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8 week labs
So I have my updated labs after starting 75 mcg Synthroid 8 weeks ago (diagnosed with Hashimotos). Although I told my doctor that my symptoms have come back (fatigue, weight gain, peripheral neuropathies, brain fog, etc) he said that since my levels are "normal" that he won't increase my meds. He also refuses to test for Free T3. I know, I know....it's just hard to find a good doctor. I've been through 3 already...
How "normal" are my labs? My Free T4 is in the middle of the range - is that good? I can't remember which Free T3 or T4 should be in the upper 1/3 of the range.
About 2-3 weeks ago, I started to feel pretty good. Symptoms subsided. But about a week or so ago, they all started gradually coming back. Now I'm feeling pretty rotten again. Any thoughts?
2/14 labs:
TSH - 8.25 (.30 -4.20)
Free T4 - .67 (.58-1.64)
4/9 labs:
TSH - .80 (.27-4.20)
Free T4 - 1.39 (.93-1.70)
How "normal" are my labs? My Free T4 is in the middle of the range - is that good? I can't remember which Free T3 or T4 should be in the upper 1/3 of the range.
About 2-3 weeks ago, I started to feel pretty good. Symptoms subsided. But about a week or so ago, they all started gradually coming back. Now I'm feeling pretty rotten again. Any thoughts?
2/14 labs:
TSH - 8.25 (.30 -4.20)
Free T4 - .67 (.58-1.64)
4/9 labs:
TSH - .80 (.27-4.20)
Free T4 - 1.39 (.93-1.70)
COMMUNITY LEADER
If symptoms are coming back, you need help now. Do you have even a package that the pills came in? Anything you could take to a walk in clinic or ER?
You have your labs, that show results before and after medication, so you can take them to a walk in or ER. If you don't have actual copies, you can call the endo and request copies; fortunately, you're in the U.S. and doctors are required to give copies of records upon demand.... he should have made a note of the dosage he gave you, even if it was samples from his office. If he didn't, he's very irresponsible.
You have your labs, that show results before and after medication, so you can take them to a walk in or ER. If you don't have actual copies, you can call the endo and request copies; fortunately, you're in the U.S. and doctors are required to give copies of records upon demand.... he should have made a note of the dosage he gave you, even if it was samples from his office. If he didn't, he's very irresponsible.
Yes it is an endo. Can you believe that?!
Unfortunately I don't even have a Rx for what I'm on. He had given me 2 months worth of samples from his office, so I can't even try to get a refill anywhere.
I'll talk to a pharmacist.
Worst case - how long before my levels drop? Or does it depend on the person? While my levels are normal now, my symptoms are coming back already.
Unfortunately I don't even have a Rx for what I'm on. He had given me 2 months worth of samples from his office, so I can't even try to get a refill anywhere.
I'll talk to a pharmacist.
Worst case - how long before my levels drop? Or does it depend on the person? While my levels are normal now, my symptoms are coming back already.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Oh my, You really do need a different doctor. What does he think will happen when you stop medication? Any doctor who doesn't know that the object is to bring thyroid levels into a reasonable range (for you) and keep them there by continuing medication, isn't worth the skin they're made of . Is this an endo?
Per Sally's suggestion, maybe you could try a walk in clinic and/or talk to your pharmacist, and if worse comes to worse, utilize the nearest ER.
Per Sally's suggestion, maybe you could try a walk in clinic and/or talk to your pharmacist, and if worse comes to worse, utilize the nearest ER.
Wow, that is bad news! He doesn"t seem to understand basic thyroid care.
How frustrating. Good luck with finding a new dr.
Are there any walk in clinics that you could show your prescription to in order to get a repeat? Can you ask your pharmacist for advice/
How frustrating. Good luck with finding a new dr.
Are there any walk in clinics that you could show your prescription to in order to get a repeat? Can you ask your pharmacist for advice/
Thanks again.
Apparently my current doctor is a nutcase. I called to ask for a refill on my current Rx and he said that since my levels are now in the normal range that I no longer require meds. He won't refill my Rx. And my follow up appointment with him isn't for another SIX MONTHS!
Been trying to get in to see someone else all afternoon and the earliest I can get in is 6 weeks.
Apparently my current doctor is a nutcase. I called to ask for a refill on my current Rx and he said that since my levels are now in the normal range that I no longer require meds. He won't refill my Rx. And my follow up appointment with him isn't for another SIX MONTHS!
Been trying to get in to see someone else all afternoon and the earliest I can get in is 6 weeks.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Goolarra's right - if you order the lab test online, and take it to your doctor, you might get more attention. I used healthcheckusa once and for $85, I got TSH, FT3 and FT4. They e-mailed me a lab order and told me what lab to go to - in my area, it was Lab Corp. I went and got the blood drawn and a couple days later, they e-mailed me the results, then followed that up with a hard copy in the mail.
You don't have to stay with an endo; if you can get your pcp to order the proper tests and dose you appropriately, you can go that route. Actually, any type doctor will do, as long as they have an understanding of thyroid issues/
You don't have to stay with an endo; if you can get your pcp to order the proper tests and dose you appropriately, you can go that route. Actually, any type doctor will do, as long as they have an understanding of thyroid issues/
I agree with Barb. Your FT4 and TSH look great. If you're still having hypo symptoms, the answer almost surely lies in yout FT3 level.
You can order FT3, FT4 and TSH online without a doctor's order. You go to a local lab for the blood draw, and they send the results to you directly. If you did that, at least YOU'D know if your FT3 was too low, and with lab report in hand, it might be easier to convince your doctor that he needs to do something different. Members have used healthcheckusa and liked it, but you can google a list as there are others avalable as well.
You can order FT3, FT4 and TSH online without a doctor's order. You go to a local lab for the blood draw, and they send the results to you directly. If you did that, at least YOU'D know if your FT3 was too low, and with lab report in hand, it might be easier to convince your doctor that he needs to do something different. Members have used healthcheckusa and liked it, but you can google a list as there are others avalable as well.
I think I've exhausted all of the doctors in the area :( I really don't know what to do there. Will general doctors work or should I stick with an endo?
I've had all vitamin levels tested, had MRI's, complete bloodwork, diabetes tests, etc. All normal. My neurologist has ruled out everything and has concluded that it's thryoid related. Especially the way that it got better briefly and then came back, similarly to my other symptoms.
I've had all vitamin levels tested, had MRI's, complete bloodwork, diabetes tests, etc. All normal. My neurologist has ruled out everything and has concluded that it's thryoid related. Especially the way that it got better briefly and then came back, similarly to my other symptoms.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Your TSH and FT4 look good, but your doctor needs to be testing FT3, as well, since you may not be converting the FT4 to FT3, properly. We see this quite often and sometimes a separate source of T3 has to be added.
We've had some members who went through quite a few doctors before finding one that would test/treat adequately.
Have you had your vitamin B12 tested? Deficiency can cause the peripheral neuropathies.
Selenium has been shown to help with the conversion of FT4 to FT3; you might think about trying that to see if it helps.
Best thing to do is find a different doctor.
We've had some members who went through quite a few doctors before finding one that would test/treat adequately.
Have you had your vitamin B12 tested? Deficiency can cause the peripheral neuropathies.
Selenium has been shown to help with the conversion of FT4 to FT3; you might think about trying that to see if it helps.
Best thing to do is find a different doctor.
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