So I was diagnosed with Grave's in Sept 2011--been on PTU for this since then. It has been a bit of a roller coaster ride--unfortunately. So any ways....back in April and May I felt awful--like I had the life sucked right out of me ---tired, dizzy, depressed, trouble functioning in general, plus menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, night sweat) worsening, etc. My symptoms had been progressive till I finally called my md and told him I needed lab work done because all was not getting better--just worse.
Labs--- June 2: tsh: 0.03 (0.36-3.74), TT4: 6.7 (5.3-12.3), TT3: 97 (80-200) Saw md on June 9th and though he thought I should increase my PTU because of the tsh--I told him that I needed to decrease my PTU (because of the symptoms and also because my TT3 actually had dropped to the low end ) and he agreed to my thought (and web MD--lol) of decreasing my PTU from 75mg twice a day to 75mg in am and 50 mg in pm with lab recheck in 6 weeks--this decrease I did on June 9th the day I saw him
Labs---July 30: tsh: 0.55 (0.36-3.74), TT4: 5.7 (5..3-12.3), FT3: 2.5 (2.0-3.5) I had to call to get these ordered so I would know where I was. Symptomatically I feel good--a little tired but none of the previous symptoms I had been experiencing including no night sweats and no hot flashes--I feel I am functioning well though I have gained a couple more pounds. It should be emphasized that my tsh is actually registering--since my Grave's diagnosis (3 yrs ago) my tsh has never been within the "normal" range--it has always been , <0.001, 0.002 or the previous 0.03--the 0.55 had me wondering if they had given me someone else's labs!
I am concerned that even though I had decreased my PTU dose, my other labs continue to decrease--- if anything they should be going up not down. What's up with this? While I am very thankful I feel "good," I am also a bit concerned where my labs are headed--especially the FT3 since this powers my cells and if this continues to go down then I may be in trouble. What is going on? Should I check with my md to see about decreasing the PTU again? Should I wait and suggest lab redraw in another 6 weeks to see where all is going??
On another note my md is retiring this Sept so I may end up with the new "young" doctor in the office--I just hope he listens to me.
PLEASE ANY HELP ON THIS WOULD BE APPRECIATED---you all have helped me so much over the years--I am not sure how I would have dealt with this--you walk in my shoes so I know you really do know how it is and understand how crucial it is to have a balance of your thyroid--because it affects everything......
Thanks :) Carolyn