[cdsh3764]

Howdy folks!

As you may recall, I developed a large number of hyPO symptoms over the past two months.

My "with-it" internist accepted my thoughts that I should aim for higher FT4
(and FT3 which I'm finally having run, thanks to her).

She Rx'd 25mg levothyroxine without even seeing the results of my labs.

Unfortunately, it seems an error was made and I don't have a FreeT4 result - just T4 10.5 range 4.5-12.0

My FreeT3 dropped all of .1 since my last labs....it is now 3.5

TSH dropped to .019 - blocking antibodies must really be coming into play.

I am blown away with the number and severity of hyPO symptoms I had at these levels - guess
my "best place" is in the upper third of the range - only time will tell.

On a positive note, my TRAb dropped a bit (she was insistent on running more antibody tests - I guess
due to my statements about the antibody effects on my TSH http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif ).....still waiting on TSI.

I promised this info - so you all now have it http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

The evolution of my Graves' journey never ceases to amaze me http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif.

All the best,

Carol

[mmztcass]

Do you plan on getting the Free T4 done to know where it is at?

{{{hugs}}} :)

[cdsh3764]

mmztcass, on 09 March 2010 - 04:54 PM, said:

Do you plan on getting the Free T4 done to know where it is at?

{{{hugs}}} http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

I've been taking levothyroxine for 4 days already - no chance to get in to see the doctor/get labs until later
this week, even if I wanted to.

My doc gave me the results over the phone so she seems to be comfortable with me staying on the levo.
If she's comfortable, I'm comfortable - I was pretty darn hyPO (symptom-wise) at the time of those labs
and was praying she'd Rx some replacement for me.

Ironic that the time I really wanted the FT4 results, I didn't get them - this happened one other time
during my Graves' journey.

I look at it this way - it must have gone down 'cuz the FT3 went down.....and, I started taking
selenium after my January labs so I'm thinking the FT4 could even be proportionately lower.

She wanted me to lab in 4 wks. from starting the T4 but I'll be away so it will be just shy of 5 wks.

I do need relief from the symptoms so I'll stay the course.

[AngelTrujillo]

Carol,
I hoep you get to feeling better soon!!
I am so glad that yoru with it doctor is helping you get out of the hypO whole. It is no fun being there.
Try to rest and let the replacement do it's thing.




hugs
Angel

[cdsh3764]

AngelTrujillo, on 09 March 2010 - 07:59 PM, said:

Carol,
I hoep you get to feeling better soon!!
I am so glad that yoru with it doctor is helping you get out of the hypO whole. It is no fun being there.
Try to rest and let the replacement do it's thing.




hugs
Angel

Hey Angel !

L-o-o-o-n-n-n-g time! Hope you've been well.

Thanks, as always, for your never-ending words of support.

Yes, I am thrilled to finally have a "with-it" doc.....and to think endo #3
would have me on 5mg MMI !!!!

I am letting the replacement do its thing - YAY!!

((hugs)))

Carol

[Marti]

So after a few days, are you feeling better?

[cdsh3764]

Marti, on 12 March 2010 - 07:34 AM, said:

So after a few days, are you feeling better?

Hi Laura

Thanks for asking :)

I am feeling a slight easing of symptoms - the brain fog is definitely lifting which is really
important to me - just couldn't run my business properly with it. Energy/strength/stamina
is better, too but not fully "back". I still have those hyPO symptoms that always seemed
to be the last to go - slow digestion, unbelievable chills at night - I've been dealing with those
since last summer....should be interesting to see if the 25mcg brings on a complete easing of
symptoms - would be nice :)

I am only a week into the levo - slow and steady is fine with me as long as things are headed
in the right direction :)

Always great to hear from you!

I take it things are good on your end?

All the best,

Carol

[Marti]

At such a low dose of anything, try not to look at it as hypo or hyper symptoms. Look at is as changing level symptoms. If you continue to feel better then stay the course, but if there is no or little improvement then look for more labs soon. Oh yeah, did I say "don't over think this!"? :rolleyes:

[cdsh3764]

Marti, on 15 March 2010 - 07:27 AM, said:

At such a low dose of anything, try not to look at it as hypo or hyper symptoms. Look at is as changing level symptoms. If you continue to feel better then stay the course, but if there is no or little improvement then look for more labs soon. Oh yeah, did I say "don't over think this!"? http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

You are just too cute, sometimes :) (guess you read Angel's hijacked thread :))

Funny you should mention "changing level symptoms" - I had a "bout" of them on Saturday
and, then, yesterday morning, I woke up a new person!!!

The physical/mental/emotional numbness was gone, I had the best workout in ages, no chills
(even at night) for the first time since last summer - I am on my way!!!!

Yes, I tripped over my step when working out *but* I honestly think the floor got a little warped
from the humidity in the crawl space (too much rain in NJ)....I'm going with that :)

I am extremely confident about my choice (I was when I first made it....and became even
more confident after "overthinking it" - lol)

Thanks, as always, for the votes of confidence :)

[Marti]

No, I did not read the hijacked thread! (I know very little about potassium.) I came up with this all on my! But I went and read a little now...

If I had been paying attention a couple weeks ago, I probably would have said the same thing Monica said. Your body needs a little time to get used to being without meds. I had a similar experience with symptoms when I stopped the Tap. My doc told me to stay the course, so I did, and it worked out fine. That being said, I think you are on such a low dose that it probably does not matter. If you are in remission then your pituitary should be able to handle that low dose - that is what the pituitary is supposed to do - react to small changes in thyroid hormone levels.

Ultimately you would like to do this with no meds...but hopefully a low dose is not a big deal either.

[cdsh3764]

Marti, on 15 March 2010 - 09:03 AM, said:

No, I did not read the hijacked thread! (I know very little about potassium.) I came up with this all on my! But I went and read a little now...

If I had been paying attention a couple weeks ago, I probably would have said the same thing Monica said. Your body needs a little time to get used to being without meds. I had a similar experience with symptoms when I stopped the Tap. My doc told me to stay the course, so I did, and it worked out fine. That being said, I think you are on such a low dose that it probably does not matter. If you are in remission then your pituitary should be able to handle that low dose - that is what the pituitary is supposed to do - react to small changes in thyroid hormone levels.

Ultimately you would like to do this with no meds...but hopefully a low dose is not a big deal either.

http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

Believe you me, both my doc and I agreed with me staying the course up until most recently.

Truly, at the point I was before starting levo, I should have stopped driving if I was going to
stay the course.

I will be the one driving my family around on Grand Cayman for my son's wedding at the
end of May....driving there is on the left side - yikes! Can't be "fading out" then http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

And, with the economy affecting my business SO significantly, I could not continue making
the errors I've been making and expect to keep customers.

I run my business solo - I sell hydraulic components to the aerospace and defense industries -
it is not appropriate to expect others to "catch" my mistakes.

It all boils down to a risk vs. benefits choice at this point.

Yes, it would be nice to accomplish things without meds and I'm hoping that is in the cards
for me.

I'm "holding on" to Elaine's advice and the positive experiences of thyroid forum members
needing replacement hormone after going off ATD's - it's all I got http://www.livingwithgravesdisease.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

Thanks for your caring - very much appreciated!