NDT and Labs

[RenKat]

Once again, I am seeking answers from this forum.  I can't post formal results, due to a very unstable "patient Portal" and the current temporary inability to obtain my scattered lab results, which I will resolve shortly.  But in a brief-what is going on is this.  I am currently taking 97.5 Naturethroid.  The Tsh, which I completely ignore was suppressed, of course.  But the recent Free t4 was 0.07, below the 0.08 minimal range.
Not to ask the same question over and over again, but with this result so low, do we INcrease the medication, of Decrease it?  
Regarding the t3,  I can't comment on it, right now, again, due to the inablity to access the online site.  I will post labs as soon as I have them.  This doctor is history, very soon, but I am traveling and need to deal with him, in the interim.  Any input is most appreciated.

[Barb135]

Sorry, we aren't online all the time to answer your questions... I'd have to go back and find the threads to get the particulars, but I remember telling you, when you were on the 50 mcg Levoxyl, that it wasn't enough, but you wanted to switch to desiccated.

You're feeling anxious and depressed because your FT3 is too high.  In my opinion, you should not increase your dosage at all... it's unfortunate that you're traveling.  You need to be where you can get the medications you need and test as needed, not just be asking us to tell you what to do like this.

You need less T3 and more T4.  The best way to control that is to be on separate synthetics like the Levoxyl and Cytomel.  If 50 mcg Levoxyl wasn't enough, you could have tried 75 mcg and if 15 mcg cytomel was too much you could have dropped to 10.  By taking them separately, you can adjust them much easier and tweak as needed.  

Are you splitting your desiccated dose into more than one/day or are you taking it all at once?  I've probably asked you that before, but it's important to split it into more than one.  Take 1/2 in the morning and 1/2 around noon.  That may be inconvenient, but it will be better for you.

Until you get back home where you can spend time dealing with your health like you should, I would not recommend that you increase your dosage because all you're going to do is drive your FT3 higher, which will only make things worse.  

[RenKat]

Goolarra

I know I am repetitive in this cyclic situation.  
But my recent labs have me confused. I am recommended to decrease NFT by forum members and supplement with T4. The Dr said to increase and I am confused.  

I am currently on 97.5 Naturethroid.  And not feeling so great.

Here are the current labs.
T4, Free is 0.7  0.8-1.8
T3 Total is 109  76-181 ng/dL
T3, Free is 4.5  2.3-4.2 pg/mL
TSH 0.02

He just recommended an increase of one 97.5 NDT a week.

[RenKat]

Goolara

I know I am repetitive in this cyclic situation.  
But my recent labs have me confused. I am recommended to decrease NFT by forum members and supplement with T4. The Dr said to increase and I am confused.  

I am currently on 97.5 Naturethroid.  And not feeling so great.

Here are the current labs.
T4, Free is 0.7  0.8-1.8
T3 Total is 109  76-181 ng/dL
T3, Free is 4.5  2.3-4.2 pg/mL
TSH 0.02

He just recommended an increase of one 97.5 NDT a week.

[RenKat]

i am not feeling so great to be honest. The worst of it, is I am out of state and out of coverage.  I feel anxious and depressed, most of the time. I was on a 50 Levoxyl and a 15 Cytomel. And that was better then this, though the T4 was still low as well as my energy.  He will do what I say, but what do I say, since he had no clue? How much t4? And what dose of NDT?  I have 60 Armour in stock... I am confused and concerned.

[flyingfool]

One question is how are you feeling?

If you are feeling fine and have no signs of Hyper, then maybe do nothing.  

But in general I would agree with Barb and slightly reduce your NDT and add in T4 with the Dr to decide on the dose of each.

[Barb135]

It doesn't make any sense to increase your NDT when your FT3 is already over range... as I've told you before, you need to decrease your desiccated hormone dose and add some T4 since yours is non-existent.  

This doctor is going to have you all messed up, if you stay with him.

What, if any, symptoms are you having?  

[RenKat]

Hi, Barb135,

I know I am repetitive in this cyclic situation.  
And yes, the error was mine:  
So, here it is:

T4, Free is 0.7  0.8-1.8
T3 Total is 109  76-181 ng/dL
T3, Free is 4.5  2.3-4.2 pg/mL
TSH 0.02

He just recommended an increase of one 97.5 NDT a week.

[Barb135]

Do you mean the FT4 is 0.07 and the bottom of the range 0.08 or do you have the decimal point in the wrong place and it should be 0.7 and the bottom of the range 0.8, which is what we, typically see?  

I think you're asking the same question you've asked, and has been answered a few times before.  It's typical for FT4 to be quite low on a desiccated hormone, so we'd have to see what your FT3 is before answering your question fully.  It's possible that you may simply need to add a T4 med to your desiccated hormone to increase your FT4 level, but again, that will depend on your FT3 result and of course, your current symptoms.

Will look forward to seeing the FT3 result when you can access it and please let us know what symptoms you are experiencing.