doctors advice, please help, I am so confused just now and not feeling at all well.

[susie59]

my blue horizon blood test came back with notes saying I was now hyperthyroid,

results were, TSH - 0.010 (0.270 - 4.200)

T4 - 12.30 (12 - 22)

T3 - 8.9 (3.1 - 6.8)

I reduced my Levo to 25mcg three days ago, (it was 75mcg at time of test) and I take 25mcg T3 each day.

but my doctor told me my T4 was too low and to increase it, but surely that would make my T3 even higher? and make me even more Hyper,

any advice or help please, would be grateful.

[Hennerton]

Perhaps decrease your T3 since that is over range. T4 is always low when combined with T3. Your doctor should know this. Nevertheless your T4 reduction seems a bit drastic. Why did you reduce so much?

[susie59 in reply to Hennerton]

well, I was advised to on this site, do you think it was too much?

[Hennerton in reply to susie59]

Possibly, yes, as you will have reduced your daily meds to an equivalent of 125 from 175, which is a big drop all at once for your body. Could you try 50 T4 and keep the T3 the same? Are you taking your temperature, which is such a useful guide when you feel over medicated. The symptoms of under and over are similar and can be confused but if your temp is below 37, you will not be over medicated. If it is lower than 36.5 you are probably needing more medication. For myself I always felt headachey when on too high a dose but we are all so different. Others have headaches when too low. Hot flushes can be too little or too much. Taking your temp will help you decide.

[susie59 in reply to Hennerton]

thank you so much, I had forgotten about the temperature thing, I think I will do as you said.

it is difficult when the under symptoms are almost the same as the over.

thanks again.

[susie59 in reply to Hennerton]

temperature is 36.9, should be ok?

[Hennerton in reply to susie59]

Yes, should be, as long as that is normal for you. My temp is always very low, so 36.9 for me is on the edge of being high. I know I may soon be over medicated but if 37 is your normal, then 36.9 is good. Does that make sense?

[susie59 in reply to Hennerton]

yes it does thanks, my normal temp is usually 36.5 so it is up a bit for me, but I don't think I am very hyper? I will do as you advise as I think the drop was too big.

you have been so helpful, could you tell me how the T3 compares to T4 in strength please?

[Hennerton in reply to susie59]

There are different views but I use 4 times T3 equals T4.

[susie59 in reply to Hennerton]

thanks, been very helpful.

[sazzyb]

Hi susie, what symptoms do you have?

[susie59 in reply to sazzyb]

Hi, one minute I am cold then next hot flushes, also headachey. its all very confusing.

[susie59 in reply to susie59]

perhaps I reduced my Levo too much?

[Clutter]

Susie,

I use the ratio that T3 is 3 x T4 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/204...

I agree with Hennerton that it would be better to drop T4 to 50mcg and FT4 is low because you're taking T3. If you feel hyper can you quarter your 25mcg T3 tab and see if you feel better taking 3/4 tablet?

[susie59 in reply to Clutter]

thanks Clutter, I took 50 mcg this morning, I read the link you sent me, fascinating, is the first "proper" sort of comparison I have seen, I am going to try 50mcg Levo and 25mcg T3 daily for about 8 weeks and then get another test done. that would give me a total of 125mcg, which was the Levo dose I was on before I added T3,

thanks for all your help.