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231441 tn?1333892766

Increase Meds?

I tried reducing a bit as my previous results were close to top of range for both and my Dr. is 'concerned' about bone density.....

Latest Results- these are fasting but with no meds before the test.  I take 250 mcg of desicated - ERFA.

FT4 13.05 (12-22)
FT3 5.38 (2.8 - 7.1)
I didn't test TSH.

I guess I should increase.  Maybe by 30 mcg/day.

I've been slowly gaining weight, but have the worst sugar cravings..... which I've had trouble resisting... and I'm much more procrastinating than usual....
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231441 tn?1333892766
Thank you LazyMoose and Gimel,

Haha.  Not too old.  At 42. :)  I have had bone density test in the past, and will do again - Previously I had abnormal calcium tests so they like to monitor it - but I haven't seen an endo for nearly a year - relying on PCP for now.  

I thought the Erfa is also in mcg?  I'll take a close look when i get home.  Anyway, 2 tablets /day of the largest pill =  250 whatevers.

I am going to increase the Erfa slightly (I get it from canada and currently have stocks of 125, 60 and 30 mcg, so i can dose whatever amount I want).

Then depending on the next test I'll add in some thyroxine. I forgot that I used to take a combo of ERFA and thyroxine...

Maybe I'll even try see that endo of mine again.
Helpful - 0
798555 tn?1292787551
Those seem to be typical T3 / T4 ratios from ERFA.  When I'm at levels near yours, I start adding tiny amounts to get T4 up without going over on the T3, even though the Dr likes to keep me somewhat low.

Have you ever had a bone density test?

ERFA is sold in mg, one grain = 60 mg (unless it was relabeled?).

Are you taking 250mg or mcg of erfa? (easily confused since most of the talk here is about levothyroxin which comes in mcg's.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The most important consideration is how you were feeling previously.  Dosage and blood levels should be secondary to how you feel.  In the words of a good thyroid doctor, "Thyroid hormone does not cause bone loss, it simply increases metabolism and therefore the rate of the current bone formation or loss. Most older women are losing bone due to their combined sex steroid, DHEA, Vitamin D, and growth hormone deficiencies. The solution is not life-long hypothyroidism, but the correction of their other deficiencies."

Not saying you are an older woman, either.  LOL

From your current levels of FT3 and FT4, there is lots of room to tweak upward to relieve any symptoms.  You might consider adding some T4 first to raise your FT4 level and see how that works for you.
Helpful - 0
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