If some have seen my posts, I have gone through absolute hell being severely overmedicated.
Currently I am on 150mcg Synthroid, and have been on this dose for around 8 months, with 6 weeks out of those 8 months trying 137.5mcg which shot my TSH up to 6.
I am a lot better than I was 8 months ago, ON THE SAME DOSE. It has taken me over 7 months to notice ANY improvement in symptoms (severe fatigue, brain fog and muscle weakness. But I have seen improvement, I am not bedridden anymore and that muscle weakness hell is done. The timelines people have are messed up. I was told 6-8 weeks - that is complete nonsense for symptoms resolution based on my experience.
Just got a blood test on 150mcg after 9 weeks (after that 137.5mcg for 6 weeks where TSH was 6)
TSH 1.09
FT4 14 (9-19)
FT3 4.7 (2.6-5.8)
I am seeing an endocrinologist tomorrow - taken about 8 months to see one (Canada).
I still don't feel "normal" like I did prior, but I have improved. And the answer may be to continuing waiting. My previous great dose before was 200mcg TSH 1.46.
Does anyone have advice for this appointment or next steps for me to fully get better?
- I am waiting on this dose since levels are great for me, and likely most of you will say that, just seeing if there is anything else I am not thinking of? or any other advice?
Thanks a ton!
Written by
Johnfishman22
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And also - the 6-8 week timeframe is accurate unless one has a zig zag dosing regiment, and also all bets are off when people stop entirely and then try to get back on.
If anything your experience proves that low and slow wins the race, and that steep changes ( especially cold turkey) when you need exogenous thyroid hormone are - as you say - he**.
I remember your first post as I am sure many of us do, and your long journey back to stability.
I am thrilled to hear from you again and am so glad you’ve reached “functioning.” Here’s looking forward to even better days!
Thank you! I am back working, hitting the gym and being more normal. Still do have fatigue and brain fog, but I am managing! Soon enough I will be 100%! Low and slow is definitely the move. How do my numbers look to you? Always had TSH between 1-2 when I felt good.
I am combo Levo/T3 so my experience is a little different.
But I’ll say in my opinion - as you are about 50% through range on FT4; and 60% through on FT3 - I would say it’s that great T3 that is helping you feel better.
I think others may point out that on Levo monotherapy that your T4 “should” be a little higher than your T3.
But I would also say that your body has been through it and (even for me) staying longer on current doses than I might want, or suspect I need to, always brings a settling of symptoms and more confidence in my dosing decision.
So I think the one thing I will say - time is your friend. You may at some point increase again. But as this wise board told me just a week or so ago - if you’re saying: I feel “ok” but not 100%, and asking if I could feel better with more or less hormones… there is no harm in feeling “ok” a little longer to see how things go.
That’s how I’m playing it right now : )
edit: just thinking again on those 6-8 week timeframes… I suppose it should be clarified that it’s a SERIES of many 6-& week timeframes of increases and it not at all uncommon to take a year or two to feel ok again.
It’s 6-8 weeks (given the half life of the hormone) until blood tests will accurately reflect a stable level in your blood.
I was 1 year under-replaced and then 1 year on this forum being properly guided - so two years total - until I could say I am back to functioning (isn’t it great!)
Hi John, just closing out some tabs and one more thought here.
Your numbers do show room for an increase. But your total story (your history, the zig zag, the time it’s taken to get back to the starting line…) and saying you’re “ok” makes me agree with you to stay in this dose.
But you asked if there was anything else you should be thinking. Have you gotten a recent vitamin/mineral test:
Ferritin
Folate
B12
D3
As your thyroid hormones get back in track, most of us find even more relief by optimizing those 4.
If you are on Facebook, and as you're in Canada, I suggest you join the group Thyroid Patients Canada Support.
It is run by Tania Sona Smith who is a thyroid patient, an analyst and historian of thyroid science since 2016, and a respected writer on thyroid conditions.
You could ask questions there and hopefully get a detailed response.
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don't push the river ... it flows by itself .
Seeing Endocrinologist next week, finally!
test results help 
