How to prepare for the next blood test

[saritadelmar]

I was advised a few months ago on this forum to have my endo increase my Levo from 88 to 100 mcg. I felt more energy with this increase, but this brought my TSH below range. A few weeks ago my endo decreased the Levo to 75 mcg and added T3, 5 mcg. I immediately felt less palpitations and thought this would be my sweet spot. However, a week ago I started feeling heart flutterings again, and also a feeling of too much energy. Heart pounding in the day and night. I'd like to lower the dose, but don't know how to do it properly.

I am supposed to have a blood test for this new dosage in a week or so, but I am not sure when to take the T3 so that it doesn't read incorrectly. I have been taking 75 mcg Levo at 7:30 am, and the T3 about an hour later.

Thank you in advance for any guidance you can offer.

Lastest results before T3 added and Levo reduced:

TSH 0.18 (0.40-4.50 mIU/L)

T4, FREE 1.5 (0.8-1.8 ng/dL)

T3, FREE 3.2 (2.3-4.2 pg/mL)

[Heloise]

Hi Sarita, the last estimate I read was that T3 peaks at about 4 hours but don't know how accurate that is. Those symptoms you have could also be an under dose. Again it is hard to know for certain. Your results look pretty good and the change your doctor made didn't raise your dose as the T3 was fairly equal to the reduced T4 so I would not think you should feel as if you have had an increase that needs reducing. See what other members think.

[saritadelmar in reply to Heloise]

Thank you for your reply. I was increased previously from 88 to 100 Levo. The Endo thought it better to keep the dose at 100 but with a combo of Levo and Lio. She thought the Levo was too much and could cause Afib, so she readjusted the dose, but leaving it at 100.

The problem previously was that I was tired all the time. Now with this increase, I have a lot of energy, but seemingly a bit too much. It is making me edgy. The T3 has been beneficial in that it calms my palpitations, but later they come back and I feel a pounding of my heart, which I think is caused by too much of something. I am hoping to get some insight from posting here. It has always been of help - thanks to everyone here.

Many times I read that a person claims they are not qualified. I think they are. They are just not licensed. But perhaps the word qualified means something different in the UK than what it means in the US.

[Heloise in reply to saritadelmar]

sarita, you said she lowered the levo to 75. She thought the Levo was too much and could cause Afib, so she readjusted the dose, but leaving it at 100.

So are you taking 75 or 100?

[saritadelmar in reply to Heloise]

I am taking 75 Levo and 5 Lio which equals 100. She just didn't want the 100 to be Levo only, because my TSH was out of range on the low side. She thought that could cause Afib.

[Batty1]

I would split the T3 and take half with your Levo and the other half later in the day.

[saritadelmar in reply to Batty1]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will try that. And how long before I take the second have should I avoid eating?

Also, how do I take the doses the day before my blood test? Thanks in advance.

[Batty1 in reply to saritadelmar]

I take my 2nd dose about 6 hours after my first dose (I take 10mg cytomel and 100mg synthyroid ) I also wait to take my vitamins and stomach pill until 3 hours later (my last dose).

I take 1st pill 4:15am and eat around 7:00 and take second pill between 10am or 11am (flexible for 2nd dose) I don't take vitamins or stomach pill until 3pm.

[saritadelmar in reply to Batty1]

Thank you Batty1. It helps to know how others are dosing. How do you take your T3 the day before your blood test?

[Batty1 in reply to saritadelmar]

For my blood test I do early morning (8am) and I don't eat or drink coffee (just water) and I TAKE NO MEDS prior to test, save them for after the blood draw.

Taking meds before blood test could give you numbers that get your medication reduced....you don't want that.

[saritadelmar in reply to Batty1]

Oh, now I understand the purpose of not taking them before the test. Thank You. I still do not know when the last T3 should be taken before the test.

[Batty1 in reply to saritadelmar]

I take all my meds like normal the day before my blood test, I don’t take my meds the day I’m going to have blood test (early AM)