Need help (confused) : Hi everyone, I'm really... - Thyroid UK

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Need help (confused)

jbicondoa profile image
31 Replies

Hi everyone, I'm really confused. I've been to numerous doctors and recently an endo. She took me off nature throid which was not making me completely optimal even though my numbers were decent, I still felt like something was pulling me down all the time. She put me on tirosint (88) and cytomel and now, I notice my chestis having what seems like gerd issues but also if I walk or do anything that has a cardio like affect. It's like my chest is feeling it tremendously I can't even explain it. So now I'm confused as which step to take next. Naturethroid again? even though my numbers were good, I didn't feel that Energy I felt very lazy all the time.

Or is this too much T3 (only on 10mcg)

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jbicondoa
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31 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Have you had any blood tests done?

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose changes

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

When were vitamin levels last tested?

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to SlowDragon

Yes, my most recent tests were done I think about two weeks ago. I have not had my vitamin tested I think in the last 4 months or so. I'm wondering could the chest stuff be the T3? Or am I low on a vitamin that could be causing this have no idea but it's really just making me wonder if I should go back to nature throid but I hate to. I feel physically better on this medication that I did on Nature's.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to jbicondoa

So what are your actual results (and ranges)

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to SlowDragon

Here are the recent thyroid tests that she did. Did you want the old vitamin test?

Ft3 - 2.6 (2.0-8)

TSH - 35

T4 free - 1 (.8 - 1.7)

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to jbicondoa

TSH 3.5 or 35?

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you did the last test?

That's a wide range for FT3.....is it correct?

Obviously your FT3 looks low in range

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to SlowDragon

Yes my t3 is in order range . I did test in morning on empty stomach and no meds for 24 hours.

Sorry new iPad. It deleted. My tsh is.34.

The ft3 was supposed to be up to 4.8.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to jbicondoa

Last dose of T3 should be 12 hours before blood test

So TSH is 0.34 ?

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to SlowDragon

No meds were taken within 24 hours.

Yes that's my tsh.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to jbicondoa

So your FT3 is not actually that low.....it's a false low as you left too long between last dose of T3

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to SlowDragon

Interesting. So I wonder if I'm on too high of a dose.

I never thought of that.

Or if the chest stuff is gerd from some recent weight gain. I also have a weird cough if I breath in deeply. Just like a small cough.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to jbicondoa

You might still be under medicated.....difficult to say how much higher T3 would be

GERD is common hypothyroid symptom

Persistent cough can be GERD related

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply to jbicondoa

Too much T3 can cause heart "flutters" ... but the GERD symptoms make it sound more like you're not getting enough thyroid hormone, rather than too much. .

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to Gingersnap202

It's so confusing. My doc talked about reducing my tirosint potentially. I don't know if that's it. Everything I read points to the T3.

JaclynB profile image
JaclynB in reply to jbicondoa

Yes too much thyroid. I get horrible GERD and bad chest pains when my tsh gets that low.

cazmania7 profile image
cazmania7 in reply to Gingersnap202

Ginger can less than 25mcg T3 cause the flutters? I have this and don’t know whether to ride it out or reduce some...

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply to cazmania7

We're all so different, and can have such different reactions to things. ... T3 (Cytomel) has been such a blessing to me, that all I have to say about it is good. I am on a very high dosage, 200 mcg a day, so your dosage sounds miniscule to me. I hope others on here can be of more help to you.

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to Gingersnap202

Thank you. ❤️❤️

cazmania7 profile image
cazmania7 in reply to Gingersnap202

Thanks ginger. I’m glad it’s worked for you! It’s early days for me...

Gingersnap202 profile image
Gingersnap202 in reply to cazmania7

I hate to say it, but sometimes these things are trial and error. ... We have to figure out what is working, or not working, for us. ... Wouldn't it be nice if "one size fit all".

Rweir39 profile image
Rweir39

A couple of months ago I was switched from NP thyroid to Tirosint and cytomel for the same reasons. I had TT over a year ago and it's been a struggle to get my levels optimal.

I started out on 137 mg of tirosint and 10 mcg of cytomel, I had chest pain and palpitations after 3 days on the new medication. I was lowered to 125 mg still chest pain and palpitations. I even went to the cardiologist thinking that something was wrong with my heart.

Now, I'm on 112 mg tirosint and 5 mcg if cytomel and finally my chest pain and palpitations are gone!

I think this medication is stronger then others so, it takes time to adjust and fine the right dosage. I'm having blood test soon to see if I'm finally on the right dosage.

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to Rweir39

So could it also be the tirosant?? Not just the cytomel. I definitely feel more active than I did with the NP so I hate to go back.

Rweir39 profile image
Rweir39 in reply to jbicondoa

I believe it's the tirosint. You might just need a smaller dosage? I decreased both for now. I will work on increasing them both soon. Tirosint is definitely better the Synthroid and NP in my opinion

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to Rweir39

That's what I'm wondering. I just wish I could get this right.

Rweir39 profile image
Rweir39 in reply to jbicondoa

I feel the same way. It's very frustrating and even depressing

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to Rweir39

So I called my doctor and we've gone through two phone calls and I've yet to be called back again. But she told me it could not in fact be the tirosint. Everything I've read said that could be a potential as well. So now I'm wondering if I need to switch doctors again because I'm not going to deal with somebody who's not willing to look at it.

Rweir39 profile image
Rweir39 in reply to jbicondoa

My Dr was never willing to investigate why I was feeling unwell until, I started telling her that I've done research plus, I was feeling fine before this medication and, now she is more willing to help me. She actually gave me samples of the different dosages. She's working with me now. Just be persistent. Good luck!

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

Do you take all of your meds at one time? If so try splitting your dose and take them at different times during the day. I'm on 100mg synthyroid and 10mg cytomel and I split my dose.

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to Batty1

I can't split the tirosant because it's a gel. I do split the liothyronine. I just took a half pill this morning instead of the whole 5mcg this morning. I will take more later.

jendwall profile image
jendwall

Several years ago, I tried Tirosint for a couple of months, and it gave me indigestion. As soon as I stopped taking it, the indigestion went away. Many people do fine on Tirosint, but we are all different.

jbicondoa profile image
jbicondoa in reply to jendwall

Oh crud. I didn't know that could be a side affect of it. I did fine on synthroid, I just figured tirosantb was a better option done it didn't have all the filters.

jendwall profile image
jendwall in reply to jbicondoa

That's why I tried it myself. I eventually settled on taking denominations of 50mcg brand name Levoxyl. Many of the different levo brands in the U.S. do not add dyes to the 50 strength, so for some of us, having a plain white pill makes our digestive tract much happier. You can split the pill easily, along with taking double or triple the dose, etc. to get to the strength you need.

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