just because I’m afraid of losing all hope of getting back to where I was when I was inconsistent with my dose of Levoxyl 25 and went back to where I was and was put on 50 mcg instead of being consistent with the 25 mcg with a tsh 4.4.  I see a lot of posting about blurry vision.  Two times, just two ago was my second time I saw or thought I saw white smoke in the house.  As if someone was grilling in the patio and the smoke had entered the house.  There was no smoke and after a hour it went away.  Is this considered blurry vision?  The low blood pressure was odd enough for being hyper.  

Tu:). Afraid doctor will say get off of it all together because you have adverse reactions to this med and other meds and are too sensitive to meds in general.

I wish I didn’t have sooo many issues.

[flyingfool]

You seem to have totally usless doctors and that is a huge part of your issue. You cannot have a reasonable chance to determine a cause, and a fix, if you cannot get proper and sufficient blood tests.

I also wonder if there is more than cortisol and thyroid going on here.  I would suggest you get your sex hormones tested and be absolutely sure to get testosterone tested.  yes believe it or not, women have testosterone and NEED it in the proper levels.  In fact, normal women in prime of life have 300% more testosterone by volume than estrogen!  

Contrary to common lore, testosterone actually is a calming hormone.  Steroids are a different matter and the "roid rage" is associated with adrenal hormones not testosterone in NORMAL and sane levels.

What other symptoms do you have?  Do you have menstrual issues?  If so what kind.  Thyroid can play a roll with irregular periods etc.  But so do the sex hormones (Estrogen - specifically Estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone.)  if you get tested also make sure you get tested for SHBG and DHEA.

Elevated cholesterol are also signs or symptoms of low thyroid but also low testosterone.  How are your cholesterol levels?

[Shedding01]

Yes, I hate that my doctors don’t believe me and honestly just went to Publix talk to the pharmacist there who gets really involved and I appreciate that and she said that there is a pill for hyper symptoms to alleviate them so you don’t lose  all the accumulated T4 which I’m about at 60% now close to 75%. Based on what I told her she agreed I needed a endocrinologist.  I  had both forms of testosterone tested and am on a low estrogen birth control pill so that cannot be tested.  My TSH which was perfect at a 2 in mid December.   I had prolactin tested and everything possible that could be tested by an OB/GYN at the sliding scale facility.  She also tested my free T3, T4, TSH, and was the first one who really paid attention and was very thorough.  I just finally got my primary to test my iron panel, b12, folate, and basically anything else that could cause hair loss and finally included in my iron panel was my ferritin.  I’ve boumced back and forth so much and am tired.  When I finally called a endocrinologist and told them about the low blood pressure they had to speak with 2 different doctors before saying ok to me making a appointment.  I really have to ask myself if this is all worth it with hair shedding and dry skin?  I’m subclinical hypo and was universally told I don’t have to take it at all.  Also told I’m not typical sub. Clinical patient.  I’m just so tired of it all and didn’t take my 25 mcg Levoxyl today and have to decide if I take 25 synthroid or give my body rest and restart.  My body wants rest with a current resting heart rate in the 90’s and again BP 85/57.  It’s driving me crazy.  But over a month of this my pharmacist said try synthroid for a week.  If I get balanced out than I know it’s the Levoxyl if I still have mostly hyper symptoms than it’s too much t4 and than I just have to give my body a rest with no meds and start fresh.  But thank you for your suggestions of tests. My DHEA was tested by the odgyn as well.  Thank you again:)

[gimel]

Hypothyroid patients are frequently deficient in Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.  Ferritin is a storage form of iron that is a precursor to serum iron levels.   Ferritin is very important for good hair growth.   Women are much more prone to be low in iron than women.  I don't see how the doctor can refuse you if you tell him all this.  In addition,  you need to know your Free T4 and Free T3 levels, and even Reverse T3 as well.  There is a really excellent recent scientific study that concluded that,  "Hypothyroid symptom relief was associated with both a T4 dose giving TSH-suppression below the lower reference limit and FT3 elevated further into the upper half of its reference range."  Have you even had a Free T3 test done before?

As for cortisol, if low there is certainly something that can be done by taking cortisol med.  If it is high taking a supplement called Rhodiola has been shown effective in reducing cortisol.  

Along with testing for the thyroid hormones, in view of your reaction to thyroid med you definitely need to be tested for cortisol and ferritin to see what needs to be corrected.  

[Shedding01]

Again I appreciate all the help but it’s not easy here to get the proper test.  Most doctors don’t want to deal with subclinical patients in the first place.  For example sliding scale location.  Liability reasons.  Many Endocrinologist don’t deal with subclinical patients nor armour or anything but t4 drugs.  I would love to say hey can you test me just I can know once and for all what is causing this.  That would be a dream.

[gimel]

No way you should just accept your condition.  Are you aware of the negative reactions that can occur  when increasing thyroid med, due to low or high cortisol or low ferritin? That possibility makes the most sense to me.  So for that reason you absolutely need to be tested for Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, cortisol, a full iron panel (serum iron, TIBC, % saturation, and ferritin).  I think if you get those done you will see what is causing your issues and what needs to be done.  Hypothyroidism is not just about serum thyroid hormone levels.  Hypothyroidism is insufficient T3 Effect in tissue throughout the body, due to inadequate supply of, or response to, thyroid hormone.  So you see it is not just the supply of thyroid hormone, but the effect of other variables, on Tissue T3 Effect.  

