Aa
Is this YOU? High TSH, normal FT3 and FT4, asymptomatic?
If so, I'd like to hear from you.
I'm working on a theory: there is a subpopulation of people with high THS and FT3 and FT4 within normal range (probably low normal), who are hypothyroid asymptomatic (and may even exhibit some hyperthyroid symptoms). We may be being treated unnecessarily or over-treated.
Why do we hear so little from this group of people?
1) We don't feel sick,
2) General screening for thyroid issues has never been recommended, therefore most in this group are unidentified.
3) Most people tolerate thyroid meds well, so over-treatment is not an issue for them.
I have Hashi's. I've been on levo for over a year. During that time I went from 25mcg to 81.5mcg. Very little has changed. My TSH went down...it's now in the high teens (woo hoo!), but my FT3 and FT4 continue to hover around the lower end of the normal range. I haven't had a hypo symptom in a year. I have a heart arrhythmia, so I've been forced to take a beta-blocker to counter the effects of the levo on that. That dose increases along with the increases in levo.
I now have some hyper symptoms (yes, with a TSH of 19) - I haven't slept through the night lately, my gut is constantly churning, I have a bit of heat intolerance (in the middle of winter in Oregon), etc.
I really feel I'm being over-treated. I know that my "numbers" don't say that. But, being inside my body, and knowing how I feel, I really think dumping more and more levo into my bloodstream is WRONG. Everytime I increase my dose, the bells and whistles start going off. At the rate my TSH has been going down (snail's pace), I'll have to be on a lethal dose before it's normal.
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing from people who feel likewise. We have very little support and could definitely benefit by pooling our resources.
Thanks.
I'm working on a theory: there is a subpopulation of people with high THS and FT3 and FT4 within normal range (probably low normal), who are hypothyroid asymptomatic (and may even exhibit some hyperthyroid symptoms). We may be being treated unnecessarily or over-treated.
Why do we hear so little from this group of people?
1) We don't feel sick,
2) General screening for thyroid issues has never been recommended, therefore most in this group are unidentified.
3) Most people tolerate thyroid meds well, so over-treatment is not an issue for them.
I have Hashi's. I've been on levo for over a year. During that time I went from 25mcg to 81.5mcg. Very little has changed. My TSH went down...it's now in the high teens (woo hoo!), but my FT3 and FT4 continue to hover around the lower end of the normal range. I haven't had a hypo symptom in a year. I have a heart arrhythmia, so I've been forced to take a beta-blocker to counter the effects of the levo on that. That dose increases along with the increases in levo.
I now have some hyper symptoms (yes, with a TSH of 19) - I haven't slept through the night lately, my gut is constantly churning, I have a bit of heat intolerance (in the middle of winter in Oregon), etc.
I really feel I'm being over-treated. I know that my "numbers" don't say that. But, being inside my body, and knowing how I feel, I really think dumping more and more levo into my bloodstream is WRONG. Everytime I increase my dose, the bells and whistles start going off. At the rate my TSH has been going down (snail's pace), I'll have to be on a lethal dose before it's normal.
Anyway, I'm interested in hearing from people who feel likewise. We have very little support and could definitely benefit by pooling our resources.
Thanks.
Hi G, good luck with rt3 labs. Your not alone, my TSH is wacky too, Lol !
Hyper is a horrible condition to experience. If I had a choice, I prefer to be hypo to. Perfect explaination of hyper. Cartoon character Taz is another example of hyper state, Lol !!
Yes, I feel comfortable. The worst part after TT, rebuilding/balancing hormones is over. Haven't had any hormonal symptoms quite a few months. It's been a month, since dose increase, I feel fine. Labs again in 4 weeks. Wishing you well friend.
Hyper is a horrible condition to experience. If I had a choice, I prefer to be hypo to. Perfect explaination of hyper. Cartoon character Taz is another example of hyper state, Lol !!
Yes, I feel comfortable. The worst part after TT, rebuilding/balancing hormones is over. Haven't had any hormonal symptoms quite a few months. It's been a month, since dose increase, I feel fine. Labs again in 4 weeks. Wishing you well friend.
I do find the FT3:RT3 ratio theory intriguing. I may have to call my doctor's office and see if RT3 has been ordered and push for it if not.
