new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

:wave: hello!

New labs are in and since the other got quite long, I start a new topic (and let’s hope it brings good luck or in other words wellness ;) ).

Last week still felt pretty hypo (and desperate - yet with my previous labs my fT3 had dropped till 30% so guess that explains it). Since last Thursday I guess,I feel something/things are changing. I’m not ‘on’ it yet, but getting closer, the difference with a week before sure is very noticeable, feel like I’m climbing again (sure needed that). Start to feel more human again and less ghost.

my recent labs (now please do note that the last adjustment – increase 6 mcg T3 has only been 3 weeks)
TSH 0.08
FT4 1.05 (72%) (0.54-1.24)
FT3 3.3(57%) (2.50-3.90)
(75mcg PTU+162 mcg T4 + 18 mcgT3)

Wow! Now these are starting to look like something no? Might not be my optimal yet but it’s a start, these are the best labs I’ve had so far! (thank you to everybody who helped me along the way). :angel::angel:

Currently main symptoms:
-Not much stamina (well at least seem to get some now and then so that’s an improvement) but still can feel pretty dragging.
-Everything and everybody seems to get on my nerves (that’s so not me)
-In general at this point since fatigue is less, think the mental part/symptoms seem to be the worst
- Still tired but that finally definitely is improving (these days no naps, yay yay and sometimes actually feel awake yay yay, on this one improvement is definitely noticeable – even more so since it was my worst symptom. )
-Trouble falling asleep, disturbed sleep
-Clammy hands and feet
-Bloated belly (really bad, 6 months pregnant belly, nope I’m not)
-Dry mouth, thirsty, metal taste
-Stuffed nose
-Heartrate seems a bit higher again (bloodpressure something quite low 8/4 but since the last couple of days seems better, that was mainly last week and before that- at the time felt hypo in general)
- Icecold chills again (so far, knock on wood not accompanied with feverish head)
-Acne
And some others but stick to the main ones.
Most importantly I’m climbing again…

Any advice is dearly appreciated!

:wave:

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

:wave: So obviously some improvement lately. Maybe your FT3 could come up a bit :confused:

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

thank you so much for all your help. :wave:

only since the last couple of days really, I remember last week I still felt very hypo and figured it would never get better (you know how it goes). still not there, but I'm glad things start to move. is about time I think. needed it bad!

you think FT3 still would have to go up? ow when it concerns myself I'm always, well have my nose to close on things.(is that even an expression in English)

I know I'm not 'on' it yet, well it's not my optimal yet, but maybe I should wait a bit and see how things evolve? I don't know (while writing this notice still have trouble finding my words ;) )

:wave: and hugs

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

[QUOTE=lisa789;5065257]I know I'm not 'on' it yet, well it's not my optimal yet, but maybe I should wait a bit and see how things evolve?[/QUOTE]That could be a good idea - you know your body better than anyone else :) :wave:

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

true, I know my body best, I know when it's off and I'm sure I'll know when it's on :-) but it's the getting there. ;) not sure what would be best on this one.

:wave:

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

so ... here I am again.

the lattest labs are
TSH 0.11 (so went a bit up)
FT4 1.12(0.54-1.24)
FT3 3.94 (2.50-3.90)

6 weeks 75 mcg ptu; 162 mcg T4 + 18 mcg T3

my mainsymptoms are:
- Physical fatigue does seem to be less intense, better even but it depends, can still feel pretty tired, mainly no stamina maybe, don't seem to get to anything some moments yes the other completely not. (also the reason why I cannot help out on the board as I would like to, sorry about that)
- mentally seems worse, draining, dragging, everything and everybody gets on my nerves, get on my own nerves, don’t know how to keep myself. Dark thoughts even, that really so is not me. Cannot deal with things (and a lot is going on so that’s not helping,), normally I’m a good problem solver but now everything seems too much.
- Bloating (extreme, 6 months pregnant) abdominal cramping, constipation
- Tearing eye upon wakening
-Clammy moist hand and feet
- Trouble falling asleep (averagely around 3 a.m.; the other day at 6 a.m. even) needless to say this does not help with the fatigue;
-(cystic) Acne on chin
-Heartrate sometimes kinda normal (whatever that is for me;) but tendency to being elevated
- metal taste, dry mouth
-Stuffed nose
-Sometimes cold chills again, but not like a normal feeling of cold, it’s something I would describe it as a feeling like my blood is frozen but it comes in shocks kinda; (cannot describe this properly)
-More easy warm too, too hot (for example at night in bed) or when I walk the stairs (the latter one also shortness of breath but not too bad, has been worse)
-Occasionally numb hand or feet but much better

I think it's important to give this symptoms since some appear to be uhm hypo. :dizzy: then again we know symptoms can be deceiving.

Also the previous labs (6 weeks prior)
TSh 0.09
FT4 1.13 (84 %) 0.54-1.24
FT3 2.92 (30%) 2.50-3.90

At the time went up with 6 mcg T3 and that makes me end up when I'm currently.

sigh this stuff is driving me crazy.

