Help, I was bad!

Monte · 06-28-2005, 01:06 AM

Soooo, I didn't listen to my doctor. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in 4/2004. For the past year and three months we have been trying to find the correct dosage. It's been frustrating and at times I have felt downright AWFUL. I decided that 75mcg of synthroid was just not enough and I upped it to 100mcg without telling my doctor (I am also on cytomel). Low and behold, I feel great. I've lost the 8lbs. I've gained over the course of starting my meds. I have lots of energy and it's NOT IN MY HEAD!!! Unfortunately, I had my TSH tested and it came back as .025. (I've been at this dosage for the past 10 weeks).

I have not confessed what I have done and am not sure how to tell her (my doc). If she decreases my meds, she'll do so from a level I actually have not been taking! Has anyone else done this? I just don't feel hyper--but I realize I must come clean. Just wondering if someone has ever been in this boat.

What a long ordeal this has been...

Twinmommy2008 · 06-28-2005, 01:31 AM

I suggest being open with your Dr. She went to school for this and you don't want to do anything harmful to your body by being dishonest. Tell her why you uped the meds and how great you have been feeling. What's the worse she can say? You are an adult who can make their own decsions.

shenacat · 06-28-2005, 05:33 AM

Perhaps you need a Free T3 & T4 test run so you can see if your TSH is off. If your T3 & T4 levels are good than your TSH should be ignored.

Monte · 06-30-2005, 01:43 AM

Thank you for your replies. I realize I need to fess up, but I also think running more tests is wise--especially when I am not experiencing any hyper symptoms. And although she has had more schooling in the area of endocrinology, she still refuses to run a free T3 and T4 test! My last appointment with her is July 11th.

Anyway, I was hoping to hear from someone who did as I did--but thanks anyway for your thoughts.

shenacat · 06-30-2005, 03:50 AM

Well I do in fact adjust my dosage in small increments by myself, but I have the blessing of my doctor. She knows that since I'm on armour, I can receive short-term benefits from dosage changes, and since a normal person has differing thyroid hormone needs on almost a daily basis, especially with hormone fluctuations, sometimes you need a little bump one way or the other to feel best.

I tend to bump up 15mg after ovulation and drop it again when my period starts. Sometimes, I'll bump/drop stuff just because I've felt really tired lately or felt a little hyper.

DrewM · 06-30-2005, 02:31 PM

Well, supposedly a good endo will take into account how you feel, and not just look at the numbers. If you're feeling good at that level, can you really be considered hyper? The number may say so, but if you're not experiencing ANY of the symptoms how can you be diagnosed as such?

Hopefully your doctor will agree that you've found what works for you and will leave it alone.

Hula · 07-07-2005, 03:18 PM

I have upped my synthroid on my own...for the very same reason. I started taking one and-a-half pills everyday and it did make a positive difference.

I started going to a new primary physician who said she was going to up my dosage and prescribed 0.112 mcg of syntroid...I was taking 0.125 mcg. The 0.112mcg was prescribed by my endo. I didn't tell the new Dr. I had upped it, I had actually run out and that's why I needed a new prescription! So my test reults were a little off, but I got the higher dosage! LOL

But I agree you should be honest, but then again, maybe you should be looking for a new Dr. if she won't order a Free T3 & T4....that's strange, especially if you've requested one.