The REAL latest labs - bummer. Midwest?

[birchtree]

Here are my latest labs:

TSH: .13 (.4-4.5)
Free T4: 11.6 (4.5-12.0)
Free T3: 284 (230-*** (four hundred twenty))
T3 uptake: 33.1 (25-36)

Will find out ferritin iron level result tomorrow when I speak to the endo.

I'm pretty sure the endo is going to have me lower my levoxyl from 137 to 125 mcg 'cause of TSH and t4 levels. And she's going to say my t3 is in range so I'm fine.

I wish I was fine. My hubby asked me if it was possibly the medication itself causing hair loss and anxiety...I said I don't know, left the room and just I broke down in tears.

I'm going to run these test results by my naturopath as well.

Anybody out there work up their T3 from a tiny, tiny amount - say 1/2 of 2.5 mcgs - and successfully work themselves up after previousl failures?

As a reminder, I'm TT Sept 06, have tried adrenal support (I have adrenal fatigue, but they're still working), cytomel and armour and have had bad reactions to all at various times with various levels.

Midwest - T3 uptake is a measure of the proteins to which the T3 is attaching itself, correct? What's the significance of this test? Do you think I can derive some hope from that test that my system may eventually convert well? Okay to say no! That Free T3 level IS "low normal", correct?

thanks
B

[mkgbrook]

The main side effects of levoxyl are as follows:
For patients taking this medicine for under active thyroid a few weeks to reach optimal blood levels for a specific dose is necessary. It can take several weeks for results to become noticeable. Until it begins to work, you may experience no change or a worsening of your symptoms briefly.

Check with your doctor if the following symptoms continue:
Clumsiness; coldness; constipation; dry, puffy skin; listlessness; muscle aches; sleepiness; tiredness; weakness; weight gain

Other effects may occur if the dose of the medicine is not exactly right. These side effects will go away when the dose is corrected. Check with your doctor if any of the following symptoms occur:
Changes in appetite; changes in menstrual periods; diarrhea; fever; hand tremors; headache; increased sensitivity to heat; irritability; leg cramps; nervousness; sweating; trouble in sleeping; vomiting; weight loss

Other side effects not listed for public viewing and occur in some patients. Your doctor should be able to accesses rarer side effects.

Let me dig into another reference on things.. this was a conjoined heart medication interaction search..

Hah..
I found with a new combined search partial hair loss may occur rarely during the first few months of Levoxyl® therapy, but this is usually temporary.

I am not sure if this is of comfort. But the medication may be a factor. Each medication can be effected adversely depending on the inert ingredients. I hope that you stabilize soon.

Sincerely,
MG

[mkgbrook]

Oh.. Your T3 is in range, but optimal is 330 not 280 something.. just a little fact if you want to argue for an increase there...

Sincerely,
MG

[birchtree]

Thanks MG - That magic number 330 seems to make sense to me. I just can't believe I haven't been able to find a doctor who can help me take T3, either by armour or cytomel.

I've seen two other posters here who's hair loss improved almost immediately after increase (both T4 and armour). I can't understand why that can't happen for me.

re: Levoxyl...in my heart I know it's my disease, not the drug, but I do wonder sometimes.

pity party!

B

[midwest1]

Birch... I learned much of the little bit I know from a past regular here named Meep. I keep a folder full of his wisdom that I can refer to at times like this. He once told someone with labs similar to yours that she appeared to be overmedicated, and here's why...

Your FT4 is at the tip-top of its range and your uptake is also high. That's a sign that your body is manufacturing more proteins to sweep up and store the excess of T4 in a move to inhibit some of its action as a natural protective mechanism. Meep's advice was always to aim for free T levels in mid-range and tweak from there. I really think he'd say that your high FT4 is the problem... that it's too high for you.

So, cry for feeling so bad today, but then resolve yourself to accept that a dose reduction - especially just a tiny one - is probably in order and may well do you some good.

I have seen references to continuing hair loss with Synthroid use; for what it's worth, I haven't seen anything that says the other brands can have a permanent hair-shedding effect. In your case, I bet it's more a case of still having unstable T levels rather than a direct result of the med itself. It'll get better, Birch... I know it will.

Meantime, I've seen a lot of people mention that Nioxin products helped their thinning hair. Have you heard of or maybe tried them?
{{{Hugs, Kiddo}}}