New dosage, feeling in a funk. Could it be that.

So as of June 06, 2016I started a new dosage of Synthroid. I was at 200mg when my new endo decided to bump it down to 150 , he said I was taking too much and sent me off for labs. When I went back to see him for my results he said we were lowering it down to 112mg to start fresh and work our way up and see where I need to be. He doesn't want me to do labs for 3 months as he feels he'll have a better reading. But lately I've been in a funk, feeling down. Is it too soon to get a reaction to the new dosage,I would think I'd start to atleast feel better 2 weeks into it. or could I wait it out til atleast exactly one month and push him to do my labs. I've been constipation as well, and having extreme fatigue. Would doing my labs in a month rather then waiting til October show him some kind of reading where maybe we can bump it up a bit. I'd like to call him tomorrow to set up my labs. He only does TSH and goes by that. I KNOW he should be doing a full panel but he's set in his ways and I believe my last dr only did the same as well. What should I push him to test for ? Any advice would help.

[puncturedbicycle]

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. Do you have the results of your last tests? It might be revealing to see what your levels were when the endo reduced your meds. Ideally you need to know your t3 to know if you're being overmedicated, so that's the test I'd push to have (or have done privately). Also it's good to know your levels of b12, d, iron, ferritin and folate, if he will do those.

Did you feel well on 200? If so, it seems likely that if you're now on 112 that will be why you're feeling rubbish. And yes, it seems like three months is a long time to wait as your levels should stabilise in 6-8 weeks. But if he's planning to possibly raise your dose later maybe he can be persuaded to change it now if you're feeling unwell on the lower dose.

Not sure why he didn't have you do 150/125 alternating unless you were really very overmedicated. All this up and down can make you feel pretty awful.

[Hidden in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Your right that does make sense, to have started me maybe 125. I don't have my last results but I'm hoping to make it over tomorrow to pick up at his office and post. I know it would help out alot. I'm actually going to check my mail here in a bit as my gp did all my other labs for Vitamin D etc... I'll post if they came in. And I really am thinkingredients of pushing it at the 6week mark. I can't wait that long.

[Hidden in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Oh sorry, actually at 200 I felt extreme anxiety a little hyper I guess. Felt like crap at that dosage too. I don't ever really think my last endo switched my dosage after I had my daughter, I think she just never paid attention. She is the most over booked dr I know, never gave me more then 2 mins with her in a room. I was just a patient to her, came in picked up my file, looked at it for a second looked me over then sent me off my way for labs. That bad.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

If we want to recover as much as we possibly can we have to read and learn ourselves and the Endo who only takes account of the TSH is not one I would consult.

The TSH doesn't inform us how much T4 or T3 we have in our system, neither do they test the Free T4 or Free T3.

Read about FT3 in particular in the link below:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

There was a publication called 'The Tyranny of the TSH' which suggested that we were still unwell as doctors only took notice of the TSH and if it was somewhere 'in range' that's it. Our dose would be kept at that but it didn't relieve our clinical symptoms. Another doctor said our doses were far too low and he was not an Endocrinologist but was seeing patients still complaining of clinical symptoms on levothyroxine or being undiagnosed due to the TSH.

Ideally, if on thyroid hormones and doctors only relying upon the TSH which should be around 1 or lower or suppressed.

When you have a test for thyroid hormones it should be the very earliest possible and fast (you can drink water) and also leave approx 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards. This procedure helps to keep the TSH raised as that's all they pay attention too, and ignore remaining clinical symptoms.

Adjusting doses according to the TSH only makes the patient worse, in most cases, unless seriously overdosed.

I don't think they even know that we might develop other more serious illnessess if undermedicated.

A little light-heartedness:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Thank you for that link, i just read over it and it all makes sense to me. I don't get why my dr would just only test for TSH kinda makes me think he just doesn't know what he's doing or in his mind assumes that anything else tested is irrelevant. Im going to call today in hopes that he'll order a full panel, but I won't hold my breath on that.

DO I request the T4 & T3 testing along with TSH? I've even went so far as calling another very top endo for a second opinion, and it'll be a road trip to see him but I'll drive the distance to get the proper care, if that's what it takes. Thank you for your reply.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hidden]

A full Thyroid Function Test is TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 and antibodies. Antibodies mean the person has an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called hashimoto's which means the antibodies attack the thyroid gland until the person become hypothyroid. If the person has antibodies it doesn't matter what their TSH is, they should have levothyroxine.

Re testing TSH only, I am afraid that's what the guidelines state. TSH only is sufficient when it isn't. Most doctors think that if the TSH is somewhere in the range we're on sufficient replacement hormones - we need a TSH of around 1 or lower.

I hope your other Endo is good as many people have paid money in the hope that it would put them on the right road but they were very disappointed. If you are in the UK, email [e-mail] who has a list of recommended ones.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Sorry I'm not in the UK, I'm coming from all the way in TEXAS.. As far as testing for antibodies,would it be necessary since I do not have a thyroid gland, I was born without one.

[mistydog]

Change your doctor. This one will keep you sick. And see if you can learn more about your condition, because someone born with no thyroid is pretty sure to need more than 125mcg.