Since my TSH is whacky (a technical term!), you can imagine that my doctors tried to feed me ever-increasing doses of levo. So, I was hyper more than once, and I have to agree with you...I'll take hypo any day over feeling like I'm about to buzz off the planet. I always feel like a balloon that you blow up and then let go to circle around crazily until it runs out of air.
Are you comfortable waiting until your next labs before making any changes?
Since my TSH is whacky (a technical term!), you can imagine that my doctors tried to feed me ever-increasing doses of levo. So, I was hyper more than once, and I have to agree with you...I'll take hypo any day over feeling like I'm about to buzz off the planet. I always feel like a balloon that you blow up and then let go to circle around crazily until it runs out of air.
Are you comfortable waiting until your next labs before making any changes?
Hi Sarah, thanx for reply. Appears hormone levels affects us all differently, I've learned very important to monitor labs/symptoms to optimize health. Learn how labs affects us.
Hyper state is no fun at all, when I was hyper last year, thought I was losing my mind.
Good luck maintaining health, living a symptom free life.
Hyper state is no fun at all, when I was hyper last year, thought I was losing my mind.
Good luck maintaining health, living a symptom free life.
Hi G, thought I was a rare case, living a perfectly normal healthy life on low ft3, I kept close monitor of my labs, and discovered my system does well on low hormone values.
Wonderful news, you learned what's happening to your hormone levels.
Amazing, how hormone levels affects us all differently. Think I'll request an RT3 lab too.
My cortisol/adrenals were tested 2011, when I felt like dawn of the dead, results returned normal. Now, I know fatigue was thyroid related. I may ask primary to retest.
Other then feeling as if I drank 25 - 50 cups of coffee every other week, I feel fine. My primary clinic did call me believe last week, shared that diabetes may be the cause of my nervous condition, last labs A1c was slightly elevated. Primary is retesting hormones/diabetes Nov 20th,.
Thanks for all you share :)
Wonderful news, you learned what's happening to your hormone levels.
Amazing, how hormone levels affects us all differently. Think I'll request an RT3 lab too.
My cortisol/adrenals were tested 2011, when I felt like dawn of the dead, results returned normal. Now, I know fatigue was thyroid related. I may ask primary to retest.
Other then feeling as if I drank 25 - 50 cups of coffee every other week, I feel fine. My primary clinic did call me believe last week, shared that diabetes may be the cause of my nervous condition, last labs A1c was slightly elevated. Primary is retesting hormones/diabetes Nov 20th,.
Thanks for all you share :)
Hi Barb, I post all my labs to tracker. Primary does complete thyroid panel every 8-12 weeks. After Feb this year, I began to feel perfectly normal, very active, no symptoms etc.... reason I didn't return for blood labs nearly 6 months.
Labs Feb 2013, optimal labs for me, on Levo 150:
TSH 1.5 (.34 - 5.6)
FT4 .9 (.6 -1.12)
FT3 2.6 (2.5-3.9)
3 to 4 weeks ago, my TSH increased to 6.2, ft3/ft4 very minimal change.
Last yr when my ft3 was mid range, thought I was going crazy ! felt as if I was dying, no joke. I was severly hyper. Never want to experience that again :)
My med was increased to 175 a few weeks ago, other then manageable nervous condition, I'm doing really well.
Labs Feb 2013, optimal labs for me, on Levo 150:
TSH 1.5 (.34 - 5.6)
FT4 .9 (.6 -1.12)
FT3 2.6 (2.5-3.9)
3 to 4 weeks ago, my TSH increased to 6.2, ft3/ft4 very minimal change.
Last yr when my ft3 was mid range, thought I was going crazy ! felt as if I was dying, no joke. I was severly hyper. Never want to experience that again :)
My med was increased to 175 a few weeks ago, other then manageable nervous condition, I'm doing really well.
Hi,
Your experience totally mirrors mine. Every time I increase my dose of Synthroid based on lab results, I become hyper...usually several weeks after the increase. Even the tiniest amount of Cytomel added to the Synthroid will result in hyper-like, horrendous symptoms. As a result, I have decided to base my meds. on clinical symptoms rather than numbers.
Take care,
Sarah
Your experience totally mirrors mine. Every time I increase my dose of Synthroid based on lab results, I become hyper...usually several weeks after the increase. Even the tiniest amount of Cytomel added to the Synthroid will result in hyper-like, horrendous symptoms. As a result, I have decided to base my meds. on clinical symptoms rather than numbers.
