[linzyyyy]

#1059891

Hi everyone! I had RAI on Nov 30th and went hypo in about 8 weeks. Since then I’ve been working on getting on the right dose of Synthroid for my body. I started at 50, 4 weeks later upped to 100 bc my TSH went from slightly hypo to 18 (.45-4.5) Then 4-5 weeks later I started to feel all of my good old hyper symptoms return (shortness of breath, anxiety, tense muscles, increased heart rate, palps, you all know what I mean!) so I called my doc to see if I could get early labs. He wanted me to go 8 weeks on 100 but I didn’t want to keep adding fuel to the fire, as that dose seemed too high. Sure enough my TSH was .2 (.45-4.5) so he backed me down to 88. That was two days ago and obviously I still have hyper symptoms (which I expect to feel for at least a few more weeks as the hormone stores work their way out of my system. And it’s not so bad to have a TSH of .2 compared to .005!) Anyway I’ve been thinking about “forgetting” to take my Synthroid for a day to help this process along. Is that stupid? I know you’re not doctors and no, my doc didn’t tell me to skip a day, but whatayasay?

Side notes: 100 seemed high to me right out of the gate, just based on my weight of 125-130. Also, I’ve taken my prescribed Synthroid dosage religiously every day since I started, waiting an hour to eat, so I don’t know what it feels like to skip a day, although I guess technically I shouldn’t really feel a difference!

Thanks for any input, I love this forum.
Lindsay

[Kimberly]

#1178573

Hello – Obivously, this is a hugely frustrating process. But it’s important to be consistent so that your doctor can help guide you to that “sweet spot” more quickly. Otherwise, your doc will be making your next dosage recommendation not knowing that you might have skipped one or more doses.

Obviously, you *know* your body, as you made the right call to get the last set of labs when you did. I wouldn’t be afraid to push the doctors office for more direction if you continue to feel symptomatic. However, changing the dosing regimen on your own is likely to make the process of finding that “sweet spot” take even longer.

Take care!

[adenure]

#1178574

Hi,

I agree with Kimberly, whatever you do, you have to inform your doctor so that the labs will reflect what you’re doing. The really hard thing is that it does take 2 months for the dose to fully reflect what is going on.

Also, Synthroid has a 1/2 life of 5-7 days, so that stored up 100 mcg. over 5 weeks time will take time to come down to the new dose (I think that’s why labs are optimally done at 2 months after a dose change). So, it’s possible the 88 is right for you, but you need time for the 100 mcg to par down some and let the labs reflect the 88 mcg accurately. It’s also possible the 88 will be too much and you will end up taking 88 for 5 days a week and nothing twice a week. It’s just hard to know at this point.

I started on 100 mcg and my TSH was 6 or so. I was upped to 112 and in 2 weeks dropped to .79. It’s now at .29 (on the 112). I felt very slight hyper symptoms, so I’m taking 112 six days a week and 100 mcg. 1 day a week. I’m feeling better. Seems like a small adjustment, but small adjustments can do a lot with thyroid hormone.

I would be up front with your doctor about what you want to do and then stick to it for 2 months and get labs. It’s hard, but it’s the best way to know what’s going on.

[snelsen]

#1178575

Hi linzyy,
The comments Alexis made on this topic are all too true (because we want instant gratification RIGHT NOW!) It is best to wait two months to evaluate a dose, or a dose change. Otherwise, you will not know where you really are with your thyroid hormone and how you feel. The point about half life is true, and very important.
Shirley

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