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Put on levothyroxine even though my levels were normal
Hello
I was diagnoised with hashimotos in October of 2011. When I was diagnoised, my levels were normal. I don't have the numbers but the reumatologist said I did not need to be treated. During that time I just kept getter more ill. I have carpal tunnel, serious pains in my shins, swollen turbinates for over a year. Serious headaches, and just an all over ill feeling. In January my TSh was 2.5 and my free t 4 was aroung 1.1. In February my Doctor put me on 50mcg of levothyroxine even though my Tsh was normal and my free t 4 was .74. Since then I developed crying spells, chest pains, tremors, and still was not healing or feeling better. My levo was dropped to 25mcg but I still feel the tremors, vibrations in my body, my thyroid feels like it is burning and I don't understand what to do. I tried synthroid and had huge anxiety and I don't understand what to do. Can someone tell me if it is normal to treat thyroid even though I my levels were normal?
I was diagnoised with hashimotos in October of 2011. When I was diagnoised, my levels were normal. I don't have the numbers but the reumatologist said I did not need to be treated. During that time I just kept getter more ill. I have carpal tunnel, serious pains in my shins, swollen turbinates for over a year. Serious headaches, and just an all over ill feeling. In January my TSh was 2.5 and my free t 4 was aroung 1.1. In February my Doctor put me on 50mcg of levothyroxine even though my Tsh was normal and my free t 4 was .74. Since then I developed crying spells, chest pains, tremors, and still was not healing or feeling better. My levo was dropped to 25mcg but I still feel the tremors, vibrations in my body, my thyroid feels like it is burning and I don't understand what to do. I tried synthroid and had huge anxiety and I don't understand what to do. Can someone tell me if it is normal to treat thyroid even though I my levels were normal?
First of all, I don't understand your LP's comment that it desn't look like you need to be on meds. Your August FT4 still showed a low FT4, and that was a medicated level. FT4 often has to be midrange (that would be 1.10 on your range) before hypo symptoms are relieved. FT3 often has to be in the upper half to upper third of range. It sounds like the LP has no clue how to interpret thyroid tests.
You are being treat both because you have Hashi's and because your levels are too low. If you look at your numbers, never once has FT4 been at midrange, nor has FT3 even been in the upper half.
Yes, if you have Hashi's, your thyroid is dying. You'll continue to lose function, and meds increases will have to keep up with that loss. Sometimes Hashi's takes years or decades to destroy thyroid function completely, and sometimes it goes like gangbusters.
I agree with Barb that it might be very worthwhile to have some adrenal testing. If the adrenals are not right, it can manifest as intolerance to thyroid meds. If you are generally sensitive to meds (as am I), you may just have to stay at your very low dose until all symptoms of taking the meds go away and then increase slowly as tolerated.
You are being treat both because you have Hashi's and because your levels are too low. If you look at your numbers, never once has FT4 been at midrange, nor has FT3 even been in the upper half.
Yes, if you have Hashi's, your thyroid is dying. You'll continue to lose function, and meds increases will have to keep up with that loss. Sometimes Hashi's takes years or decades to destroy thyroid function completely, and sometimes it goes like gangbusters.
I agree with Barb that it might be very worthwhile to have some adrenal testing. If the adrenals are not right, it can manifest as intolerance to thyroid meds. If you are generally sensitive to meds (as am I), you may just have to stay at your very low dose until all symptoms of taking the meds go away and then increase slowly as tolerated.
Ok I don't understand Barb and thanks for your response. Am I being treated because of the hashi's or because of low levels? I ask this because it looks to me like my numbers are all in reference range. What is a good range to be in. Is my thyroid dying or what. I don't get it. I knew stopping my anti'd's wasnt a great idea but no doc is not helping me. I stopped because I was only on a small dose and it wasn't even worth taking. My psych said just stop because the dose was so low. What are good ranges for my thyroid. will it die off or what? I don't get this disease.
