So I met with the fashionable Dr Endo yesterday afternoon. My tsh was a lovely 0.02. Yup, you read that right. Instead of being in the critical range of 1-2 it was barely there. That means my system is pretty much flooded with tons of thyroid hormone and no stimulating hormone is required. Or something like that.
She was amazed that my hands weren't more jittery when she had me hold my arms out. I laughed and told her just how hard I was concentrating. My eyes aren't all buggy either so that's a good sign. It had only gotten really bad in the last week or so so she thinks we're actually narrowing in on the right dosage.
She told me not to take any synthroid for three days (which should help me sleep better) and then switch to 100 micrograms (I'd been on 150). She thinks with my current levels the three drug free days will give me a chance to mellow out a bit without crashing entirely. Retest blood-work in six weeks (although I have a standing order for three weeks so I can do it a bit sooner if I really want to).
She cautioned me not to attempt a frozen transfer just yet. I told her that was fine and I wanted to get this well under control first. Enough said about that.
I was reading up on hyperthyroidism was exhibiting the following symptoms:
____ My pulse is unusually fast
____ My hands are shaking, I'm having hand tremors
____ I feel nervous or irritable
____ My muscles feel weak, particularly the upper arms and thighs
____ I am having difficulty getting to sleep, staying asleep, or going back to sleep after awakening in the middle of the night
____ I feel fatigued, exhausted
____ My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, thin
____ I feel depressed
____ I feel restless, or anxious
____ My moods change easily
____ I have feelings of worthlessness
____ I have difficulty concentrating or focusing
____ I have more feelings of sadness
____ I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities
____ I'm more forgetful lately
I knew rationally that my thyroid could be at least partially responsible for much of what I was experiencing but had no idea it could be sooooo much of it. It's also really intriguing to me that many of these symptoms are also associated with hypothyroidism.
I want to thank y'all for all the nice comments. I did not deserve a one of them. What an incredible whiner I was! It felt good to write and get it out but I cringed at how whiny and self-absorbed I was. I guess we all have days like that but I do recognize how lucky I am and how good most of my life is.
And no one even told me I needed a swift kick in the ass or to get over myself. I think both would have helped. In the future, feel free to do either.
Y'all were all so sweet no one even told me I was a bit off with my days (I thought Monday was the 24th, not Wednesday). I really need to get back to work so I can at least know what day it is.
I do know today is Friday and I intend to start my weekend off my catching a matinee of, perhaps, Little Children (it received two Oscar nods so it would be a great movie to check off my list). See? My life is pretty darn cushy.
Dude. Everyone has the right to whine now and then. God knows I've done my fair share lately.
Posted by: statia | Friday, 26 January 2007 at 10:51
Whine away, chica. You are more than entitled. And It IS interesting how close so many of those symptoms are to hypothyroid. I'll have to keep an eye out to see if my new dosage produces any of those S/Es.
--Bugs
Posted by: Dead Bug | Friday, 26 January 2007 at 13:43
Hey Millie - I just caught up on reading and I'm so sorry that you've been feeling crappy. You are totally entitled to feel the way you do and to vent about the way you feel. And I'm so glad that there are so many lovely readers out there to give you the love and encouragement you deserve.
No kicks in the ass here.
Roni
Posted by: Roni | Friday, 26 January 2007 at 15:15
Dear Millie, wow, I'm so glad you got this diagnosis! Thyroid problems can really drive you round the bend -- physically and mentally. But it really does sound like you're narrowing down to the right dosage, and that's a good thing. I hope this new adjustment takes care of it -- and that everything else starts looking up for you, too.
Posted by: Kath | Saturday, 27 January 2007 at 07:07
Yes, get back to work immediately and stop slacking off hahaha! I am so jealous you have the time to go to jam-making classes. Rhubarb and ginger or any kind of marmalade are my faves but can it be sugar-free????
Posted by: Pamplemousse | Sunday, 28 January 2007 at 07:15
you are not whiny. really, my dear. really.
i'm hoping the change in meds can help you a bit...i'm amazed that all those symptoms can be associated with hypothyroidism. who knew?
Posted by: rosie | Sunday, 28 January 2007 at 08:11
It is amazing how much havoc the thyroid can wreak on our bodies! I have had the Hashimoto's variety of hypothyroidism for over 10 years. I know it's time to schedule an appt with the my Dr. Endo when my heart seems to be beating super fast or I have trouble falling asleep at night. I am now at 100 micrograms. Good luck!!
Posted by: Louise | Tuesday, 30 January 2007 at 06:38
I am sorry you are dealing with this and feeling all those symptoms.
I have thyroid issues too - for a while I was swinging between hyper and hypo, but I never had any symptoms. I was put on a low dose of Synthroid (75 mcg 5 days a week) to try to keep the TSH level and that seemed to help (although I dropped back down to 0.01 last week so they took me off the meds all together). Anyway, I hope the days off and then the lower dose will help you get back to that normal 1-2 range.
Posted by: | Tuesday, 30 January 2007 at 18:03