Hi Val, sort of a long post....can you please help?

[Guest guest]

Hi Val,

Your comments to me back on December 21st when I was having problems with abdominal bloating. With the looks of my new labs you were correct with your assumption that I was NOT taking too much T3 at 81.25mcg, that it was a cortisol issue:

"Thsi si not from high T3. If it was you would have an all the time elevated pulse. So we are left with high or low cortiosl. I htink I would try going back to 25mg HC. As you said you did not feel hyper iuntil lowering thi last bit, maybe it is a tad too low. If it continues you shoudl probably try lowering it again but SLOWLY."

#1) I was having so much trouble with abdominal bloating so for the past couple of months I have been experimenting with my HC doses. If you recall I had switched from SRHC to Cortef the first week of November. I was taking 25mg of SRHC so I replaced the Cortef with the same amount. I believe that the strength of the SR(once again) is about half the amount of regular Cortef. So I have continued to slowly reduce my HC down to where I am taking about 15mg of Cortef at present and the bloating has decreased considerably. I do still have the bloating on occasion but by reducing the HC as I have the bloating is so much better. If I increase my HC my temps seem to always fall too...weird?? Then I tried to go lower on my HC thinking that I might need to completely wean but my temps drop if I go lower. Strange thing, If I go higher on the HC my temps drop too and the bloating gets

terrible. I think my body wants to be off the HC but the adrenals are just not quite ready. Does this sound right?? or do you know what is happening here?

#2) I just got my labwork back today. Lately I have been feeling sort of hypo...fatigued, having more pains, little bit of hair loss, weight gain, etc. Looks like I may have cut back a little too much? Can you please take a look at my past and current my values and see what you think I need to do. My temperatures have been much better lately as far as being in the average 98.6 range and I do not have any problems with high or low pulse. Basal temps are 97.8-98.1. Once I get up and take meds they will get around 98.4. Then after my noon dose and the remainder of the afternoon they can get up to 98.8-99.2, then in the evening start coming back down. There are times when it is still high in the night but I do not feel elevated pulse, heart rate,sweating...anything. I feel normal. Everything seems to be ok other than feeling hypo

still. I do think I need to raise my T3 because of the lingering problems but I'm not sure how much of a raise I should try?? As you can see I only cut back a tad and it really made a difference on my lab values.

November 4, 2009 December 31, 2009

100mcg Cytomel 81.25mcg Cytomel

27.5mg Cortef--2nd day only 15mg Cortef

(had just switched from 25mg SRHC)

FT3 7.0 (2.0-4.4) FT3 5.5 (2.0-4.4)

FT4 0.04 (0.82-1.77) FT4 0.05 (0.82-1.77)

Reverse T3 <17 (90-350) ReverseT3 <17 (90-350)

Ferritin 131 (10-291) Day 5 #3)Ferritin 86 (10-291) Day 5(I had cut my

B-12 1465 (211-911) dose in half--guess I need to increase?? again?)

Vit D 106 (32-100) Dr told me to #4)B-12 1631 (211-911) Is this too high or

decrease in Nov. or is it alright??

Potassium 4.2 (3.5-5.2) #5) Vit D 87.4 (32-100) Should I get this

Sodium 143 (135-145) back up?

I'm sorry to be so long and ask so many questions. I was actually feeling better in November but when the labs came back and my Dr. wanted me to come down on the Cytomel. It was also during the time I was shifting from SRHC and the cortef so it's been a bit confusing trying to figure out what is causing what. I'd appreciate you looking over everything and giving me your opinion. That will help me know exactly where I stand and where I need to tweek.

My current dosing schedule is as follows:

The HC is a little wacky. It seems I need the dose in the am but then if I take more during the day my temps fall. Total 15mg: 7.5am/ 2.5-11ish/ 2.5-1-2pm and 2.5 bedtime.

My Cytomel schedule is 25am/25 11-ish/6.25 1-2pm and 25 bedtime.

#6) I have also had problems with my testosterone. I get the pellets implanted. I feel nothing...no increased energy, no increased libido...nothing, but my serum level is 319

(6-82) and the Testosterone Free is 7.5(0.0-2.2). Does this tell you anything?? I have been working on this for over a year and I still can't seem to feel the effects of the T.

Again, I'm sorry for the length...just thinking I am almost there and need to know what you think about everything. Thank you so much!