Wellness

[pattyc]

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.

[cherry]

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

[maestra]

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.

[pattyc]

Did alternating dosages help you feel better?

[IMW]

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.

[gabstoomuch]

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.

[tends2dogs]

@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.

[sophiamarie]

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

[chrystaltree]

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.

[Vivian]

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’