Now Hyperthyroid?

[Hypotennisnut7]

Sorry for the long post but trying to be as thorough as possible -

I was diagnosed hypothyroid in 2008 and over the years ended settling on 125 mcg Levothyroxine for about the last 5 or so years, adding Liothyronine about year ago at 15 mcg after taking only 5 mcg for a couple of years.

I’m a “small eater” meaning that I don’t eat much and eat relatively healthy. Even with the raised dose of Liothyronine I wasn’t losing weight 😱

I also play tennis at least 4 times a week, sometimes 2 times a day -

I should also mention that I’m on HRT and have been for many years - I’m 77

Started Ozempic last May and in December reached my goal weight and am now on a maintenance dose.

Just got home (Hawaii) after driving my newly repaired car from Florida to California to ship it home; although we took our tennis racquets my partner and I were only able to play once on our two week trip due to his getting a cold and then I got it, as well as the weather was much colder than anticipated.

During the trip I felt that I ate more than usual, was very consistent with medication and supplements every day.

When I got home Tuesday I weighed myself for the first time in sixteen days and I’d lost 4 pounds and have lost another two since Tuesday.

Just before the trip I had labs done - my doctor doesn’t test for Ferritin or Folate:

TSH 0..08 range 0.34 - 5.6 (low)

Free T 4 1.4 range 0.6 - 1.7 (normal)

Free T 3 3.0 range 2.2 - 4.0 (normal)

Vit D 74 range 30 - 100 (improved from 50 in July)

Vit B 12 > 4000 range 232 - 1245 (not previously tested)

I supplement vitamin D and B 12 daily, besides other supplements. I followed the guidelines from this site for testing optimums - including stopping the supplement with Biotin for a week prior.

I already have an appointment scheduled for next week with my doctor. Advice, comments?

[Hypotennisnut7]

One other lab result that I forgot to mention:

ANA titer: 1280 range < 40

Previous tests have been 640 and 320 and then back to 640

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Having lost weight with ozempic you may need to reduce dose Levo or T3 a little

Was last dose T3 approx 8-12 hours before test

[Tina_Maria]

T4 - 72% through the range

T3 - 44% through the range

Did you take your last dose of levothyroxine 24h before the test and T3 around 12h before? If T3 was taken earlier, the results could be a bit lower than they actually are.

If your last intake of T3 was 12h before the test and the test is fairly accurate, you may actually need a bit more T3? As you are doing a lot of exercises and exercises require a lot of T3, you may need a bit more so you can keep on being so active? Just a thought. That might actually help keeping the weight in balance without having to resort to ozempic in the long term, as T3 is the driver of our metabolism. T3 on the low side would also fit in with you not being able to do much exercise on your recent trip as well as being more susceptible to colds, as good levels of thyroid hormones are required for good immunity.

It might be advisable to go a bit easier on the exercise until your T3 is a bit higher. Most people feel good when T4 and T3 are between 65 and 80% through the range, but it is a very individual thing and everyone has different needs. You could try to increase your T3 a little bit and see how you feel. The TSH will stay very low, but that is normal when taking T3, so I would not worry about that too much.

[Hypotennisnut7]

Thanks for the reply -

Yes, the dosing prior to the lab tests was done as recommended here -

Since T3 (I thought) helps optimize metabolism, my inclination is to take less T3 to help stop further weight loss . . . but what do I know? 😅

I’m feeling absolutely fine EXCEPT for some lower back pain that came on somewhat suddenly during our cross country drive, which I attribute to the 5-7 hours in the car and sleeping in unfamiliar hotel beds for two weeks; my grandmother had a very horrible and long illness with bone cancer so I’m slightly concerned -

I decided to stop one 5mcg Liothyronine dose yesterday until I see my doctor next week. Today I’ve lost almost one more pound even though I ate more than I usually do yesterday

When I first noticed anything “different” it was about a week into the trip and I was (to me only) shaky; it didn’t affect my driving and it seems to have subsided - maybe it had to do with crossing multiple time zones ??

As far as doing less exercise, I don’t think it is something I’d want to consider