Wednesday, February 29, 2012
8 weeks of T3 Only
Tomorrow I will complete 8 weeks on T3 only. Supposedly I will have cleared all supplemental T4 from my system by then. So I won't have any T4 interference (or depend on unpredictable T4 conversion. I have tried 40mcg of T3 (in 3 divided doses) for 2 weeks and 3 days. However, on 3 of those days I returned to 37.5 mcg of T3 in divided doses. Each time I returned to the lower dose, within a day or 2 I experienced constipation, sometimes with hemorrhoidal bleeding. So I'll keep trying the 40mcg with 3 daily divided doses for awhile. I take my first (largest 15mcg) dose when I wake up, another (12.5mcg dose about 5 hours later and the last dose (12.5mcg) 4 hours after that. With a late afternoon dose I'm ready for sleep (I'm appropriately exhausted) around 10pm and sleep soundly for 8 hours. As long as I keep my first and second dose 5 hours apart, I don't have heart palpitation sensations, but I do feel energetic, warm and regular during the day.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Back to 40mcg T3
After a day or 2 of 37.5mcg of T3 (my previous dose), because I worried about heart palpitations, I noticed hypo symptoms (esp. bleeding hemorrhoids from constipation). I faced a lose-lose choice (bleeding hemorrhoids or heart palpitations). So I looked through "Recovering with T3" to see what the author said about heart palpitations. He said that symptom could be caused by taking T3 doses too close together (among other things). Since I take my largest divided dose (15mcg) when I first get up in the morning, I considered how soon I take my next (smaller 12.5mcg) dose. Then I tried taking that 5+ hours after the first dose, rather than 4+ hours later. The first day I took my 2nd dose 5+ hours later, I didn't notice any heart palpitations.
I continued taking my 2nd dose at least 5 hours after my first dose for a few days. The hypo symptoms disappeared as did the pounding heart sensations. So I'v been back on 40mcg (with 3 daily divided doses) of T3 and doing well for the past few days. If I stay on this dose until I see my doc and request a new prescription, I may need 5mcg pills to get an even 40mcg daily (with divided doses of 3, 2-1/2 and 2-1/2 mcg). 25 mcg pills would need to be divided more than is practical for a 40mcg total.
Also I finished 7 weeks without T4 two days ago. I've read most people need only 8 weeks to clear T4. So I'm approaching my maintenance T3 dose. However, I really won't know for sure until I pass that 8 week mark. Since blood tests are useless for determining appropriate T3 dosage, all I have are signs (blood pressure, pulse, body temp, etc.) and symptoms (regularity, energy, feeling warm and healthy).
I continued taking my 2nd dose at least 5 hours after my first dose for a few days. The hypo symptoms disappeared as did the pounding heart sensations. So I'v been back on 40mcg (with 3 daily divided doses) of T3 and doing well for the past few days. If I stay on this dose until I see my doc and request a new prescription, I may need 5mcg pills to get an even 40mcg daily (with divided doses of 3, 2-1/2 and 2-1/2 mcg). 25 mcg pills would need to be divided more than is practical for a 40mcg total.
Also I finished 7 weeks without T4 two days ago. I've read most people need only 8 weeks to clear T4. So I'm approaching my maintenance T3 dose. However, I really won't know for sure until I pass that 8 week mark. Since blood tests are useless for determining appropriate T3 dosage, all I have are signs (blood pressure, pulse, body temp, etc.) and symptoms (regularity, energy, feeling warm and healthy).
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Heart Palpitations
The higher dose(40mcg total daily) of T3 has done wonders for my previous irregularity problems during the past 10 days. However, I've become much more aware of a strong heart beat during the past few days. I don't want to lose the )digestive benefits, but I worry about possible heart palpitations. So I'll try a lower dose (37.5mcg total) starting tomorrow. Maybe that first dose of 15mcg is just too high, but I only raised my total dose 2.5mcg. I've read that the first dose should be the highest, because the longest time elapsed between the afternoon and morning dose. Nevertheless, I want to see what happens with heart palpitations on a lower dose. I may try the higher (40mcg dose) the next day so I average somewhere between those 2 totals. I'd hate to lose all the motility benefits I got from the higher dose, but I don't want palpitations either.
