Requested 25 mcg T4 Increase

[Trina64]

I just want to confirm I am correct in requesting a 25mcg increase in T4. I was on 50mcg of T4 and 5mcg of T3 for 6 weeks (minus a few days). I followed the recommended protocol for testing.

My symptoms are still quite severe: fatigue, brain fog, low body temperature, cold, feeling anxious for no reason, mood swings at times, not able to concentrate, constipation, bloating, very tight muscles in my shoulders, jaw clinching, weight won't budge even though I don't eat processed food, very little sugar and gluten free. I am sure I am missing several symptoms, but those are the ones that stand out.

I was always a highly motivated person with a very clean house and car. I was always busy on projects, going to events, etc. I go to work and go home and sit because I don't have the physical or mental energy to do anything else.

They were supposed to do a Free T3 test, but they did Total T3 instead...ugh! I don't know if it is helpful or not.

TSH 1.655 (0.400-4.200)

FT4 1.0 (0.6-1.5)

Total T3 153 (82-179)

My results on no T4 and 5mcg of T3 in Feb were:

TSH 2.865 (0.400-4.200)

FT4 .07 (0.6-1.5)

FT3 3.0 (1.5-3.5)

Ferritin - 79.5 (10-106)

B12 963 (200-1000)

D 54.9 (30.1-100) I supplement 2000IU a day.

I have not heard from my endo yet, but he has to this point been supportive of letting me try what I want to try. I told him that I would like to get my TSH around 1 or less and my FT4 much higher in range. I hope he continues to be supportive.

Thanks!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Day before test ideally you would split T3 as 2.5mcg waking and 2.5mcg approx 8-12 hours before test

Yes push for next dose increase in levothyroxine to 75mcg

Approx how much do you weigh in kilo

[Trina64 in reply to SlowDragon]

I could not do that with the T3 because the doctor told me to test this morning and I had already taken my T3 yesterday morning. There is a 24 hour window with the T4.

I am in the U S, so will need to convert the lbs to kilos, but I went from a gym rat to gaining a lot of weight. I haven't had the energy to work out for several years since being told my thyroid was "in range". So far, the endo I started seeing has been treating me. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 12 years ago and crashed hard being doctors not properly treating me. Doctors just wanted to push all kinds of other medications.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Trina64]

Yep

Current treatment is woefully inadequate

You will need to take control

Self monitor

Test vitamin levels regularly

Likely to need to supplement vitamin D and vitamin B complex continuously

Remember to stop B complex 5-7 days before test as contains biotin

Frequently essential to be strictly gluten and dairy free

Test as recommended

[Trina64 in reply to SlowDragon]

I don't take B vitamins. Since my B12 is always fairly high in range and has even gone over, I don't worry too much about it. I am gluten free. I am not dairy free, but don't drink cows milk.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

FT4: 1 pmol/l (Range 0.6 - 1.5)

Currently Ft4 only 44.44% through range

Aiming for Ft4 at least 60%-70% through range

[Trina64 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks! I hope it starts coming up because I am over feeling like I do.