Update made improvements

[jrbarnes]

December 2019

FT4 1.7 (0.82 - 1.77) ng/dl

FT3 2.6 (1.2 - 4.9)

March 2022

FT4 1.4 (0.8 - 1.8)

FT3 3.0 (2.3 - 4.2)

Two months ago I switched back to T4 only after experiencing difficulty juggling T4 and T3 together. I'm on B12/folate, Vit D with K, Zinc/copper/MSM(for hair, skin, nails.) Currently Levothyroxine at 100mcg 4 x week/88mcg 3 x week.

I increased Levo by one day per week every 4-6 weeks. I didn't see improvements until I moved up to 100mcg 4 days per week and it was on the 3rd week that I started to feel more normal. I'm now able to do increments of exercise on my stationary bicycle, take the dog for hour long walks, and work in the garden. Over the past two days sleep has come more easily.

The turning point for me was increasing calorie intake by eating more good carbs, proteins, and fats. I wasn't intentionally eating few calories but due to the hypo I have a low appetite. I started tracking on a free website that allows you to log your daily meals and totals up your calories for the day.

Some improvements experienced over the past few weeks are- less brain fog, circling thoughts, and dry eyes/throat, vertigo subsided, face/body acne has calmed down, blood glucose has reduced so no more blood sugar problems, increased strength and less fatigue with a bit more stamina, less irritation, lowered cortisol and adrenaline

My total and free levels of hormone are still low so I've a ways to go. Fatigue/edema lingers but it's looking hopeful. I may add a small amount of T3 later, if needed. It's been several years since feeling normal that yesterday when normal crept up on me I didn't know how to feel. I felt abnormally normal, ha. Over the past 6 years being mysteriously ill and like I was slowly dying had become my normal.

[shaws Administrator]

Well done and congratulations that your health is improving.

It is quite an amazing feeling when one finally begins to feel a bit better and that gives us encouragement.

When we can finally hit the magic number that relieves symptoms and life becomes completely normal - without trying to juggle doses in order to improve our health - is a good reward.

I think it is amazing that our bodies, once on a dose of hormones that removes our clinical symptoms - restores us to a normal life.

[jrbarnes in reply to shaws]

Thank you. It's amazing how much hypothyroidism and being under treated can destroy a person's life year by year without them realizing the cause. It creeps up on us until you hit rock bottom and then it can take some time to figure it out and climb back up. I had tremendous anxiety at the thought of never getting better but didn't allow myself to give up. Perhaps it takes 6 months, 2 years, or 5 years to get better but you can't give up. I was bedridden and have been off work for 1.5 years so I wanted to make sure and post a success story for people who are struggling.

[tattybogle]

I'm so pleased to hear that some 'normal' has gradually found its way back to you ... even if it does feel a bit freaky

Here's hoping normal becomes 'normal'

[jrbarnes in reply to tattybogle]

Isn't it great to be able to do the normal things that normal people do? Ha!

[mintgreenish]

Great your feeling better. It sure can be a long road to travel.

[jrbarnes in reply to mintgreenish]

Thank you. Took 15 years after onset of symptoms to be diagnosed, one surgery, 10 years of mysterious symptoms and illness on Levo and 6 of them miserable. A long road indeed but one of the many.

[HowNowWhatNow]

So pleased to hear of these improvements. “Slowly dying” - I wish that statement was less relate-able, but I know what you mean.

Can you please share your TSH numbers, too?

And what is a good carb… as succinctly as you can describe it? I want to check am on the right / same lines!

[jrbarnes]

I usually run a higher TSH and it's different each time I test. On past lab results it ranged from 1.3 to 1.8 (range is 0.45-4.5.) My current TSH was 1.99. Levothyroxine doesn't severely suppress my TSH so I may add a little bit of T3 down the road, if needed. I may reach that point where I hit the ceiling of how much Levothyroxine I can take.

The good carbs I eat come from beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, nuts, brown rice, 100% whole wheat pasta, and bread that I make with 100% whole wheat flour.

[Charlie-Farley]

Wonderful 🥰

I love a good news day.

Well done you! 😊👍

[jrbarnes in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Thank you!