Yesterday I took my blood pressure and pulse at a local pharmacy's blood pressure machine, before and after I took my afternoon T3 dose. Before T3 dose (4+ hours since previous dose) my blood pressure was 102 systolic, 56 diastolic and 82 pulse (I'd walked 30 minutes to get to the location which would have raised my heart beat). 15-20 minutes after I took my afternoon t3 dose, I measured blood pressure and pulse on another machine at another pharmacy (less than a block away). That time my blood pressure was 104 systolic, 65 diastolic, and 78 pulse (I sat and tried to relax a minute or two before taking that reading, which may have lowered my pulse.) Either the second machine was more accurate (the pressure cuff felt tighter) or t3 works quickly to raise my blood pressure.
The last time I measured blood pressure at a local machine within a few hours after taking my t3 dose, my blood pressure was 115 systolic, 72 diastolic and 73 pulse. What a difference a few hours between doses can make. That explains why I feel colder and more tired just before I take my next planned t3 dose.
Yesterday I took my blood pressure and pulse at a local pharmacy's blood pressure machine, before and after I took my afternoon T3 dose. Before T3 dose (4+ hours since previous dose) my blood pressure was 102 systolic, 56 diastolic and 82 pulse (I'd walked 30 minutes to get to the location which would have raised my heart beat). 15-20 minutes after I took my afternoon t3 dose, I measured blood pressure and pulse on another machine at another pharmacy (less than a block away). That time my blood pressure was 104 systolic, 65 diastolic, and 78 pulse (I sat and tried to relax a minute or two before taking that reading, which may have lowered my pulse.) Either the second machine was more accurate (the pressure cuff felt tighter) or t3 works quickly to raise my blood pressure.
The last time I measured blood pressure at a local machine within a few hours after taking my t3 dose, my blood pressure was 115 systolic, 72 diastolic and 73 pulse. What a difference a few hours between doses can make. That explains why I feel colder and more tired just before I take my next planned t3 dose.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Overlooked Signs and Sumptoms
After rereading "Recovering with T3", I realized that I overlooked subtle signs and symptoms that I didn't have enough T3 around 5 weeks after I stopped taking T4. So many people on realthyroidhelp.com and the author of that book warmed me that I might need even more T3 after most of the T4 had cleared my system. However, I had not started at a low level of T3. I started at the last T3 level which relieved my symptoms, but stopped working after a week or so, before I stopped taking T4.
After abstaining from T4 for a few days that level worked beautifully. I was energetic all the time (esp. after switching from 2 to 3 daily divided doses), I was more 'regular' than I'd ever been (except when I had diarrhea with C-diff), and I didn't get cold hands and feet just before my next dose. Nevertheless, all that slowly changed after 5 weeks w/o T4. I started having more and more regularity problems. I felt tried more often. Normally simple tasks seemed too challenging. I spent lots of time onlihe, because I didn't want to start any projects. I wanted to go to bed. My hands were icy cold more often than they were warm. I gained 3 pounds, then lost one. Then my weight started to fluctuate 2-3 pounds every day. My weight rarely fluctuates from day to day.
I assumed that 37.5 mcg dose would carry me through the entire T4 clearning process. Of course, I really didn't calculate how long I'd need to clear. Because I'd only taken 50 or 25 mccg of T4, I may not need an entire 8-12 weeks which people who started with higher t4 doses need.
So after 5 days of higher dose T3 (40mcg in 3 divided doses), I'm back to normal regularity, having energy most of the day and feeling warmer despite cold, rainy weather outside.My weight is still fluctuating by 2 pounds from day to day (2 pounds down one day, 2 pounds up the next). I wonder whether adrenal hormone differences (cortisol) now cause my weight to shift with water retention differences. I'm uncertain whether I'll need another dose increase after 6 more weeks, when I'll reach the infamous 12 week marker. At that point most people who abstain from T4, have completely cleared T4 from their systems.
