topic Re: Alternating thyroid meds in Wellness

Alternating thyroid meds

pattyc — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:57:03 GMT

I will be talking to my pcp but she is out of town for 2 weeks so thought I would ask here.

Have been on 75mcg of levothyxoine for years. As my blood work shows boardline I requested trying to up the dose because have been feeling tired, sensitivity to cold, etc. PCP put me on 88mcg for 3 month and labs came back "high". Pcp then suggested trying alternating between the 2 does....one day 75, next 88 etc. for a month to see what happens.

Has anyone done this and if so, how were the results? Thanks.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

cherry — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:03:01 GMT

The only thyroid that doesn't make me sick is Armour. I would listen to your Dr and give it a try.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

maestra — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:08:25 GMT

Yes, I've been given those instructions for levothyroxine; follow directions exactly especially w/thyroid meds.

Armour didnt do anything for me, so back to levothyrox.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

pattyc — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:11:20 GMT

Did alternating dosages help you feel better?

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

IMW — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:11:20 GMT

My md put me on a smaller dose 1 day a week, I’ve been on half pills, or skipping a dose 1 day a week. I’ve had hypothyroidism for 39 years. Sometimes a dose needs to be tweaked due to hormones,illness, age etc.

The fact your md is creative with dose is a good thing.

Too much thyroid can cause thyroid storm, or heart issues etc. Too little depression. Sluggishness, weight gain, confusion—— the list goes on and on.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

gabstoomuch — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:28:34 GMT

I don't know what your doctor tests for, most Drs do not test the most important levels, which would be Free T4 and Free T3, but that said, what you are on is a T4 only med. You might ask her if you could add T3 (Cytomel).

If bumping up to 88mcg made your numbers go high, then you already have enough T4. You might not be converting it to T3, which would explain how you are feeling.

I prefer Natural Dessicated Thyroid, but some people do OK if they take levo and add Cytomel(T3). NDT already has both. T3 is the active hormone and the one that needs to be in optimal range to feel good.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

tends2dogs — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:32:12 GMT

@pattyc I have taken Armour thyroid for many years. My latest dose adjustment was to take 60 mgs. daily and two days of the week, take and additional 15 mgs. This worked for awhile, but when I go back to her, I know I need more. My PA doesn't alway draw blood, but goes by my symtoms unless it has been awhile or something really off is happening. I have Hashimotos, but that is treated basically the same. I know when I need more and I also know when to back it down or go off completely. A couple summers ago, I didn't take any at all. It isn't an exact science for sure.

I am treated at a preventive clinic. I love it because she listens to me. I also take supplements that I am sure have helped.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

sophiamarie — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:45:57 GMT

I have been on levothyroxine for almost 20 years, taking 75 mcg on Mon, Wed and Fri and 50 mcg on the other four days. I never had any adverse effects but that doesn't mean somebody else won't.

I really don't think you will get your problem solved by anyone here. It would be best for you to wait for your PCP OR call a pharmacist. They know more about drugs than doctors do anyway.

BTW, doesn't your PCP have anyone covering for him/her??? Please don't take advice from strangers on a bulletin board. Eveyone's situation is different. HTH

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

chrystaltree — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 16:52:56 GMT

No way in this world would I let my pcp manage my thyroid meds. They don't enough about thyroid meds, they aren't endocrinologists. I think you should ask for a referral to an Endocrinologist and let a specialist advise you.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

Vivian — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 17:19:04 GMT

I had thyroid cancer in 2008 and have been taking thyroid replacement meds ever since. Over the years, the numbers on blood tests have changed and on a couple of occasions my family doctor had me alternating doses. It worked out OK. Now I am on the same dose every day and will be retested next month. I think that you need to adjust to the fact that the numbers will change on your thyroid hormone tests and you will have to adjust your dosages from now on’

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

pattyc — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 17:25:10 GMT

@sophiamariewrote:
I have been on levothyroxine for almost 20 years, taking 75 mcg on Mon, Wed and Fri and 50 mcg on the other four days. I never had any adverse effects but that doesn't mean somebody else won't.

