Questions for Hypo-thyroid members

[Devlin]

For those that are hypo-thyroid, what thyroid meds (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Armour, Cytomel) do you prefer and why? What doses of meds seem to work the best? Do you find you need to adjust dosages depending on weight gain even if body fat dropping? If your thyroid is totally non-fuctional or has been totally removed, have you found any supplements that help increase T4 conversion to T3?

Yes, I am new here and could use some advise/suggestions. I'm a 31 year old female, 118 lbs, 20% bf, 5'4". My thyroid was completely removed over 2 years ago for cancer. I've been on Levoxyl for over 2 years, except for 3 weeks immediately following surgery when I was on Cytomel. I joined a gym just over 5 months ago. I've been lifting 3-4 days a week and cardio 5-6 days a week. My weight went up 2 lbs but I did drop 1% body fat in a 2 month period. Now despite my blood tests (total T3, total T4, TSH) saying I'm within normal limits, I'm feeling like I'm slightly hypo-thyroid. I know I'm going to have to go into my endo doc prepared so looking for ammo.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Little Wing]

i take levothroid 150 mcg i just notice if u a lax about taking it u will be really sleepy. take according to directions, on an empty stomach in the am 1 hr before eating, n u have a lot more energy. i really don't think being hypo affects my bodys response to diet n exercise at all. i think people use it for an excuse a lot. if u are taking your meds according to direction it is the same as having a properly functioning thyroid.

 

[Devlin]

I have been on 100 mcg of Levoxyl for over 2 years. I'm religious about taking it the same time every day, but I'm still getting extremely tired mid day to the point I fall asleep in a blink of an eye literally. I also have the usual symptoms of dry, itchy skin, mood swings especially swinging into depression, weight gain if I'm not careful of diet & exercise every day.

I had the usual blood tests (total free T3, total free T4, TSH) done in March 05 and was within normal limits and I felt great. Joined gym in May. By beginning of September I started feeling crappy with the above symptoms. Had the same blood tests done with no change in TSH and slight drops in free T3 and free T4. The drops were not enough for my endo to consider them significant, but I'm thinking they may be. My endo schedule me for a total radioactive iodine body scan to look for 'hot spots' that may be causing problems.

As of today, 9/28. Since my endo and I were against stopping my Levoxyl, I have had 2 shots (one on mon, one tues) of Thyrogen (bovine TSH) and received dose of radioactive iodine (I131) today. I go for a scan of fri.

 

[Little Wing]

your problem is a lot more complicated than mine i hope your drs do right by you. i've never had surgery or anyhing i just report to my doc when i get the symptoms you describe n she orders a blood test n ups my dosage.

 

[Devlin]

Little Wing- have you had your thyroid deactivated with radio-active iodine or is your thyroid underactive?

I almost wish my doc would just up my meds when I called, but she is cautious which I also like. The reason I have to have a body scan is I lost my thyroid to cancer (pappilary cancer of the thyroid to be specific) so in addition to the usual thyroid panel blood tests, I have to have an annual body scan which looks for 'hot spots' which would indicate thyroid tissue which I shouldn't have.

 

[Little Wing]

mine is just underactive n sort of sputtering to a complete stop. happens w all the women in my family on my mothers side. sorry u have had the problems. i think some drs are reluctant to treat people as individuals. some people need thyroid treatment at different levels than others, what is considered normal for one might mean another person is suffering. stress to them that you are having the symptoms you are. being tired all the time sucks.

 

[Devlin]

Tell me about it. I hate the tired all the time, plus it dangerous. I will fall asleep in a blink of an eye literally which I have done while driving and it scared the crap out of me. I will be talking with my doc when the results of the body scan are in and I'm definitely gonna stress how I feel and that I want my dose increase or possibly change to Armour which is natural T4 and T3 combined.

 

[Little Wing]

before my last increase id wake up after like 10 hrs sleep n fall asleep 2 hrs later after a cup or 3 of coffee. it so sucks. good luck.

 

[Minotaur]

I take 250mcg of Levoxyl. Yes, the dosage depends on bodyweight. But I think the more muscle you carry, the higher the dosage even accounting for total body weight. I have forgotten the dosing. It's has something to do with .0175mcg/kg, but I can't remember.

I tried Armour, but the T3 was too much. My doc switched me back to Levoxyl, and my TSH and Free T4 and Free T3 have been stable for almost a year now.