Tirosint, what are you doing to me?

[librarygirl2]

I have been on Tirosint since November but I could not last longer than 10 days in a row on it.  Why? Because it gave me the following side effects:

- Intense sleepiness after taking it
- Hair falling out everywhere I go like it's supposed to be a sweater
- Anxiousness
- Heart beating rapidly
- Sweats and increased body odor
- Buzzing inside body like being really wired
- Teeth pain and dry mouth
- Anger issues
- Muscle pain
- No period

I was taking 50 mcg after being switched over from Synthroid 50 mcg. Not sure why my body reacts so weird to it but I couldn't even take it long enough  (6 weeks) to get a TSH, FT3, and FT4 test.   The sleeps and the hair loss was too much to deal with.

Anyone else have reviews with Tirosint?  I really was hoping that it would work for me but it was not the miracle treatment at all.

Thanks!

Can anybody else

[Ambeliever]

Thanks so much, Barb! Your input is so helpful! I will begin taking the Tirosint now and see what happens. I will also ask Endo for the TGab next time I see her. I really appreciate your expertise on this subject! Be well!

[Barb135]

I'm not familiar with some of your tests... What is FOLW? and fTSH2? Those aren't tests we see all the time.

Even at 550, your B12 level is still too low, as is your vitamin D level at 47.  Don't stop supplementing those.

Your FT4 is on the floor of the range, at 21%.  That means your thyroid isn't producing enough.  Your FT3 isn't too bad yet, at 57%, because it often takes FT3 a while to track FT4, either up or down.

It's possible for your endo to diagnose Hashimto's based on pathology, but it's unfortunate she didn't test Thyroglobulin Antibodies (TGab), as wll as the TPOab.  Both TGab and TPOab are indicators of Hashimoto's.  Some of us have one or the other, some people have both.  You should as for TGab.

Like all T4 meds, Tirosint is dosed in mcg.  The smallest dosage is 13 mcg.  While I've been on Tirosint since shortly after it came out in 2009, many doctors aren't familiar with it.  I wonder if yours is, since she doesn't seem to be familiar with the dosages.

A dosage of 13 mcg is relatively small and if you have Hashimoto's, you will have to increase your dosage to keep up with thyroid destruction.  Your feeling of "unwell" could very well be the beginning of hypothyroidism, as evidenced by your low FT4, so you might be wise to go ahead and start the med, before symptoms worsen and become hard to control.

[Ambeliever]

Thank you for your response! I had to wait a week for a follow up with my doctor to get the reference ranges. I have not had a full blown panic attack since July, but have a daily anxiety issue - plus shortness of breath, fatigue and a myriad of other symptoms. Just a feeling of being unwell. My B12 was 235 (reference range 230-950) at that time and I have been on a liquid B12 supplement and also weekly B12 injections reduced now to one per month. My current B12 level is 550. Vitamin D was 30 (reference range 30-100) so doctor prescribed 50,000 IU weekly and level is now 47. Here are my latest lab results:

TSH                1.190           Ref:  0.450-4.500
FRT4                0.73           Ref:  0.60-1.20
FT3                     3.3           Ref:  2.5-3.9
FOLW             >24.6           Ref:  6.9-25.3 (flagged)
SHBG               50.6           Ref:  18.2-135.5
fTSH2               0.96           Ref:  0.34-5.60
hFSH              103.3           Ref:  23.0-194.2
hLH                  50.5            Ref:  10.9-58.6
Progesterone     1.3            Ref:  0.0-0.8. (I used prog cream for 4 days only)
Testosterone      31             Ref:  80-100
Estradiol             6.9            Ref:  shows postmenopausal <6.0-54.7

Last menstrual cycle was Oct 2013

Also, just got micronutrient test results -

All B's and Biotin are near borderline for deficiency.
B6 is clinically deficient.
Pantothenate (B5) is clinically deficient.
Vit C is borderline deficient.
These vitamins and minerals are at the higher end of the normal range but not exceeding.
Vit A, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium- this one is quite high

Once again, my endocrinologist gave me a diagnosis of Hashimoto's based on mostly a pathology report after (benign) thyroid nodules were biopsied. She wants me to begin to take Tirosint 12mg to start. She says it may help reduce the size of the nodules. I have never taken a thyroid medication before. Thyroid peroxidase antibodies were <10 (N) Range <35. I so greatly appreciate any insight you can share with me!

[Barb135]

What are the reference ranged for the FT3 and FT4?  Ranges vary lab to lab and have to come from your own report.  Also need ranges for the progesterone and testosterone.

Also, what are the actual levels of your Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D?  What are you supplementing them with?

Being hypo can cause the anxiety and shortness of breath.  I had them both when I was very hypo.

In order for your situation to get the attention it deserves, it might be a good idea for you to start a new thread of your own.

[Ambeliever]

Hi Barb. I am a thyroid newby. Was just recently diagnosed with Hashimoto's after 2 (benign) thyroid nodules were discovered and biopsied. The largest is about 2cm. The endocrinologist has not done a superb job in explaining the labs to me. And trying to learn on my own is proving to be very confusing. I'm 45 and am also in perimenopause and only have intermittant periods about 6 months of 12. Mother menopaused at 43. Symptoms (of something?) have been HORRIBLE and completely changed my quality of life for the past year. Although many symptoms to a lesser degree have been present for the past 3 years. Most notably, terrible anxiety and panic attacks. All the while, with an underlying daily fatigue. Hot flashes-all day-everyday. Chronic feeling of shortness of breath, although lungs and heart have been ruled out. Have spent thousands of dollars at PCP, Endo, and Nutritionist. Also am B12, B5, B6 and Vit D deficient, but am supplementing and using proper nutrition to bring these up. GYN has been worthless. Just sat there staring at me with a blank look on her face. Endo has prescribed 12mg of Tirosint- lowest due to not wanting to increase anxiety symptoms. Can you please help me make heads or tails of this? I would be so grateful!

TSH .59 (N)
T3 Uptake 33.3
Total T4 6.54
FT3 3.3
FT4 .73
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies <10 (N)  Reference Range <35

Estrogen (still at lab)
Progesterone 1.3
Testosterone 31

Cortisol 5.1 (N)

[mrshopkins81]

Hi im really glad i found this forum. I was diagnosed with Hashimotos/Hypothyroid about a year ago (I am a 32 year old female and have not had any children yet)...I started on Armour for 6 months with no real change in my Hypo/Hashi symptoms. I do see a really good Dr (Dr Arem Texas Thyroid Institue) and based on my last results and my symptoms he has decided to put me on tirosint 50mcg with t3 sr coumpounded 4mcg. I will start it tomorrow and am very eager to see how i will react to these new combonation of meds! I will let everyone knows how it goes. I have done a lot of research and really educated myself on Hypo/Hashi and understand that everyone is different and what works for one may not work for another...and that it also takes time for a medication to work...so i'm going to stick these new meds out for 2 months before i decided to make any changes! I'm praying i will have nothing but good things to report! Good Luck to everyone!