Same here

[Alex047]

Hi , I am experiencing similar symptoms as described in the original post.  About 3 month ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism with TSH of 8.8 and TPA-Antibodies of 750 the endocrinologist started me on 50mcg of Eltroxin, within a week I have started to experience dizziness, blurred vision and what not. I spoke to endocrinologist she said the drug cannot cause this symptoms, never the less I got her to switch me to Syntroid 50mcg and the dizziness reduced a little but I am still not myself (I had 4 anxiety attacks since then).  I had an MRI of the brain done (came back normal) and seen an Neurologist he said my brain is fine, nevertheless I have this sensation of movement in my head as well pressure in my eyes from time to time.
Last week I had a blood test done, my TSH reduced to 4.1 but my TPO-Antibodies rose to 890.  As a result I was told to altenate Synthtoid 50mcg with 75mcg every other day as well as try to incorporate T3. I really hope this would help me to get back to normal.



This discussion is related to Possible misdiagnosis of Hypo - dizziness from Synthroid.

[goolarra]

Yes, an elevated TPOab indicates autoimmune thyroid disease.  However, depending on FT3, FT4 and TSH levels, that could be either Hashi's (basically hypo, but often with hyper phases, especially in early stages) or Graves' (hyper).

Of course, I'm not a doctor, and these are just my opinions as a fellow patient.  I really don't understand why your doctor put you on thyroid meds with your first set of labs on diagnosis.  Obviously, he treats by TSH alone because your FT4 was "perfect" (exactly at midrange), and trusting your memory on the FT3 range, it sounds like your FT3 was actually a bit high...absolutely no reason for Synthroid (at THAT time) as far as I can tell.

So many factors can influence TSH.  Any disturbance in the thyroid/hypothalamus/pituitary feedback cycle can cause it NOT to reflect thyroid hormone levels accurately.  I spent a lot of time with my PCP increasing meds (although I was asymptomatic) trying to get my TSH to come down.  It turns out that I have a pituitary issue, and it never will.  If TSH value isn't consistent with FT3 and FT4 values, it basically has to be ignored.

TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin) is the definitive test for Graves'.  If I were you, I'd ask to have that run, just to be sure.  I'd also insist on FT3 since yours was high on diagnosis.

Furthermore, with your FT3 close to upper limit of range, I REALLY don't see why you were put on T3.  Did you continue that?  One mcg is an unusual dose...it's not 10 mcg, is it?

[Alex047]

Thanks a lot for your comment goolarra. My post was in response to dizziness, mind fogging and occasional blurred vision symptoms other people experienced with synthroid.  

The symptoms I experience are dizziness (sensation of movement in my head but not as severe as vertigo). As well as blurred vision, sometimes I get the feeling that I look through fog.  It got somewhat less noticeable lately but I can certainly say I am not feeling the same as prior to starting Thyroid replacement medication.

My free T4 as well as Free T3 levels were normal when I was initially diagnosed with Hashimoto’s.  At that time my blood test results were as follows.
TSH – 8.8 Range [0.35-0.5]
TPO Antibodies – 750 Range [<35]
Free T4 – 16 Range [9-23]
Free T3 – ~5.1 don’t remember the exact value but was in normal range and close to the upper limit  

My Endocrinologist prescribed Syntroid 50mcg (once a day) and I have been taking this dose for 8 weeks now.  Last week’s test results revealed the following:
TSH – 4.1 Range [0.35-0.5]
TPO Antibodies – 890 Range [<35]
Free T4 – 18Range [9-23]
Free T3 – (wasn’t tested yet)

Basically from the information I gathered so far the TSH range may be in normal range but if TPO antibodies level is high that is a strong indication of Hasimoto’s.  Basically I was told to try T3 1mcg tablets twice a day, together with alternating doses of Syntroid 75 mcg and 50 mcg, in effort to get my thyroid function back to normal.
The confusing part is my T4 and T3 levels are within normal range and even close to upper limit of normal range but yet I am being prescribed T3 and T4 hormone replacements. It seems that the Syntroid was beneficial in bringing the TSH levels into normal range, but judging based on my symptoms of dizziness maybe the dose is to high, yet again the TSH levels are still above desired 3.0 recommended for my condition which suggests the Syntroid dose might be not high enough.

[goolarra]

Please repost your symptoms since you've started a new thread and the symptoms you refer to are not available to us here.

Is your doctor testing FREE T3 and FREE T4 as well as TSH?  FT3 and FT3 are the actual thyroid hormones and much more important than TSH levels.  If you have those, please post with reference ranges.

No thyroid meds reduce antibodies.  Antibodies can swing wildly, even intraday.  Basically, the test is either positive or negative, and the actual numbers are fairly irrelevant.

Many of us have found that we had to start out at a low dose and increase slowly as tolerated.  Especially if we've been hypo for a while, it can take time for our bodies to adjust to having the hormones available again.  

How were you told to "incorporate T3"?