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jessmastrilli
Posts: 203 Member
So I was diagnosed with Hypothyrodism in March 2013. I've been taking Levothyroxine and my docs have monitored my TSH since then. I am currently on 50mg. However, the past couple of weeks, I've been getting super exhausted and fatigued. I wake up so tired and my muscles and body are all cramped up again. I feel like I did when I first got diagnosed. I told my doc about this and he decided to test for T3 and T4 which I heard are vital in getting proper care. I am just waiting for my results right now. I'm wondering how many of you guys had a good number for TSH but had wonky T3 and/or T4 numbers? And if so, what happened? Did the doc change your meds?
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My T3's always been way off, while the other two are fine. It took 20 months of ever-increasing doses of Synthroid (up to 88mcg) before my endocrinologist would prescribe Cytomel.
Every patient's different, and so's every doctor. Some refuse to treat based on symptoms. Some are anti-Cytomel &/or anti-Armour. You have to work with your doctor or find a new one.0 -
I've experienced something like that ( extreme fatigue, pains and aches ) a month ago. Unfortunately, my doctor(s) treat based on blood test levels. Mine are within norm, so nothing gets done - unless my TSH goes over 3.5. My FT3 is always low, FT4 somewhere in the middle of the reference values.0
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If you are not seeing an endocronologist then you might consider doing so.
I gave my GP my Endo. files as he had passed away. Our town did not have another Endo. to see. Short version is that my GP played with my dosage so much I was either over medicated or under. As soon as a new Endo. established an office in town I went. I am sure there are good GPs out there, but my experience is this is better treated with a specialist.
It didn't take long in feeling better after seeing new Endo..
I still saw my GP for checkups and such. I just felt like an experiment for GP instead of a patient when it came to my thyroid.
Getting lab results and treating from those perimeters in a generic manner is about all a GP can do. An Endo. is going to look at other symptoms.0 -
Free T3 and Free T4 are absolutely the most important things to check at this point for you...
I'll give you an example of how much TSH can vary. These are results from my bloodwork over the past year. (Note: I have Graves Disease and am on methimazole, a thyroid suppressor)
T3 Range 2.0-4.4 -- T4 Range: 0.82-1.77 -- TSH Range: 0.450-4.500
Sometimes my endo doesn't check T3 since we know my thyroid is functioning properly
Mar 2013 -- T3: 6.4 -- T4: 1.96 -- TSH: 0.018 (hyper)
May 2013 -- T3: 3.0 -- T4: 1.06 -- TSH: 1.720 (normal)
Jul 2013 -- T3: N/T -- T4: 1.15 -- TSH: 0.301 (normal)
Sep 2013 -- T3: N/T -- T4: 1.08 -- TSH: 2.250 (normal)
Nov 2013 -- T3: 2.9 -- T4: 1.07 -- TSH: 2.490 (normal)
Mar 2014 -- T3: N/T -- T4: 1.06 -- TSH: 3.500 (normal)
See how my T4 has been relatively steady? That's because I'm receiving proper treatment and medication dosages.
After that March bloodwork, we cut back my meds because I was feeling hypo, but we did not base that on my TSH. Hopefully this shows people how important it is to check T3 and T4 and not just your TSH. Your medication dosage should almost never be based on your TSH. Imagine what that would have done to me...0 -
Thank you for sharing your history of labs! I should get my results next week, as I had some complications at the lab yesterday. Grr. I'm writing this now, completing exhaust. It's 3:41 pm and this is the worst part of the day for me. I always feel like i got ran over by a bus. I can barely move. My joints are stiff, my muscles are weak (And i'm 24 and train for half marathons!) I don't see how the doctor can think this is normal. It's really irritating when the docs think I'm a hypochondriac. Anyway, thanks for the info and listening to me rant!
Feel free to add me as a friend too! 0 -
I had bad experience with an endo and then found a great doctor who put me on Armour instead of Synthroid. I could not handle the synthetic version. I read the fillers sometimes cause the problem. Anyway if you are not feeling better ask for the natural medicine. I know some doctors will not prescribe it, but keep asking, you are paying the price.0
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Make sure you ask for Synthroid - not GENERIC, if you take Levothyroxine. My levels have been relatively stable since switching to name brand meds. I've been through generic, name brand, and armour. Whats the medication that starts with a C? I can't find it now lol Definitely agree with finding an endo, I haven't done this yet because it will cost so much more and I have to pay out of pocket.0
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Cytomel (liothyronine sodium). It's T3, and Synthroid is T4.What's the medication that starts with a C?
Your body can convert T4 to T3, so some doctors refuse to prescribe Cytomel—even if your T4 & TSH are fine, but your T3 is really low. (It took me 20 months to convince my endo to slightly lower my Synthroid dosage & add Cytomel.)0 -
My endo started me on Cytomel along with the synthroid. She does not like levo as it is not always the correct dose of meds and she prefers the brand name. I take cytomel in a.m. with synthroid and another dose at 1 ish. This gives me energy to keep going. I must admit that I also drink coffee in A.M. and at noonish. Remember that you need to replace for T3 and T4.
Internists can not deal with thyroids, even if they say they are able to do so....Been there, done that an number of times.0
