Usually when no dose exists for an intermediate need, doctors have the patient take the higher dose and skip a day or two per week, or the lower dose and double it a day or two a week.

Since levothyroxine is not "active" but is stored around the body and converted, it does not have an instant effect, like T3 does.

I know my endo would not let me cut my 50 mcg to make 75 when I was raised. (he told me to throw them out)
Since a 37.5 does not exist, the alternative is to skip days with either one step higher or lower.

Are your antibody levels still elevated after years on synthroid/replacement? I was diagnosed in high school and on synthroid for a few decades. Over the last nine years, I've had a lot of neurological problems and medications have been added and adjusted as needed. At one point, a doc re-tested my autoantibodies and I was positive for the thyroid antibodies. I was just reading again about Hashimoto's and it said that antibodies may be positive for a while after starting treatment.......but how long?

This goes to the heart of why I'm here.....trying to understand Hashimoto's encephalopathy. If I'm on replacement hormone, does my body stop attacking the thyroid? Even if I have circulating Abs? Or, if I do have an active immune reaction going on, what are the symptoms?

And I'm researching this concept of "Storm", which I'd never heard of before. If I'm on replacement but a big stressor comes along (like MOVING across the country), could my body push the thyroid to respond? And what would the consequences be?

I had a lot of energy (surprisingly) to deal with the move, and was on overdrive for about three weeks.....lost 10 lbs without working out over about a month's time (could be from moving in the heat, or from my body malfunctioning, don't know). Then I suddenly had trouble sleeping for about five nights, was up for HOURS sweating every night. And then I crashed. Couldn't get out of bed, no energy, stopped losing weight....

I have "adrenal insufficiency", too, so I thought it was that, but since the thyroid deals with metabolism, could it have been the thyroid? Gah, too many malfunctioning parts of me!

question about Hashimoto's and thyroid storm
 

Hello--just joined this forum and am reading your post for the first time. I realize that it has been a while since you posted your message.

My question is in regard to your white hands. I was first diagnosed with a goiter at age 15, and have been on thyroid medication my entire adult life. This past year, it became more apparent that my hands were turning white. I thought that it was vitiligo. It also goes up my forearms on the underside. But earlier in my 20's, I had been diagnosed with Reynaud's disease. This is unlike those symptoms which included a reaction to cold temperatures. My fingers would slowly turn yellowish white, and my toes eventually, turned a blackish red color on the bottom. I took some RX which eventually helped the feet. And over the years, my cold sensitivity waned.

But I am curious about the white hands you have described. A nurse friend had warned me in the past of a thyroid storm.

I appreciate anyone's input they would care to give and share here.
Thanks.

Hashimoto's Disease
 

Boy Everybody, you scare me. I was diagnosed with Hashi's about 25 years ago and have had no problems that I know of related to that. No goiter, in fact the way my dr explained it, he said my body was attacking and destroying my thyroid. I seem to have very little thyroid left. My meds change a little evey once in a while (have been between 88mcg and 125 over 25 years - currently on the low end). Endo says there is an inverse relationship between cholesterol and TSH/T4. Way over my head, guess I wasn't good at chemistry. I accept that. Now, however, I have paresthesia/neuropathy on my face and the question that was brought up was does it have anything to do with autoimmune disease. 7 months with no taste, semi numb (tingling, shooting stars, etc - feels like novocane is wearing off, but it never leaves) lips, mouth, tongue, cheeks and nobody knows why. I thought it was related to the anethetic used (articaine) and now??? New thoughts are going through my head.

Ugh. I'm certainly not new to NeuroTalk but new to this forum. Just diagnosed with this so I'm just learning. (Big sigh.) I'm glad to find there are conversations on NT about Hashimoto's.

Hashimotos and Joint Pain
 

I was diagnosed with Hashimotos a few years ago. Fairly controlled through Synthroid. I've had two break throughs of Hyperthyroid. Back under control with lowered dose of Synthroid.

Over the past 6 months began with joint pain in index finger and 2nd toe. Both are painful but inconclusive with x-rays. Had MRI of foot and it was normal.

There is no swelling just pain.

Very frustrating because I am very active and the joint pain limits the exercise I can do.

Anyone suffer with joint pain? Thanks.

Hello everyone. Been here lately to help daughter with her issues. When she moved away (marriage) her doc found a swelling and ordered Ultrasound of thyroid. Her bloods were ALWAYS "normal" or "within range" Found nodules, removed HALF of LEFT lobe and she was put on synthroid.

Gained 25 pounds within mere weeks. Tired. Crabby. Weepy. Exhausted. Husband filed for divorce. She had JUST signed up for college. oh my.

It was a bad two years for her! Now? Hashimoto's, Hypothyroid, PCOS *she does NOT ovulate, anemic *periods are BAD/painful/heavy/every three weeks, EBV from mono? that does NOT go away I have read, possibly a GLUTEN sensitivity so she is totally gluten free, had Round One of the GARDASIL junk and I just wonder about if that is causing these freakish symptoms? She is TIRED. OVERWEIGHT (but eating a sensible healthy organic diet) and complains alot!! Fogged beyond foggy. New: swollen, red stiff fingers. Hmmm....

She is now on a compounded med for thyroid but it seems to have lost it's usefulness. It is in capsules and I am not sure whether she can increase or decrease. She is a brand new PAID intern for a new job fresh out of college so NO MEDICAL COVERAGE...still!

I think I should order/pay for some new blood work up - but not sure what or which that would indicate what is going on with her finger joints?

I am SURE I will find the info HERE--there is so much and so many great people that are willing to share and suggest! :)

Hashimoto's and swelling
 

I have Hashimoto's (among other things) diagnosed some 15 years ago (following Interferon Alpha therapy for Hep-C--it seems the Interferon may have kicked off the Hashimoto's and other things). Anyway, I've recently had problems with my feet and lower legs swelling up 2 - 3 times normal and the doctor is having trouble finding a cause, so this post got my attention. I'd like more info, please, on edema and Hashimoto's that I could point my MD to.

Thanks!

Did you ever watch any of the youtubes by Dr. R. Tent from Novi, MI about immunity, viruses, vaccines, etc?

He makes alot of sense. Some do not agree with his treatments or way of diagnosing. But he doesn't require you to take dangerous drugs, or expensive damaging tests, or wait until the drug reps leave before he can see you.

I am considering the supplements he suggests and looking into eating for my nutritional type and getting daughter to join me.

I hope you find answers, soon.

Thanks for the site link Dahlek
 

Good to know -- I didn't know the onset of Hashi's was correlated with menopause. I just found out I have entered both stages, so that makes sense why it is now showing up as Hashi's instead of just hypothyroidism. Thanks so much and good thoughts to you!