Thyroid -Over medicated

[RitaJS]

I'm 54 and have been taking thyroid medication for years - always hypo. My doctor put me on 50 mcg of cytomel and 50mcg synthroid. Then, recently I had my blood work done and results were TSH .05 and Free T4 -.44. My doctor took me off the cytomel today. He seemed confused with my blood work considering I've always been hypo. Could this indicate too much meds or pituitary glad problem. I seem to have brain fog, extremely tired,(at times- my speech is slurred. And I have osteoporosis. I've gained weight, and so tired.

[RitaJS]

Thank you for your response - what would say are HypO symptoms are ? Both HypER and HypO  symptoms sound alike in some aspects. Mine are tired (especially when I get up in the morning and late evening), can't lose weight, brain fog (can't focus and my brain seems slow reacting) can't concentrate (better in the evening) I feel like I'm walking around in a daze most of the time. Depression. Is there a diet you recommend?

Thank you so much!!

[RitaJS]

I have a copy of my blood work - is that something you would be interested in looking at or do you have any questions (like neutron% 43.3L*,Lymph% 49.H)

Years ago I went to weight loss clinic and they put me on cytomel to help me loose weight.
It went from 25mcg to 100mcg a day. Then years later when I had blood work done-they said go off the cytomel and I did. Then (2 years ago) I was tired couldn't lose any weight and the blood work came back Hypo and doctor put me on (he wanted me to take synthroid -not generic) but pharmacy said generic was fine. Until last month I only took generic.

PLEASE help me - I can't get in to see an endocrinologist until June.

[RitaJS]

Yes 50 mcg (liothyronine) cyctomel , I just confirmed what is on the bottle

and I was taking 50mcg  levothyroxin -generic

[RitaJS]

Let me clairify that statement - I was only on 25 Synthroid- then I was feeling tired etc. (july) and doc increased my synthroid to 50 mcg and gave 50 cytomel. I seem to tolerate cytomel better than synthroid.

I guess I was wondering if I was over medicated and that cause this problem?

[goolarra]

The range we see on FT4 is usually somewhere around 0.8-1.8.  You didn't say what your range was, so I'll base my comments on 0.8-1.8 for the moment.  FT4 of 0.44 is very low, below range.  Your TSH of 0.05 LOOKS hypER, but it's not.  When you take T3 meds (Cytomel) TSH is often suppresed.  It doesn't indiicate  that you are hyper unless you have hyper symptoms.  However, it sounds like you still have hypO symptoms.

If I'm interpreting correctly, you were on 25 mcg Synthroid until last July when your doctor added 25 more, so you were taking 50 mcg Synthroid.  Then, at some point he added 50 mcg Cytomel (all at once?)

Your doctor should be testing FT3 every time you have labs regardless of which meds you are on since T3 is the most active of the thyroid hormones and correlates best with symptoms.  However, once you are taking T3 meds, I think it's inexcusable not to test FT3.  Before I comment further on the Cytomel, that is 50 mcg, not 5 mcg, you're sure?

[RitaJS]

Prior to 50mcg Cytomel I was taking 25 Synthroid - then last year in July he increase the dose to 50. No I don't see FT3 results just the TSH and Free 4.

Please don't appologize ... I appreciate your help. Thank you!