Take care,
Sarah
Wow, this IS an old thread, so old that I was amazed to see it was actually MINE! LOL
First an update: Since posting this question, I've discovered that I have pituitary resistance to thyroid horne (PRTH). Basically, my pituitary lacks the enzyme that converts T4 to T3. My pituitary is starved for T3 and "thinks" the rest of my body is, too, but my peripheral conversion isn't affected. My TSH hovers around 20.0, sometimes FT3 and FT4 go up a little and so does TSH, sometimes they all go down together, and sometimes my TSH "behaves" correctly.
A year ago, I was totally blindsided by labs that showed my FT3 BELOW range. I was feeling well and didn't feel any different than I had 6 months earlier when my FT3 was low normal. My FT3 has remained low. I've kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for that FT3 to catch up with me, but after a year it hasn't...still feeling good. I have labs again in a couple of weeks.
On to theories:
First, I think that many of us who only take T4 meds (AJWS6. if I recall correctly, you only take T4, too), i.e. our natural conversion system works well enough to keep us feeling well, can run our FT3 MUCH lower than the "upper half to upper third of range" we often see recommended. We still have T3 "on demand", so we don't have to run it as high to cover periods of peak demand as people who convert little to none do.
Another theory is that FT3:RT3 ratio is the best measure of cellular thyroid status. Perhaps, even though FT3 is low, RT3 is as well, netting us a better ratio than many people with high range FT3. I've requested an RT3 test in my next set of labs, but the request was through a receptionist, who obviously had never heard of RT3 before, so we'll see what I get!
Yet another theory is that people who feel well with lower FT3 also have low cortisol. Cortisol and FT3 cancel each other out to some extent, so this could be an explanation. I've only recently heard this theory. However, we've observed for a long time that people with adrenal fatigue (low cortisol) often exhibit extreme sensitivity to thyroid meds and often say that you have to address adrenal problems before addressing thyroid problems.
All this is rather academic if we feel well, but it would be nice to see these theories researched. I often feel like an aberration...don't think I am, but I certainly can't prove that by what I hear on this forum.
I think the upshot, once again, is that we all have a personal range in which we feel well. Not many of us, who feel well low in the ranges, get to this forum because we are easier to treat and are often quite happy low in the ranges.
First an update: Since posting this question, I've discovered that I have pituitary resistance to thyroid horne (PRTH). Basically, my pituitary lacks the enzyme that converts T4 to T3. My pituitary is starved for T3 and "thinks" the rest of my body is, too, but my peripheral conversion isn't affected. My TSH hovers around 20.0, sometimes FT3 and FT4 go up a little and so does TSH, sometimes they all go down together, and sometimes my TSH "behaves" correctly.
A year ago, I was totally blindsided by labs that showed my FT3 BELOW range. I was feeling well and didn't feel any different than I had 6 months earlier when my FT3 was low normal. My FT3 has remained low. I've kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for that FT3 to catch up with me, but after a year it hasn't...still feeling good. I have labs again in a couple of weeks.
On to theories:
First, I think that many of us who only take T4 meds (AJWS6. if I recall correctly, you only take T4, too), i.e. our natural conversion system works well enough to keep us feeling well, can run our FT3 MUCH lower than the "upper half to upper third of range" we often see recommended. We still have T3 "on demand", so we don't have to run it as high to cover periods of peak demand as people who convert little to none do.
Another theory is that FT3:RT3 ratio is the best measure of cellular thyroid status. Perhaps, even though FT3 is low, RT3 is as well, netting us a better ratio than many people with high range FT3. I've requested an RT3 test in my next set of labs, but the request was through a receptionist, who obviously had never heard of RT3 before, so we'll see what I get!
Yet another theory is that people who feel well with lower FT3 also have low cortisol. Cortisol and FT3 cancel each other out to some extent, so this could be an explanation. I've only recently heard this theory. However, we've observed for a long time that people with adrenal fatigue (low cortisol) often exhibit extreme sensitivity to thyroid meds and often say that you have to address adrenal problems before addressing thyroid problems.
All this is rather academic if we feel well, but it would be nice to see these theories researched. I often feel like an aberration...don't think I am, but I certainly can't prove that by what I hear on this forum.
I think the upshot, once again, is that we all have a personal range in which we feel well. Not many of us, who feel well low in the ranges, get to this forum because we are easier to treat and are often quite happy low in the ranges.
