Please help--I feel awful

[yankeeRN]

Labs as of  4 days ago:
total t4 :  6.7  (5.3-12.3)
total t3:  97  (80-200)   (this past January 28ish TT3 was 120 and felt good)
tsh 0.03

Background history: Grave's for about 3 years on PTU 75mg twice a day

At the end of this past January, I had put myself on a diet to try to take off some weight to lose 1 pound per week--it came off slow but I did lose 8 pounds through diet and exercise but I wasn't perfect with my eating all the time so it took longer.  I was at a standstill with the weight loss but was ok with that.  About a month ago I just started feeling not hungry ( not like me at all)--I thought well as long as I felt well then I would let this work for me and it did--I was losing a bit more weight but I was only eating about 1000-1200 calories a day so I was losing about 2 pounds per week now.  About 2 weeks ago I started feeling like I had to force myself to eat because not only was I not hungry but (especially in the morning) I felt nauseated when I did eat and also in the morning now I just feel dizzy and just awful with trying not to gag even when not eating--this lasts most of the morning--I also feel cold most of the time.  I just feel that I can barely function.  I am eating more though I am still not hungry and less makes me full.  The strange thing about all this is that in the afternoon and evening I usually feel ok.  What is going on with me?  My md says I need to up my PTU but looking at the tt4 and tt3 it sure doesn't look that way nor does it feel that way.  By the way the drop in total t3 from 120 to 97 was from no med change.  Why do I feel this way?  I can't take it much longer.  I have been crying and on the verge of tears many times and at other times I feel nothing.  I am also going through menopause--this month with no period makes 3 months with no period--I have hot flashes and some sweating at night and also to a lesser extent during the day. Please shed some light on this--I am desperate:(  Thanks...

[yankeeRN]

Yes I have heard MANY times that my FT3 should be checked--I get so frustrated that my md (and myself)  not listening to me and I feel so awful like I am being a pain in the neck and telling him what to check and yes I realize it is about my health--I could kick myself for not insisting that the FT3 was checked but I also thought with the levels he did get were hypo except for the tsh and that he would hear me out and agree to decrease my PTU--he wants to talk with me so I see him on Tuesday...--Thanks goolara you have provided some excellent insight.

[goolarra]

Unfortunately, your doctor tested TT3 and TT4.  FT3/4 would be a lot more useful.  (I'm sure you've heard us say that before.)  That being said, your TT3 and TT4 are in hypo (medication induced) territory at the moment.

Depression is a symptom of hypothyroidism, so is loss of appetite.  Symptoms of menopause can be exacerbated if thyroid hormones are off.  

It looks to me like your PTU should actually be reduced.

Many things can change T3 and T4 levels without a change in meds.  Throughout or lives, demand changes.  Menopause can seriously alter thyroid hormone demand.    

[yankeeRN]

Thank you for your response.  I have stopped the dieting and I am trying to eat more and more frequently.  I have been sleeping though I will say the hot flashes at night have awaken me.  Do you have any suggestions for what worked for you for hot flashes and the depression?  I see my doctor on Tuesday.   Thanks again.

[kwillis9]

Hi, sounds to me like depression and menopause which I have been through both.. I would forget about dieting for now, try and get a doctor to prescribe meds for hot flashes..try and get some good sleep and possibly try an antidepressant.. I have been on many..keep trying to find one that may work for you.. Good luck, hope you feel better soon, Karen