No Synthroid

jamiesadler

I am due for my second whole body scan to verify I am cancer free. Usually I have a thyrogen shot to duplicate high TSH levels. However with my new insurance its over 800 dollars for that shot this time. Needless to say I will not be going that route. I have to come completely off my synthroid (137) until my TSH is at a 40. has anyone gone through this? What type of side effects am I looking at???

NancyNiles

Hope you find someone who's been through the same thing. In the meantime I can tell you that my TSH was extremely high for the 2 weeks between when my thyroid was removed and when the pathology reports came back that I was clear to start taking the levothyroxine. The only thing I really, really noticed about that period was that the simple act of digestion would wipe me out. I would try to eat a little lunch and 10 minutes later I was nodding off. Other side effects are basically the same as hypothyroid, but maybe a little more pronounced because you'd be going from low-thyroid function to no thyroid function.

You had yours removed, too, right? Do you remember what it was like when you came out of the hospital before you started the synthroid? Should be very similar experience.

jamiesadler

I had it removed but went right on synthroid about 3 weeks later so the only side effect I had was fatigue.

I apologized to my boss for a just in case I am a witch during this next 6 weeks.

tecallahan

I've had my TSH at 43 many years ago -- recently in January, 2012 I had a thyroid storm and my TSH went to 20.7 -- The 43 I only vaguely remember -- I was in such a brain fog that my husband had to drive me to the doctor. I slept most of the day. I was very depressed and they gave me anti-depressants. You can walk and eat and sleep, etc... but I was too foggy to drive or go to work.

jamiesadler

That is what I am afraid of that and gaining weight of course. He wrote me a script fro cytomel for 3 weeks then nothing until my level hits 40. I cut my calories and will try to be very careful with lean proteins and veggies for awhile I guess.

tecallahan

That is what I am afraid of that and gaining weight of course. He wrote me a script fro cytomel for 3 weeks then nothing until my level hits 40. I cut my calories and will try to be very careful with lean proteins and veggies for awhile I guess.

I guess I don't understand that -- if you have Cytomel (T3) in your system, then you don't need T4 -- and your TSH won't go up and ask for more T4 'cause you don't need it. I don't think your TSH will go up as long as you are taking Cytomel.