2 Comments
Hi aftr a long google search i found ths thread... i have the exact same case as yours... i becum hyper aftr my thyroxin dose is increased based on TSH report.. im so fed up..need help..im on beta blocker too ..dont wana increase the dose fr lifetime
Just because your TSH becomes suppressed does not mean you are hyper unless you have accompanying symptoms due to excessive levels of Free T4 and Free T3. Most hypo patients taking taking thyroid med adequate to relieve symptoms find that their TSH becomes suppressed. You can read all about this in the following link. I highly recommend reading the first two pages, and more, if you want to get into the discussion and scientific evidence for all that is recommended. Note especially Rec. no. 13 on page 13, about suppressed TSH.
http://www.thyroiduk.org/tuk/TUK_PDFs/The%20Diagnosis%20and%20Treatment%20of%20Hypothyroidism%20%20August%202017%20%20Update.pdf
If tested for Free T4 Free T3, Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test resuts. If your doctor is unwilling to treat clinically, as described, then yu can try and change his mind by giving him a copy of the link and asking him to review and reconsider. If that doesn't work then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor tht will do so.
http://www.thyroiduk.org/tuk/TUK_PDFs/The%20Diagnosis%20and%20Treatment%20of%20Hypothyroidism%20%20August%202017%20%20Update.pdf
If tested for Free T4 Free T3, Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, please post results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms, without being influenced by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just test resuts. If your doctor is unwilling to treat clinically, as described, then yu can try and change his mind by giving him a copy of the link and asking him to review and reconsider. If that doesn't work then you will need to find a good thyroid doctor tht will do so.
COMMUNITY LEADER
What are your exact numbers, with reference ranges? Are your doctors testing both, FT4 and FT3? or are they dosing you, based on TSH?
What med/dosage are you on, now?
What med/dosage are you on, now?
Forgot to share, not once do I feel hypo, no weight gain, no fatigue, no cold tolerance, etc.....
Old thread, but relates to me. I feel best when TSH/ft3 is low normal. For nearly 5 months, I felt perfectly normal. Began to feel jittery/nervous, hyper state. Felt like I drank 25 cups of coffee. Went for blood labs. TSH elevated, ft3/ft4 normal.
Dose increase, I feel more hyper, now I'm at 50 cups of coffee. Feel like a nervous wreak, difficulty sleeping, relaxing, inner tremors, etc.... Believe my ft3 is elevating, TSH decreasing.
The key to my survival is, keeping TSH/ft3 low normal, without overmedicating.
Dose increase, I feel more hyper, now I'm at 50 cups of coffee. Feel like a nervous wreak, difficulty sleeping, relaxing, inner tremors, etc.... Believe my ft3 is elevating, TSH decreasing.
The key to my survival is, keeping TSH/ft3 low normal, without overmedicating.
When a TSH high that means hypo and meds goes up
A TSH that is low would require a decrease. Low TSH is hyper.
A TSH that is low would require a decrease. Low TSH is hyper.
Thanks for your input.
I do keep a journal of meds, symptoms, weight, some vital signs, etc. I think it's indespensible, especially with a little amnesia thrown in!!!
I have to say I do feel nuts when a 6.5mcg increase throws me for a loop. Endo wanted to do 13mcg at once...I growled.
I'm confused - you expect to decrease your dose and have your TSH go DOWN? Is that correct? Mine does whacky things like that, but I thought I was an aberration (or was that an abomination)!!!
AJ
I do keep a journal of meds, symptoms, weight, some vital signs, etc. I think it's indespensible, especially with a little amnesia thrown in!!!
I have to say I do feel nuts when a 6.5mcg increase throws me for a loop. Endo wanted to do 13mcg at once...I growled.
I'm confused - you expect to decrease your dose and have your TSH go DOWN? Is that correct? Mine does whacky things like that, but I thought I was an aberration (or was that an abomination)!!!
AJ
Wow! Talk about exciting! Not only did I find someone who understands my problem, but who also has an endo who seems to. I'm thrilled.
I'm going to PM you with history so we can compare notes and spare everyone else the gory details!!
Your (3) above, MY body's normal is not within the so-called "normal" range, is very succintly put what I think I'm dealing with. I feel thyroid hormones are toxic to me. I'm not ready to quit yet, but I am about ready to stop increasing just to get TSH into line.