At this rate I'll need another T3 prescription before I reach the 12 week mark. I have 2 open 5mcg prescriptions (90 tablets each). So I can use those to assemble my 40mcg dose. Perhaps I'll try 4 divided doses again. (4 doses of 2-5mcg tablets would be easier than splitting pills into thirds.) I hope by the time I see my doc I will have stabilized my dosage. So I can request exactly what I need, rather than trying to assemble appropriate doses from the pills I received from a lower dose prescription. Oh well, at least I have the open (several refills) prescriptions.
After abstaining from T4 for a few days that level worked beautifully. I was energetic all the time (esp. after switching from 2 to 3 daily divided doses), I was more 'regular' than I'd ever been (except when I had diarrhea with C-diff), and I didn't get cold hands and feet just before my next dose. Nevertheless, all that slowly changed after 5 weeks w/o T4. I started having more and more regularity problems. I felt tried more often. Normally simple tasks seemed too challenging. I spent lots of time onlihe, because I didn't want to start any projects. I wanted to go to bed. My hands were icy cold more often than they were warm. I gained 3 pounds, then lost one. Then my weight started to fluctuate 2-3 pounds every day. My weight rarely fluctuates from day to day.
I assumed that 37.5 mcg dose would carry me through the entire T4 clearning process. Of course, I really didn't calculate how long I'd need to clear. Because I'd only taken 50 or 25 mccg of T4, I may not need an entire 8-12 weeks which people who started with higher t4 doses need.
So after 5 days of higher dose T3 (40mcg in 3 divided doses), I'm back to normal regularity, having energy most of the day and feeling warmer despite cold, rainy weather outside.My weight is still fluctuating by 2 pounds from day to day (2 pounds down one day, 2 pounds up the next). I wonder whether adrenal hormone differences (cortisol) now cause my weight to shift with water retention differences. I'm uncertain whether I'll need another dose increase after 6 more weeks, when I'll reach the infamous 12 week marker. At that point most people who abstain from T4, have completely cleared T4 from their systems.
At this rate I'll need another T3 prescription before I reach the 12 week mark. I have 2 open 5mcg prescriptions (90 tablets each). So I can use those to assemble my 40mcg dose. Perhaps I'll try 4 divided doses again. (4 doses of 2-5mcg tablets would be easier than splitting pills into thirds.) I hope by the time I see my doc I will have stabilized my dosage. So I can request exactly what I need, rather than trying to assemble appropriate doses from the pills I received from a lower dose prescription. Oh well, at least I have the open (several refills) prescriptions.
Monday, February 13, 2012
2.5mcg T3 Dose Increase
Enough freezing and irregularity problems! I increased my T3 morning dose to 15mcg for a total of 40mcg daily dose. I'll have to continue at that dose for at least 3 days to determine if it changes my hypo symptoms. I'm disappointed that the previous dose stopped working as well. However, that t3 dose without t4 kept me symptom free for over 5 weeks. That's a lot longer than any previous T4/T3 combo dose.
I also communicated w/ the author of "Recovering wtih T3" about needing to raise the dose that was so helpful for so long. He told me to just keep increasing my T3 slowly as I needed to eliminate symptoms. Maybe I'll eventually reach a dose that only requires one prescription. LOL Previously I've had 2 prescriptions of T3 to give me both 5mcg and 25mcg tablets, which I needed for my original 30mcg daily T3 dose. However, I needed to increase that dose during the past 6 months. So I ended up taking 3 half tablets of the 25mcg tablets and not using the remaining 5mcg pills. Continuing my current 40mcg dose will allow me to use up the 5 mcg tablets before I see my doc and request a new prescription. However, I really don't know what my daily dose will be in mid March.
