Levothyroxine

[jeanette1952]

I posted on 6/17/2015 regarding my concerns over having had one episode of AFib and being concerned with the levothyroxine causing another episode. The only TSH info I had at that time was that my level was 5.6.  This was taken on 5/7/2015.  I just received my lab results in the mail for blood work done on 6/11/2015.  She ordered at Free T3 and T4 screening on this one.  In my last post you requested the results.  There was no ferritin tested and my vitamin D is ok. Results were:
      
TSH Ultrasensitive:   :  4.932             Range: 0.350 - 4.500  uIU/mL
Free T3:                      2.7                             2.3 - 4.2      pg/mL  
Free T4:                      1.04                            0.80 - 1.80 ng/dL

Since starting this medication 3 weeks ago I now have constipation and my left hip is hurting. With these numbers (and the fact that the TSH went down) do I really need to be on this medicine? I feel bad now with all this ... I did not feel this way before. Note: I am a 63 year old female.  

[goolarra]

Your TSH really hardly moved.  TSH can change by as much as 70% just depending on the time of day the blood was drawn.  It's still above range, and AACE recommended many years ago that TSH range be changed to the much more reasonable 0.3-3.0.  

FT3 and FT4 are much more important than TSH, especially once on meds. The target for FT4 is about 50% of range.  Yours is at 24%.  Target for FT3 is 50+% of range, and yours is 16%.  So, you are still hypo.

It's not unusual for symptoms to worsen a bit or new ones to appear on starting meds.  That's partly due to the fact that you are unlikely on a therapeutic dose yet.  It looks like you need an increase.  How much are you taking now?  You had no symptoms prior to meds?

[jeanette1952]

The only real symptom I had was that I was just a little tired sometimes. I have not had a good BM in over 2 weeks. I have used stool softeners and ate prunes/juice but not a lot of good.  I am going to have to take actual laxatives I guess.  But the worst part is the hip.  I walk 30 minutes each day and this problem is really making that hard. I need the exercise. I cannot increase the dose because of the AFib issue. I had AFib one time and that is one experience I do not want to repeat. It is dangerous. I will talk to PCP about all of this and see what she says. Thanks for the response.

[goolarra]

You can try magnesium for the constipation.  For that purpose, you want mag oxide.  The body doesn't recognize mag as food, so most of oxide ends up in your colon where it attracts water.

I have SVT, and once I got on a therapeutic dose, it's been the best it's been in my life.  Getting your thyroid hormones right may be the best thing for your AFib.  

Lots to talk about with your doctor...