Hypothyroidism Support Group

I would suggest a second opinion. Get your results from your doctor and see if you cant get another endo to check it out. Even if your tests are text book ,"normal" that doesnt mean that they are normal for you. You could be very well getting hyperthryroid from synthroid. I feel its really important to find a doctor to treat you by how you are feeling and not just on test results. I will say though, it is not good for you to not be medicated so, really, get that second opinion asap. It sounds like you just need to be on an even smaller dose.

I agree with the last post. Get another endo to look at this. I just got back from my endo today and I explained why I also went off the synthroid. She said that the synthroid does not cause those symptoms(same as you describe) but that it may be making my thyroid over active and that's what causes the symptoms. She suggested that I stop synthroid completely and get labs done as soon as my thyroid flares up, i.e. feels swollen and she can "catch it in the act" to see what the levels are and then she may prescribe anti-thyroid meds based on that information. By the way all my thyroid tests were normal too. She diagnosed me with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. See if you can get a second opinion. Good luck and hang in there.

Thanks for your reply - I actually tried to get a referral to the endo but my dr said it wasn't necessary. I will have to be more persistent. I don't want to be untreated but I figured it was the only way to get a true reading of where I really am when I am not on medicine.

I would get a little aggressive with that doctor. Who is he/she to tell you its not neccary! You tell them when they start paying your insurance bill they can decide who you see and dont see. Arrgghh. I'm sorry but, doctors really tend to piss me off!!! You are entiled to a second opinion whether they think its neccsary or not. If he wont give you the referral I would find another family doctor. Its really your choice but, I would opt for someone who will listen to me.

You need to look at thyroid labs of Free T3 and Free T4 to know the numbers besides looking at the TSH. If you haven't had these tests done, might be a great idea to do them.

Take care... :-)

I have been having a similiar problem-- seem to be yo-yoing to the hyper side now, and my doctor is equally dismissive and not listening.... let's both get a second opinion, find someone that will do the tests no question and really listen when you list your symptoms.

Doctors ARE so frustrating, Jessi. Mine drives me crazy. I'm in the process of switching now as I've been having signs of Hyper but he (I call him my 'fake doctor') refused to retest my levels!..... arrrrg, Charlie Brown style.

Be your own advocate is my advice! Fight for what your gut is telling you!

xo

p.s. Quitting Synthroid cold turkey c an cause real problems. Hope you get in to see someone soon that can help. Also, maybe try Armour? Or inquire about it? I've heard such good things.

It sounds like your dosage of Synthroid just needs to be adjusted. It takes a while for it to change your bloodwork. I think I remember 4-6 weeks. I would also recommend getting a copy of your blood work report. The newer range for TSH is 0.3 to 3.0. It is important to take Synthroid consistently on an empty stomach and about the same time every day. I would find a doctor to recheck the levels (TSH, free T3 and free T4). Always make them give a copy to you. All I have to do is ask and my nurse faxes a copy right over to me. I have a great doctor that I trust, but I want to see it in writing from the lab. Mary Shomon is a great thyroid patient advocate. Please don't play around with this. You might want to read some of her stuff on the web. If you really need thyroid replacement hormone, then you need it. I hope things get better for you soon.