understanding thyroid meds

[granny1960]

I'm confused with how you get the thryoid meds level.  I've had my thyroid removed and we are trying to get things level.  I'm just not sure how this works.  I'm on synthroid.  If you are hyper do you lower or higher the dose.  I'm still a little hyper so we have lowered the dose.  Can you explain how this works?
Thanks for your time!
Granny1960

[goolarra]

If you're hyper, you lower the Synthroid.  Synthroid is the equivalent of the T4 hormone that your thyroid would put out if you still had one.  So, hyper means that you have too much T4, and you have to lower it.

How do you know that you are hyper?  Do you have hyper symptoms?

Do you have the results of your latest bloodwork (with the reference ranges)?  We might be able to give you more information if you have those.

What's your current dose?  And how much are they considering lowering it?

[JerseyWoman]

I learned the most about my Thyroid disorder through about.com  Mary Shoman is a patient advocate for Thyroid patients. Its a very good site!

[Smilerdeb]

I would recommend that you get your Ft3 and FT4 and TSH checked as Hyper symptoms can often 'mimic' hypo symptoms.
You basically have to know your body 'inside out' to know 100% sure.
Even myself, I have been unsure at times.
Dont lower the T4 meds without the blood tests first as you have no thyroid and every organ in your body depends on thyroid hormone.

I suggest that if you do fell hyper...to give your Doc a call first.
Good luck :o)

[Smilerdeb]

Sorry...I forgot to mention a few things.
You asked how to get your thyroid meds level.
This takes a while and a lot of patience but will explain how I did it with the help of a great Doctor.

I started on 50mcg daily.....took this for 4 weeks,
then every 4 weeks my meds were increased (going by my FT3 and FT4 levels).
Then when I was just about there with good levels .......tweaking was done.
This is the hard part and where you can go hyper or hypo but well worth the risk if done with a Doctor.
The Doctor then regulates your levels by not how much you take DAILY but WEEKLY.
I got up to 75mcg daily and went hyper.
I am now on 62.5mcg 4 times a week and 50mcg 3 times a week.........

So as you see, this is 'tweaking' the meds until you feel right and the levels are good (FT3 & FT4)
Without these labs, you cannot work with your Doctor to 'tweak'.

You asked if you decrease/increase on hyper.
Isnt your Doc working you through this?
Please dont decrease or increase until you have labs and then get it ok'd by your Doc.
get him/her to work with you as a team.
Dont try doing it on your own or you can get very sick.
If your Doc isnt that helpful towards you...find another who is.
Go Shopping.

Doctor Shopping.

Good Luck :o)