COMMUNITY LEADER
I second everything that goolarra said, plus I'd like to add that some patients report worsening of symptoms, once they start on thyroid replacement, as their body gets used to having the hormones again. Sometimes, they just have to "ride it out", until things level out.
You should never "just stop" taking antidepressants; they have to be weaned off from. That could be causing part of your problem.
Sometimes, it's best to stay with the antidepressants until you get the thyroid levels under control.
It's unfortunate that not all of your testing events included FT3, but of the FT3 levels you have, both are very low in their ranges. So are your FT4's indicating that you are still hypo. Make sure that you get FT3 done EVERY time you have FT4 and TSH. It could be that you aren't adequately converting the FT4 to the usable FT3, but with your FT4 so low, that's hard to say.
You can ask your pharmacy for levo pills from a different manufacturer, since all manufacturers use different fillers/binders and see if anything changes. Looks like you might have to stay at the 12.5 mcg dose for a while until you get used to it.
You need to have some testing done, to determine adrenal functions. A 24 hr saliva test for cortisol levels is one test for adrenal insufficiency. Many doctors don't believe in this, though, so it can be hard to get, unless you order the test kit online.
You should never "just stop" taking antidepressants; they have to be weaned off from. That could be causing part of your problem.
Sometimes, it's best to stay with the antidepressants until you get the thyroid levels under control.
It's unfortunate that not all of your testing events included FT3, but of the FT3 levels you have, both are very low in their ranges. So are your FT4's indicating that you are still hypo. Make sure that you get FT3 done EVERY time you have FT4 and TSH. It could be that you aren't adequately converting the FT4 to the usable FT3, but with your FT4 so low, that's hard to say.
You can ask your pharmacy for levo pills from a different manufacturer, since all manufacturers use different fillers/binders and see if anything changes. Looks like you might have to stay at the 12.5 mcg dose for a while until you get used to it.
You need to have some testing done, to determine adrenal functions. A 24 hr saliva test for cortisol levels is one test for adrenal insufficiency. Many doctors don't believe in this, though, so it can be hard to get, unless you order the test kit online.
What do you do for adreanl issuses and I am 40 and had sympotoms for months before I was put on meds.
Hello
Ok I really need help. I can not seem to understand what is happening to me. I went to see my endo's LP on friday. I gave her my information and she said to stop taking my meds because it did not look like I really needed them. I decided not to stop but to lower to 12.5. I think some symptoms are coming back like depression, my turbinates keep swelling. I am going to post all the test that I have taken to see if my labs can help someone help me.
October 2011 no meds
t4 total 6.9 (4.5-12.0)
ana titer 1:160 positive
TPA 346 (35 ref range)
Diagnoised with hashimotos diease
december 2011 no meds
free t4 .87 (.75-1.54)
tsh 2.23 (.50-6.00)
january 21-2012 no meds
free t 4 7.8 (5.0-13.0 re range)
tsh 4.01 (.49-4.67)
january 24-2012 no meds and no tsh test taken
free t4 1.1 (.8-1.8)
free t3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
march 2012 50mcg of levothyroxine
free t4 .88 (.78-2.35)
free t3 2.88 2.32-6.09)
tsh 1.52 (.470-4.68
August 2012 50mcg levothyroxine
free t4 .87 (0.61-1.60)
tsh 1.39 (0.49-4.67)
Ok so here is the deal. When the endo put me on 50mcg, I started having crying spells, jitters. nervouseness in one hand and just an overall sick feeling. I dealt with this for 6 months. They put me on antidepressants even though I didn't feel depressed just sick. I decided to cut back on my levo and the crying spells stopped. I decided to stop my lexapro (antidepressants) after two months because I could not increase to a theraputic dose of 10mg without tremendous anxiety. I cut my levo to 25 but still felt nervous and jittery. I'm down to 12.5 but it seems the depression is returning. I don't know what to do. I am not sure if I should be on levo, I don't know if my thyroid is functioning still and I feel so alone. Please if there is someone who can tell me what the heck is wrong with my thyroid. I react to all medicines. I am so confused.