Anyway advice is appreciated, thank you in advance! :wave:

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

new labs are in and
TSH 0.06
FT4 1.12 (83% 0.54-1.24)
FT3 3.69 (85 %) 2.50-3.90)

(last adjustment was 6 mcg T3 decreased 5 weeks ago)

I'm getting closer, just not 'on' it yet, so not sure which direction to go or to give it more time. I don't know, these days hving my periods agian too (quite heavy too for that matter) so I'm sure that also influences things and is influenced by things (always is in my case)

Good news:most days (but not all) I'm able to go for a little walk. might not sound much but considering from where I'm coming, it sure was out of the question before...

mainsymptoms at this point are:
- physical fatigue better but can still be very tired and draining/ need naps now and then; not much stamina don't get to much
- mentally better compaired to last time (fortunately) but can be feeling pretty blegh
- fortunately people get less on my nerves :-) but still have my moments
- Bloating, better but still can be quite extreme
-Clammy moist hand and feet (not constantly)
- Trouble falling asleep, figure this does not help with the fatigue;
-Acne better but still on chin
-Heartrate sometimes kinda normal
- metal taste, dry mouth but better, definitely less extreme
-Stuffed nose
-miserable cold chills again
-Occasionally numb hand or feet but still better, not too bad
- muscle pain neck region
- puffy under eyes
- hairloss (better compaired to last time but still) also dandruff
- shoulder nagging again
...

any advice, thank you!

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

:wave: Ok, so these look pretty good. Glad to hear you're doing better - unfortunately I have no idea which of these needs adjustment (if any). Have you had any other labs run lately like blood iron, Vit B12 and D and such to see if there's something else going on too :confused:

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

Those are hyperT symptoms for me which I feel take longer to subside. My personal theory is that it's because of how taxing hyperT is on the adrenals.

Your levels look good but your body may need more time to adjust. I'd wait it out and have the labs repeated in 6wks if symptoms persist.

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

Hi Lisa, you're levels look good to me. But, obviously you're not feeling tip-top yet.

May I ask a selfish question? What meds are you taking? Name brand or synthetic? The reason I ask is my levels are improving too, but I'm still not feeling any improvement. I'm wondering if a change to something more natural-ish would help. (I'm on generics now)

Hang in there, :angel: we're all in this together.

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

Hi everybody,

it probably will be a short post since I'm very tired but really want to update my latest labs so here they are (I also post the 2 labs before that since I think that might be important):

[I](November as posted above)
TSH 0.06
FT4 1.12 (83%)
FT3 3.69 (85%)
[/I]

[I]3 weeks later (December) (also had a cold and stuff)
TSH 0.07
FT4 0.93 (56 %)[/I]
[I]FT3 2.86 (26 %)[/I]

2 weeks later (currently January) (in that time a lot has been going on so stress and also some virus)
TSH 0.07
FT4 1.16 (89 %)
FT3 3.35 (61%)

medicationwise nothing has changed. The thing is I don't feel like my latest labs, I'm pretty hypo really, symptomwise the labs from 2 weeks before would make more sense, maybe the labs still need to kick in? no idea.
I do know that I feel desperate ever getting them right. It does get at me that I felt like I was getting close, was trying to build up some walking and stuff, so enjoyed that, but it's gone I so want to get on with my life but ... ys do my best to remain positive ...(stupid hormones aren't helping either)

:wave:

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

same dosage and labs are...

TSH 0.05
FT4 1.09 (79 %)
FT3 2.9 (29%) -> no idea why it's that low all of a sudden, strange.

main symptoms
- shoulder bursitis playing up again
- emotional, easy cry, easy aggitated, people get on my nerves ...
- extremely bloated
- acne worse again
- Hair loss (a lot)
- easily numbs hands and feet
- stuffed nose
- painful muscles neck region
- moist clammy hands
- cold chills, feverish
- Heartrate slightly elevated (blood pressure not, sometimes even too low again)
- Dry thirsty mouth, dry lips (extremely flaky whatever moisturizer/lip balm I put on it)
- needing more naps again
- disturbed sleep/difficulty falling asleep
- want to do stuff mentally but don't get to it physically

what do you guys think?

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

:wave: I'm sorry you're feeling so poorly :( Looks like you could use a higher dose of T3 (again) :confused: *hugs*

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

:wave:

thanks as always Finnmaid!.
I got new labs, feel less poorly then I did previously, definitely, I feel things are moving and getting closer again, but not on it yet. I seriously wonder whether I'll ever will, but it's improving and better and sure glad for that.

TSH 0.10
FT4 1.03 (70%)
FT3 3.64 (81 %)

mainsymptoms:
- somehow dragging (not constantly and not very hypo dragging but can still be dragging regardless) but as I say not on it but definitely better.
- bloated belly (this is really a balloon)
- mentally not all that (the dragging again)
- stuffed nose
- acne but seems to improve (don't dare say for sure)
- disturbed sleep
- numbs hands and feet but better
- moist clammy hands
- feverish, icecold chills but not constantly
- dry mouth thirsty
- ...

