Re: Thyroxine - block and replace

[Guest guest]

Hi Jemima,

Any chance you could switch to a doctor who knows what he's doing? This one

sounds dangerous to your health! 400 mg. of PTU is a high dose, even for

starting out very hyper. The protocol is generally to start reducing the

dose, slowly and gradually, as your thyroid levels normalize. The objective

is to NOT let you go hypothyroid! I've never heard of ANYONE being put on

B & R until they are stable on a maintenance dose of PTU or Tapazole.

Certainly not after only 4 weeks of treatment, when the thyroid levels

haven't even stabilized!

You should be tested for FT4 every 4 weeks, FT3 too at first to see if it

follows the FT4 numbers or not (this test is more expensive, so for

instance, my doctor runs it 2x a year now that we're sure it tracks along

with the FT4). Your dose should be gradually reduced, so that you can

maintain FT levels in the upper-normal range. The objective is to never go

hypo, and never again go hyper!

Jemima, you need to post your latest labs and if you can, along with it the

history of your labs so we can see what's happening and give more specific

advice.

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Sat, 18 Oct 2003 11:10:48 -0000

> To: graves_support

> Subject: Thyroxine - block and replace

>

> After being fine for a few weeks on 400mg PTU the doctor decided to

> introduce 50 micrograms of Thyroxine. Apparently known as block and

> replace but I'm not quite sure what the objective is. I understand

> the theory of block and replace but it is actually having a profound

> affect on his whole body. Irritability, eccessive sweating

> especially whilst sleeping, anxiety and generally most of the

> syptoms experienced whilst hyper (before PTU). He wants to stop

> taking the thyroxine but I don't think stopping cold turkey will do

> any good especially as being on 400mg PTU was sending him slightly

> hypo ~ tired lethargic, sleepy etc..and his next appointment is in 8

> weeks.

>

> I've suggested an urgent appointment on Monday with the local doctor

> who can perhaps (if we're lucky) can get some advice from the

> consultant. In the meantime..carry on with PTU and thyroxine.

> Please back me up on this..anyone..or advise the best course of

> action.

>

> Thank you

>

> Jemima

>

>

>

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