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Levo Trial
I have started a trial of 25 mcg of levo and getting ready to do my 6 week check up. I emailed the endo to ensure that my free t3 was going to be included in those labs. She said it was not needed unless I was pregnant and total t3 would be sufficient. Tell me what is the freakin problem getting a simple ft3 blood test? I had to pull teeth to get my GP to get the lab for me in the first place. My total t3 was in range but my free t3 was not. I am so tired of fighting these people but I am afraid if I continue she will no longer work with me. This is the closest I have ever been o getting treatment. Maybe I ought to take it up with member services? WWYD?
Please remember that 25 MCG is just a starter dose. If the doctor is TSH minded they will keep you on that - therefore keeping you sick.
On that low of dose your TSH will drop into range, but your Free T's will not come up. You will start feeling worse.
Don't be afraid to try a new medication either. Not one prescription works for everyone. T4 only medication will take about 6 weeks to fully convert to T3 in your system.
My first primary started me on 25 MCG levothyroxine and once my TSH fell into the 1.0 range she kept it there. I felt terrible for almost two years. She sent me to many specialist because, "It is not your thyroid".
Finally at the Rheumatologist office for fibromyalgia testing he let me try a different thyroid medication, Armour. I started self-treating raising my dose every two weeks until I felt normal again. I also began reading everything I got my hands on.
I only self treated until I found a doctor that automatically tests Free T's. And even then my free t's were still low.
I am up to 120 MG of Armour, an NDT, and am back to my old self! So busy now-and I love it!
I still get some down time, but it is not even close to the exhausted, painful, dizzy days on levothyroixine....just a little more tired than my normal. Usually a week or so before my cycle. That is why I believe one more dose increase so I can weather through those times better.
BTW my last blood test my TSH is .008. But, my Free T's needed a little improvement again.
I also supplement B12, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin D, etc. in addition to my multi-vitamin. With these blood tests I fell into range - therefore I was normal (eye roll). My B12 was 300 and the doctor saw nothing wrong with that. I now have it in the 800's-where it should be. Being hypo also means falling short in these and other areas. Until these numbers are where they should be for you, you will still feel bad.
Good job for researching and talking to other hypos during this beginning point! You are starting off better than I did!!
I also keep a binder with all my blood tests and others in it. I keep track of the dosage I was on at the time of the blood test. The binder came in handy at times that I felt terrible I would refer to it with a comb, wondering what I missed that fell into the lab's "normal" range. That is why I supplement on my own now.
It is an up and down cycle until you find where YOU feel best at. What I found aggravating is the glimpse of feeling amazing and then a crash while increasing dosages.
On that low of dose your TSH will drop into range, but your Free T's will not come up. You will start feeling worse.
Don't be afraid to try a new medication either. Not one prescription works for everyone. T4 only medication will take about 6 weeks to fully convert to T3 in your system.
My first primary started me on 25 MCG levothyroxine and once my TSH fell into the 1.0 range she kept it there. I felt terrible for almost two years. She sent me to many specialist because, "It is not your thyroid".
Finally at the Rheumatologist office for fibromyalgia testing he let me try a different thyroid medication, Armour. I started self-treating raising my dose every two weeks until I felt normal again. I also began reading everything I got my hands on.
I only self treated until I found a doctor that automatically tests Free T's. And even then my free t's were still low.
I am up to 120 MG of Armour, an NDT, and am back to my old self! So busy now-and I love it!
I still get some down time, but it is not even close to the exhausted, painful, dizzy days on levothyroixine....just a little more tired than my normal. Usually a week or so before my cycle. That is why I believe one more dose increase so I can weather through those times better.
BTW my last blood test my TSH is .008. But, my Free T's needed a little improvement again.
I also supplement B12, Iron, Magnesium, Vitamin D, etc. in addition to my multi-vitamin. With these blood tests I fell into range - therefore I was normal (eye roll). My B12 was 300 and the doctor saw nothing wrong with that. I now have it in the 800's-where it should be. Being hypo also means falling short in these and other areas. Until these numbers are where they should be for you, you will still feel bad.
Good job for researching and talking to other hypos during this beginning point! You are starting off better than I did!!