Thanks so much for replying.
I'm going to PM you with history so we can compare notes and spare everyone else the gory details!!
Your (3) above, MY body's normal is not within the so-called "normal" range, is very succintly put what I think I'm dealing with. I feel thyroid hormones are toxic to me. I'm not ready to quit yet, but I am about ready to stop increasing just to get TSH into line.
Thanks so much for replying.
I get Hypo symptoms when Hyper ..... When I am TSH <1.5 I get brain fog and concentration issues .. even my own Endo said that is usually reserved for hypo not hyper symptoms but it's documented and me to a "T". Even the baby dose changes you mention can cause a symptom to come and go ..
Using the thyroid tracker helps me keep it all togethr .. symptoms with med change.
You may not be processing this med properly ... others here may lend a hand and/or get a 2nd opinion .. that is what I thought reading your post.
C~
TSH 1.8 on 75mcgs
hoping for 1.5 on 62.5mcgs
Using the thyroid tracker helps me keep it all togethr .. symptoms with med change.
You may not be processing this med properly ... others here may lend a hand and/or get a 2nd opinion .. that is what I thought reading your post.
C~
TSH 1.8 on 75mcgs
hoping for 1.5 on 62.5mcgs
I could hardly believe my eyes when I read your post. What you describe is very close to exactly what I have experienced several times. I was diagnosed with Hashi's and hypothyroidism 13 years ago, when my doctor discovered a goiter during a routine annual exam. The funny part of that is I had absolutely no hypo symptoms at all, and my TSH was 40 and my antibodies were also sky-high. Of course, my doctor completely flipped out and put me on Synthroid. Within four weeks, I was a complete basket case with tachycardia, palpitations, high blood pressure, high anxiety, tremors - all of the hyPER symptoms. When I was finally able to get my TSH checked, it was "normal" at 1.6. Of course, I know now that I was started at too high a dose, and my body didn't have enough time to adjust and so it reacted violently. But I feel that also set the stage for most, if not all, of the misery that has followed. Many, many times, especially over the last four years, I have had severe hyPER symptoms while my TSH was quite obviously in the hyPO range.
I did fairly well for quite a while on Levoxyl, although I still had hyPER symptoms off and on, but nothing severe enough to make me stop taking it. However, over the last year, I have developed even more disturbing symptoms that have prompted my doctor to try me on several different thyroid meds, and I'm beginning to wonder if my body will tolerate any thyroid meds at all. (I have tried Synthroid, Thyrolar and Armour so far.) In addition to the tachycardia, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, and dizzy spells, I developed a very disturbing internal vibration/tremor sensation. It started in my feet and then it progressed to a point where it was moving all over my body - from my feet to my legs to my back to my mid-section. It got so intense I couldn't sleep, work, or exercise and was barely functional. (And the beta blockers did practically nothing for the internal tremor/vibes.) All this while my TSH was hovering around 11, with upper-range normal FT4's and FT3's.
I had all kinds of (expensive!) tests done to check my adrenals and my pituitary, and they all came back normal. I tried cutting back on my thyroid meds (with my endo's approval) and that didn't help, so I finally stopped taking them altogether this past Sunday. Luckily, I had an endo appointment yesterday. My endo (I love him!) completely "gets it," because he believed me when I told him that the only time I get relief from these symptoms is when I stop the meds.
As for right now, he told me to stay off the meds, but he gave me standing orders for TSH, FT4's and FT3's, so that whenever I start feeling bad (as in hyPO), I can go immediately and get blood drawn. He says it is possible that (1) I am having an episode of Hashi toxicosis, which causes severe fluctuations in thyroid function, which will, hopefully, pass;
(2) I have a sensitivity or allergy to some filler(s) or dye(s) used in thyroid meds; or (3) MY body's normal is not within the so-called "normal" range. He said we should be able to figure that out with the next round of tests, which I won't have done until I feel symptomatic. He says it's possible my body operates better in the 5-10 or even 10-15 range. (No, I didn't forget any decimals there! LOL)
My endo says that, at this point, he is less concerned about some arbitrary numbers on a page (which can fluctuate wildly over the course of a day) and more concerned about helping me to feel better. He says that current thyroid testing is "the best we have," but it does not measure the amount of hormone in the tissues which would be a far superior indicator. He reassured me that we would figure this out and get me back to something resembling normal (as in feeling human, not necessarily within the lab's so-called "normal range). He said it might take another 3-6 months, but to hang in there and call him anytime I needed him. I have found a true gem. I wish everyone could have an endo this good.
