What are the actual results of your T3 and T4 and are they Free T3 and Free T4 or are they Total T3 and Total T4? They aren't the same tests and don't give the same information... Please provide reference ranges with any lab results. Is it safe to assume that the "13" is your TSH value?
It's not unusual for symptoms to worsen or for new symptoms to appear when changing medications or dosages.
I have hypothyrodism it was 27 but it is now down to about 4. Synthroid 125.mcg. I havent been feeling well so I asked to have some blood tests ran,she ran a reverse t3?? and it came back at 588. She said she is going to take me off Synthroid and start me on some compound??? confused what type of questions should I be asking? I am 33 years old, I believe this all started after my son was born 2 yrs ago...
TSH - 1.468, T4 - 10.2, T3 - 166
April tests showed TSH - 1.090, T4 - 12.3, T3 - 164.
May tests showed TSH - .358, T4 - 10.8, T3 - 154
July TSH - .147, T4 - 11.9, T3 - 124
I have become increasingly exhausted, forgetfut and have been gaining weight. Also, as of yesterday, I have suffered 2 consecutive miscarriages without any family hx of miscarriage and no personal hx.
Yes, I am aware of the conversion of T4 to T3. I too am on Synthroid and FINALLY convinced my GP that I needed direct T3 replacement; with it came noticeable positive changes (a true believer in optimal thyroid function). Unfortunately the doctors seem stuck on using TSH values as their guide when it comes to measuring success in treatment of her problem. In this lab test her TSH ranges for the lab are .64-6.27 ulU/ml and her Free Thyroxine was .36 with lab ranges .65-152 ng/dl.
Then backing with blood work and listening to the patient the doctor could prescribe adding a T3 Cytomel to your Synthroid to see if you feel better. But usually not stop Synthroid entirely.
I found my doctor frowned on Cytomel for some reason when I was still on Synthroid so he made the decision along with my inquiry to try a T4/T3 combo medication Armour.
That has definately made a huge difference for me in relieving my symptoms of hypothyroidsim. HUGE!!
health issues that she had for years on Synthroid alone. Her freee t3 was very low while on Synthroid yet her t4 was very high when she began having the heart issue. Now we keep her t3 much higher in normal range and her t4 at mid range and she feels much better in every way! She obviosly could not convert enough of the synthetic t4 storage hormone (Synthroid) into enough of the active hormone t3 on her own for whatever reason.
088MCG synthroid. I feel very emotional and depressed in the last few weeks. How long before I feel better?? I did not feel like this the first few weeks after surgery.
Would decreasing the synthroid and increasing my cytomel be an option? Also I had a reverse T3 done. My last was very elevated. My naturopath believes in the theory of the reverese T3 binding the receptor sites so that the T3 cannot, hence continued hypo symptoms with what appears to be adequate T3. Honestly I don't know what to think anymore, I only know I don't feel well. Have you read much on the Reverse T3 theory. I would appreciate your input. Thank you.
OR should I skip my synthroid for a few days and just keep my T3 where it is right now (25mcg)? What would reduce the hyper symptoms quicker? I take total responsibility for putting myself in this predicament, but I was sick for over 11 months last year and was so grateful to finally feel better for once! I've learned my lesson now.
If your freet4 is good (right side of the bell), but your freet3 is low (left side of the bell) then conversion of the t4 med. (Synthroid) is your issue! If this is your case, then adding t3 in some form (dessicated, compounded or synthetic) will be needed. Good luck and be persistent! If your doctor won't take a closer look,(many won't) then find a new doctor who will. Only 100% of your health is okay! Accept nothing less!
Patients with symptoms such as yours (feeling worse with higher doses of Synthroid) often have a "REVERSE T3 SYNDROME" where the Synthroid gets converted into "Reverse T3" that is biologically inactive (it has no effect in your body. In addithion the higher dosesof Synthroid suppresses your own thyroid's ability to make ACTIVE T3 by lowering your TSH.
There is no proven formula for estimating the optimal dosage of Thyroid meds. Each patient may need slightly different levels of Free T3 and Free T4, but the general rule is to get Free T4 to around the middle of its range and Free T3 in the upper part of its range, as needed to relieve symptoms. In addition, each hypo patient may convert T4 med at different rates, dependent on several other factors.
My wife has been diagnosed as having hypothyroid problems and has been prescribed Synthroid. She has been on synthroid for 2 years now with no improvement in her condition. Her tests always come up normal. As Synthroid is the only meds given her for this problem, can her tests always come up normal ?
Her latest test showed Thyroxine (T4) 7.3
T3 Uptake 34.8
TSH 3rd Gen 3.
When you go in for more tests, please make sure they test for Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4), along with TSH they always want to test for. If the doctor resists, then you should insist on it and don't take no for an answer. Since there are reports that the best measure of tissue thyroid levels is the ratio of Free T3 to Reverse T3, I would also suggest that you test for Reverse T3, to establish a baseline.
This can be either an addition of Cytomel, or you could substitute NDT thyroid (T4/T3 combo) for the Synthroid. Your next dosage needs to be discussed and agreed on with your doctor.
For that discussion, you might like to have this bit of info in your pocket. This quote is from a letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he consults with from a distance. The letter is sent to the patient's PCP to help guide treatment.
The reason a lot of doctors don't like to use Armour is that it contains T4:T3 in a ratio of approximately 4-5:1. The normal human thyroid produces T4:T3 in a ratio of about 20:1. So, Armour has a lot of T3 in it compared to what your thyroid would produce if it were healthy. All kinds of combos work for different people, but I would guess that adding T3 to Armour would be a real double whamy of T3. You'd have to watch your free T3 really carefully to avoid toxicosis.
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