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Still feeling like crap and at my wits end!! Help!!!
Obviously, I need a new endo! I had TT Dec 09 and although I don't expect to feel wonderful, it seems like I'm going backwards! I know that I need to get the "Frees" tested now and I'm going to get my GP to do it. I can't believe how hard it is to find a Dr that will test!
Anyway, my last labs were Total T4 8.7 (Range 4.5-12.0) T Uptake 0.87 (Range 0.66-1.27) TSH 0.611 (Range 0.400-4.000) Total T3 93 which is low..(Range 104-260). i just had these labs done 7-29-10. I've been on Synthroid 125mcg for 9 weeks now and Endo doesn't want to raise it and says I may have a conversion problem. He told me that almost 3 months ago because my T3 was even a bit lower than it is now. I see him August 12th and that will be my last meeting with him. I've got to find someone new.
I'm telling him of my symptoms and how I feel like I'm going downhill and he keeps saying I need to take something called Folbalin Plus (some form of Vit B?) or B12 shots..my B12 level is 525 (Range 200-900). My GP says I am within range. I don't know who to listen to anymore! Endo says he's not raising synthroid now and might need to add Cytomel to the mix..what is he waiting for? He told me that months ago!!
So, he is blaming my symptoms..anxiety, feeling off balance (like i have to sit down alot), forgetfulness, moodiness, tingling hands (calcium is fine), etc...on not having enough B12?? Does that sound right to you guys? I find that hard to believe and when I tried the B12 shot and Folbalin Plus, I felt more anxious than ever! This appt on the 12th should be interesting!
It seemed like I was starting to feel better. I went back to work and was getting out abit. Now, it's all I can do to go to work and I pray I make it thru the day. I just feel "off." Sometimes, it's hard to explain!
Does any of this sound normal? Please help. I know I need the Frees tested and I know I obviously need a new Endo. What do I do in the meantime? Why does he keep pushing the B12 when I tell him the only thing it does is make me feel like I'm going to crawl out of my skin? And what is he waiting for if I do need the Cytomel? Don't worry..he's going to get an earful! Thanks for listening and advising! ...Lynda
Anyway, my last labs were Total T4 8.7 (Range 4.5-12.0) T Uptake 0.87 (Range 0.66-1.27) TSH 0.611 (Range 0.400-4.000) Total T3 93 which is low..(Range 104-260). i just had these labs done 7-29-10. I've been on Synthroid 125mcg for 9 weeks now and Endo doesn't want to raise it and says I may have a conversion problem. He told me that almost 3 months ago because my T3 was even a bit lower than it is now. I see him August 12th and that will be my last meeting with him. I've got to find someone new.
I'm telling him of my symptoms and how I feel like I'm going downhill and he keeps saying I need to take something called Folbalin Plus (some form of Vit B?) or B12 shots..my B12 level is 525 (Range 200-900). My GP says I am within range. I don't know who to listen to anymore! Endo says he's not raising synthroid now and might need to add Cytomel to the mix..what is he waiting for? He told me that months ago!!
So, he is blaming my symptoms..anxiety, feeling off balance (like i have to sit down alot), forgetfulness, moodiness, tingling hands (calcium is fine), etc...on not having enough B12?? Does that sound right to you guys? I find that hard to believe and when I tried the B12 shot and Folbalin Plus, I felt more anxious than ever! This appt on the 12th should be interesting!
It seemed like I was starting to feel better. I went back to work and was getting out abit. Now, it's all I can do to go to work and I pray I make it thru the day. I just feel "off." Sometimes, it's hard to explain!
Does any of this sound normal? Please help. I know I need the Frees tested and I know I obviously need a new Endo. What do I do in the meantime? Why does he keep pushing the B12 when I tell him the only thing it does is make me feel like I'm going to crawl out of my skin? And what is he waiting for if I do need the Cytomel? Don't worry..he's going to get an earful! Thanks for listening and advising! ...Lynda
Ok - I must have missed the dosage of 125 mcg... If your going to try the Cytomel then lowering the Synthroid to .100 or .112 may be wise. I don't feel if it is NOT - time released Cytomel that taking it once a day is good - but it all depends on you I suppose.
If your going with the trial dose of Cytomel ( non XR) then taking it 2.5mcg in the morning and noon may be better for you to stabilize on it.
I'm not gett'n where this aspirin comes in. Its not a relative of Fobalin Plus at all.
If your going with the trial dose of Cytomel ( non XR) then taking it 2.5mcg in the morning and noon may be better for you to stabilize on it.
I'm not gett'n where this aspirin comes in. Its not a relative of Fobalin Plus at all.
Just a quick note before I'm off to work. I've been on 125 mcg of Synthroid for 9 weeks now and he said at this point, he is not raising the dose..just wants me to add the cytomel 2.5 mcg once a day (split the 5 mcg pill and take once a day). Also, the aspirin is to take the place of this Fobalin Plus that I couldn't tolerate? I'll be back after work this evening. Thanks all! ...Lynda
I wouldn't debunk this endo completely... As I read through this post - it sounds pretty good on what he is stating.... although combatting the jitters with asprin is a little off.. for me
One other thing is the "suspecion" that if the Total T3 is low than the Free T3 is low too.. Why bother then looking at the stored T3 Total test that is useless and not run the FT3 test to know for sure what is in the system...? - I didn't like that - but... he seems to know to add Cytomel - so lets leave it there - in hopes you will only get the FT3 and FT4 labs done in the furture permanently...