I did fairly well for quite a while on Levoxyl, although I still had hyPER symptoms off and on, but nothing severe enough to make me stop taking it. However, over the last year, I have developed even more disturbing symptoms that have prompted my doctor to try me on several different thyroid meds, and I'm beginning to wonder if my body will tolerate any thyroid meds at all. (I have tried Synthroid, Thyrolar and Armour so far.) In addition to the tachycardia, elevated heart rate, high blood pressure, anxiety, and dizzy spells, I developed a very disturbing internal vibration/tremor sensation. It started in my feet and then it progressed to a point where it was moving all over my body - from my feet to my legs to my back to my mid-section. It got so intense I couldn't sleep, work, or exercise and was barely functional. (And the beta blockers did practically nothing for the internal tremor/vibes.) All this while my TSH was hovering around 11, with upper-range normal FT4's and FT3's.
I had all kinds of (expensive!) tests done to check my adrenals and my pituitary, and they all came back normal. I tried cutting back on my thyroid meds (with my endo's approval) and that didn't help, so I finally stopped taking them altogether this past Sunday. Luckily, I had an endo appointment yesterday. My endo (I love him!) completely "gets it," because he believed me when I told him that the only time I get relief from these symptoms is when I stop the meds.
As for right now, he told me to stay off the meds, but he gave me standing orders for TSH, FT4's and FT3's, so that whenever I start feeling bad (as in hyPO), I can go immediately and get blood drawn. He says it is possible that (1) I am having an episode of Hashi toxicosis, which causes severe fluctuations in thyroid function, which will, hopefully, pass;
(2) I have a sensitivity or allergy to some filler(s) or dye(s) used in thyroid meds; or (3) MY body's normal is not within the so-called "normal" range. He said we should be able to figure that out with the next round of tests, which I won't have done until I feel symptomatic. He says it's possible my body operates better in the 5-10 or even 10-15 range. (No, I didn't forget any decimals there! LOL)
My endo says that, at this point, he is less concerned about some arbitrary numbers on a page (which can fluctuate wildly over the course of a day) and more concerned about helping me to feel better. He says that current thyroid testing is "the best we have," but it does not measure the amount of hormone in the tissues which would be a far superior indicator. He reassured me that we would figure this out and get me back to something resembling normal (as in feeling human, not necessarily within the lab's so-called "normal range). He said it might take another 3-6 months, but to hang in there and call him anytime I needed him. I have found a true gem. I wish everyone could have an endo this good.
Only you know how you feel.
My reason for suggesting conversion is this. Normally, the T3 hormone ( which should be a reading of Free T3 and not total t3) should be in the high range and the T4 ( again Free T4) should be low. That senerio shows proper conversion from T4 into T3 when the ratios are in that order.
Are they testing you with Free T3 and T4 or total?
I don't know where your Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome would fit in - I know nothing about that.
My reason for suggesting conversion is this. Normally, the T3 hormone ( which should be a reading of Free T3 and not total t3) should be in the high range and the T4 ( again Free T4) should be low. That senerio shows proper conversion from T4 into T3 when the ratios are in that order.
Are they testing you with Free T3 and T4 or total?
I don't know where your Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome would fit in - I know nothing about that.
Thanks for your comments.
Before I started on levo, I WAS hypo, and I know what my symptoms were. They have all gone away, and had gone away when I was on 25mcg. I also have no symptoms of adrenal fatigue, and I don't think conversion is an issue, since both T3 and T4 are relatively low.
I feel that something, somewhere in my body has a vested interest in keeping my T3 and T4 low. My guess is the arrhythmia. I have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a congenital heart defect that causes me to have tachycardia. Levo exacerbates the condition.
In retrospect, I could believe that my thyroid was probably always performing on the low normal side (I'll never know). I feel like my body just doesn't deal with thyroid hormones all that well.
I know this may sound whacked, but I really feel my T3 and T4 SHOULD remain low. I'm not really interested in getting higher up in the normal range...that scares me to death becuase I know it means more tachy and more meds to counter that.