I also communicated w/ the author of "Recovering wtih T3" about needing to raise the dose that was so helpful for so long. He told me to just keep increasing my T3 slowly as I needed to eliminate symptoms. Maybe I'll eventually reach a dose that only requires one prescription. LOL Previously I've had 2 prescriptions of T3 to give me both 5mcg and 25mcg tablets, which I needed for my original 30mcg daily T3 dose. However, I needed to increase that dose during the past 6 months. So I ended up taking 3 half tablets of the 25mcg tablets and not using the remaining 5mcg pills. Continuing my current 40mcg dose will allow me to use up the 5 mcg tablets before I see my doc and request a new prescription. However, I really don't know what my daily dose will be in mid March.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Hypothyroid Approaching Week 5 w/o T4
One week ago, as I completed 5 weeks of T3 only therapy (stopped taking T4), I started to experience more hypothyroid symptoms, though not nearly the level I experienced while taking T4 and T3 together. First I noticed more difficulty with regularity to the point that a hard stool broke a hemorrhoid (bleeding) 2 days ago. Slowly I noticed more afternoon fatigue and then feeling cold more often, even before I needed my next T3 dose. I'm uncertain what all that means. However a few members of realthyroidhelp.com suggested I might need to increase my thyroid dose after much of the T4 had cleared my body. I'm now approaching 6 weeks free of T4. For some people 6 weeks is long enough to clear T4. I had only been taking a 50 (or sometimes 25) mcg once daily dose of T4 before I stopped. So maybe I'm close to 'clear'??? Whatever happens, I wanted to journal my increasing hypo symptoms.
Nevertheless, despite not getting enough sleep the night after my birthday 'observed' day, I haven't gotten another respiratory infection. (I used to get colds whenever I spent time away from home with other people, because I was soooo susceptible to viral infections.) So the DHEA is really helping to improve my immunity.
On my 'observed' (one week delayed celebration of my) birthday (after the bleeding hemorrhoid experience), we went into town to shop, see a new movie and enjoy a dinner out at PF Chang's. I spent the rest of my Christmas gift certificate at Express for new pants and jacket (casual suit). We saw "Big Miracle" with Drew Barrymore. The script was based on a true story about whales stuck under the ice in northern Alaska. I was very pleased with that movie which included comedy, romance and drama. I didn't imagine I would feel so sad when the baby whale died. (I told my husband Iwouldn't cry at the movie, but I didn't know the whole story.)
We enjoyed our meal at PF Chang's. However our waiter looked like a 'deer in headlights' when I told him I had 7 food allergies. His eyes glazed over and he told us we couldn't have any of the condiments, though I've often eaten the allergy free hot mustard. Despite sending my allergy allert card to the chef and our past experience with safe meals at PF Chang's that waiter's demeanor had me worried. So I suspected the sauce on my entree. (We can't eat any soy.) Then I had to wait almost 10 minutes for the manager to consult the chef to reassure me that the sauce was safe.
Meanwhile my dish got cold. Also the vegies were undercooked, despite my request to overcook them. I'm very honest when restaurant staff ask me how my dinner is. I told them. As usual PF Chang's compensated my dinner. As usual my husband gave them a tip the amount of my comp'd dinner. SIGH Oh well, being so upset, I ate so little that I had enough leftovers for 2 meals at home.
I normally love eating out, but I got contaminated with soy during December. During January, I learned that my favorite entree at our local Mexican restaurant contained a 'bit of wheat flour' in the sauce. That explained why I got so sick after my last visit there. So I was rather wary of eating a meal at a restaurant where the waiter seemed both clueless and frightened by my 7 allergies. I normally don't encounter that reaction to my allergy allert card.
Nevertheless, despite not getting enough sleep the night after my birthday 'observed' day, I haven't gotten another respiratory infection. (I used to get colds whenever I spent time away from home with other people, because I was soooo susceptible to viral infections.) So the DHEA is really helping to improve my immunity.
On my 'observed' (one week delayed celebration of my) birthday (after the bleeding hemorrhoid experience), we went into town to shop, see a new movie and enjoy a dinner out at PF Chang's. I spent the rest of my Christmas gift certificate at Express for new pants and jacket (casual suit). We saw "Big Miracle" with Drew Barrymore. The script was based on a true story about whales stuck under the ice in northern Alaska. I was very pleased with that movie which included comedy, romance and drama. I didn't imagine I would feel so sad when the baby whale died. (I told my husband Iwouldn't cry at the movie, but I didn't know the whole story.)
We enjoyed our meal at PF Chang's. However our waiter looked like a 'deer in headlights' when I told him I had 7 food allergies. His eyes glazed over and he told us we couldn't have any of the condiments, though I've often eaten the allergy free hot mustard. Despite sending my allergy allert card to the chef and our past experience with safe meals at PF Chang's that waiter's demeanor had me worried. So I suspected the sauce on my entree. (We can't eat any soy.) Then I had to wait almost 10 minutes for the manager to consult the chef to reassure me that the sauce was safe.
