Thyroid Problem

[kimmie1981]

Hello,

I had my whole thyroid out years ago.  I am suppose to take medication, and have for quite some time, but have recently stopped because I am sick and tired of not feeling good.  It seems that everytime I take my medicine I get a headache and it makes me feel horrible.  I have noticed not taking it that I feel better, than when I do take it.  Is it possible that something in my body is making the stuff I need from my throid and when I take the medicine it then is to much?  Also, what will happen if I continue to not take my medication? (like a time frame of what will happen).  Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks

[goolarra]

Kimmie, you definitely need a new doctor.  Your FT4 simply is not normal, and your FT3 technically is normal, but very, very close to abnormal.  Furthermore, many people start feeling hypo before their numbers even get out of normal range.  Even your TSH is way out of normal range.

I.m glad she brushed up and "discovered" T3 meds!.  Best of luck with your referral.  I'm glad to hear that you're back on your Levoxyl.  When you see your new doctor, don't forget to ask about switching brands to see if that helps you feel better.

[kimmie1981]

My doc said that my free's were normal.  I asked her to try me on some T3 meds just to see if they would make a signifigant difference.  She said they were not low enough to put me on meds. She does now know there is such thing as T3 meds.  She is surely a quack.  I told her I want a referral to dartmouth ASAP.  I'm going to see a specialist.  Got to wait till they review my records and then they will call me with an appt. I've been taking my Levoxyl.

[goolarra]

You definitely need to get back on thyroid meds.  FT4 is below the range, FT3 barely made it in, and TSH is way over.  

What would I do?  Well, first of all I think I'd try again to see if T4-only meds will bring up your free's and alleviate your symptoms.  And I'd definitely try a different brand name to see if the fillers are what's causing you to feel so bad on the meds.  Once you get closer to "normal", you can consider adding some T3 if the T4 alone is not alleviating your symptoms.

This all takes some time, but I think it's worth starting out low, increasing slowly, and only changing one variable at a time so it's easier to know what the cause is if you start not feeling well or have side effects.  

Have you made any progress in finding a new doctor?

[kimmie1981]

Oh yeah, my TSH level was 9.27.

[kimmie1981]

I just got my T3 and T4 results,  T4 is 0.58 (L-0.61  H 1.12)  T3 is 2.55 (L-2.50 H-3.90), any advice?

[goolarra]

She sounds scary!  Didn't know there were T3 meds???  Wow!

Good idea on the specialist...best of luck.