New test results

[ASA96]

Hi quick question due to my symptoms my endocrinologist decides to put me on Cytomel along with my synthroid. 3 months ago these were my results. T3 feee was 3.0. Standard range for my lab is 2.0-4.4. My TSH was 1.09. Standard.450-4.5. Free T4 was 1.57 standard.82-1.77.  These were my results before adding the cytomel. Today these are my results. T3 2.4, TSH 1.38 and Free T4 .99. I want to know if I’m moving in the right direction?  I do feel better work adding the cytomel bitcjacend been able to loose weight even though I’m on weight Watchers

[gimel]

Hypothyroidism is a bit more complicated than doctors like to make it; however, it is not that difficult to understand the basics.    And the more you know the less likely the doctor will move you in the wrong direction.  If I haven't suggested it before, click on my name and then scroll down to my Journal and read at least the one page Overview of a paper on Diagnosis and Treatment of Hypothyroidism: A Patient's Perspective.  It was written specifically to help hypo patients understand the basics and be able to discuss with their doctors.  There is also a link to the full paper.

[gimel]

I have no idea why your levels would have gone down like they did.  Your Free T4 went from 1.57 down to .99 and your Free T3 went from 3.0 down to 2.4.   That happened with a change from 125 mcg of T4 to 100 mcg of T4 plus 10 mcg of T3, which is equivalent to 130 mcg of T4 (100 plus 3 times 10 = 130).     At any rate your levels are less than typically needed to relieve hypo symptoms.  I think I may have previously given you this quote from a recent, excellent study.  "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. "

In addition to achieving those levels, it is important that your Vitamin D is at least 50 ng/mL. B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin at least 100.   Do you think you will have any trouble getting your doctor to continue to increase your dosages as needed to relieve hypo symptoms?

[ASA96]

One good change that has happened to me with this new regimen is that I’m not freezing at night. My doctor told to continue taking tbe 100 and 10 cytomel a day. They didn’t see a need to increase my medicine :-(. I ask about increasing cytomel but he’s afraid that will make me jittery. I did ask about the vitamin supplements, I’m waiting to hear back. Understanding this disease is very complicated for an average person such as myself  to understand.

[gimel]

First question is whether you take your med in the morning before the blood draw?  Second question:  What was your med dosage(s) before and after the change?

[ASA96]

Hi Gimel thank you for always taking the time to answer all of our questions.  I was fasting when I had my blood drawn.  I was only on Synthroid .125mcg before the change.  I am taking .100 mcg and .5 Cytomel twice a day.  Another change I made is, I now buy Syntrhoid where before I was buying the generic.