It is vital that you get those tests done.  Is there a way to make it happen?

Also, to give you assurance of the importance of these tests, I am sending you a PM with a link to info on the effect of low or high cortisol and low iron.  

[Shedding01]

I appreciate it.  I ask about ferritin and got shot down.  I almost did cortisol but doctor said if it’s high all you can do is reduce stress.  The fact that I’m losing hair at a tsh of 4.4 makes me believe I should get tested for thyroid anti bodies.  I have two friends who got it from stress of pregnancy.  One never got tested for thyroid anti bodies and had no symptoms and had mermaid hair.  The other had hair loss and was always cold and both where on generic brands of meds with full blown hypothyroidism and one did do testing for thyroid anti bodies and tested positive.  I read every to shed hair or other symptoms (dry  skin ) and be subclinical means you most likely have thyroid anti bodies and the auto immune disease.   If you’re not symptomatic then they say no and I read an article saying out where it it is to have symptoms being  subclinical.  I’m just tired of feeling sick first from taking too much vitamin d which really wasn’t a lot and I was told yet again shows you sensitive to meds.  Sick like a dum dum and lazy doctor office medical assistant me asking her about the calcium crystals in my urine and her saying nothing about when I called 3 times questioning it.   Went online 2 weeks later and discovered the cause which another doctor at the. Wonderful sliding scale facility agreed and witness me losing chunks of hair in front of him and didn’t offer anything  but to say remember when I was here year and half ago I was losing hair and just some people are just sensitive when it comes to thyroid related issues.    One medical  assistant giving me incorrect information another not returning my calls and a nurse doesn’t answer the questions I ask and for some reason for years has misunderstood my simple questions on the nurses line to the point where I just go in for a doctors visit which I’m sick of bouncing back-and-forth.    I don’t want to give up and technically I don’t need to be a very medication because I am within range even though I know it would help me if I don’t feel better soon I can’t be mentally and physically sick from this anymore.    Going to make an appointment with endocrinologist which will be over a month away and just get a barber tomorrow and possibly follow up with my regular doctor in person but I’ve been told by both the sliding scale facility and my doctor that eventually doesn’t work need to be referred out.    Thank you for the information, and your kindness.  I’m just tired of hiding and being miserable and letting my  shedding her dictate my life.  I have anti anxiety meds that I take  only when needed for my IBS as well as anti-nausea medication for when I take a pill that makes me nauseous for IBS.   I had to take it a  nausea pill and three and take Anti Anxiety pills today just to be able to get rest, I can’t do this, it’s not healthy, I guess it’s time to see a professional.  I’m in debt , What’s been more in debt for my health gonna hurt.   Sorry again for the TMI I’m just tired of feeling sick and tired of her falling everywhere and tired of just feeling down and I can’t win, I hate the feeling of not having control.

[Shedding01]

On a positive, yet  gross note I no longer feel the consipation of ibs so I know most likely I’m still hyper.  

[gimel]

You mentioned previously that you wanted to ,  " check for the thyroid antibodies,  reverse T3, cortisol,  all  vitamins just in case, ferritin storage of iron, everything. "    Which tests have you gotten done and what were the results and reference ranges shown on the lab report?

[Shedding01]

I’ve only had the prolactin and testosterone done and it’s been too long since those test where done.   They were normal and since then I’ve only had  TSH which has a 4.4 and T4 which was below the 75%  percentile again where I was before when I was losing hair.  I thought I was getting better and actually had one day of sleep and I’m fortunately I’m back to where it was sleeping for 1 to 2 hours and waking up with a higher heart rate and feeling agitated and on rested.    I thought I was finally balancing out on the 25 but I guess not, I’m about to stop taking meds completely, I’ve been sick for so long, I’m December January February stomach pain nausea weakness and being an idiot taking too much vitamin D,  and also being inconsistent apparently on my dose than being pushed to 50 and now I’ve been sick for over three weeks I’ve been off meds for two I thought at least that one away but it hasn’t.    I didn’t wake up with a terribly high heart rate but it was palpitating I feel nauseous and I feel sick like I did before, what hell am I and I get one day of peace and sleep and feel like I’m getting better and back to feeling like crap again the next, if there is a God, he or she is a damn tease.    I’m tired of feeling miserable, and failing, and my body failing on me.    I’m gonna go to the doctor and they’re going to say well do you want to get off of 25 it’s up to you you’re feeling sick, feel healthy and not sick or lose your hair it’s your choice as usual not telling me what to do I’m so tired of that as well.   It will be over month if I can see a endocrinologist.   Thank you for all your help but I can’t live like this, I’m getting emotionally physically sick on the brink of just quitting, my body doesn’t react meds like it should, it’s isn’t the first time and I’ve had adverse reactions or my body‘s been too weak tolerate medication.    Sorry to be so damn depressing but my family is now at the point of getting irritated with my body not responding well I may always being so well last 3 to 4 months.  I thought I was actually balancing out finally and was hopeful what time they are would stop falling out but today  back to feeling sick.    I’m tired, sometimes you just can’t win I feel like one of those people I just have to learn to accept it.    Thank you again, I won’t take anymore of anyone’s knowledge or time from Others.