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...
Hi guys,
I promise this won't be a novel of a post, haha. Basically, I'm meeting with an endocrinologist on Tuesday, the first time since I've was diagnosed hypothyroid. I'm happy with my GP and will still go to her, but she felt like with my history of Cushing's syndrome and wacky reproductive hormones on recent blood work, I should go talk to an endo to see if they will think of something she hasn't.
I know many of you have had bad experiences with endo's and, honesty, I have too. When I developed Cushing's syndrome (2012), I saw an endo who just told me "get off steroids and everything will be fine" which it obviously wasn't bc i wound up with hypothyroidism from it. I'm just looking for tips or if you guys asked any questions that were really helpful or what to watch out for.
Anyway, here are latest labs from 9/25 if that is helpful:
FREE T4: 1.15 (range .93-1.70 ng/dl)
TSH: 1.26 (range 0.270-4.200 mIU/L)
My doc didn't run my T3 (which is "TRIIODOTHYRONINE" right?) for my 9/25 test but here's where it was at in July when she did test it:
T3: 93 (range 80-200)
ESTRADOL: 21 (no range given but I believe that's very low)
TESTOSTERONE: 6 (range: 9-55)
DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE: 56 (range 45-270)
Also, as a side note. I've been cytomel 5mg for the last two weeks or so and over all, I do have a lot more energy/ease of thought/ease of creativity but I also have a lot more anxiety that increased right as I started the cytomel (I was originally on 25mg but was reduced). I am in a very stressful period of time at school and I will say that "normal" me (pre-hypothyroid, pre-cushings) is a very anxious person, just always have been. I think I was so exhausted from having hypo, I couldn't be anxious as badly, so idk if this is part of my "return to normal".
Anyway, I take the 5mg of cytomel at bed time when I take my levothyroxine bc my cytomel bottle says to take on an empty stomach. But I feel like I'm having more heart palps and waking up anxious. I'm the first person my GP has given cytomel to and I sometimes feel like the bottle is written as if I weren't taking levothyroxine along with it. So anyone with cytomel tips, feel free to shout out!
love to you all!
I promise this won't be a novel of a post, haha. Basically, I'm meeting with an endocrinologist on Tuesday, the first time since I've was diagnosed hypothyroid. I'm happy with my GP and will still go to her, but she felt like with my history of Cushing's syndrome and wacky reproductive hormones on recent blood work, I should go talk to an endo to see if they will think of something she hasn't.
I know many of you have had bad experiences with endo's and, honesty, I have too. When I developed Cushing's syndrome (2012), I saw an endo who just told me "get off steroids and everything will be fine" which it obviously wasn't bc i wound up with hypothyroidism from it. I'm just looking for tips or if you guys asked any questions that were really helpful or what to watch out for.
Anyway, here are latest labs from 9/25 if that is helpful:
FREE T4: 1.15 (range .93-1.70 ng/dl)
TSH: 1.26 (range 0.270-4.200 mIU/L)
My doc didn't run my T3 (which is "TRIIODOTHYRONINE" right?) for my 9/25 test but here's where it was at in July when she did test it:
T3: 93 (range 80-200)
ESTRADOL: 21 (no range given but I believe that's very low)
TESTOSTERONE: 6 (range: 9-55)
DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE SULFATE: 56 (range 45-270)
Also, as a side note. I've been cytomel 5mg for the last two weeks or so and over all, I do have a lot more energy/ease of thought/ease of creativity but I also have a lot more anxiety that increased right as I started the cytomel (I was originally on 25mg but was reduced). I am in a very stressful period of time at school and I will say that "normal" me (pre-hypothyroid, pre-cushings) is a very anxious person, just always have been. I think I was so exhausted from having hypo, I couldn't be anxious as badly, so idk if this is part of my "return to normal".
Anyway, I take the 5mg of cytomel at bed time when I take my levothyroxine bc my cytomel bottle says to take on an empty stomach. But I feel like I'm having more heart palps and waking up anxious. I'm the first person my GP has given cytomel to and I sometimes feel like the bottle is written as if I weren't taking levothyroxine along with it. So anyone with cytomel tips, feel free to shout out!
love to you all!
Sounds like you have a good GP...and that's more than half the battle right there.
I'm only going to use your most recent labs, and you know this - but you need to have current Free T4/Free T3 tests to accurately gauge what's going on with you, so I'd ask for that at the Endo's office - it can't hurt.
"I take the 5mg of cytomel at bed time when I take my levothyroxine bc my cytomel bottle says to take on an empty stomach. But I feel like I'm having more heart palps and waking up anxious."
I'll BET! Taking levothyroxine at night is ok for some, but I would NEVER take cytomel at night. It's high in potency. I'm not sure how you handled 25 mcg.
Where cytomel is concerned, you need to to take it 1st thing in the morning and split the dosage (1/2 in am - 1/2 in afternoon). It should "level you out" a bit more.
Your Free T4 is still a quite low at 28% of range. It should be in the upper 1/2 of the range at least...but most people feel "well" in the upper 1/4 of the range...so you have quite a ways to go. Your TSH is still above 1, so your GP might increase your levo a bit.
Finally: "I couldn't be anxious as badly, so idk if this is part of my "return to normal". "
Well, that's a two part answer:
1. You're not "there" yet. You're just getting started on your journey to wellness. So, your anxiety will most likely stick around until you optimize your levels which takes time and gradual adjustments to your medication.
2. Yes, it is part of "return to normal". Your body is starting to "wake up", and that takes some adjustment. Some symptoms will worsen...some will get better. Once you're at "optimal", you'll feel muuuuch better.
Finally, if you mention anxiety to your endo..I can almost guarantee you that the endo will reduce your dosages. They see hypothyroidism as very black and white, and "anxiety" is on their list for hyperthyroidism (which you are not).
2.
I agree I wouldnt take cytomel at night.
I take my levo and other meds in the morning 30 mins before food. If I had cytomel Id break it in half and have half in the morning and half about 2pm. Just my opinion, no Dr.
most folks put their thyroid meds by the bed and take it immediately upon waking in the am, then get moving. I allow about 30 min before I eat anything else and that works out fine. I take an afternoon dose of cytomel as well (it is very short acting, about 5-6 hrs) and I take it 2 hrs after lunch and 1/2 hr before a snack. If you find you need more than 5 mcg of cytomel you might consider multi dosing throughout the day.
My endo is good but doesn't believe in micromanaging. If my tsh and t3 are in range (a range we agreed to, not the antiquated one) then we leave me be. However she did listen to me when I insisted I felt better on less synthroid and more cytomel...which is why I get family to drive me the 90 min to see her since I moved.... once you find a good one you hang onto them.
Hope it all smooths out soon!