Re: LABS: Elaine, Other ATD Gurus!

[Guest guest]

Hi Shelly,

My reaction is that a dose reduction seems appropriate. I see you had a T3

rather than FT3, and so that number may be falsely elevated. If you felt

better with FT4 at 1.18, then I would think it better for you to reduce the

MMI some, and then re-test in 3-4 weeks. Being hypO can cause the

antibodies, and thus TED, to increase.

At 07:24 PM 9/12/2003, you wrote:

>I had some labs done since I've been feeling hypo lately (increasing eye

>problems, gaining weight, troubled sleep, etc.). I've got the results in

>hand, but

>now I'm wondering whether to lower my dose of MMI or wait. Here's what the

>numbers look like (along with my other most recent labs):

>

>9/9/03 -- 10 mg MMI/day

>FT4: 0.91 (0.80-1.80)

>T3: 149 (60-181)

>TSH: 0.30 (0.40-5.50)

>

>7/3/03 -- 10 mg MMI/day (felt physically better here)

>FT4: 1.18 (.84-1.51)

>T3: 152 (60-181)

>TSH: 0.012 (0.350-5.500)

>

>Please help! Thank you!

>

>Shelly M.

>Dx: 8/02. Began MMI at 20 mg/day, worked down to 10 mg/day in 2/03. TED

>symptoms present.

[Guest guest]

Hi Shelly,

Most people would feel hypothyroid with an FT4 as low as 0.9. TSH isn't

reliable while on ATDs since it takes so long to rise, and total T3 is often

falsely elevated. The recommended maintenance dose for MMI is 2.5-10.0 mg daily

so

your doctor shouldn't object to reducing your dose if you mention all your hypo

symptoms. Take care, Elaine