:wave: and thank you in advance

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

:wave: So your labs look pretty good. Was your T3 dose changed after those previous labs or have your labs changed on their own? Not sure what to tell you (again), hopefully things will continue improving. *hugs*

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

hi everybody,

wow has it been that long since I updated my thread? I'll do my best to add some previous stuff later on.

For now new labs are in and the sage continues: TSH: 0.1; FT4 1.02 (or 69 %) and FT3 3.66 (83%). sigh

75 ptu + 162 mcg T4 + 12 + 3 mcg T3 (PTU and T4 has been unchanged for months now but T3 has been with and without the 3 mcg)
I have the impression but can be very wrong. with 3 mcg T3 extra, I end up having my FT3 too high, BUT without it it drops significantly (as my previous posts show somewhere in the 20 %) and I do feel quite hypo. (not like little bit, I'm really back down).
1) I think it's pretty crazy and I cannot understand how such a little dosage would make such a big difference.
2) or would it be that the FT4 is too low and that makes the decrease in T3 that significant?
3) most importantly now what? I cannot have smaller amount T3, these are already capsules the pharmacist makes from 25 mcg tablets so not sure how to go.

4) My crazy mind came up with the idea to go on a holiday. Yes indeed, within 2 weeks I'm going. as such great of course (well I hope so) but I really have to feel better or I wont be able to make it. I have no plans as such other then to sit there in the sun :-) that as such would already be nice since as most of you know I have been pretty sick since I got sick and consequently not been able to do much of anything.

Any advice on the labs/dosage would be dearly appreciated! thanks in advance

ow yeah maybe some symptoms might be convenient too:
- tired (ups and dowsn)
- bloated extreme and the stomach ulcers of course. (not saying this is completely to be reduced to thyroid, but so far nothing else has been found yet which can explain it and I do feel it's somehow related - time will tell)
- diarrea (but sometimes constipated too)
- acne (less but still on chin)
- numbness in hand and feet not too bad though
- foginess
-dragging myself and people get on my nerve again
-teary eyes
- stuffed nose
- heartrate somehow better, sometimes even quite low (very new for me)
-mentally not all that sometimes having a real hard time to keep hoping I will find my sweet spot and to cope and hang in there
- frozen chills again
- sometimes clammy hands but not constant
(will complete this later on)

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

Hi Lisa789,

I think there are plenty of us on this forum that really focus on the numbers, and sometimes that is a good thing. Unfortunately with meds and the thyroid, everyone is somewhat unique in their own way. What works for one, may not work for another.

I'm not a doc, and I can say that over the past seven years of having a thyroid problem, I've become my own guinea pig. Sometimes just when I think I've nailed my problems and discovered the solution and begin to feel great, something odd will pop up within several months and cause my theory to come crumbling down.

Your blood results look good, although for some people having a TSH below 1, can bring on symptom issues, whereas others can't operate at all unless it is almost in the .001 extreme range.

I would not be surprised if your planned vacation does miracles with your symptoms. I know relaxation works wonders with me.

Also, from my experience (meaning me as the Guinea Pig with a thyroid problem), some of your symptoms appear to be due to diet. Whenever I hear the stuffy nose thing that is persistent, or heart rate, or irritableness, or fogginess it signals the possibility that there is something in your diet that perhaps should be reduced (could be sugars, could be gluten, could be dairy, could be eggs, etc). That is something you'd have to figure out on your own.

Best of luck and have a great vacation!

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

:wave: Your labs do look pretty good. I still have no idea why your FT3 acts this crazy with such small dose adjustments :dizzy: .

The diet thing may certainly be something to look into, we've discussed this before too. I've gone practically meat free during the last few weeks (still eating my dairy and whey protein), trying to stay away from white flour, sugar and caffeine and eating my veggies and I would say I feel better. Still not able to properly exercise but I'm able to cycle 15 km to work and back a couple of times a week so that helps with the head (and the butt ;) )

Re: new labs, advice please (part 3)
 

thank you both for the reaction.

Bikerdude: thank you very much. As you mention we're each our Guinea pig indeed, unfortunately and for me those symptoms do fit the thyroid story though. I'm not saying food might not play a factor, I don't know, still haven't managed to figure that out (with some yet). It's crazy how a small dosage of T3 has such an influence on my levels (I know levels don't tell it all, but unfortunately my symptoms really do follow) so maybe food might have an influence on that factor. I really truly don't know. It's such a puzzle and it's hard hanging in there and figuring it out. thank you for the good holiday wishes and wishing you all the best too!

Thanks Finnmaid. Yes my levels crashed again 3 weeks ago (I had them done but did not change anything and now they are back at a good place. i think those 'level crashes' (how else to call them) do play part in the crappy feeling, at the time I did feel pretty hypo, which they showed (FT3 27 %).
Glad you're able to bike again!

hugs to the both of you