I wouldn't recommend it and I'll tell you why....

Most of us don't "feel" optimal levels until after they "hit". It's a biochemical thing.

For me, it was a good 4 wks. *after* my levels were optimized before all symptoms finally dissipated.

Some people achieve optimal levels on 90mg Armour. Others find they need a slight dose adjustment and their doctor will increase them to 105mg.

If either of these scenarios fits you, you're at risk of hyper symptoms if you bump up to 120mg.

For whatever it's worth, I thought I was in need of a dose increase recently and I was wrong. If you are interested in hearing about the details, here's a link to the thread I wrote about it:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hypothyroidism/forum/17868009-symptoms-definitely-confusing

My first-ever thyroid forum had many mantras - one was "symptoms can be confusing, labs don't lie". And, a follow-up to that mantra was the one "never adjust your dose without labs to back up the decision".

Following their advice is what helped me achieve wellness with a minimal number of "detours".

I'm getting kinda paranoid that my blood work won't show any difference so that's why I wanted to know about an increase.

Cd, how do you know that 120mg will give me hyper symptoms?

I don't know that 120mg will give you hyper symptoms.

It will if the dose is too large for you.

I explained more in detail in my first post on here.

I completely understand how you're feeling, but please wait until your labs come back before you do anything. I say this because I just had labs done last week (6 weeks since my last med increase). I was feeling miserable still and assumed my numbers would show I'm still hypo and need another increase.

I was wrong. Turns out my TSH finally dropped (from 4.5 6 weeks earlier to 0.1), my FT4 is in the upper quarter of my range, and my FT3 is slightly ABOVE range (whoops). I was shocked. Turns out I need to either A. cut back on my T3 because I may have actually been feeling hyper, not hypo symptoms, or B. wait it out for a while and let my body catch up with the numbers. I suspect if I had increased meds on my own without knowing this, I could have been in for a bad time.

Scrivener827,

Wow! That's really good news! What meds are you on?

I've been on 100mcg of levothyroxine plus 50mcg/day (split between morning and afternoon) of liothyronine (synthetic T3). I suspect I am one of the lucky few who actually converts T4 to T3 okay, and the increase from 50 to 100 on my levo. was enough to get my levels up. The extra T3 apparently wasn't necessary, or was too much anyway. I just got the labs back, though, and haven't had a chance to discuss with my doctor.

@scrivener

Are you really taking *50*mcg T3? That's an insanely high dose and could land some people in the hospital. I would be one of them. I'm amazed that your FT3 level was just slightly over-range on that dose.

My T3 starting dose was 5mcg and that was back in January 2011.
My doctor increased my dose late last year.....and again this year and I'm now taking 10mcg.

Whoops! I meant 5 mcg. Good catch :) Clearly my brain function isn't all back yet...

Dr0004, I strongly advise not to make such a big jump in dose. I went from 90 mg, Armour to 120 mg and my numbers went HYPER but had HYPO symptoms. I've been trying to find a right dose since April 2013. I cut the 60 in half (30) and then cut the half (30) in half (15). I believe it takes longer to come down from a high dose than to increase to find what you need. AND you might scare your doctor and he/she will be afraid to go forward.

When I cut the half, I discovered there wasn't enough of T4 in there and the reason I FELT it, is because I could no longer sleep so you may experience this so you will need to add T4. I take Armour AND Levothyroxine.

I hope you do well when you increase your Armour. Be careful.

I STRONGLY advise to increase in small doses, not large. Try cutting the 60 into 4 pieces and take a small piece and gradually add if you don't feel results.

Energylost,

I've decided not to make an increase on my own. Everyone can relate to being sick and tired, and I'm tired of feeling sick and tired! With the new year right around the corner, I want to feel like the old me! I should have my results today and I'll post them later. Thanks!