Graves' Disease Support Group
Graves-Basedow disease is a medical disorder that may manifest several different conditions including hyperthyroidism (over activity of thyroid hormone production), infiltrative exophthalmos (protruberance of one or both eyes and associated problems) and infiltrative dermopathy (a skin condition usually of the lower extremities). This disorder is the most common cause of...
Hello!
Please can I have a bit of guidance as to what is going on? I keep trying to get my head around translating labs but as soon as I think I've got it I get confused again.
I went into remission for nine months during which I was medication free. I came out of remission a year ago, went back on 20mg of Carbimazole and at present I amd on 2.5 mg a day. I have been feeling tired and 'foggy' and miserable for a few weeks and experiencing quite a bit of pain in my legs so I had a blood test last week. Here are my results:
T4 14.6 (10.0 - 23.0)
T3 5.3 (3.5 - 6.5)
TSH 0.38 (0.40 - 5.00)
I know my Endo would say that these are looking good but I don't feel right. In a fit of temper I stopped medication all together for a few days. I did start to feel better but realised I was being silly and started taking 2.5 every other day. I don't really know what I'm doing... can anyone help before I email my Endo and get even more confused?
Thank you!
Please can I have a bit of guidance as to what is going on? I keep trying to get my head around translating labs but as soon as I think I've got it I get confused again.
I went into remission for nine months during which I was medication free. I came out of remission a year ago, went back on 20mg of Carbimazole and at present I amd on 2.5 mg a day. I have been feeling tired and 'foggy' and miserable for a few weeks and experiencing quite a bit of pain in my legs so I had a blood test last week. Here are my results:
T4 14.6 (10.0 - 23.0)
T3 5.3 (3.5 - 6.5)
TSH 0.38 (0.40 - 5.00)
I know my Endo would say that these are looking good but I don't feel right. In a fit of temper I stopped medication all together for a few days. I did start to feel better but realised I was being silly and started taking 2.5 every other day. I don't really know what I'm doing... can anyone help before I email my Endo and get even more confused?
Thank you!
Are the T3 and T4 both FREES? If this is a Free T4, it is looking a bit too low for your needs likely. A simple remedy is to take a bit less of the CBZ.
If it were me, I'd want to consider a 1.875 mg dosing or even try 1.25 mg taken as twice a day, every 12 hours.
{{{hugs}}}
Thank you mmztcass - I will give that a go.
The menopause isn't helping - I don't know what's down to that and what's Graves.
x
As predicted my Endo said, 'I would not lower the dose as your TSH is still low.I would continue'. I will be honest with her when I have my next appointment and tell her that I had a break and felt better for it. Unlike many doctors she doesn't get cross if I disagree with her - or don't do as I'm told.
The lowest dose of carbimazole I can get is 5mg. I have been dividing that into four and taking a quarter of a tablet a day; I can't get it any smaller than 1.25. If I take that twice a day then I'm back to 2.5 which seemed to be too much. I'm currently taking 1.25 at night.
Anyway, I am feeling less tired and I can think clearly, which is a blessing. I am lucky in that I work at my local hospital, where I am also being treated, so I can view all my historic test results. Pre-Graves My TSH ranged from 1.41 - 2.86; My T4 was between 14 - 17.3; my T3 wasn't monitored until I got sick but when I was in remission it was 5.1.
Bless you both for your patience and empathy.
Sarah x
Your doctor is dosing by the TSH, if it were me, I'd look for another doctor who dosed by the Free T3 and the Free T4.
{{{hugs}}}