Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
I know it takes 4-6 weeks to optimize T4 with each dose increase. Does anyone know how long it takes T3 to reach its peak with each dose increase?
In other words, when would I *feel* the maximum benefit after increasing?
In other words, when would I *feel* the maximum benefit after increasing?
I don't know if you would feel a "maximum benefit" unless the dose adjustment gets one/both of your levels pretty close to what prove to be your optimal levels.
Ya know, I just shared another aspect of my sponge analogy and thought it might help you, UG.
Here you go....
I like to use a sponge analogy to explain why we have symptoms during the titration process.....and why it can take a long time for symptoms to dissipate.
Try to picture your body as a sponge. Each of us has different-sized holes in our sponges that represent the different body systems that need thyroid hormone for proper function (the digestive system, neurological system, cardiac system, etc., etc., etc)
Our sponges need to be fully saturated for our bodies to work properly. So, a dried-up sponge (hypothyroid body) isn't going to work right....and that's why we have symptoms.
Even if one area of the sponge is moist, we'll have symptoms if another area is still dry.
As we add hormone (our thyroid meds), those holes will start to get filled. However, no hole winds up being fully filled during the titration process since, after all, we are working towards figuring out just how much hormone our bodies need. That's why it's called the titration process.
There's no way of knowing how many holes a person needs filled nor how big they are. That's why our doses are slowly increased.
It will take longer for a larger hole to get filled - especially since the body is using some of the hormone as we're trying to fill the hole.
For as long as any hole remains not completely filled, we are going to have symptoms.
Just as the sponge gets moistened yet can have certain areas dry out, our body can experience a waxing and waning of symptoms.....until our sponges are finally fully saturated.
It's after the sponge is fully saturated....and the saturation is maintained....then those final symptoms dissipate.
We can't rush this process because if we pour too much water on the sponge (add too much hormone), it can pour off the sponge (cause hyper symptoms).
Therefore, I don't expect you to feel improvements until a few of your sponge's holes are filled and stay that way. It's possible another hole might shout louder for hormone next time so, any improvement you might experience can disappear. Remember - we are working towards complete saturation of the sponge while using some of the "water" (hormone) to keep the body going. 'Taint an easy task.
Throw in the fact that we don't know how big anyone's holes are.....or how many holes need filling. That's why slow and steady always wins the race.
Hope this helps.
I am finally up to 2 grains (120 mgs). And I still take 25 mcg synthroid. I am thrilled that I no longer experience titration symptoms. I just get a little down that, I don't see any improvement.
Hopefully in the next 2-3 adjustments, my holes will be filled.
Hotze is letting me increase by 15 mgs every 2 weeks. I may hold at some point and get labs. 2 grains is a pretty good size dose. Hopefully things will happen soon. The kids are still screaming.
In the meantime, I am tapering off some of my antidepressants. That's another whole world of fun!
The link I'm sharing below is where I got the sponge analogy from and it contains even more info that you might find useful:
http://www.thyrophoenix.com/adjusting_doses.htm