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hhchong,
If I remember correctly, your surgery was some time around now? Did you have it yet? How are you doing? Those first few days are rough, but each day gets better. I think it was around day 6 that I started to feel like I turned a corner. I’m on day 8 now. Let us know how you are.
Alexis
Hi Alexis,
You’re so sweet to ask! My surgery is scheduled for this upcoming Tuesday – 2 more days!I’m so happy to hear your surgery was a success
To be honest, I’m just ready to get it over with – the anticipation keeps building and I’m so nervous. I’ll be sure to post an update once my surgery is complete.
Out of curiosity, when did you start your thyroid replacement medicine and what are your starting doses? I asked my doc for T3 as well because I wanted to start a combo off the bat. I’m scheduled to start 125 MCG of Synthroid and 5 MCG of Cytomel the day after surgery…
Cheers!
Hi!
2 more days! That’s great! I’ll be praying for you & hoping all works out well. I asked my doctor about T3 as well as T4, but he said (along with my surgeon) that he prescribes just Synthroid (T4 only). I guess T4 is converted to T3 as the body needs it, but T3 (taken directly) is used by the body whether it needs it or not- which if it doesn’t need it, can result in some hyper symptoms like anxiety, elevated heart rate. I had researched Naturethroid (T4 & T3 combo) and asked about it, but decided to go with my doctor’s recommendation of only using Synthroid and then go from there depending on how I feel. I don’t think he’s totally against taking T3, but it isn’t what he normally does.
My starting dose is 100 mcg. of Synthroid (brand name). My surgery was Friday morning, and I started it on Sunday morning. So, I’ve been on Synthroid for 8 days now and feel pretty good. I’ll get my bloodwork done this coming Friday (TSH & T4- my doctor said it wasn’t necessary to test T3 even though I was curious to see how my body is converting the Synthroid, but that’s okay). So, we’ll see how it all looks. I take my Synthroid first thing in the AM with about 10 oz. of water or more. I wait an hour to eat (at least- bc I’m super cautious like that ) and I wait 4 hours before taking the Tums I have to take for the calcium during the first few weeks after recovery. It’ll be interesting to see what my labs look like. I am a little tired, but that is probably from surgery recovery and taking care of my boys and maybe my numbers are a little off- I don’t know. But, I don’t feel any of the other hypo symptoms that I read about. I don’t feel excessively cold or have a head ache, no constipation, no depression or anything. I’m hoping the Synthroid will be enough for me. Time will tell I guess.
I’ll be looking forward to your updates and how the T3 is working for you as well. I’ve read that people feel more energetic taking it, and then I’ve read that people feel hyper taking it bc it is so readily available biologically to the body. With T3, I’ve read some people split the dose between AM & PM bc the body uses it right away too. Everyone’s different- a bit of a balancing act I guess to get it right.
Alexis
Something else I learned was that starting dose (or dosing in general maybe) is based on weight, to an extent. 1.7 mcg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight as far as Synthroid goes.
Alexis
Alexis,
Thank you so much for your insights! I’ve been watching your posts re: your recovery closely and all the information you’ve provided has been so helpfulI’m glad to hear your voice is getting better as well and that you were able to resume nursing
Thanks for the dosing formula…that’s very helpful. It’s great to hear that you’ve had such a good recovery – it’s so different from the “doom and gloom” posts I’ve read on many sites and very encouraging.
I will keep you updated!
Believe me, I read many doom and gloom posts as well. I had to stop reading them; my husband, my parents, my endo.- everyone said to stop reading them. There are risks with everything, but yeah, it does freak you out to read some of the stories out there. I guess you do your homework, get educated, make a decision, and move forward with all the hope and preparation you can do.
Alexis
Hi Alexis.
I have been doing this for a long, long time. I have never had weight considered as a factor for determining Synthroid (or any thyroid) supplement.
It is always the TSH, T3 and T4, plus the symptoms I have having.
I will be sure to ask my endo when I see him in September. Right now, I question that regimen. Looking forward to learning more, evidence based research, and all that I have not looked up yet.
ShirleyHello – Just a quick note about weight and Synthroid dosing. Weight is a factor when the doctor makes his/her *initial* guess as to the correct dosage, along with other issues such as age and whether there are any co-existing medical conditions. (For example, for an older patient with a heart condition, the doc might deliberately start at a lower dose and work slowly up.)
Once that initial guesstimate is made, any further adjustments are made according to labs, with no further regard to weight. (And hopefully, the doc will ask about symptoms as well, as some patients feel best at a particular spot within the “normal” range).
Hope this helps!
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