On the Cytomel... your Rx'd 12.5 daily? - Depending on if its a time released or direct T3, you need to find that out... if its direct... you should split it 2x's a day - if time released . then a morning administer should be fine.
You might have a combination of depleted mineral and vits now and to lab test them all may be hard to do all at once... Have you looked into a GOOD/quality daily supplement package to use?
Now to change things up on these new thoughts you don't want to try too many things all at once - if something isn't right - you may not know where to tweek here or there to fix it and move on to other things...
on the increase of T4 meds from 50mcgs to 100mcgs... that sounds sound steep adding in T3 Cytomel too. It seems you are really on a low dose of T4 meds at 50 so maybe in hind-sight with the doctor you aer really low on T4 hormone too based off your labs... not sure - they aren't posted here.
If that is the case and you suggesting 62.5 T4 - with the new T3 Cytomel 12.5 - 2x's a day could be OK - and then lab test on 4 weeks to see where that gets you.
Talk it over with your doctor and see if that is something better than doubling up on the T4 all at once.
One other thing is the "suspecion" that if the Total T3 is low than the Free T3 is low too.. Why bother then looking at the stored T3 Total test that is useless and not run the FT3 test to know for sure what is in the system...? - I didn't like that - but... he seems to know to add Cytomel - so lets leave it there - in hopes you will only get the FT3 and FT4 labs done in the furture permanently...
On the Cytomel... your Rx'd 12.5 daily? - Depending on if its a time released or direct T3, you need to find that out... if its direct... you should split it 2x's a day - if time released . then a morning administer should be fine.
You might have a combination of depleted mineral and vits now and to lab test them all may be hard to do all at once... Have you looked into a GOOD/quality daily supplement package to use?
Now to change things up on these new thoughts you don't want to try too many things all at once - if something isn't right - you may not know where to tweek here or there to fix it and move on to other things...
on the increase of T4 meds from 50mcgs to 100mcgs... that sounds sound steep adding in T3 Cytomel too. It seems you are really on a low dose of T4 meds at 50 so maybe in hind-sight with the doctor you aer really low on T4 hormone too based off your labs... not sure - they aren't posted here.
If that is the case and you suggesting 62.5 T4 - with the new T3 Cytomel 12.5 - 2x's a day could be OK - and then lab test on 4 weeks to see where that gets you.
Talk it over with your doctor and see if that is something better than doubling up on the T4 all at once.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I agree with Sally in regards to the cytomel. Usually when cytomel is prescribed the T4 med is reduced by about 25 mcg per each 5 mcg cytomel. I would be very leery of adding only one dose/day of cytomel without decreasing T4 med at all.
Cytomel is fast acting, so is into your system quickly and out again within a few hours. If you take the cytomel all in one dose, you will run the risk of being hyper in the morning; with nothing to sustain you the rest of the day.
My endo originally put me on 10 mcg cytomel (supposedly 1 dose/day); however, it came in 5 mcg tablets, so I started out taking one (5 mcg) with my levo in the morning and the other (5 mcg) around noon; I started going hyper quickly, so we have now dropped that to 5 mcg. It took a while to get the regimen worked out, but now I take my levo when I get up at 3:00 am, then wait to take my cytomel between 7:00 - 8:00 am. That seems to be far enough into the day to keep me going pretty well most of the day; however, I'm definitely ready for bed around 7:00 pm, which is when I need to go to bed anyway in order to get up at 3:00 am.
If you aren't lucky enough to get the cytomel in 5 mcg tablets, you can buy a pill splitter for very little.
I also agree that since this endo is willing to prescribe cytomel (most aren't), you might want to try working with him a bit longer. I agree with the endo that since your TT3 is low, your FT3 will be low also; the issue is -- HOW low? Some of that total T3 will be bound by protein and without running an FT3, you have no idea how much actually is available for use.
In regards to the B12 -- I have no idea why an aspirin would supposedly take the place of the B12 shot. However, I would like to point out that you should not confuse the B12 shot with a B complex pill or liquid. B12 is but one component of the B complex. As I said in my other post - you need a balance of all the B vitamins and by taking a B complex, you will get that, plus the amount of the B12 will not be nearly as high as what you were getting in the shot. I recommend a B complex liquid because it's generally absorbed better than tablets.
Just to show you how different we all are --- here's a classic example: you can't tolerate the once/month shots; I just got my pcp to let me go to once/week shots, so we are at opposite ends of the rainbow in that regards; however, there seems to other issues on which we are similar.
Cytomel is fast acting, so is into your system quickly and out again within a few hours. If you take the cytomel all in one dose, you will run the risk of being hyper in the morning; with nothing to sustain you the rest of the day.
