overmedicated? with questions

[LynnB79]

A few months ago I became overmedicated taking 75 Levothyroxine + 20 Cytomel:

TSH: .013

Free T3: 6.5

All vitamins/nutrients/routine blood panels - everything else really good.

Questions:

1. Is it unusual to have hyper symptoms that aren't showing in blood? I had symptoms for 6 months w normal bloods before TSH/Free T3 finally showed hyper. (Symptoms that would come and go maybe bad for some days then better on and off: very weak, weird head pressure, extra bowel mvmnts, rapid pulse, can't focus, anxious, dry mouth ).

2. How long does it take to feel better when decreasing meds? I read with hyper overmedication it can take many weeks to feel better.

3. Are there other autoimmune diseases I should consider that causes the symptoms listed above? I have been so unwell for too long!

Thanks to the knowledgeable folks here who help people like me.

[greygoose]

Do you have the ranges for those results, please? They vary from lab to lab, so you really need to post them every time you post results.

[LynnB79 in reply to greygoose]

so sorry! Yes ranges are:

TSH: .4 - 4.5

Free T3: 2.0 - 4.4

[greygoose in reply to LynnB79]

OK, so the FT3 is a bit over-range. Doesn't matter about the TSH.

1. I'm not quite sure what you mean by this: Is it unusual to have hyper symptoms that aren't showing in blood? Symptoms don't show in the blood. But, your FT3 is over-range so that could be causing hyper-like symptoms. Symptoms can manifest long before the blood levels show any deviation.

2. Depends what you're reducing and by how much. With T4 it can take a while because the half-life of T4 is 7 days. But the half-life of T3 is just 24 hours, so you could feel the difference much faster.

3. I don't know about other autoimmune diseases, but your symptoms could be due to nutritional deficiencies or abnormal cortisol levels.

However as you say other autoimmune disease, I take it you already know you have Hashi's. And, having Hashi's could account for your FT3 going over-range. In which case, the level will come down eventually, by itself. Did you not get an FT4 tested at the same time?

[LynnB79 in reply to greygoose]

On #1 I meant to say... could I have turned hyper with hyper symptoms before it showed in my blood tests and it sounds like that is possible from your response. My hyper-type symptoms started months before showing in blood.

The blood tests I had that following the one listed above included Free T4 was:

TSH: .014 (.4 - 4.5)

Free T4: 1.25 (.82 - 1.77)

Free T3: 5.9 (2.0 - 4.4)

Yes I do realize I have Hashi's although my TPO antibodies have greatly reduced the past year staying around 20ish (<35) with selenium and gluten free.

[greygoose in reply to LynnB79]

1. Yes, but you have not 'turned hyper', that's a physical impossibility, because you're hypo. The thyroid doesn't work like that. Maybe slightly over-medicated. Maybe a Hashi's flare.

Anyway, your levels have gone down now. How do you feel with those levels? What did you reduce, and by how much?

Your antibodies may have reduced, they fluctuate all the time. But that doesn't mean your Hashi's has gone - or even lessened. The antibodies are not the disease, and Hashi's is for life.

[LynnB79 in reply to greygoose]

Right! I am not hyper so to speak but overmedicated. Interestingly I have stepped way down on meds. Since Sept 1 went from 75 Levothyroxine + 20 Cytomel down to just 50 Levo and may need to reduce more. Last week my endo (who is good) says I still present showing hyper (reflexes, pulse, BP, etc). Doc is shaking his head. Before this all started I did stop gluten (I showed very gluten sensitive) and started Selenium.

[greygoose in reply to LynnB79]

Well, keep keeping an eye on things. If your hyper results were due to Hashi's, things can change quite rapidly.