I've just had an increase (a baby one...75 mcg to 81.5mcg) and I can already see the tachy increasing. I know if I call my endo, his solution will be to increase the beta-blocker. That's not going to happen. I feel the effects of that, too. I'm just hoping for some support for when he looks at me like I'm nuts when I tell him I'm about done playing the numbers game and I'll call him when and if I become symptomatic again.
Thanks again for your comments.
Before I started on levo, I WAS hypo, and I know what my symptoms were. They have all gone away, and had gone away when I was on 25mcg. I also have no symptoms of adrenal fatigue, and I don't think conversion is an issue, since both T3 and T4 are relatively low.
I feel that something, somewhere in my body has a vested interest in keeping my T3 and T4 low. My guess is the arrhythmia. I have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a congenital heart defect that causes me to have tachycardia. Levo exacerbates the condition.
In retrospect, I could believe that my thyroid was probably always performing on the low normal side (I'll never know). I feel like my body just doesn't deal with thyroid hormones all that well.
I know this may sound whacked, but I really feel my T3 and T4 SHOULD remain low. I'm not really interested in getting higher up in the normal range...that scares me to death becuase I know it means more tachy and more meds to counter that.
I've just had an increase (a baby one...75 mcg to 81.5mcg) and I can already see the tachy increasing. I know if I call my endo, his solution will be to increase the beta-blocker. That's not going to happen. I feel the effects of that, too. I'm just hoping for some support for when he looks at me like I'm nuts when I tell him I'm about done playing the numbers game and I'll call him when and if I become symptomatic again.
Thanks again for your comments.
I just changed meds from 20 years of 175 MCG of Levothyroxin to 50 MCG of Cytomel. My heart had been racing & fluttering but since my recent med change, I haven't noticed my heart racing & fluttering.
This med may not be what you need but I firmly believe in checking things out with the doctor if questionable. Cytomel is a lot more expensive is the only problem!!!
Good luck.
This med may not be what you need but I firmly believe in checking things out with the doctor if questionable. Cytomel is a lot more expensive is the only problem!!!
Good luck.
Well your making alot of sense but a TSH can not be looked at as the sole situation.
There is a conversion of hormones - T4 into T3 that make a person feel balanced and not symptomatic to hypothyroidism in either autoimmune or not.
Now you need to find the many possibilitites with your doctor why you are not having success.
Most of the conversion lies in the liver - so you need to test liver functions - prolactin and possible FSH-LS labs to see if you are having issues there This would be a priority. Then check on RT3 and TRH levels.
Another thing are the Hashi antibdies that could be reacting and your body is not dealing well with that either. Some people find selenium in aiding conversion with really is can be used to put the hashi antibodies "at peace" to slow the attacks.
You also may have "dragged out adrenals" causing some distress in you too.
There are so many things that invade our bodies to being balanced. The trick is to find it and resolve those issues.
Most likely a hyper state ( and trust me - this is a guess ) but if you are in the TSH levels of 19 or so with low free T3 - that could be confusing the situation for you and you could be lead to believe you are over medicated.
Many symptoms "mock" hyper AND hypo together to cause a patient to wonder "Which way am I feeling?"
Reading through your post I truly feel this should be looked at as a conversion issue - mostly not enough Free t3 relieving you of sympotms and that should be figured out on why increases with meds are not raising those numbers.
There is a conversion of hormones - T4 into T3 that make a person feel balanced and not symptomatic to hypothyroidism in either autoimmune or not.
Now you need to find the many possibilitites with your doctor why you are not having success.
Most of the conversion lies in the liver - so you need to test liver functions - prolactin and possible FSH-LS labs to see if you are having issues there This would be a priority. Then check on RT3 and TRH levels.
Another thing are the Hashi antibdies that could be reacting and your body is not dealing well with that either. Some people find selenium in aiding conversion with really is can be used to put the hashi antibodies "at peace" to slow the attacks.
You also may have "dragged out adrenals" causing some distress in you too.
There are so many things that invade our bodies to being balanced. The trick is to find it and resolve those issues.
Most likely a hyper state ( and trust me - this is a guess ) but if you are in the TSH levels of 19 or so with low free T3 - that could be confusing the situation for you and you could be lead to believe you are over medicated.
Many symptoms "mock" hyper AND hypo together to cause a patient to wonder "Which way am I feeling?"
Reading through your post I truly feel this should be looked at as a conversion issue - mostly not enough Free t3 relieving you of sympotms and that should be figured out on why increases with meds are not raising those numbers.
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