Meanwhile my dish got cold. Also the vegies were undercooked, despite my request to overcook them. I'm very honest when restaurant staff ask me how my dinner is. I told them. As usual PF Chang's compensated my dinner. As usual my husband gave them a tip the amount of my comp'd dinner. SIGH Oh well, being so upset, I ate so little that I had enough leftovers for 2 meals at home.
I normally love eating out, but I got contaminated with soy during December. During January, I learned that my favorite entree at our local Mexican restaurant contained a 'bit of wheat flour' in the sauce. That explained why I got so sick after my last visit there. So I was rather wary of eating a meal at a restaurant where the waiter seemed both clueless and frightened by my 7 allergies. I normally don't encounter that reaction to my allergy allert card.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Postponing Birthday Celebration
Tomorrow is officially my birthday. However, I plan to postpone celebrating for another week. My husband usually takes a day off work to celebrate (shop, see an art installation, eat out, etc.) on my birthday. Unfortunately, he's the project manager for a huge clinic move which begins tomorrow. Also I have a great coupon for a favorite store which doesn't begin until a week from tomorrow (birthday). Most of all the new exhibit at SAM (Paul Gaughan) doesn't begin until a week from today. So I might have a minor and a major celebration this year.
Actually I'm not looking forward to celebrating this birthday. My dad died almost 4 months after turning that number. My mom died 15 months later. I know my health is much better than theirs and I've improved a great deal since I was diagnosed with celiac disease almost 8 years ago. Nevertheless, my parents' ages at their death continue to haunt me
Fortunately warmer sunny weather is forecast for tomorrow. So I may take a long walk to our local mall. Today I earned a rewards discount certificate from the store where I got my laptop. I considered returning the sleeve I bought after purchasing the laptop, because I liked a more expensive, more colorful sleeve, but hestitated to spend that much. The certificate makes the more expensive sleeve more enticing. So I may exchange one sleeve for another tomorrow.
I'd also planned to make key lime pie for my birthday from a gluten, dairy, soy, egg, sugar free recipe, which I saw in one of my allergy free baking books. Instead of eggs, the recipe substitutes avocado. So the pie is much healthier than traditional key lime pie with eggs (and my other allergens). Best of all, the crust is a press and chill cooky crust and the filling is blended and poured into the chilled crust. The time consuming part is peeling and deseeding 5 avocados and juicing and zesting 6 limes. SIGH Oh well, I get to use my ergonomic zester and my powerful (Ninja) blender which we purchased before Christmas.
Then next week we'll see the SAM exhibit, shop and eat at my favorite allergy friendly restaurant (PF Chang's) and celebrate too many years and one week older.
Actually I'm not looking forward to celebrating this birthday. My dad died almost 4 months after turning that number. My mom died 15 months later. I know my health is much better than theirs and I've improved a great deal since I was diagnosed with celiac disease almost 8 years ago. Nevertheless, my parents' ages at their death continue to haunt me
Fortunately warmer sunny weather is forecast for tomorrow. So I may take a long walk to our local mall. Today I earned a rewards discount certificate from the store where I got my laptop. I considered returning the sleeve I bought after purchasing the laptop, because I liked a more expensive, more colorful sleeve, but hestitated to spend that much. The certificate makes the more expensive sleeve more enticing. So I may exchange one sleeve for another tomorrow.
I'd also planned to make key lime pie for my birthday from a gluten, dairy, soy, egg, sugar free recipe, which I saw in one of my allergy free baking books. Instead of eggs, the recipe substitutes avocado. So the pie is much healthier than traditional key lime pie with eggs (and my other allergens). Best of all, the crust is a press and chill cooky crust and the filling is blended and poured into the chilled crust. The time consuming part is peeling and deseeding 5 avocados and juicing and zesting 6 limes. SIGH Oh well, I get to use my ergonomic zester and my powerful (Ninja) blender which we purchased before Christmas.
Then next week we'll see the SAM exhibit, shop and eat at my favorite allergy friendly restaurant (PF Chang's) and celebrate too many years and one week older.
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