thyroid symptoms

[marieLov]

I know taking too much levothyroxime can make your thyroid hyper, but can taking too much levothyroxine for hypothyroid cause you to be more tired and gain weight
tsh .007
t4 1.88
dosage 250 mcg levothyroxine

[Josiecatgrl]

To piggy-back on goolarra's post: If your FT3 is in the low normal range, it strongly indicates that you may be a slow converter. In that case, your doctor would be wise to lower your levo dosage and add a very small amount of Cytomel.
When I was on Synthroid by itself, my FT4 level was slightly above normal, TSH was low normal at .8 and my FT3 level was still on the low end of normal. I still had almost all my hypo symptoms. My doctor added Cytomel and things got a bit better, but still not normal. After a couple of months we retested and my TSH was suppressed, FT4 was now low-normal & FT3 was still low. We then upped my dosage of both the Synthroid and the Cytomel and I have felt better than I have in years! My hair is getting thicker - my hairdresser noticed and commented on all these new 2 and 3 inch sprouts all over my head. I've had more energy and have lost a little weight. I've always been athletic & a regular exerciser, but I still gained about 12 lbs. from being hypo. I'm no longer depressed & can think more clearly. This is perhaps where I've seen the most improvement....I don't think I realized how terribly depressed I had gotten until I started feeling better.

[goolarra]

Not necessarily.  Please post your FT3 and its reference range.  If you were converting well, with your FT4 so high, we'd expect your FT3 to be above range also  FT3 often has to be in the upper third of the range before we are symptom free.  So, if yours is just in the lower part, you might still be a slow converter.  

[marieLov]

FT3 is normal-guess I am overmedicated

Thank you all

[goolarra]

FT3 is missing from your labs.  Is your doctor testing that as well as TSH and FT4?  Your FT4 is very high, most likely over the upper limit of the range (do you have the range?).  In order for our cells to us thyroid hormone, FT4 must be converted by our bodies to FT3.  T3 is the only form cells can use.  Some people convert slowly, so even with very high FT4, they still feel hypo.  Adding a direct source of T3 to meds (e.g. Cytomel or dessicated) relieves the hypo symptoms.  The best thing you could do right now is ask your doctor to repeat TSHand FT4 and test FT3 as well.  Be sure to ask for FREE T3 (FT3) because if you just ask for T3, they will test total T3 (not nearly as useful).  Once you have FT3 results, it will be much easier to tell if you are simply overmedicated or need to add T3 meds.  

[Josiecatgrl]

Yes. Taking too much levothyroxine for hypothyroidism can push you into hyperthyroidism. Some people mistakenly think that being hyperthyroid will give you lots of energy, when in fact the increased metabolism can make you very tired. A lot of people will lose weight being hyperthyroid, but there are many who gain weight instead, due to the increased appetite and tiredness. Are you taking only levothyroxine? That's a low TSH for someone not taking a T3 med, which suppresses TSH. My TSH is very low too, but I take Cytomel along w/ Synthroid.
Most important is how you feel. Are you having heart palpitations, hand tremors, sweating too much, exhaustion? If you don't feel good then something isn't right.

[ThyroidHunter]

Studies from the ATA indicate this, but I am not sure it's proven. It IS reported. Try the American Thyroid Website and search out levo dosage articles. They will tell you a lot.

Also, the package inserrt will tell you possible side effects and dosage effects, as well as your pharmacist - just to get different opinions. 250 is a pretty high dose.

Best
Clay