Both of your doctors are wanting to raise the MMI up to 15 mg because of trying to get your TSH to come up. They do not understand the roles of the antibodies affects on the TSH. The risk of taking more MMI will cause the Free Ts to drop further with the already lowered FT4 you have.

If all is possible, I strongly suggest you look for another doctor, the one who looks at the Free Ts only, ignores the TSH and would understand the antibodies effects on the TSH.

Good luck and {{{hugs}}}

Your FT4 is already below mid range...mmz is right...run from this doc.

Hi Snippy,
Is this the doctor you were referred to because of your insurance situation? I know we all say to find another doctor and there is a thread about just that question. It's the finding the doctor that is the issue. I've also tried the Top Thyroid Drs for my area with no luck. I've found that they mostly work with hypo in my area and still do the same thing with the TSH. I sure wish I had answers and could direct you. At the moment I have a Dr that I basically told him what I was willing and unwilling to do and so far we have a tentative truce. I do know that regardless of what I have sent him for support that the antibodies affect the TSH - he isn't willing to give up on his point of view so if the TSH stays low I expect he will want to up the meds rather then give it time. It is such a vicious
circle. I am praying you will find that one dr that will understand and work with you. Keep the faith my dear!!! Just remember you
are never alone.
Cindee
Huggs!

I know things are different in the States vs Canada but why cant you just go for your meds...lie to get what you want...and do your own medication changes. I had to do that and a lot of people here whether there from the States or Canada had to do that. What would happen if you do? Do the docs have to know everything? Like...what they dont know wont hurt anyone? Its all about feeling better. When asked questions by the docs...you tell them what they want to hear and go on your merry way. We need our docs...there's no question about it...we need them for the meds and tests...but beyond that...were basically on our own anyway. Just something to think about.

As dairy says.

There are already a number of people I know who are their own doctors. They order their own labs and order their meds from an online company that do not require an RX from a doctor and do their own dosing and adjusting according to their labs.

One must learn to be their own advocate, learn how to read labs properly to be able to do these things.

I soon may have to go this route because the insurance we have through hubby's work is really, really bad.

{{{hugs}}}

Yes...mmz is right. I didnt have to go that far but I did do my own dosing. I saw the writing on the wall quite early in my diagnosis that other than my Opth and GP...I was basically on my own.

I've been here since Nov 07 shortly after my diagnosis. The bottom line is...those that take things into there own hands after researching and learning all they can about there disease...do much better than those who rely solely on there docs decisions. Unless you are very fortunate and find a good doc and there are not many that do...its pretty much a crap shoot...its in your best interests to do all you can for yourself to feel better. It seems to be the only way.

Snippy, I agree with the ladies here. Do you still feel bad? Do you feel better now than you did in April? Your labs look better now although the FT4 is kind of low but it's an improvement. You should not be on higher than 10 for sure. Maybe even 7.5 They can't dose you by tsh and you have to bring in articles to show that. My FT3 is like yours ( a little higher) and I feel better when the FT3 is higher I figured out. I have WAY less aches and pains. Has the pain improved at all since April, or got worse? You might still be feeling the lower levels from then I think.

Your doc is focusing on TSH, which is so wrong and I feel for you. Been there done that.

At the time I was on antithyroid drugs was hypo most of the time because doc always worried about the stupid TSH.

So, there was no alternative for me but to kinda dose myself. I did telll my doctor and he said he was glad I did that. Like he did not really know how I felt.