Replacement dose adjustment frequency - Question and Answer Forum - Elaine Moore Graves' Disease and Autoimmune Disease Education

Web Site Search

Saturday, April 21, 2012

..:: Q & A ::..

THE Q & A

Welcome to The Q&A with Elaine Moore. Registered members are invited to ask any question of Elaine Moore on autoimmune diseases, Graves' disease, other thyroid diseases and subconditions, laboratory work, traditional and complementary medicine, triggers and environmental influences, thyroid and immune disorders in pets and animals, and other relevant areas of inquiry.

Each thread represents one question with one answer and will only appear at the time it is answered. Once answered, further replies cannot be made to the same thread since each thread represents only one question. A new thread will need to be started for additional questions.

Questions are answered solely by Elaine Moore, a medical writer and clinical laboratory scientist, MT, CLS, with more than 30 years of experience in immunology. Moore has also authored and edited over a dozen books in the area of health sciences and is an editor for McFarland Publisher's Health Topics Series.

Copying of any posts is prohibited without permissions.

The Q & A with Elaine Moore

Notice: No notices today.

Forum

Discussions

Question and An...

Replacement dose adjustment frequency

3/3/2012 7:39 AM

Carol

Joined: 1/28/2009

Posts: 83

Replacement dose adjustment frequency

Hi Elaine

Thanks for all you do on here!

I've become very curious about the various things some doctors do with their patients taking thyroid hormone replacement and I'm hoping you can clarify.

It seems that some doctors adjust the patient's T4 dose after 2-3 wks. and this seems to contradict what my doctor does and what I've read during my research.

It's my understanding the that FT3 level needs at least 3 wks. to stabilize after a T3 dose adjustment and the FT4 level at least 6 wks. to stabilize after either a T3 or T4 dose adjustment - is this correct?

When might it be appropriate to adjust a T4 dose sooner than 6 wks., if ever?

Thanks, as always, for being the light of wisdom in this confusing world of thyroid disease.

Carol

3/4/2012 3:49 PM

Elaine

Joined: 8/1/2008

Posts: 3424

Re: Replacement dose adjustment frequency

Hi Carol,

Three weeks is usually enough time for assessing the FT4 level although FT3 can take as long as 5 weeks. As you know, TSH doesn't stabilze for 6 weeks. Many doctors will decide to check a patient's levels at variable times depending on how high or low their previous levels were and also the insurance requirements. Today, different companies dictate when they'll reimburse thryoid hormone levels. A patient's symptoms are also taken into consideration. If the levels only seem slightly off, checking at 6-8 weeks or longer may be adequate.

If unusual symptoms or problems occur after a dosage change, most doctors will respond to a phone call and order labs as needed. Take care, Elaine

Page 1 of 1

Forum

Discussions

Question and An...

Replacement dose adjustment frequency

TO USERS: Q&A posts are visible to all readers. Users can delete their own threads at any time. Users must provide information which is true and correct to the best of their knowledge as well as provide sources or references to any health / medical information if not taken from personal experience. All users including the moderator must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Advertising and self-promotion is not allowed. The moderator or site administrator has the right to ban users with or without warning for not following the basic rules of this site. All posts by default are not to be considered that of medical professionals unless otherwise indicated. As sole moderator, Moore has no conflicts of interest in the sponsorship of this forum.

Notes

New FAQ - Thursday, April 05, 2012

Having problems changing your account information? Can't figure out why your Q&A post isn't showing up? Check out our new FAQ for answers!

Milestone - Wednesday, April 04, 2012

As of this date, our membership rolled over to 1600. We'd like to take this time to thank all members for their inspiration and for making this site a success.

2nd Edition Newly Released - Saturday, March 10, 2012

Find out what's new in this edition.

HOME | ARTICLES | BOOKS | BLOG | Q&A | RESOURCES | ABOUT | CONTACT | SUPPORT

ELAINE-MOORE.COM
Elaine Moore Graves’ Disease and Autoimmune Disease Education
Copyright © 2008-2011 by Elaine Moore. All Rights Reserved.
These pages and their content, including all articles and images are not to be copied, reproduced or printed without written permission. All articles are copyrighted. All images are copyrighted or licensed to use.

SITE LAST UPDATED: MAR 10 2012

ABOUT THIS SITE
This site is self-funded exclusively by Elaine Moore. Moore has no other external sources of funds and receives no monies from government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, Amazon, or other commercial entities to operate this site. There are no conflicts of interest in the operation of this site.
This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

DISCLAIMER
The information at this site is true and correct to the extent that all information contained herein about the benefits or performance of any diagnostic or treatment are backed up with scientific evidence such as medical journals, reports, articles, and other relevant materials.The educational information provided within is designed to help users better understand the nature of disease and the solutions available. Nothing contained on this website should be construed as or is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Under no circumstances is a particular treatment recommended and in all cases it is recommended that a physician be consulted for any treatments. Reference to any specific commercial or noncommercial products, services, processes, companies or trademarks does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Elaine Moore does not host any form of commercial advertisement, does not sponsor or endorse any products or services that may have been mentioned at the site. This excludes mention of her own copyrighted materials, articles, and books. The opinions, views and recommendations of individual registered members of this website, specifically as it pertains to personal inquiries at the Q&A forum or comments made to blogs, are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Elaine Moore.