blood results after going back on T4 only treatment. And how I feel.

[Hashi_since_age9-1988]

I have been on T3/T4 combination treatment for the last 10 years and the last year with the guidance of my doctor have been trying out different treatment combinations. The latest being to stop T3 completely and go back on T4 only. Just got my blood test results and my TSH is low at 0.07 with a T4 of 19 and T3 1.6 (not sure whether this is free or total T3).

Have to say I have not been feeling too bad since stopping the T3 (and having a low TSH). only thing I had noticed was perhaps a slight increase in repetitive type behaviours eg overly checking things/being a bit more pernickety and have been more inclined to spend money which in some ways has been good as have made more progress sorting out my new flat - less procrastination more action. Have also been more productive and proactive at work. So I can see why some people prefer having a low TSH. I wonder whether having a low TSH last year was what made me eventually actually get round to looking for and buying a flat. I find it fascinating how it can affect us psycholigically/behaviourally.

Surprisingly given my TSH is so low I put on a few pounds in weight so I decided to cut back on what I ate but I have been unable to lose any weight despite eating much less at times. I would say my appetite is less as normally I get ravenous if I don't each much for breakfast or have my lunch late and some days lately I found I didn't even feel like eating lunch.

Compared to having a similar TSH last year when on 20ug T3 plus T4 I would say I felt worse on the 20ug T3/T4 combo.

I have an appointment with the endo on Fri where I imagine my dose will be cut. Wonder how that will make me feel.

[greygoose]

Can I ask why you have cut out the T3?

The TSH has nothing to do with your weight. It is your T3 level that affects your weight, so if you've been putting weight on, it's probably low. If this is the case, then cutting down on your food intake might be countre-productive because you won't have enough calories to assist convertion of the T4 to T3 - especially as you now have to get all your T3 from convertion.

Do you have any ranges for the T4 and T3.

Hugs, Grey

[Hashi_since_age9-1988 in reply to greygoose]

I cut out the T3 because when I got my medical notes I saw that when I was on T4 only treatment (first 13 years) I never had a normal/optimum TSH so I wanted to give T4 another go and see whether any old symptoms came back. I want to try all combinations and see for myself whether I feel different on T4 only vs T4/T3. The last 10 years on T3/T4 I have less health problems than the previous 13 years on T4 though but I wanted to check it wasn't due to an optimum TSH rather than the extra T3.

[Glynisrose]

Sounds to me like you should be taking some sort of T3 as you might need it !! Don't be fooled by the doctor who will (like the majority of them) will try to convince you that T4 only is best, it isn't for the majority of people especially when they have been hypo for some years.

[Hashi_since_age9-1988 in reply to Glynisrose]

It was my choice to stop the T3 and I only feel brave enough to do it because I think I have a Dr that will let me go back on the T3 if I want to. Before I have refused to com off it because I was scared that they wouldn't let me go back on it if I wanted to.

[130396 in reply to Hashi_since_age9-1988]

Hi

I am replying to an old post of yours to ask if you stayed t4 only after being on combo?

[lynx]

Wow - well done on getting your t4 so high.

[Glynisrose]

Blood tests are not the be all and end all, they do not show what is happening at cellular level where it counts.

[Heloise]

stopthethyroidmadness.com/t...

Food for thought.

[Hashi_since_age9-1988 in reply to Heloise]

yep I have the book.