why doesnt it all post?
I saw my endo today and he said my thyroid levels are looking good... he decided to leave my ptu dose where it is and told me to come back in 3 months! However, I asked for labs sooner so he did give me lab slips to have my labs drawn in 6 weeks and then again 6 weeks after that. Here are my last three labs:
9/22/2009
T3, Free 390 range (230-420)
T4, Free 1.0 range (0.8-1.8)
Reduced from 450 mg ptu daily to 150 mg ptu daily, propranolol reduced from 20 mg twice daily to 10 mg daily
10/16/2009
t4, Free 0.58 (range 0.93 to 1.71)
reduced from 150 mg ptu daily to 50 mg daily, no beta blocker (propranolol)
11/04/2009
T3, Free 473 (range 230-420)
T4, Free 1.1 (range 0.8-1.8)
told to keep dosing at 50 mg daily
My question is this... why is it that in september, it appeared my levels were within range although not at preferred level yet...then in october, i went hypo, and now T4 in range but T3's high... but doc isn't changing my dose at all this time? I'm confused now. When I asked him this, he said that after my September appt, I was still being overmedicated and thats why i went hypo... he said now that he feels comfortable keeping me at the same dose I've been on. However, I still don't feel great... some days I think I'm hyper again and my anxiety goes thru the roof... but my bp and heartrate have been good. A few of you mentioned possibly dropping my dose to 37.5mg daily... I am wondering if I should try this for the next 6 weeks to see where my labs will be? and if so, how do i take this dose divided? Thanks in advance for all the support.

Hi Someone will be able to help ya w/ labs so keep checking back. I jst wnated to let u kno I had he worst aniexty when i was hypo not hyper I even had heart palps when i was hypo too. I really felt alot worse hypo more than anything ..Good luck Im gona keep my eye on this post. Wish i could help u more but Ill leave it too the VIP's of this Group!!1

I have had the same problem with posting.....this site seems to have a sensitivity to some special charactors - not sure which ones....I hate the fact that there is no option to edit a post.

Anyhooo, onto your labs. Yes, your FT4 is in-range but it's still at the low end.

Your FT3 being over-range could very well be helped by a beta blocker - beta blockers are known to be effective in bringing down FT3

Now, your anxiety could be cause by the elevated FT3....it could also be caused by your low-range FT4 which just might be too low for your body's needs.

Waiting 3 months for labs is WAY too long (endo #2 always wanted to do that with me once I "hit" a good level.....not good, 'cuz we soon discovered that the dose I was taking didn't "hold" me at that level)

Truly, until you find a dose that will keep you at the same level for a few labs and you've been up and down so much, I would think labs at 4 wks. would be even better.

Maybe you could call your doc, see about reducing to 37.5mg PTU and adding back the beta blocker.

Do you have 50 mg PTU tablets? Do you dose twice daily or more frequently? I believe PTU needs to be taken at least 3 times daily.

You could cut those 50 mg pills into quarters (12.5mg pieces) and take 1/4 every 8 hours for a total of 37.5 mg.

Don't let the doctor make the stupid statement that this will result in uneven dosing.....just tell him you're keeping track of the pieces so that, over the course of the week, it will all even out.

I've found I've gotten this "uneven dosing" nonsense from the same endos that wanted me to do once WEEKLY dosing.....now THAT is uneven dosing.

Whatever you do, take the same dose until your next set of labs - do not ever change your dose without having labs prior - otherwise you will not get a clear picture of the dose effectiveness.

Good Luck!

Carol

Not necessarily. I have found for some people that if their FT4 was too low, their FT3 was too high. Best to get that FT4 to come up mid ranges so likely then the FT3 will drop to mid ranges, as well. Still is a good idea to take small doses of Atenolol to help this in the mean time.

Make sure to continue taking the PTU in divided doses. There's also the consideration of taking it in divided doses of 37.5 mg if the 50 mg is too much.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

Thanks... I was taken off the beta blocker because my blood pressure has been on the low end and my heartrate is always in the low or mid 60's now. He didn't want my blood pressure dropping any lower or my heartrate dropping below 60. However, I do have it on hand as he told me to take it just as needed now. I can take a lowered dose during the mid day when my heartrate sometimes goes up to the 70's... my endo is flexible with me and will let me lower my dose as needed also. so, I will try the 37.5 mg daily and see how I feel... I'll have my labs retested in 5 weeks. I remember someone mentioning to take the smaller chunk in the mornings and the bigger chunk at night since thyroid levels elevate at night. I was thinking to take the smaller chunk around noon everyday and take the larger chunk around 8 pm in the evenings... how does that sound? To cd: yes, I have always taken my ptu in divided doses. depending on the dose per day, I've take as many as every 4 hours then every 6 hours, then every 8 hours, and now I take it every 12 hours.

Again, thank you to everyone for the advice and support. It definitely keeps me going and gives me hope. The light at the end of the tunnel is there and I'm moving towards it.

Yes, smaller doses in the AM and larger doses in the PM since thyroid is more active at nighttime.

{{{hugs}}} :-)

Hey....heartrate in the 70's is normal. I posted a lot on here already today and have to attend to my work - otherwise, I'd dig up a link

I really wouldn't worry about taking a beta-blocker unless your resting heart rate goes above 90 and you feel really uncomfortable.

Truly, try taking 37.5mg PTU divided into 3 doses as I suggested.

Good luck!

I will try the 37.5 mg of PTU in divided doses over the next week and see how I feel. My endo always says give it a few days for my body adjust before I judge how I feel. I'm so sensitive to the slightest change. Will keep ya posted.