Here's my first test results since moving from 150mcg of Levo to 2.25 grains of Thiroyd over the last 3 months. I take the Thiroyd twice a day 1.25 grains around 7:30 and then 1 grain around 16:00. The blood for this test was taken at 07:00 before any meds were taken.
I do feel a bit better on NDT, but still suffer with brain fog/concentration and tiring easily.
I'd be grateful for some advise/analysis of my results.
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TeaEarlGreyHot
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Given the short half-life of T3, it's often recommended to assume your FT3 levels were 20% higher on the previous day.
This would put your FT3 levels at around 6.5 if I'm not mistaken, which is actually good as close to the upper normal limit.
However, your FT4 levels are below range. Some say FT4 levels don't matter when on NDT but, if you still have symptoms of low metabolism on NDT, it's possible you need your FT4 levels to be a little higher.
Given these lab results, I think you could raise your current dose to 2.5 grains, hold it there for 4-6 weeks (unless you develop symptoms of hyperthyroidism) and see if that is what it takes to get your FT4 levels up a little.
I think I will give the 2.5 grains a try as you suggest and see how I feel.
To be honest, I would prefer to be slightly under rather than over medicated - I used to get panic attacks and I really don't like the feeling of a pounding or fluttery heartbeat, and I've read that too much T3 can give you palpitations, so that's a scenario that I'm keen to avoid.
Metabolism wise, I think I'm almost there. Without getting too gross, since moving to NDT I have at least daily movements, and I wonder if the lack of energy is more a symptom of a sedentary lifestyle. Having had Hashi's for 14 years, it's hard to guess how "normal" should feel.
OK, it's also possible that you could only need a little T4 to your current dose of NDT, instead of raising the Thiroyd...it all depends on how you react to the extra T3 in that 1/4 grain...true, a 1/4 grain does not contain a lot of T3, but it can sometimes be enough to make you react...I know what you mean about being overmedicated; not a pleasant feeling...!
Having FT4 levels slightly below range is not dangerous in any way as long as your FT3 levels are in range and you feel fine.
That's interesting. I do have a lot of 50mcg Levo in the medicine cupboard still, so I could supplement with half of one of them.
I think I will try the 2.5 grains initially and see how I feel.
Yes the couple of times I've been over were horrible, felt really edgey and on the verge of flight or fight. I don't know what the physiological connection is, but it was like there was this vast pool of adrenaline just about to kick in!
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