I also keep a binder with all my blood tests and others in it. I keep track of the dosage I was on at the time of the blood test. The binder came in handy at times that I felt terrible I would refer to it with a comb, wondering what I missed that fell into the lab's "normal" range. That is why I supplement on my own now.
It is an up and down cycle until you find where YOU feel best at. What I found aggravating is the glimpse of feeling amazing and then a crash while increasing dosages.
Now wonder you would have hypo symptoms. Your Free T3 and Free T4 are way too low in the ranges. Members say, including myself, that symptom relief required Free T3 in the upper third of the range and Free T4 around the middle of its range.
In addition, your Vitamin D needs to be near the middle of its range. For women ferritin should be in the 70-80 area.
What you need is a good thyroid doctor. A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
In addition, your Vitamin D needs to be near the middle of its range. For women ferritin should be in the 70-80 area.
What you need is a good thyroid doctor. A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
All of the other doctors would not have treated me. Sadly this is as good as it gets. I think the issue is that it is not available in the lab, they have to send it out. I think I may start filing a grievance with member services. Here are my initial labs. Going tonight for the new ones.
Test Result Range
Jul-13 TSH 1.49 0.10 - 5.50
Free T4 0.8 .8 - 1.7
Free T3 2.2 2.3 - 4.2
Total T3 67 50-170
Ferritin 44 22 - 291
Vit D 43 20 - 79
I noticed a change after the first dose. That night I was able to stay up way past my usual 7:30-8:00 bedtime. I am still extremely tired but at least I am somewhat functional. I have not had a cycle and was due 2 weeks ago. This is truly heart breaking because I wanted to start trying for another baby soon.
Test Result Range
Jul-13 TSH 1.49 0.10 - 5.50
Free T4 0.8 .8 - 1.7
Free T3 2.2 2.3 - 4.2
Total T3 67 50-170
Ferritin 44 22 - 291
Vit D 43 20 - 79
I noticed a change after the first dose. That night I was able to stay up way past my usual 7:30-8:00 bedtime. I am still extremely tired but at least I am somewhat functional. I have not had a cycle and was due 2 weeks ago. This is truly heart breaking because I wanted to start trying for another baby soon.
I'd be strong and don't take no for an answer with regard to the Free T3.
If puts up a fight ask your Dr. that you know that the free T3 is the ONLY hormone that is used at the cellular level. And under what sane person would not want to test for the single hormone that is ACTUALLY used? that makes absolutely no sense what so ever.
Also it is the only way to determine especially over time what sort of response to conversion your body is doing.
Make your Dr a deal. And eliminate the Total T3 test which is a WASTE of money and insntead add in the Free T3 test which is actually useful information.
Finally, how are you feeling now after 6 weeks compared to what you felt before you started the medication? Are you feeling better and the symptoms getting less pronounced?
If puts up a fight ask your Dr. that you know that the free T3 is the ONLY hormone that is used at the cellular level. And under what sane person would not want to test for the single hormone that is ACTUALLY used? that makes absolutely no sense what so ever.
Also it is the only way to determine especially over time what sort of response to conversion your body is doing.
Make your Dr a deal. And eliminate the Total T3 test which is a WASTE of money and insntead add in the Free T3 test which is actually useful information.
Finally, how are you feeling now after 6 weeks compared to what you felt before you started the medication? Are you feeling better and the symptoms getting less pronounced?
I'd ask the doctor to "humor me" and remind her that "I" am paying for the tests and ask her to please include FT3. I don't know what the problem is...my FT3 costs me $10 after my insurance "discount". Sometimes I think it's easier to request an MRI and get it. However, the fact that your doctor is reluctant speaks volumes about how good (or bad) a thyroid doctor she is.
FT3 should not only be "in range", but should be in the upper half to upper third of range. If you'd like to post your numbers, I'll help you interpret them. Please include reference tranges as they vary lab to lab.
Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do if your doctor is ignorant about thyroid testing. They're taught what they're taught, and that's not good most of the time. Any possibility of choosing a different doctor?
FT3 should not only be "in range", but should be in the upper half to upper third of range. If you'd like to post your numbers, I'll help you interpret them. Please include reference tranges as they vary lab to lab.
Unfortunately, there's not a lot you can do if your doctor is ignorant about thyroid testing. They're taught what they're taught, and that's not good most of the time. Any possibility of choosing a different doctor?
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