Hypothyroid and Strange Symptoms/Reactions

[izatu]

For a VERY long time ( 16 years) I was on levothroid ranging in doses from 125 to 150, usually around 137 or 125, and doing “fine.” I was not optimal; I did not know enough to try to get optimal. But, I was “fine.”
Then, a few years ago, around early2009, I started feeling terrible all the time. It was really hard to isolate the symptoms because it all narrowed down to a  sever and general feeling of being unwell and unable to function at full capacity for various reasons. But the symptoms are basically these: extreme headaches, extreme fatigue, depression, anxiety, dry skin, vertigo (feeling of being in a boat) muscle aches, lack of motivation, teeth grinding, difficulty falling asleep, lots of colds, ear fullness and HORRIBLE PMS.

Anxiety was the real difficult stand out. I HATE it. It was not due to any life circumstances, it was a purely physical reaction.
So, the GP and I decided to lower my levothroid to 112 mcg. My TSH was about .67 at the time. The lowered levothroid seemed to help with the anxiety and dry skin and teeth grinding. I did not feel better, just different; it is hard to explain.

Then, after 7 months, my TSH came back at 4.63. Yikes! Doc and I upped dose back to 125mcg.
Within two weeks, the anxiety came back as well as the floating weird feelings and the headaches were nonstop.
So, I went back to 112mcg, which resulted in extreme fatigue, laziness, depression, crying boats, and on and on.

I have thought through every possible reason why I could be feeling this terrible. I had a cat scan, all was well. I had all the basic blood panels, all came out well. There seems to be no sign of another illness. I had tests for addisions and for cushings disease, both came out negative.

But, I spend 80% of my life feeling terrible, and I cannot seem to help myself.

Several months ago, I went to yet another new Endo (I hate them all, just so you know.) She wanted to check the ACTH and cortisal urine tests again, even though the first endo did some other 2 urine tests for addisons and cushings. She said she wanted to do them on days when I feel bad with anxiety and dizziness, etc.

At the time I was feeling more hypo then hyper, but she told me to get myself to the crazy anxiety place and then go take the test. Needless to say I have put it off.

So, 4 weeks ago, I started taking 112 one day and 125 the next in order to recreate the anxiety spells and headaches. For about 3 weeks I was fine, and even had feelings of well being and total wellness some days. But now, at week 3 going on 4, the anxiety, floating feeling, clogged ears, nausea, loss of appetite, headaches are back full force. The PMS was better and my period was really short, which is unusual for me. But, I feel AWFUL. The way I explain it is that I feel like I only slept for 3 hours, but that I have been chugging down 4 red bulls to stay awake – like a false energy, a drug induced icky anxiety riddled energy that I cannot function on. I get dizzy at computer and nauseous sitting up too long.

What could possibly be happening here and why would it start out of the blue? I do not feel “fine” when my levels of TSH are 4.63 – I feel like a dragging buffalo. But, I feel even worse on higher doses of levothroid.
I am 37. This started when I was about 35. I asked the obgyn, she says it has nothing to do with hormones.

last test results: TSH 4.63
Total t3= 92; range = 50-170 ng/dL

Before you ask, NONE of my doctors believe in testing free T3 and free T4. I have asked until I am blue in the face. I am in northern cali and have Kaiser Permanente. I HATE all my doctors. Serious, real, hate. Its sad but true. This is all I can afford right now.

I am about to go get the ACTH and the 24 hour urine cortisal and then meet with the endo again. I would like to go in armed with information if possible. She hates it, but oh well. Anyone have any idea?

Thanks for reading this long post.

[natural777]

Do you take it a hour before eating etc?  Also, you may want to try the non generic synthroid, I have heard that it does make a difference or a different brand etc.  My tsh is 4.63 and I am also increasing my dose a little, however I do not have the symptoms that you have,  just a little,,,, tired I think. Good luck

[stella5349]

usually the triggers can be associated with the Free T3 hormone in the body and it doesn't look like that test was done for you.

Getting the Free T3 and Free T4 and checking the ratios of those to see if you are optimal with thyroid hormone is best here.

Also a full panel of estrogen/estrodiol and those others is best here too.