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...
Hi all,
I am a bit frustrated as I thought/hoped I could be going towards remission and am tired of this dosing battle. Here are my last three labs.
FreeT4 range 0.8-1.5
4/17. 1.0. Lowered methimazole 5-2.5
5/21. 1.3. Stayed on 2.5 weekdays, 5.0 Sat/Sun
8/12. 1.4
(I only did the weekend dosing of 5 for 2 weekends as my arthritis would get very bad after)
Free T3. Range 2.2-4.0
4/17. 3.0
5/21. 4.7
8/12. 4.7
TSH Range .35-5.0
4/17. .524
5/21. 0.022
8/12. 0.015
Do I worry about the T3 being high? This is why my endo wanted me to do the 5.0 on two days a week. But I felt it increased my arthritis and stopped it. Also, why would the TSH go down? I was hoping I was getting closer to remission but not now as its low again on the 2.5 dose.
What do I do now? Stay on 2.5 for how long? Should I add in any supplements? I bought selenium and evening primrose as I saw you all had mentioned these but haven't taken yet. How much of these would you suggest?
Thanks ladies for any advice.
Mary
I am a bit frustrated as I thought/hoped I could be going towards remission and am tired of this dosing battle. Here are my last three labs.
FreeT4 range 0.8-1.5
4/17. 1.0. Lowered methimazole 5-2.5
5/21. 1.3. Stayed on 2.5 weekdays, 5.0 Sat/Sun
8/12. 1.4
(I only did the weekend dosing of 5 for 2 weekends as my arthritis would get very bad after)
Free T3. Range 2.2-4.0
4/17. 3.0
5/21. 4.7
8/12. 4.7
TSH Range .35-5.0
4/17. .524
5/21. 0.022
8/12. 0.015
Do I worry about the T3 being high? This is why my endo wanted me to do the 5.0 on two days a week. But I felt it increased my arthritis and stopped it. Also, why would the TSH go down? I was hoping I was getting closer to remission but not now as its low again on the 2.5 dose.
What do I do now? Stay on 2.5 for how long? Should I add in any supplements? I bought selenium and evening primrose as I saw you all had mentioned these but haven't taken yet. How much of these would you suggest?
Thanks ladies for any advice.
Mary
When a Free T3 is high, we don't want to take Selenium as it will raise it even higher.
I think a 3.75 mg MMI (Methimazole) dosing would've worked better in your case. Taken this as twice a day.
Are you eating/drinking anything to cause your FT3 to get high?
{{{hugs}}}
{{{hugs again}}}
https://www.aace.com/files/hyper-guidelines-2011.pdf
And, here are the guidelines in "English" as found in the Family Practice Notebook (note section III near the top)
http://www.fpnotebook.com/endo/pharm/AnthyrdDrg.htm
As you can see, the guidelines indicate that the patient is to take the lowest possible dose that will maintain the FreeT4 level near the high end of the range, regardless of TSH.
I'm sure you can see that your FreeT4 level is exactly where it should be.
I'd be inclined to continue with 2.5mg but be sure to divide that into a 1.25mg AM dose and a 1.25mg PM dose.
It would be a good idea for you to evaluate your diet and lifestyle to minimize thyroid disease triggers:
http://elaine-moore.com/Articles/GravesDisease/ThyroidDiseaseTriggers/tabid/183/Default.aspx
This will help lower your FreeT3 level a little.
And, just as mm says, it's not a good idea to take selenium right now because it can increase your FreeT3 level.
Try not to worry about remission right now......if it's going to happen, it will. It can take as long as 4-7 years....or even longer.
In the meantime, it's best to focus on maintaining appropriate levels and, even more so, good health.
Best of luck to you moving forward!
I am going to read over the link you sent cd and try to do better at my diet..