Hello Elaine. I have a question about my new labs. My Free T4 has been getting lower as my TSH has been slowly rising. I find myself in a situation now though which feels a bit like a rollercoaster. Briefly my recent labs are as follows:
7/18/2011 FT4 0.9 (0.8--1.8) TSH <0.01 (0.35-4.94) after taking 20 mg MMI--I am then told to take 10 mg and see him again in 6 weeks.
8/30/2011 FT4 0.8 (0.8--1.8) TSH 0.02 (0.35--4.94) on 10 mg MMI--I'm starting to feel a bit different now though but not necessarily in a good way. I'll see how I feel in 6 weeks time.
10/19/2011 FT4 0.8 (0.8--1.8) TSH 0.84 (0.35--4.94) on 10 mg MMI --I am told to see him in 4 months. I can't argue that the TSH is moving up! So I must be getting better, right?
11/15/2011 I called him and said I felt lethargic, puffy, depressed, had gained weight and had digestive problems. He told me to halve the dose and with 5 mg I began to feel better. I was told I should still see him in 4 months time.
When I went back in February he agreed that things had been getting "a bit low" and the 5mg had been appropriate. However a few days later after the labs I was shocked to see the results:
2/23/2102 FT4 1.4 (0.8--1.8) TSH <0.01 (L)
Then, you've guessed it, I'm put back on 10 mg again.
I recognize the need for an adjustment because the TSH is too low now. However when was on 10mg I know it brought up the TSH but with my FT4 down at 0.8 I didn't feel good at all--I couldn't function normally. Is he now dosing by TSH alone and rushing things?
What should I do? I've never been tested for FT3 at any point--does this factor in somewhere? Should I try 7.5mg? If I stick with the 10mg he recommends will things improve over time or should I resign myself to permanently having good TSH and low FT4 (and feeling bad)?
I really would appreciate your take on this so I can make some informed decisions. Thanks Elaine.