My tsh has been creeping back up lately. From 0.2 up to 1.4 and 1.59, endo wanted me to try a higher dose of levo to get the tsh down below 1 again, before adding the T3 back in at a higher dose. I went with it, but I cannot tolerate it. I feel anxious, I feel tachy and trembly, sometimes a little spacey. It’s only been like 5 days since the increase. Almost like I’m on too much T4, but I felt that way when I increased last year and it passed. My FT4 and FT3 are different at each lab. But tsh has been consistent at all labs.
I’m scared to drop back down to the lower dose because I know I’m going to feel bad. Can some people not tolerate increases well? Is there anything I can do? Or is the dose just too high for me to handle? Would alternating the higher and lower dose help me? I know everyone is different but I just haven’t felt well since my TT a few years ago and I’m trying different things slowly but surely. Maybe some kind words or advice can help me in the interim? Thanks in advance.
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Meanbeannyc
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The only thing that’s expensive here when it comes to thyroid replacement are the alternative options. Cytomel and tirosint have cost me the most. Synthroid is 15 dollars for 3 months, regardless of the strength.
Sorry you are feeling bad. I always feel bad weeks 2 and 3 of an increase. Sometimes I have given up on the increase at that point and then regretted it as I did need to increase . It is never easy.I have always split my levo dose. I don't tolerate different doses on different days so have had to cut tablets to get small increases. It is trial and error as to what suits.
Some folks have reported on here that they need to increase by alternating 12.5mcg increase. So an extra 12.5 over 2 days. Any increase if you need it is better than none at all so maybe drop the increase to a minimum and slowly build up.
So much of this is individual trial and error. It is never straight forward and it seems neverending. The one thing to hold onto is hope. Think of the folks on here who have struggled and now have a life back. Keep going.....x
Meanbeannyc, you have my sympathies. I know what it is like, I went through this phase myself. My very wonderful Endo asked me to slowly creep up my dose. He asked me to start taking t3 every other day and if I was still having symptoms, he asked to take it every two days until my body got used to the the medication. It took me 3 weeks. He then took the dose up to the optimum level. It helped me so very much. He now does the same every time he has to adjust my doses be it t3 or t4. He mentioned it tends to happen with those who suffer from metabolic syndrome. Do you suffer from it? Something to check.
Yes, my Endo did but very gradually. It took over a year. He did two things i) changed the brand of Levo to lactose free ii) He upped the T3 but I had awful symptoms. He then made me spilt T3 into twice a day. As of now it seems to work.
Feeling anxious, edgy, trembly. He was very patient in dealing with the symptoms. He very slowly and gradually started by changing the different doses in different proportions. Then waited 3 to 4 weeks to see any changes in symptoms. Then took the doses up again or down. After a year of this, I am feeling much, much better these days. However, there are off days. I believe that may be food related.
Thank you for your advise. Yes you are right I do become slightly feverish after a hectic day or too much exercise. Strangely enough, I am so much better is cold weather, especially when it snows. Rainy days make feel worse and down.
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