Could Thyroxine meds be causing anxiety?

[Trademole]

Hi

I am a 54 year old male and have posted my bloods from Jan 2015 and Nov 2017.

Jan 2015

TSH (0.3-50) 1.9

T4 (8.8-18.8) 11.8

T3 (3.1-6.0) 3.6

Vit D (>75) 50

Vit B12 (196-771) n.a.

Folate (>2.9) 7.7

Ferritin (30-400) 164

Nov 2017

TSH (0.3-50) 0.6

T4 (8.8-18.8) 18

T3 (3.1-6.0) 3.3

Vit D (>75) 100

Vit B12 (196-771) 686

Folate (>2.9) 8.7

Ferritin (30-400) 189

I have been taking thyroxine for around 2 years and have been on a dose of 150mcg for the past 10+ months. As you can see this has boosted my T4 to the top of the range whilst my T3 has barely budged. As a result my Endo wants to try me on 10mcg of T3 to see if it helps.

However, i am wondering if my T4 is actually too high? I am experiencing severe anxiety, irritability, light-headedness and feelings of anger. Now, i realise these could be attributable to a variety of things (eg im doing a mindfulness course which is stirring things up) but i was also wondering if too much medication could also have these consequences - i dont want to start T3 until i feel more 'balanced".

To date everyone in this forum has been massively helpful to me so i thank you in advance.

Mark

[Angel_of_the_North]

Your free T3 is way too low, which probably causing the problems. It's often the free T3 that affects the way we feel. Good luck with the secular Buddhism course - too much concentration for me ;-).

[Clutter]

Trademole,

You aren't biochemically overmedicated because FT4 and FT3 are within range. High T4 shouldn't really make you feel anything but I felt dreadful with FT4 35 (FT3 still in range). Trouble is if you reduce Levothyroxine dose without adding some T3 your FT3 will drop and it's close to bottom of range already. If you have T3 you could reduce Levothyroxine dose by 25mcg and add 10mcg T3 and see whether there is any improvement.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

my endo advised reducing T4 by 25mcg at same time as starting 10mcg T3 in split dose

I actually did half those doses first few days, T4 dropped 12.5mcgs and T3 at 1/8th of tablet twice daily.

I was surprised to find T3 very calming and made me sleepy. Was expecting the reverse!

After 6 week blood test, T3 increased by 10mcg. T4 stayed same.

More recently I have been able to slowly put T4 back up to where it was before started T3.

[Daffers123]

when my T4 is high in range I experience exactly the symptoms you list. I can't tolerate T3 either. I feel better when my T4 is around 15 not 18.

[Trademole in reply to Daffers123]

Thats interesting, i think i will lower my T4 to 125mcg and start taking 2.5mcg of T3 twice a day and see what happens. My Endo tells me that 150 is correct but im not sure.

Can i ask, how often do you get your levels checked? Its around £80 with Blue Horizon so not something i want to do on a weekly basis and doing it via my private Endo is crazy money.

[Aurealis in reply to Trademole]

Seems a good decision

[Daffers123]

Hi mark

Just looked back at your hi story - seems we both have been spending lots of cash and getting not very far in Harley St. I saw a top endo too and when I asked him if I had hashis (I had raised anti bodies) he just didn't want to discuss it at all!

I have my bloods checked around every 3-4 months (Medichecks is cheaper although I did used to use Blue Horizon too). I have Hashis , so my readings can be a bit up and down. Have you been checked for Hashis ? I have also given up gluten which has really helped.

I have not had success with T3, either NDT, or T3 alone or T3/T4. My body can seem to convert enought.

Have you been checked for the DI03 (I think that's it) which shows whether or not your body can convert enough T3 from T4 ? I think Regenerus do that test.

Hopefully, if you cut down the T4 (and I wouldnt add the T3 in for a few days) you will start to feel better and the anger/anxiety will ease off. I still get the anger/anxiety sometimes and I just lower my dose for a day or two. You will soon know when you are feeling better. I do.

I did see dear old Dr P down in Surrey a few years ago and when he tried me on NDT, he recommended lowering the T4 for a week, before adding in T3. And do look out for any signs of anger/anxiety/insomnia when you start T3 as you may well need further adjustment.

Good luck

[Trademole in reply to Daffers123]

Thanks for the feedback. My anti bodies have always been really low so i think the only thing i can say with any certainty is that Hashi's is not an issue.

I haven't had the D102 test though. I cannot understand why these very expensive Endos dont seem to be as aware as people in this group! If the DI02 gene is so important why is a test not done as a matter of course the first time you see them?

Infuriating!

[Daffers123 in reply to Trademole]

Good news at least that its not hashis. Possibly you are just not a 'good converter'. Do you take selenium as that helps (helped me a bit too much as mine went really high after a year supplementation) But my T3 was surprisingly high (for me) and I couldn't work out why as T4 was only mid range. So had organic acid tests (again v expensive) and they threw up the Selenium and said it really can aid conversion...if thats what you need.

Agree about the endos and expensive tests..I wouldnt dare add up how much I have spent to go round in circles with people who know less than most of us on here!

Hope your dose reduction works at least to curb irrritability

[Aurealis]

I’ve suspected Levothyroxine of causing anxiety in the past (usually following a dose increase)

[MiniMum97]

I experienced a "funny turn" after a dose increase to 100mcg - anxiety - but a very physical feeling, but also felt exhausted at the same time - very odd feeling. Was sent home from work and feeling wore off after a few hours, but was left exhausted for a few days, took 75mcg for a couple of days and then tried again with 100mcg and it was fine.

[Daffers123]

I get the same symptoms when my T4 is too high (for me). lots of people feel better ifcitsxtopvof range but not me! Anger irritability insomnia etc Drop your dose a little and see how you feel. from your blood results your conversion isn't great and probably would benefit from T3 but you're wise to wait till T4 is lowered. D