Having hard time getting TSH Steady (After 1.5 yrs)

[Guest guest]

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I've listed above my TSH levels over the last 1.5 years. As you can see,

we are having a hard time getting a steady read. We determined 9 months

ago that a T3/T4 mix was best for me b/c T4 (levo) left me slow and

listless. I thought we found a good balance at 125mcg

Synthroid+10mcgCytomel (equals 165mcg Synthroid). But latest test shows

I'm back up to 2.41 for TSH.

Any suggestions? I've read an Australian inquiry/study as to how a

thyroidless person deals with stress (bodies of normal persons

automatically compensate for and adjust to this stress). High stress may

cause a TSH hike/energy dive shortly thereafter for those without Thyroid.

Any support for this claim? If so, I can attest to the fact that these

holidays were very (and negatively) stressful & may have caused this TSH

hike. How do you deal with it? Rather than wait for next blood test, I am

sure I could pretty well estimate how much more/less meds I need. Does one

self-medicate? (And how does one explain that to the pharmacist?!?)

I'm seeing Doc in a few weeks to check up on this issue and see if we've

hit a closer mark this time.

-

Pap Ca 6/01 at 29 yrs old, hashimotos with high Tg, gave birth 6 mo's prior

to diagnosis (12/00), Thyroidectomy & Functional Neck Dissection 7/01,

Complication of chylous fistula, Complication of Neurotropic Amyotrophy,

Complication of extreme obstipation/constipation for 6 months, RAI scan

9/01 - hot spot in non-dissected side of neck, Nuc Medicine Thyroid doc has

me on 165 mcg/day synthroid/cytomel mix. Periodic scratchy voice,

difficulty with public speaking, vocal chords tighten/can't maintain volume

nor stamina in speaking). Doing better now in general, but periodic

nosedives with respect to energy.

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[Guest guest]

Hi ,

As you can tell, your attachment didn't come through. No attachments are

permitted here to keep vires at a minimum.

I don't know about the connection between stress and a TSH hike. I'll be

interested to see if someone has an answer to that.

Strictly a guess - it seems to me that if this is the case, it would be a

long-term stress to actually raise TSH since T4 is slow to accumulate and/or

leave the body. Again, strictly a guess.

What I wanted to address however, is that I NEVER self-medicate when it comes to

T4/T3 combo. Even if you can " figure out " what dose you " think " you may need,

this is VERY dangerous. (The exception would be of course, when one is hypo -

then adjusting T3 is for comfort - not to exceed doctor's recommended amount).

T3 is less reliable for keeping TSH at a constant level of suppression.

I take 5mcg of Cytomel, but this was *after* my doctor had me adequately

suppressed on T4.

Please don't adjust your thyroid meds on your own...

Hope you get it figured out and feel better soon,

<snip>

> Rather than wait for next blood test, I am sure I could pretty well estimate

how much more/less meds I need. Does one self-medicate? (And how does one

explain that to the pharmacist?!?)