[mariaboo]

#1059681

If my doctor increased my Synthroid dosage what is that supposed to do? Make me a little more hyper or a little more hypo? Thanks!

[snelsen]

#1176774

goal is to make you JUST RIGHT! It requires a bit of fiddling around till you find the right amount. Before Graves’, our bodies knew how to regulate our thyroid hormone needs very well. Now we/you/endo are trying to take over the job. That is why it is never ending. We change, our needs change, and that is why we keep track of how we feel, and have labs now and then.

So-not to make you hyPO, that is for sure, cause it is increased. And not to make you hyPER, either, but to get you to the point where you are feeling pretty darn good. Then life is good.
Shirley

[mariaboo]

#1176775

Thanks snelsen. I was actually feeling pretty good before the increase. The increase is very slight so that was why I was wondering what was the purpose. What did my doctor see in my labs that made him want to increase the dosage?

[Kimberly]

#1176776

Just to add to what Shirley said, it’s helpful to get hard copies of your labs, so that you can ask questions and really understand your doctor’s rationale for any dosing changes.

For those who use Sonora Quest or Quest Diagnostics for lab work, they have a new app called “Gazelle” that you can download to your mobile phone for free. In states that allow this (some don’t), you can sign in to the app and request that results be sent to you directly via e-mail.

My endo jokes that this “ruins the surprise” when I come see him, but I *really* like being able to review my results prior to my office visit!

[mariaboo]

#1176777

I am receiving hard copies of my labs through a portal. I just am having a hard time knowing what everything means. Sorry to sound so dumb about it all. This is a real learning experience, isnt’ it?

[Kimberly]

#1176778

Hello – Yes, there is definitely a learning curve with Graves’! In general, T3 and T4 represent the actual levels of thyroid hormone circulating in your body. T3 is the more powerful and active hormone of the two. Some tests will measure the amount of T3 or T4 that are not bound up by proteins, and therefore available for the body to use. These are referred to as “Free T3” and “Free T4”.

TSH is a substance produced by the pituitary gland that either directs the thyroid gland to produce more hormone or tells the body to put the brakes on thyroid hormone production. The amount of TSH produced generally depends on a “feedback loop” according to where our thyroid hormone levels (T3 and T4) are. When T3/T4 are too high (hypER) the pituitary shuts down production of TSH so that the thyroid won’t produce any *extra* hormone. When T3/T4 are too low (hypO) the pituitary cranks out TSH to get the thyroid to produce MORE thyroid hormone.

Hope this helps!

[mariaboo]

#1176779

Wow, thanks! That definitely helps. I am printing your information out and will compare them to my hardcopies of my lab results. Thank you so much!

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