anyone else feel 'giggly' on Levo up dose?...

[Gilbo72]

So recently I got private blood test results following some annoying symptoms of really achey/stiff/tight muscles and tendons and constant headache.

which were

TSH 3.18 (0.27-4.20),

TT4 106.0 (66-181)

FT4 21.10(12-22)

FT3 4.10 (3.1-6.8)

I have positive antibodies and it has been confirmed I have a conversion issue.

I discovered I had a new GP join our surgery who I thought I would go and try and she is LOVELY! I showed her my private tests (above and much more), we talked about conversion issues and T3 needing to be in the top 3/4's of range, and vitamins needing to be optimal, and poor kidneys. We talked about my distracting 'diagnosis' of CFS and how it shouldn't be on my records. She then ordered her own batch of tests inc. T3, B12 and kidneys. (I am shocked! Were did she come from?? I really hope Dr A**se doesn't scare her off like he has to the other lady doctors at our surgery!)

My T3 came back out of range. T3 3.3 (3.70-6.70), and my kidneys came back at an eGFR of 63 (>90).

She has referred me back to the endo (But the appointment is not until the end of Mar! eek)

So, she then upped my levo from 112mcg to 150 mcg a day to try and get my T3 up. In the meantime I am working hard to get my B12, Iron and Folate and D3 optimal.

Its been just over a week, my headache that I have had constantly for months has gone, my muscle tightness has gone... BUT I am really giggly! I have a huge grin on my face, I think everything is funny! I can't believe what a good mood I am in! And my water retention (that I didn't even realise I had) has gone.

I am loving how I am feeling at the mo, but am I little worried that I am becoming hyper...

Is it normal, or should I just enjoy the ride whilst it lasts?!...

[greygoose]

You cannot become 'hyper', because you are 'hypo'. And you will always be hypo. You could be over-medicated, but that's rather doubtful with such a low FT3. I very much doubt that increasing to 150 mcg daily is going to force your FT3 over-range.

[Gilbo72 in reply to greygoose]

Hi Greygoose, what do you mean by over medicated as opposed to hyper? What’s the difference? 🤔 X

[Gilbo72 in reply to Gilbo72]

And am I at risk now of RT3? (What ever that actually means) as I have a conversion issue?

[greygoose in reply to Gilbo72]

You're very likely to have high rT3, yes. But, that's not a risk of any sort. It's just natures way of not wasting good levo (T4).

T4 converts into two types of T3 - rT3 and normal T3.

T3 is the active hormone that is needed by every single cell in your body to function correctly. Lack of T3 causes many symptoms, in different parts of the body.

rT3 is inert. T4 converts to rT3 when there is too much T4 in your system which your body cannot convert to normal T3, so that the unconverted T4 doesn't build up.

rT3 only stays in your body for about two hours, before it is converted into T2. Nobody really knows what T2 does, if it has any functions, or if it's just part of the break-down process of thyroid hormone, because the T2 is then converted into T1. T1 is then broken down into its component parts and recycled.

However, this is a totally natural process, and nothing to worry about. Many, many things can cause rT3 to rise, like infections, and starvation diets. It is a way of protecting the body because it stops you over-exerting yourself in difficult circumstances. So, nothing to worry about in itself. It's presence in excess just shows you that there is a problem somewhere in the system.

[greygoose in reply to Gilbo72]

Over-medicated means that you're taking too much exogenous hormone (exogenous means from and outside source, a pill).

Hyper means that your own thyroid is making too much hormone (endogenous hormone, from the inside).

Your thyroid is not capable of making too much hormone, it can't even make enough, which is why you have to take levo. The thyroid cannot regenerate to the point that it makes excess hormone - or even enough hormone, in the case of a hypo - so you will always be hypo, and can never 'go hyper'.

[Gilbo72 in reply to greygoose]

Got that, but what’s the prob with being over medicated then? !? X

[greygoose in reply to Gilbo72]

I didn't say there was a problem with being over-medicated.

And I didn't say you were over-medicated. I just said you can't be hyper, but you could be over-medicated I also said you can't be over-medicated with such a low FT3.

However, if one was over-medicated to the point where the FT3 was well over-range, it would cause symptoms as uncomfortable as being under-medicated.

You are not under-medicated because your FT4 is high. But, as you're not converting the T4 to T3, you are still, technically, hypo. What you need is a reduction in your T4 and some T3 added.

[Gilbo72 in reply to greygoose]

Well at the moment the improvement is great. It’s made me realise how I have got used to feeling unwell. Hoorah! Hopefully we will talk about T3 at my next review when they tell me I’m on too much! Fingers crossed. The GP seems on the ball with thyroid. X

[greygoose in reply to Gilbo72]

Fingers crossed indeed!

[Cg430 in reply to greygoose]

Hi again grey goose what is the norm increase doseage for synthroid ?

[greygoose in reply to Cg430]

25 mcg every 6 weeks.

[Cg430 in reply to greygoose]

Ty gg

[Cg430 in reply to greygoose]

Back to original question of if I’m hyper bc of symptoms . Noticed my neck is bigger for sure . Still on 25 how can that be isn’t that also. A hyper symptoms and cause ? Dr made me feel just my neck but significantly larger . I asked can’t it be a goiter and she laughed ? This is all so confusing to me I do feel mad sometimes

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Enjoy it while it lasts !

Get full testing 6-8 weeks after this dose increase

That was quite a jump up

[Gilbo72 in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I’m due for a review just after Christmas! Will I continue to feel like this or may I get RT3 issues ( whatever that is) as I have conversion issues?

I can’t believe how bouncy I am in the mornings now!😀

[MissGrace]

Maybe you are happy because at last you feeling really well. And all of a sudden the world looks like a wonderful place again. Enjoy it. You may have discovered your optimum dose. 😀

[Hidden]

Don’t know why you are giggly, but I wish I had your doctor and your results 😂

[Cg430]

I say good for you great and congrats on feeling well . What is a normal bump up on doseage thx

[Cg430]

Hey guys what is normal level to be increased on synthroid ? 25 mg at a time ? Ty

[ZippyAppletush in reply to Cg430]

Hi Cg430, I’m not an admin or medic but personal experience has been 25 mcg reduction by Endo so believe same for raising. Suggest you wait for an admin to confirm but I noticed you have been waiting for a response...maybe your question just got missed on post. Usually admins are quick to respond. You could try posting again yourself as a main heading, or address question direct to an admin (type ‘@‘ before name - take SlowDragon for example on this thread - and select name from drop down menu. This will alert SlowDragon direct.)

Good luck!

[ZippyAppletush in reply to ZippyAppletush]

PS Forgot to add, I think dosage change 6-8 weeks (although mine dropped at 6 month intervals) with blood tests to check levels. As mentioned, suggest you wait for confirmation from an Admin.

[Cg430 in reply to ZippyAppletush]

Ty so much

[ZippyAppletush in reply to Cg430]

Welcome! 👍🏻