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tirosint
10/15/13 labs after being switched to .75 Tirosint from Synthroid due to possible allergy. I was also on 15mcg Cytomel a day. TSH.61 (.4-4.5) T4Free3.1 (1.4-3.8) T3Free3.2 (2.3-4.2).
The dr. wanted me off Cytomel due to my age (46). 1/13/14 labs on only .75 Tirosint TSH1.04 (.4-4.5) T4Free 2.4 (1.4-3.8) T3Free 2.2 (2.3-4.2).
By 4/16/14, while still on .75 Tirosint, my TSH jumped to 3.59 (.4-4.5), T4Free2.8 (1.4-3.8) T3Free2.7 (2.3-4.2). My doctor increased my Tirosint to .88 as my TSH was increasing.
On 6/12/14, while on .88 Tirosint, my TSH increased to 4.18 (.4-4.5) T4Free2.9 (1.4-3.8) T3Free2.6 (2.3-4.2).
My doctor said my TSH is fine because my T4Free looks good, but I feel tired, my voice is weak, I have a numb feeling in my face, as well as being cold one minute and overheated the next, with a slight burning sensation on my skin. I had a thyroidectomy about 5 years ago. What could cause my TSH to continue to increase even though I am taking more and more Tirosint? Is this normal?
The dr. wanted me off Cytomel due to my age (46). 1/13/14 labs on only .75 Tirosint TSH1.04 (.4-4.5) T4Free 2.4 (1.4-3.8) T3Free 2.2 (2.3-4.2).
By 4/16/14, while still on .75 Tirosint, my TSH jumped to 3.59 (.4-4.5), T4Free2.8 (1.4-3.8) T3Free2.7 (2.3-4.2). My doctor increased my Tirosint to .88 as my TSH was increasing.
On 6/12/14, while on .88 Tirosint, my TSH increased to 4.18 (.4-4.5) T4Free2.9 (1.4-3.8) T3Free2.6 (2.3-4.2).
My doctor said my TSH is fine because my T4Free looks good, but I feel tired, my voice is weak, I have a numb feeling in my face, as well as being cold one minute and overheated the next, with a slight burning sensation on my skin. I had a thyroidectomy about 5 years ago. What could cause my TSH to continue to increase even though I am taking more and more Tirosint? Is this normal?
COMMUNITY LEADER
I'm on 88 mcg Tirosint; have been since late 2009, after starting at 100 mcg and having to drop back to 88. I, currently, need an increase, but due to the price of Tirosint, which has been steadily increasing since Aug of last year, I will be switching to either generic Levo or Levoxyl when I see my endo in Aug.
In addition to my 88 mcg Tirosint, I'm on 10 mcg/day generic T3, taken in 2 doses.
I had a hysterectomy over 20 yrs ago (long before thyroid issues), so I no longer have menstrual cycles. Hypothyroidism does cause issues with menstrual cycles, though and may have been an issue with mine, way back then, though mine were never intermittent... they were constant; and I do mean constant, as in "never ending"!!
When you take cytomel on your own, how much do you take, at one time?
In addition to my 88 mcg Tirosint, I'm on 10 mcg/day generic T3, taken in 2 doses.
I had a hysterectomy over 20 yrs ago (long before thyroid issues), so I no longer have menstrual cycles. Hypothyroidism does cause issues with menstrual cycles, though and may have been an issue with mine, way back then, though mine were never intermittent... they were constant; and I do mean constant, as in "never ending"!!
When you take cytomel on your own, how much do you take, at one time?
Do you mind me asking how much Tirosint you are taking? I am currently on 88 and with those latest results and they are going to increase me to 112? As my TSH numbers seem to be increasing with each Tirosint increase, I am not certain that increasing the dose is going to help. My cycles are also intermittent.Also, have you found that changes in female hormones effect your levels/symptoms. I am now two months without a cycle, prior to that I had a cycle, two weeks, cycle, two weeks, cycle. Believe it or not, I have been going through this balancing act for about five years after a battle with Graves/Hoshimotos that I couldn't win...had to have my thyroid removed. I have been to numerous doctors and at one point was on 75 synthroid and 30 cytomel, but was so sick. That is when they switched me to Tirosint and reduced my cytomel. On my own I have taken small amounts of cytomel if I am having a day when I am so fatigued I am practically falling asleep and I get a rocking headache after taking it. Right now I have eye twitching, facial numbness, skin burning sensation, fatigue and am starting to gain my weight back that I lost after getting off synthroid and reducing cytomel. Any thoughts?
COMMUNITY LEADER
That's not true. Some doctors believe that suppressed TSH causes osteoporosis, but that's not true either.
Your body naturally produces T3; why would adding cytomel, which is just like what your body produces, be any more harmful? You only have to worry if levels are allowed to get too high. Since FT3 correlates with symptoms, your body has to have adequate amounts in order to relieve symptoms of being hypo. You don't have nearly enough and apparently, you don't convert from FT4 to FT3 adequately, so you're going to have add a source of T3, such as cytomel.
Your body naturally produces T3; why would adding cytomel, which is just like what your body produces, be any more harmful? You only have to worry if levels are allowed to get too high. Since FT3 correlates with symptoms, your body has to have adequate amounts in order to relieve symptoms of being hypo. You don't have nearly enough and apparently, you don't convert from FT4 to FT3 adequately, so you're going to have add a source of T3, such as cytomel.
I was told that there is a correlation regarding cytomel and peri-menopause/menopause and heart issues as well as calcium issues?
COMMUNITY LEADER
What does being 46 have to do with being on cytomel or not? I'm 65 and I'm on it... Sounds to me like you need a different doctor.
Even on the cytomel, your FT3 was only at 47% of its range; rule of thumb is upper half to upper third of its range. At 2.2, FT3 was below range; at 2.7 it was only at 21% of range and at 2.6 it's only at 16% of range. FT3 correlates with symptoms while FT4 and TSH do not.
Even on the cytomel, your FT3 was only at 47% of its range; rule of thumb is upper half to upper third of its range. At 2.2, FT3 was below range; at 2.7 it was only at 21% of range and at 2.6 it's only at 16% of range. FT3 correlates with symptoms while FT4 and TSH do not.
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