[jennodum]

#1059143

Hi,
I have been diagnosed with Graves disease for well over a year now. I have had the RAI and have been on thyroid producing medication. I am up to 200mcg now… My levels are still not where they should be. I am supposed to see my endocrinologist 2 days after I get my 6 week lab work done. I am just so sick of every time my doctor gets my lab results, asking me if I am taking my medication regularly. I make it a point to take it at the same time everyday, always in the morning, with a bottle of water and waiting 45 minutes before eating or drinking anything!! I just don’t understand… Is it usual for treatment to last this long? Why are my levels still not right? Is it possible I was misdiagnosed? Or maybe something else is also wrong with me? Please help??? Thanks!!!

[Bobbi]

#1172486

How frustrating for you! Is you endo looking only at TSH levels? If so, it might be constructive to have a full thyroid panel done, including the levels of free T3 and T4. But if the full panels are being done, I wouldn’t know what to suggest. Typically, the key to problems like yours involve taking other medications too soon. The only thing that might make a difference — theoretically — is if you are taking supplements — like vitamins and calcium — too close in time to your thyroid replacement pill. My pharmacist told me I needed to wait a minimum of four HOURS for those.

[Kimberly]

#1172485

Hello – this is a long shot, but if you know that you are taking your meds as directed, and your levels aren’t responding accordingly, you might look into a possible digestive issue, such as Celiac disease. Here is some info from the American Thyroid Association:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://www.thyroid.org/professionals/publications/clinthy/volume24/issue3/clinthy_v243_4_5.pdf

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