A Bump In the Road to Recovery

First word of advice is if you are feeling good on Synthroid and you are symptom free DO NOT let your doctor change your dosage until you are feeling symptoms regardless of your labs. Second word of advice is don't let your doctor up your dosage quickly they should titrate your dosage.

I was feeling fantastic per my post on January 9th, 2012. I had blood work done on January 19th 2012, see below for labs. At this time I was taking 75mcg's and splitting my pill in half on Sunday.

TSH 4.32 (0.40-4.50)
Free T4 1.3 (0.08-1.8)

Here is my blood work from September 15th, 2011. At this time I was taking 75mcg and at this time my endo had me start splitting my pill in half on Sunday because I was feeling a bit jittery and had heart palpitations.

TSH 0.15 (0.40-4.50)
Free T4 1.8 (0.08-1.8)

Well per my January 19th, 2012 blood work my Endo decided to up my dosage to 88mcg's. Of course she based this off of my TSH, which I have now learned is useless and dosage should be based off of your Free T3 and Free T4.

Anyways I was feeling great for about another 2-3 months. Then all of a sudden I was really fatigued, never felt rested, swelling around my eyes and racing pounding heart, so I got my blood work done on May 19th, 2012, see below for labs. Told my Endo I was feeling Hypo, but she left my dosage at 88mcg's and sent me on my way saying my body is still adjusting and my Thyroid could still be dying from the RAI, which was done 2 years ago. I  felt very discouraged and I could just tell something was not right with my body.

TSH 5.94 (0.40-4.50)
Free T4 1.1 (0.08-1.8)

Next set of labs were on July 19th, 2012. I was feeling better, but feeling a bit hyper. At this appointment she told me split my pill on Sunday.

TSH 0.68 (0.40-4.50)
Free T4 1.5 (0.08-1.8)

Up until October I was feeling so so. I had my next set of labs on November 7th, 2012, see below.  I felt as though I was hypo at this point, so I went back to a full pill on Sunday.

TSH 1.65 (0.40-4.50)
Free T4 1.2 (0.08-1.8)

Then everything went down hill from there.

Symptoms: feeling like I drank 50 cups of coffee, anxiety, panic attacks, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, tremors, change in appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, fever etc...

I end up in the ER and they tell me I had a panic attack and sent me on my way with some xanax. I go to my PC Doctor and all they want to do is throw me on anxiety meds and tell me I had GAD. I knew better and knew it was my thyroid. Anyways I went to several Endo's trying to get help and got no where and had all kinds of test done to rule out other causes. Everything has come back fine. However I was right it was my thyroid causing this and no one would listen to me. Below is my blood work from December 7th, 2012.

I was over medicated on synthyroid putting me into a hyper state.

TSH 0.22 (0.40-4.50)
Free T4 2.1 (0.08-1.8)
Free T3 3.3 (2.3-4.2)

So I stopped my Synthroid for 4 days and resumed my old dose of 75mcgs.  I have been on 75mcg's for 3 weeks now. I am feeling a lot better, but I am still feeling jittery and anxious and I know it will probably be a few more weeks before all the hyper symptoms disappear.

Moral of this story is I have been over medicated on Synthroid since January. The hypo symptoms I thought I was feeling was actually the feeling of being over medicated even though it was not showing up in my blood work most of the year.

I will keep you updated on my progress.








 

Greater than Grave's Charity Ride

Do you want too help raise awareness and funds on behalf of patients and family members who have been impacted by Graves' disease, thyroid eye disease, and other related disorders. Then check out the link below.

http://www.greaterthangraves.com/index.html

Update!! Synthroid at Bedtime

Happy New Years everyone!!!! I wanted to update you all on my experience with taking my Synthroid at bedtime. I have been taking my Synthroid at night for almost three months now. I feel great and I now prefer to take it at night vs. the morning. I do not have any issues will falling and staying asleep, no weight gain, more energy during the day and I no longer wake up with swollen face, hands and feet. I get new labs in a few weeks. I will keep you all updated. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions.

Synthroid at Bedtime

I have come across some articles on the internet in regards to the benefits of taking Synthroid at night vs. morning. I have decided to give it a try. I also called my Endo to ensure their were no concerns with me switching from morning to night. She was all for it and also indicated that their could be benefits. I will let you all know how I feel in a few weeks.

If anyone comes across my blog that is taking their Synthroid at night, please let me know how you are doing. Feel free to leave a comment or contact me through email lshantronl@gmail.com

Update

Hello world!!! Wow how time goes by so fast. I cant believe its been a year since I had my RAI treatment. I am still very happy with the choice I made. Below are my labs from the past year. I am still on 75 mcg of Synthroid. My last labs showed that I am hyper from the Synthroid. I have also been having symptoms of being hyper, but nothing compared to prior treatment of the RAI. We are tweaking my Synthroid dosage. I am splitting one pill in half, so 6 1/2 pills during the week. Next follw up appointment is in January.

9/15/2011

TSH = 0.15 (0.40-4.50)

T4 Free = 1.8 (0.8-1.8)

5/5/2011

TSH = 0.52 (0.40-4.50)

T4 Free = 1.4 (0.8-1.8)

2/9/2011

TSH = 0.34 (0.40-4.50)

T4 Free = 1.7 (0.8-1.8)