Finding the right medication regime

December 26, 2008

I'm a 51-year-old man. I am currently 5' 8 " tall and weigh 230 lbs. I

gained the last 50 lbs fairly quickly in 2003 and 2004 while taking an

anti-depressant.

In January 2008 I was diagnosed as hypothyroid. My TSH was 7.18.

Although I had physical exams every 3-4 years prior to this, there had

never been a prior diagnosis of thyroid issues.

I was also diagnosed at that time with high cholesterol. My total

cholesterol was 235, triglycerides were 143, LDL of 159, and HDL of

47. Prior to this my total cholesterol had been in the 160s to 180s.

My doctor prescribed Synthroid 125 mcg / day.

In March 2008, my TSH was 2.18, cholesterol was 219, triglycerides

were 138, LDL of 144, and HDL of 47. Total T4 was 10.9, FTI was 3.7,

total T3 was 150, T3 uptake was 34. As you can see, my TSH was now in

the normal range and blood lipids were all improving.

My doctor upped my Synthroid to 150 mcg / day.

In May 2008, my TSH was 1.94, cholesterol was 202, triglycerides were

159, LDL of 130, and HDL of 40. Total T4 was 11.0, FTI was 3.6, total

T3 wasn't reported, T3 uptake was 33. Except for triglycerides, all

blood lipids improved.

In July 2008, my TSH was 1.48, cholesterol was 251, triglycerides were

200, LDL of 166, and HDL of 45. Total T4 was 12.1, FTI was 3.9, total

T3 was 149, T3 uptake was 32. All of my blood lipids had reversed

direction and increased by 25 - 27%. They were worse than when I began

treatment.

In October 2008, my TSH was 1.40, cholesterol was 240, triglycerides

were 184, LDL of 163, and HDL of 40. Total T4 was 12.2, FTI was 4.3,

total T3 was 168, T3 uptake was 35. My blood lipids were starting to

trend back down, but my T4 and FTI were at or over the top of the

" normal " range. Same for T3 uptake.

My doctor has since added Vanachol in an effort to get my cholesterol

under control.

Does anyone have ideas as to what is going on with my thyroid and

blood lipids?

I have an appointment with my doctor in late January. I'm going to ask

him to reconsider my thyroid meds and/or refer me to an

endocrinologist who specializes in thyroid disorders.

Bill

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