Patience… right? (Med change, blood test timing, heart racing)

[FallingInReverse]

About 4 weeks into an increase in Synthroid. Now on 50mcg, plus 10 Cytomel. Previously 25 plus 10. (Note I switched from Lio to Cytomel brand a week ago but below problem precedes that)

I am waiting to hit the 6 week mark to get my numbers. (Other symptoms seem to be getting a weeeee but better or at least not worse, so I’ve been ok in “wait & see” mode otherwise.)

But I’m beginning to get worried about my heart racing. I wake up with it it seems all the time.

I read on this board how you need to give things time, that it’s 6-8 weeks before things settle, don’t change things while you wait or you won’t know what drove the change. Then I read about people making little changes and feeling better.

So I’m confused right now what I should do.

Stick to the same exact meds for 2 more weeks no matter what? Test immediately? Anything I should do with this feeling in my chest? Should I be taking my heart rate and tracking that too? I just took my pulse (while laying in bed just waking up) and it’s only 70. But it feels like it’s jumping out of my chest.

Do I get tested now and consider a med change immediately , or wait 2 more weeks to hit 6 weeks?

[DippyDame]

Why did you start adding T3 before you had tried optimising T4?

Seems rather hasty!

Do you have any recent labs that you can post.

Test after the 6 weeks ...both FT4 and FT3 must be included.

No point in changing dose it will only upset your testing/system...you are highly unlikely to be in danger of overmedication on your dose.

It's more likely that you are undermedicated.

Palpitations can be a sign of undermedication

I suspect yourT3 is low and that affects the whole body...the heart and brain particularly need a lot of T3.

More T4 would, by good T4 to T3 conversion, have raised your T3. The fact that you noticed some improvement after increasing from 25mcg to 50mcg underlines this.

50mcg is just a starter dose!

Your medic sounds pretty clueless!

Stick out the full 6 weeks then insist the new test includes both FT4 and FT3

[FallingInReverse in reply to DippyDame]

Yah! Thank you! Just what I needed to hear.

To answer re the t3 - yes hasty, but was actually due to clueless yet very very very caring and well intentioned doctor : ) Nonetheless, here I am. So a month ago I decided to leave the t3 as is, and raise t4 knowing that it was nowhere near replacement dose (all bloods in my profile - started meds about a year ago at 50mcg Synthroid, next dropped to 25mcg Synthroid when 10 of Lio was added. Then a month ago I decided to add back to 50 and see where it takes me). When I get my next bloods I’ll decide if I add more Synthroid or drop the T3 yet (if ever).

Also I wondered after I write the above post if I’m feeling heart racing … or actually anxiety? My chest feels like it’s plugged into a light socket. My heart feels like it’s racing, but took pulse again right now and it’s 70. This anxiety feeling is brand new for me vs my optimistic and happy outlook and I’ve learned on this forum that it’s a symptom of the thyroid stuff. So interesting to feel emotions that I know are entirely body chemistry vs related to something good or bad in my life. So not sure if what I’m feeling are palpitations or anxiety.

In 2 weeks I’m getting the works for my blood test : ) FT4 and FT3 and my vitamins. I will be patient! And I’m so excited to see what they say!!!

I also want to thank everyone on this board again for saving my life - ie, giving me peace of mind, eliminating the fear and confusion of feeling so sick , making sense out of what used to be a symptom tracker with a dozen + columns where it felt like that whack-a-mole carnival game every day, where people would say “you’re tired just get some sleep” or “‘get some more exercise” if your joints ache, or laugh and say, oh you’re just getting old! and I would say, “no SOMETHING is wrong.” I felt 90 years old (I’m 50) and couldn’t keep up with my 80 year old dad on our morning walks. Now I see every single seemingly unrelated and random symptom has been related to this. What a gift to know this now.

Everyday I am grateful and in awe of the wisdom on this board, and the smart, comforting, reassuring experience and expertise of the admins and posters. It’s worth all the gold in the world to not be in the dark , and to understand my body chemistry, and to know I’m on a path, and it just takes time but I’m doing the right things. It’s what medical care SHOULD be. THANK YOU EVERYONE.