Posted by Ritch on June 3, 2003, at 23:17:23
In reply to Re:Has my thyroid shut off? » Ritch, posted by Chloe on June 3, 2003, at 14:05:36
> > > Hi
> > > I was put on 10 mcgs T3 to help with my cylcing. Before starting T3 I always had normal thyroid levels. My cycling seemed to get better for a month or two. Then, I think my own thyroid completely shut off. I am very tired, chronically constipated, lose tons of hair and cycle alot. And I am having a hell of a time getting an endo appointment...I am hoping maybe in a month or two.
> > >
> > > Anyway, can that small amount of T3 shut my own thyroid down? I have heard that this is common. But 10 mcgs? Also, I did cut the dose in half and after feeling miserable for about two weeks I felt a little better. But now I feel beyond terrible, depressed, *irritiable*, menstrual periods all out of wack, and very constipated while on a high fiber diet plus metamucil. Nothing helps.
> > >
> > > Would stopping the T3 all together help? Or would an endo supplement me with more thyroid??? Any thoughts would be so appreciated.
> > > Chloe
> >
> > Chloe, those symptoms you mention sound like classic hypothyroidism symptoms. You need to get your TSH and free T4 checked. The lithium may be suppressing your thyroid more than you think and your TSH might be higher as a result. Will your pdoc fax a test for you?
>
> I have my values from February...TSH: 0.58 (range is .27 to 4.2); T3 is 63 (range
> 80-200); and FT4 0.7 (range .9 to 1.7). These were drawn back in Feb. My Pdoc promised an appointment with a collegue endo at her hospital. I have not been able to get an appointment. So i am thinking I should go with some local. But if you are a new patient anywhere, it can take months. I am very tired and worn out from the cycling. I can't do anything to completion and I have little energy and too much irritability, distorted thinking/suicidal thoughts. It's almost like the cycles are taking over. But the good times aren't lasting. I think I need my thryoid stuff looked into. Thanks for writting. Do you think my values are really off? My pdoc doesn't seem too alarmed...
> Thanks
> Chloe
>
>Chloe, offhand I can't comment on the free T3/T4 levels, but the TSH is close to being hyperthyroid. But, you are having hypothyroid-like symptoms and those are OLD numbers. You need to get NEW blood draws ASAP, and possibly consider thyroxine (T4) in addition to or instead of T3, depending on the results. If you can get in to your GP and explain this and get it done-that might facilitate things-then have your GP fax the results to your pdoc. If your GP feels you need to be referred to an endo, let the GP do that.
poster:Ritch
thread:230248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030530/msgs/231259.html