Blood Retesting For Hashimoto's

[Di-gfree]

I'm finally through my first week being on dessicated Thyroid (similar to Armour in U.S.) - I'm taking them sublingually to bypass my digestion. In 5 weeks, I'll be having my blood tested to check my levels to see where I go with the medication.

1. I'm on 30 mgs - should I stick with that until my blood work? I've heard not to stay too low for too long... but I'm not sure what to do.

2. Exactly what do I get checked? My doctor has t4, free t3, TSH, and CBC checked off on my blood lab requisition. Anything else I should get checked? Do I keep checking my antibodies?

I hope anyone who's experienced this can help me - thanks!

[ShayFL]

You generally should up your dose every 2 weeks in the beginning by small increments. I did 1/4 grain at a time (15 mg.). When I got to around 120 mg, the increases got longer apart. I am now up to 165 mg. It has taken me a year to get there....slowly. I had periods of being symptom free, but then they would come back. That is when I upped. My doctor let's me self dose.

I tested often in the beginning FREE T3, FREE T4, TSH and antibodies. But I have not tested in about 6 months now. My doc goes by symptoms and not labs.

[georgie]

I would be asking for a check on Antibodies too - and making sure the T4 test is Free T4. Does the CBC include a B12 and Iron test ?

30mg of thyroid is a very small amount. How do you feel ? If you still feel Hypo then you will probably need more. An average dose is 120mg or more. If you increase before your blood work make sure you tell the Dr - so he knows what dose you have been taking. And remember to not take any Thyroid meds on the day of the test.

[Di-gfree]

Thank you, both. I'm writing down what to ask for in the tests, and will bring it to my doctor beforehand. Shay, I would like to self-dose myself, too. The dessicated thyroid tablets I'm taking (like I said, similar to Armour in the U.S.), come in 30mg tabs. I'm thinking of adding half a tablet (15 mgs, like you said) each time I up it. I'm hoping my doctor will go by symptoms and not numbers, too. I'm sensing he's number-oriented, though; but he's very open to my opinion, and goes along with my wishes, usually.

Georgie, I'll ask for the antibodies, too. No, the CBC doesn't include B12 and Ferritin. I just had those tested with the thyroid panel that lead to my Hashimoto diagnosis. Do you think I should be checking that each time, too? My B12 was low, but I've reversed that with sublingual B12; and my Ferritin is chronically low - it was 21 last time (up from the original zero (10 (!) years ago - it's taken 10 years! lol, though). Do you guys think Ferritin levels can be improved with the thyroid hormone treatment?

I know the 30mgs is a small amount, but it's my starting dose, and I've only been on it a week. Do you think we should start with even higher amounts? My pharmacist (after me asking him about increasing the dose) actually recommended I stay on 30 mgs for 6 weeks until I'm tested. This is contrary to everything I've been reading here and on the internet. I think I should add 15 mgs at 2 weeks?

How do I feel? Hmm... my energy level is low. I can't say I'm feeling fantastic. I wonder, though, I've been feeling badly for *so* many years, will I even recognize if I don't feel this way? If that makes sense. So, no, I can't say I'm feeling all that great. So, I know I need more. It's just when? And I was already thinking 15mg steps each time. I have to read stopthethryoidmadness again - I keep forgetting what to do when it comes to increasing the dose! (I blame it on my state of mind in correlation w/the Hashimoto's).

And thanks for the reminder to *not* take medication on the day of test.

[georgie]

I know the 30mgs is a small amount, but it's my starting dose, and I've only been on it a week. Do you think we should start with even higher amounts? My pharmacist (after me asking him about increasing the dose) actually recommended I stay on 30 mgs for 6 weeks until I'm tested. This is contrary to everything I've been reading here and on the internet. I think I should add 15 mgs at 2 weeks?

How do I feel? Hmm... my energy level is low. I can't say I'm feeling fantastic. I wonder, though, I've been feeling badly for *so* many years, will I even recognize if I don't feel this way? If that makes sense. So, no, I can't say I'm feeling all that great. So, I know I need more. It's just when? And I was already thinking 15mg steps each time. I have to read stopthethryoidmadness again - I keep forgetting what to do when it comes to increasing the dose! (I blame it on my state of mind in correlation w/the Hashimoto's).

Well....it sound like a raise is needed to me. 120mg is a fairly average dose ( maybe higher) and if you do the sums you will see it will take forever to get there if you only raise by 15mg every 6 weeks. Read sttm again but I think they suggest a faster increase than that - based on how Armour used to be used when it was the only medicine for HypoThyroid. The good old days As you raise - split the dose over the day into 3 seperate doses... that helps. Keep a diary of symptoms for your Dr. Record everything and take a family member with you if possible to back up your claims.....