Ok I really need help. I can not seem to understand what is happening to me. I went to see my endo's LP on friday. I gave her my information and she said to stop taking my meds because it did not look like I really needed them. I decided not to stop but to lower to 12.5. I think some symptoms are coming back like depression, my turbinates keep swelling. I am going to post all the test that I have taken to see if my labs can help someone help me.
October 2011 no meds
t4 total 6.9 (4.5-12.0)
ana titer 1:160 positive
TPA 346 (35 ref range)
Diagnoised with hashimotos diease
december 2011 no meds
free t4 .87 (.75-1.54)
tsh 2.23 (.50-6.00)
january 21-2012 no meds
free t 4 7.8 (5.0-13.0 re range)
tsh 4.01 (.49-4.67)
january 24-2012 no meds and no tsh test taken
free t4 1.1 (.8-1.8)
free t3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
march 2012 50mcg of levothyroxine
free t4 .88 (.78-2.35)
free t3 2.88 2.32-6.09)
tsh 1.52 (.470-4.68
August 2012 50mcg levothyroxine
free t4 .87 (0.61-1.60)
tsh 1.39 (0.49-4.67)
Ok so here is the deal. When the endo put me on 50mcg, I started having crying spells, jitters. nervouseness in one hand and just an overall sick feeling. I dealt with this for 6 months. They put me on antidepressants even though I didn't feel depressed just sick. I decided to cut back on my levo and the crying spells stopped. I decided to stop my lexapro (antidepressants) after two months because I could not increase to a theraputic dose of 10mg without tremendous anxiety. I cut my levo to 25 but still felt nervous and jittery. I'm down to 12.5 but it seems the depression is returning. I don't know what to do. I am not sure if I should be on levo, I don't know if my thyroid is functioning still and I feel so alone. Please if there is someone who can tell me what the heck is wrong with my thyroid. I react to all medicines. I am so confused.
Your numbers weren't really "normal" when you were put on meds. Yes, they were probably "in reference range" (do you have the range?), but ranges are severely flawed for a number of reasons, and good doctors know that the whole bottom half of the FT4 range is really hypo. I agree that your thyroid looked like it was failing. Did you have hypo symptoms when you started meds?
In January of 2012, is that a typo...FT4 of 7.8, or was that done at a different lab with a different range?
You could be overmedicated, but I seriously doubt it. Your FT4 in 8/12 was only 0.87 on 50 mcg. That's hypo, not hyper. Some of us are sensitive to thyroid meds, as Kristina said, and have to start out low and increase slowly. If you read the dosing instructions for Synthroid (on their website), you will see that if you are over 50 OR have been hypo for more than a few months (and IMO, ALL your labs are hypo) OR you have a heart arrhythmia, initial dose should be 12.5-25 mcg, increasing as tolerated.
Also, if you've been hypo for a while and the adrenals have taken over to try to compensate for lack of thyroid hormone, you might have adrenal issues. If adrenals are off, it can mainifest as an intolerance to thyroid meds, and the adrenal issues usually have to be addressed first.
Synthroid isn't "stronger" than generic levo. However, different manufacturers use different fillers (inactive ingredients) in their tablets, and some people are allergic or sensitive to those, especially the dyes that vary from one dosage to another. It's always best to find one that works for you and stick with it.
In January of 2012, is that a typo...FT4 of 7.8, or was that done at a different lab with a different range?
You could be overmedicated, but I seriously doubt it. Your FT4 in 8/12 was only 0.87 on 50 mcg. That's hypo, not hyper. Some of us are sensitive to thyroid meds, as Kristina said, and have to start out low and increase slowly. If you read the dosing instructions for Synthroid (on their website), you will see that if you are over 50 OR have been hypo for more than a few months (and IMO, ALL your labs are hypo) OR you have a heart arrhythmia, initial dose should be 12.5-25 mcg, increasing as tolerated.
