Aa
question about what tests to request
I have stopped taking Synthroid for over a month due to economic hardship and had to switch to a doctor that bills based on income. I am going back for discussion about the tests which showed me as hypo at that time, even though I feel better without the synthroid. When I say 'better' I only mean that synthroid made me feel weird even though it gave me a lot of 'go' I still had hypo values on the synthroid and I don't think it is an 'answer' if I was experiencing symptoms from the drug and was still hypo with that drug. The type of symptoms that I didn't like while taking synthroid included, tinnitus, hyperalert feeling, overly sensitive hearing (hyperacusis), and hyperarousal (state or condition of muscular and emotional tension produced by hormones released during the fight-or-flight reaction.) I am going to ask the doctor to perform other tests, not just a thyroid panel. What other hormone tests can I request, that could be causing these hypo values in my blood? For example, I've learned from this forum that I could request an antibody test to see if its really me (my body) creating these values. Would you suggest this, what other tests would you suggest for someone who is looking for answers to unspecified thyroid?
Hi, those symptoms you mentioned in the post could also be from being hyper. It would mean that perhaps your medication was too much.
To answer your question. You should ask for a TSH, Free T4, Free T3 and a thyroid anti-bodies test. These will all give numbers to which you can work out if the medication was actually too much or too little.
I do understand what you are saying about the doctor not wanting to give you generic. Even here in Australia that can happen, simple reason being that doctors get a percentage of a kick back from the pharmaceutical companies. So, if they prescribe, just for example, 2,000 a year of Synthroid they might get a $100 cheque. (It actually adds up to a lot of extras for the doctors over a year with many different prescriptions!)
You could also ask for some adrenal gland tests, cortisol, ACTH. Make sure they are blood AND urine tests, AM and PM, not just one or the other.
I can understand your frustration. It is quite possible that your condition is an auto-immune thyroid one and that the short time you were on Synthroid has regulated your thyroid. It does happen quite commonly. You don't always have to take it for life. (unlike me, sob, who has no thyroid!!!)
Anyway, I hope that is a help to you. Let me know how you get on.
Cheers
To answer your question. You should ask for a TSH, Free T4, Free T3 and a thyroid anti-bodies test. These will all give numbers to which you can work out if the medication was actually too much or too little.
I do understand what you are saying about the doctor not wanting to give you generic. Even here in Australia that can happen, simple reason being that doctors get a percentage of a kick back from the pharmaceutical companies. So, if they prescribe, just for example, 2,000 a year of Synthroid they might get a $100 cheque. (It actually adds up to a lot of extras for the doctors over a year with many different prescriptions!)
You could also ask for some adrenal gland tests, cortisol, ACTH. Make sure they are blood AND urine tests, AM and PM, not just one or the other.
I can understand your frustration. It is quite possible that your condition is an auto-immune thyroid one and that the short time you were on Synthroid has regulated your thyroid. It does happen quite commonly. You don't always have to take it for life. (unlike me, sob, who has no thyroid!!!)
Anyway, I hope that is a help to you. Let me know how you get on.
Cheers
No-one is lecturing you Jennifer...they are just here supporting you, myself included.
The antibody tests shouldve been done from the start to diagnose your condition.
If you havent had it done then ask for it to be done.
As other posters have said....T4 med takes a while to kick into the sytem then there is the 'tweaking' which is required to get the right result that you want (the levels you feel comfortable with).
You dont say what your levels are or what your condition is other than that you say you are Hypo.
Maybe you should post more details.
Either way, I wish you the best.
The antibody tests shouldve been done from the start to diagnose your condition.
If you havent had it done then ask for it to be done.
As other posters have said....T4 med takes a while to kick into the sytem then there is the 'tweaking' which is required to get the right result that you want (the levels you feel comfortable with).
You dont say what your levels are or what your condition is other than that you say you are Hypo.
Maybe you should post more details.
Either way, I wish you the best.
I am not asking for you to lecture me about synthroid. My doctor would not allow any generic medicines. Anyways, my question is about the tests that I should request. Do you think that I should ask for an antibody test, do you think I should check my adrenals, what else should I check? Thanks. Jennifer4343
I had to switch to generic due to hardship. I dont know where you live, but here in Florida Walmart has a 4.00 prescription list and it happens to be on it. Also clinic's etc, might be able to help. So check around and not go cold turkey until you decided what other options are available. Any changes takes weeks and sometimes months to take effect so hang in there!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
