[Anonymous August 4, 1997 at 11:55 pm Post count: 93172]

#1158566

I was surprised too as to how quickly some people have gone up in
dosage. My endo is also a 3 month kind of guy for dosage changes,
but even that is too fast for me. I also got the same 6 week info.
Barb

[Anonymous August 4, 1997 at 11:58 pm Post count: 93172]

#1158567

CeeBee:

My endo and your endo must have gone to the same school. Mine agrees with yours that it takes 6-8 weeks to determine optimal theraputic effect of dosage changes. I have a standing appointment every 6 weeks. It’s been a very long, very slow process and my dosage still isn’t right.

Luci

[Anonymous August 5, 1997 at 3:46 am Post count: 93172]

#1054389

I take Levothroid, and I’m on 200 mcg. I don’t know if it’s 1:1 equivalent with Synthroid. I started on 100 mcg, went to 125, then 150, then 200.

One thing that I find really interesting is how fast many of you have had your dosages adjusted. My endo would only see me every 3 months, and I was never tested until I had been on the higher dosage for at least 6-8 weeks. He said that it takes that long to effect a change. Has anyone else had a doctor tell them that?

He did tell me to take it in the morning on an empty stomach with water only.

Thanks, CB

[Anonymous August 5, 1997 at 7:53 am Post count: 93172]

#1158568

Chiming in — I got some personal evidence that the endos may be right about the dose change timing (six to eight weeks) — at least for some of us. Mine agrees with all of yours, BTW, but broke the rule when she first started treating me, and changed the first couple of doses after only a month, based on wierd blood test results. This last time, much to my dismay, she insisted that I wait. Well, four weeks after the change I had felt no difference whatsoever, and was screaching. But six to seven weeks into the dose change, there WAS a difference. A major one. So maybe I’m just “slow”? I really hate the thought of having to wait, wait, wait, but I’m beginning to think it may be better than being on a hormonal yoyo.

[Anonymous August 5, 1997 at 3:26 pm Post count: 93172]

#1158569

I’m one of the speedy ones as far as dose is concerned . I had a new untried doctor who took an agressive approach. I had no T4. So he took my blood every week and upped the dose. As a result instead of months on the couch, I was back full time teaching in 4 weeks. I have no doubt that stabilization takes longer, but I also know that blood values, TSH and T4 change after 4 doses. I ended up a little high and now have to work at lowering the dose. I am glad my doctor took this approach. Perhaps extreme hypothyroidism is as much as a concern as extreme hyperthyroidism. I have certainly experienced both going from a free T4 of 53 to a TSH of 65.
Brenda

[Anonymous January 15, 1998 at 2:33 pm Post count: 93172]

#1158570

I would like some advice. I have been stable on synthroid for three years,
but in september my T4 was is 2.3, and tsh was 0.2 My doctor decreased my
dose, yet 6 weeks later I am up to a T4 of 2.5, and tsh of 0.6 The normal
range at this lab is T4 0.9 to 1.8, and TSH 0.4 T0 5.5
During all this I feel wonderful, with no symptoms of hyper-ness. I sleep
great, yet have energy and feel normal.

My questions are these. What risk am I taking if I request to stay on the
dose I feel normal on? Why do I have to stay within the lab ranges? Why
do I feel fine at 2.5?

I had orbital decompression in ’95. Would staying too high re-affect my
eyes?
Thanks for listening. Post or email any responses at your convenience.
Susan C

[Anonymous January 16, 1998 at 6:57 am Post count: 93172]

#1158571

At least one of the reasons why doctors do not like to leave us in the hyper zone is the increased potential for losing bone density and developing osteoporosis. Too much thyroid hormone for too long can cause us to lose bone density, and osteoporosis is very debilitating, especially as we age. There may be other indicators of problems, too. Like a slightly elevated heart rate? It certainly wouldn’t hurt to ask your doctor this question. Their response would be more informed than mine, but I do know that there are sound medical reasons for wanting to avoid elevated levels of thyroid hormone that may have nothing to do with how we feel.

Wishing you luck.

Bobbi

[Anonymous April 2, 1999 at 9:36 am Post count: 93172]

#1158572

Do you think most endo’s focus most of their study on Diabetes?

This may be warranted (to a small degree) as I believe Diabetes is much
more prevalent.

[Anonymous April 2, 1999 at 9:46 am Post count: 93172]

#1158573

Do you think most endo’s focus most of their study on Diabetes?

This may be warranted (to a small degree) as I believe Diabetes is much
more prevalent.

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