[Nicholas]

in reply to: Night sweats after TT #1178684

Thanks for the reply.
My TT surgery was originally this week and because there was a possibility of a parathyroid adenoma they also had scheduled an exploration. So yes they removed both the (remaining post-ablation) thyroid and one parathyroid since it had an adenoma. There was general anesthesia and intubation. I am in replacement calcium (4000 units/day) since the surgery. In terms of labs now, my most recent (post OP /day 2) are the following:

CALCIUM, IONIZED 4.8 (4.8-5.6 mg/dL)
PTH, INTACT 31 (10-65 pg/mL)
CALCIUM 8.6 (8.6-10.3 mg/dL)
PHOSPHATE (AS PHOSPHORUS) 3.8 (2.5-4.5 mg/dL)
TSH 9.73 H (0.40-4.50 mIU/L)
T4, FREE 1.4 (0.8-1.8 ng/dL)
T3, FREE 2.3 (2.3-4.2 pg/mL)

I have night sweats every night since the operation but no fever. My Calcium last week before the operation was at 9.7 and the PTH at 97.

[Nicholas]

in reply to: Generic levothyroxine dosage variation #1174626

Thank you

[Nicholas]

in reply to: Newly Developed Lactose Intolerance #1170703

I was also just diagnosed with lactose intolerance, a year after my second RAI. I am not suggesting there is any established connection with lactose intolerance and RAI.

However, since my diagnosis I have asked my physician to switch me from Synthroid to Levoxyl since Synthroid contains lactose as inactive ingredient. I will post my experience after I receive the new medication and give it a try.

[Nicholas]

in reply to: Hypo 6 months and counting… #1169476

Thanks for your replies.

Unfortunatelly, I have not yet been able to find the best combination. I have to say though, that adding cytomel (T3) to the mix helped a lot. Have been on combination of synthroid (T4) 75mcg + cytomel (T3) 10mcg per day since late August. Overall I do feel improvement. In the top of all this I was tested within range (TSH at 4.1) two weeks ago. Then last week due to an issue with the pharmacy I was not able to refil my cytomel and run out. Within a couple of days, I started feeling dizzy and unwell. So it seems that at least in my case, having cytomel in the mix helps a lot.

Update: I had an appointment with a team of endocrinologists at John Hopkins recently, and they indicated there is a small group of patients (like myself) who do no metabolize correctly T4 to T3. This is why it is so important to have a baseline of your hormonal levels from when you were healthy and during the treatment. You shouls check if possible for all FT3, FT4 and TSH. My labs consistently have shown that FT4 is almost at the top of the range where my FT3 is at the low end. I believe this is where cytomel may help.

This is my short experience over the last few months. I am getting more cytomel soon from another pharmacy and hope for the best.

[Nicholas]

in reply to: 4 weeks post RAI and still hyper #1062372

Unfortunately, every case is different.

It took me over 12 weeks after RAI to get Hypo (and that was the second RAI – a year later since the first one did not work for me). Initially, after the 2nd RAI treatment I had similar experience with you. I was feeling very hyper and my labs confirmed I was still hyper. The Doc put me back on Tapazole and beta blockers.

The only indication in my case that I was finally HYPO was the drop in my blood pressure and a low pulse rate. Then the labs confirm it. After RAI get tested as often as you can. It can move fast (in my case within two weeks) from hyper to hypo.

Best of luck!!

[Nicholas]

in reply to: Hypo post RAI #1062587

Quick update !!

Still very Hypo (over three weeks in Synthroid at 50 mcg). My most recent labs showed TSH > 150 (Ref 0.40-4.5) and FT4 0.4 (Ref 0.80-1.76). How long it took others to move closer to a normal range?

I do not have the usual symptoms suggested by other people. My weight is still stable (maybe I have gained 1-2 lb over the last month). My creatinine and BUN are elevated (above the normal range) but the endo did not seem very concerned.

I still get some hyper symptoms though (fast heart rate, night sweats etc.)

I can’t wait for this baby to get stable ” title=”Smile” />

[Nicholas]

in reply to: Hypo post RAI #1062585

Thank you both for your insights.

When I was hyper they usually tested FT4 and TSH. Once in a while they also tested FT3. In terms of blood tests going forward (and at least until I am stable on a fixed synthroid dose), now that I am officially a hypo, what is a better testing indicator? The Free T4 (or Free T3) or the Total T4 (or Total T3) together with the TSH test? That way I can insist on the same types of tests.

Thank you so much

[Nicholas]

in reply to: Hypo post RAI #1062583

Thank you for the reply.

I am also wondering if there is a possibility of a thyroid dump at this stage. Does it really happen when you reach the hypo stage after RAI? Another way of seeing this, how do they know for certain the thyroid is non-functioning. One TSH reading does not tell the whole story. What if it is still active and keeps dumping periodically. I just want to be prepared.

Thanks

[Author]

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