Posted by MB on May 30, 2003, at 16:04:08
In reply to T4/T3 doses, posted by danelor on May 30, 2003, at 13:19:22
In the early 90s, when it started to look like none of the SSRIs available were really working, my pdoc suggested Levoxyl augmentation. My TSH levels were tested and showed to be at the high end of the "normal range." I was put on 50mcg of Levoxyl, and still take it ten years later. One time in the late 90s, during a hospitilization, the pdoc took me off of it for two weeks, retested me, and confirmed that I did need the medication. Then I wondered if the test was valid, given that my natural T4 production might be suppressed after 6 years on the Levoxyl, but I stayed on the medication anyway. Now, with my sensitivity to heat, cardiac arrhythmias, discomfort in my neck, and discomfort behind my eyes, I'm wondering if the T4 is having deleterious effects on me. I actually went to a cardiologist for what felt like skipped beats followed by transient tachycardia. He said that was exactly what it was, and that it was normal for people on T4, given the fluctuations in blood levels throughout the day. This pissed me off. I don't want to be on this crap. A friend of mine who's been on T4 since childhood has developed some kind of malignant goiter. I don't know if there's a causal relationship, but I'm freaked. My neck hurts right where hers is swollen.
I recently had some tests done. My TSH is .6 uIU/mL. Isn't that a little low?
However, also while on medication, I had a "T4 free," a "T4 total" and a "T3 free" test done, all of which put me right smack dab in the middle of the "normal range." I guess I should believe the numbers, but something in my gut tells me to get off this stuff. It hasn't helped my depression or fatigue. Maybe if I tapered off gradually, I could regain my normal thyroid functions and not have to put up with these arrhythmias.
I'm just wondering if being on the medication for so long has suppressed my thyroid functions so that it only *looks* like I need the medication.
MB
poster:MB
thread:230248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030530/msgs/230273.html