[timbuktu]

I started Uni 3 mths ago. I had no transitional changes from Mylan generic to Uni at all, except that I noticed an increase past months in bowel slowness. Now the past week I'm noticing very obvious numbness when I wake in toes, and through that joint area/cold feet. It goes away so that it doesn't bother me when I walk and stuff.

I have not yet had my b/w since Uni. My doc ordered but as usual it doesn't include the ft3. I of course can ask the nurse to add the ft3 again, it just seems so laborious, I have to pay anyway, so I wonder if I should just get these tests done thru healthcheck to save the back and forth hassle and whatever dumb reservations docs have with the ft3 even though my insurance copay is high.

I admit to being nervous if Uni is not working then I will likely try Synthroid again (was on it last year this time, but then I got some curious HypO symptoms 1yr post labor and thought since I was changing I could just go generic, but Mylan basically was no good IMO, and UNI was priced in between range).

I'm also aware that some believe ft3 becomes difficult to convert post RAI, so I'm on my 7th year post RAI. I'm nervous about managing Cytomel. And it would stink if I go to Synthroid and then try Cytomel and it turns out thats all I needed. Of course, who knows right.

Any expert advice. thanks.

[yvonne]

Hi Timbuktu. Your symptoms do sound hypo. Perhaps labwork would show a low FT4 and you could simply increase the Uni dosage. A study I read recently said people on full replacement need a T4 about 10% higher than their own body made to get adequate conversion, and being post-rai you might even need more. My sister who is post-TT finds she needs to feel nearly hyper on the FT4 to get an adequate FT3.

Someone here recommended Levoxyl brand, and I have been very happy with that (i was as high as 75 mcg post atds and I convert poorly). But I felt the Levoxyl gave me more thorough coverage than Synthroid, meaning fewer hypo symptoms when my levels were good overall.

I was happy adding Cytomel (dropped it a few years back because the copay was high) and plan to go back to it. The hardest thing was spacing around food and calcium, but getting my FT3 from the bottom of the range to mid-range made a big improvement in my mood and energy level. Sounds like you need at least an FT4, and and FT3 would certainly show more of the picture.

Best wishes,
Yvonne, 38 mcg Levoxyl, atds 2002-2005

[cdsh3764]

You just might want to read Dr. Ken Blanchard's book about hypothyroidism - he outlines
what he has discovered (through patients' experiences) to be the best dosing plan for
those taking T4 & T3.

I found the entire book to be a great read.

[Lakelover]

You do sound a bit hypo.

I take my Cytomel upon waking and around 1P.M. and take it regardless of food.

I did not feel "right" post op until I got some higher FT-3 from the Cytomel although in the begining my system seemed to not want it.