I really don't think you will get your problem solved by anyone here. It would be best for you to wait for your PCP OR call a pharmacist. They know more about drugs than doctors do anyway.

BTW, doesn't your PCP have anyone covering for him/her??? Please don't take advice from strangers on a bulletin board. Eveyone's situation is different. HTH

I wasn't coming to these boards to get my problem solved or take advise. I was just wondering what others had experienced.

Yes my doctor does have someone covering for her but I prefer to wait and discuss this directly with her. Thanks for your reply.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

x Hedge — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 19:56:14 GMT

@pattyc, yes, for some people the "perfect" dose is between two levels, and they're told to alternate. This isn't unusual.

Just be sure both levels of levo are made by the same manufacturer your body is already used to.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

x Hedge — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 20:37:51 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
No way in this world would I let my pcp manage my thyroid meds. They don't enough about thyroid meds, they aren't endocrinologists. I think you should ask for a referral to an Endocrinologist and let a specialist advise you.

My former pcp was incompetent to treat my thyroid issues.

But my current pcp is perfectly able to do so.

Unfortunately, a medical title doesn't automatically rule out, or confer medical competency.

I was referred to an endocrinologist. He reviewed my medical chart for the first time, then leaned in and said,

"By the way, there's no such thing as mitral valve prolapse syndrome. It's all in your mind." (My cardiologist would disagree.)

He didn't inquire about my diet during the appointment, but before I left he looked me over and advised me to,

"eat more meat".

I never saw this endocrinologist again.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

cherry — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 22:00:12 GMT

As long as your Dr runs the blood tests ,to check your levels ,you should be fine

I go to an endo ,and that is what she does.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

maestra — Wed, 28 Mar 2018 22:15:25 GMT

@chrystaltreewrote:
No way in this world would I let my pcp manage my thyroid meds. They don't enough about thyroid meds, they aren't endocrinologists. I think you should ask for a referral to an Endocrinologist and let a specialist advise you.

Unfortunately, in our city of 100,000 (with a state university) there is only 1 endocrinologist. Wait time to see him is 1 year; I tried!

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

highmaintenancejan — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 12:49:51 GMT

@pattyc

I've done this for years I do it with .100 and .112....one day .100 and .112 it keeps my levels just right. I test every 6 months. Sometimes I have to do more .100 or sometimes more .112. My thyroid is very 'touchy'.

I fill up my pill box for the week. Good luck...it's not hard to do. I use generic but always use the same generic.

p.s. I don't eat meat.

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

tends2dogs — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 00:11:42 GMT

@x Hedgewrote:
@chrystaltree wrote:
No way in this world would I let my pcp manage my thyroid meds. They don't enough about thyroid meds, they aren't endocrinologists. I think you should ask for a referral to an Endocrinologist and let a specialist advise you.

My former pcp was incompetent to treat my thyroid issues.
But my current pcp is perfectly able to do so.

Unfortunately, a medical title doesn't automatically rule out, or confer medical competency.

I was referred to an endocrinologist. He reviewed my medical chart for the first time, then leaned in and said,
"By the way, there's no such thing as mitral valve prolapse syndrome. It's all in your mind." (My cardiologist would disagree.)

He didn't inquire about my diet during the appointment, but before I left he looked me over and advised me to,
"eat more meat".
I never saw this endocrinologist again.

Good for you and I agree completely about who is competent and who isn't. BTW I have mitral valve prolapse and I don't eat meat HA!

Re: Alternating thyroid meds

indiepup — Sat, 31 Mar 2018 00:46:15 GMT

yes i've been on alternating doses since I was diagnosed with Hashimto's thyroiditis over 10 years ago. 62.5 mcg Mon - Wed, 50 mcg Thurs-Sun ....stayed pretty stable...until I had surgery last year and my levels got out of whack after that. Now I alternate 62.5 M-F and 50 on wkds.

Hope yours gets back in line soon. It can surely make you feel terrible in so many different ways.