My endo originally put me on 10 mcg cytomel (supposedly 1 dose/day); however, it came in 5 mcg tablets, so I started out taking one (5 mcg) with my levo in the morning and the other (5 mcg) around noon; I started going hyper quickly, so we have now dropped that to 5 mcg. It took a while to get the regimen worked out, but now I take my levo when I get up at 3:00 am, then wait to take my cytomel between 7:00 - 8:00 am. That seems to be far enough into the day to keep me going pretty well most of the day; however, I'm definitely ready for bed around 7:00 pm, which is when I need to go to bed anyway in order to get up at 3:00 am.
If you aren't lucky enough to get the cytomel in 5 mcg tablets, you can buy a pill splitter for very little.
I also agree that since this endo is willing to prescribe cytomel (most aren't), you might want to try working with him a bit longer. I agree with the endo that since your TT3 is low, your FT3 will be low also; the issue is -- HOW low? Some of that total T3 will be bound by protein and without running an FT3, you have no idea how much actually is available for use.
In regards to the B12 -- I have no idea why an aspirin would supposedly take the place of the B12 shot. However, I would like to point out that you should not confuse the B12 shot with a B complex pill or liquid. B12 is but one component of the B complex. As I said in my other post - you need a balance of all the B vitamins and by taking a B complex, you will get that, plus the amount of the B12 will not be nearly as high as what you were getting in the shot. I recommend a B complex liquid because it's generally absorbed better than tablets.
Just to show you how different we all are --- here's a classic example: you can't tolerate the once/month shots; I just got my pcp to let me go to once/week shots, so we are at opposite ends of the rainbow in that regards; however, there seems to other issues on which we are similar.
Hi,
Well, my 2c. I think you should start the cytomel. However, I'd recommend that you divide the pill in two and split the dose to maybe once in the morning and then at lunch time. At least your endo is prepared to prescribe cytomel. Many won't. So he may not be great, but it is a starting point. You can do that even before the testing, because then your next testing will reflect the result of being on the cytomel.
No idea about the B12 and aspirin though.
Well, my 2c. I think you should start the cytomel. However, I'd recommend that you divide the pill in two and split the dose to maybe once in the morning and then at lunch time. At least your endo is prepared to prescribe cytomel. Many won't. So he may not be great, but it is a starting point. You can do that even before the testing, because then your next testing will reflect the result of being on the cytomel.
No idea about the B12 and aspirin though.
Thank you Barb, for your reply. Well, today the endo called and you tell me if this makes sense to either of you guys! He told be because the B12 makes me jumpy and nervous feeling to take an aspirin 81mg a day instead! What does aspirin have to do with B vitamins???
Also, he recommends Cytomel 12.5 mcg to be taken with my Synthroid in the morning. He said that he thinks my symptoms are due to low B12, but the Cytomel won't hurt me because my T3 is low and even though it's come up some, it's still low. He also said if my Total T3 is low, then my Free T3 will be low, also. Does that make sense to you?
I can have my GP do the FREE testing at my appointment in 2 weeks. Although, i don't think he knows much about thyroid..(he wanted to increase me from 50mcg in the beginning, straight to 100 mcg..which most have told me would have been a BIG mistake..to big of a jump)..and if I brought the results to the Endo, Im sure he would question why I went behind his back and second guessed him, etc, etc. It looks like I may need a new Endo that will do the tests I ask, but as Gimel said..some aren't willing to prescribe the Cytomel and maybe I should work with him a bit longer? He's just so archaic in his thinking, though!
So...what to do? Do I start the Cytomel or wait until I get the Free's done? He assured me it's a very small dose to be taken once a day. What should I do??
Also..what is this aspirin instead of B12 theory when you can't tolerate the B vitamins? I would only get a shot once a month and couldn't handle that!
Thanks for reading this mess! Please advise when you can, as I'm supposed to start this regimin soon..the prescription is already called in! Thank you!
Also, he recommends Cytomel 12.5 mcg to be taken with my Synthroid in the morning. He said that he thinks my symptoms are due to low B12, but the Cytomel won't hurt me because my T3 is low and even though it's come up some, it's still low. He also said if my Total T3 is low, then my Free T3 will be low, also. Does that make sense to you?
I can have my GP do the FREE testing at my appointment in 2 weeks. Although, i don't think he knows much about thyroid..(he wanted to increase me from 50mcg in the beginning, straight to 100 mcg..which most have told me would have been a BIG mistake..to big of a jump)..and if I brought the results to the Endo, Im sure he would question why I went behind his back and second guessed him, etc, etc. It looks like I may need a new Endo that will do the tests I ask, but as Gimel said..some aren't willing to prescribe the Cytomel and maybe I should work with him a bit longer? He's just so archaic in his thinking, though!
So...what to do? Do I start the Cytomel or wait until I get the Free's done? He assured me it's a very small dose to be taken once a day. What should I do??
Also..what is this aspirin instead of B12 theory when you can't tolerate the B vitamins? I would only get a shot once a month and couldn't handle that!
Thanks for reading this mess! Please advise when you can, as I'm supposed to start this regimin soon..the prescription is already called in! Thank you!
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