Also, if you've been hypo for a while and the adrenals have taken over to try to compensate for lack of thyroid hormone, you might have adrenal issues. If adrenals are off, it can mainifest as an intolerance to thyroid meds, and the adrenal issues usually have to be addressed first.
Synthroid isn't "stronger" than generic levo. However, different manufacturers use different fillers (inactive ingredients) in their tablets, and some people are allergic or sensitive to those, especially the dyes that vary from one dosage to another. It's always best to find one that works for you and stick with it.
I had the same on synthroid and after 3 days on 25mcg was ready to put myelf in hospital. In the end, I went one day without, and then started on half a tablet - 12mcg, which I was fine with (felt it a little two hours after for the first few days and then my body adjusted.
The 25mcg gave me hot flushes and headaches and a 'tremor' in my stomach, so in my case, I had to build up from a very low dose.
The 25mcg gave me hot flushes and headaches and a 'tremor' in my stomach, so in my case, I had to build up from a very low dose.
Also yes I'm back on levo because I tried synthroid and had serious panic attacks and I felt very ill. So I called my endo's NP and she put me back on levo but 25mcg because when I was on levo at first, I still felt bad so I thought I'd try synthroid. Why did I do that? Synthroid was to strong for me i guess. My sister has hashi's also, but hers is under control and she is doing great thyroid wise, and she is on 137mcg of synthroid. Hope this info helps.
Hi and thank you for posting so soon. Ok here are my labs:
October 2011 no meds
free t 4 0.74
tsh 2.25
dec ember 2011 no meds
free t4 .87
tsh 2.23
january 21-2012 no meds
free t 4 7.8
tsh 4.01
january 24-2012 no meds and no tsh
free t4 1.1
free t3 2.7
march 2012 50mcg of levothyroxine
free t4 .88
free t3 2.88
tsh 1.52
August 2012 50mcg levothyroxine
free t4 .87
tsh 1.39
As you can see when they put me on levothyroxine my numbers I believe were normal The endo said that he felt my thyroid was failing which is why he put me on levo. I have to mention also that I have a small goiter on the right side with two small nodules he said that he is not worried about. I feel hyper but I don't no and like I said my body feels like it is vibrating. My nose is swollen and my shins feel like they are burning and since i dropped down to 25mcg my right arm feels heavy. i dropped down two weeks ago because I felt very hyper. Could I be overmedicated? Thanks again for responding. Even while I'm typing my body is vibrating.
October 2011 no meds
free t 4 0.74
tsh 2.25
dec ember 2011 no meds
free t4 .87
tsh 2.23
january 21-2012 no meds
free t 4 7.8
tsh 4.01
january 24-2012 no meds and no tsh
free t4 1.1
free t3 2.7
march 2012 50mcg of levothyroxine
free t4 .88
free t3 2.88
tsh 1.52
August 2012 50mcg levothyroxine
free t4 .87
tsh 1.39
As you can see when they put me on levothyroxine my numbers I believe were normal The endo said that he felt my thyroid was failing which is why he put me on levo. I have to mention also that I have a small goiter on the right side with two small nodules he said that he is not worried about. I feel hyper but I don't no and like I said my body feels like it is vibrating. My nose is swollen and my shins feel like they are burning and since i dropped down to 25mcg my right arm feels heavy. i dropped down two weeks ago because I felt very hyper. Could I be overmedicated? Thanks again for responding. Even while I'm typing my body is vibrating.
If FT4 of 0.74 is in your lab's reference range, it's not usually. FT4 range is typically around 0.8-1.8, although it does vary lab to lab. Please post your lab's range. Regardless of the actual range, yours is way too low. FT4 often has to be midrange before hypo symptoms go away. Are you currently still on meds?
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