2 years ago I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer. I had a complete thyroid-ectomy, including 57 lymph nodes on the right side. I then had iodine radiation, and am cancer free now.
I was a no-muscle 220 when I found out I had cancer. My first Synthroid (T4) dosage was 175mcg a day. Now that I had thyroid function, I decided to loose some weight. I got down to a no-muscle 180 pounds.
On 01/08, the doc raised my Synthroid dose to 200mcg a day.
On 05/08, my TSH came back in the acceptable range, and my dosage was not changed.
Around 07/08, my eating slipped up a bit, and I gained about 15 pounds. This is also around the time I started working out.
On 12/08, my TSH was 9.2 H uIU/ml (Range 0.30-4.50.) At this point, I had been seriously in the gym, gained some LBM, and had been eating correctly, though pretty low carb. I was tired all the time, but I wasn’t gaining unwanted fat. The doctor changed my dose, but some confusion happened with the prescription, and I never got it changed, just kept filling the 200mcg/day.
By 01/09, I had added more carbs to my diet, and wasn’t tired any longer.
Around 02/09, I was weighing about 220, 16% BF, with my abs barely showing when flexed. This is also the month I started a 9 weeker of Test-P and Dbol. I got to 250 pounds by the end of the cycle (April.) After the water weight disappeared, I dropped back down to about 238. I have not had an unexpected rise in body fat. PCT went perfect, and everything feels back to normal. I will have my Test/Free Test/E2 levels checked in December at my next visit.
On 06/09, I’m weighing in at 242. My TSH was has gone up to 12.0 H uIU/ml (Range 0.30-4.50.) My doctor uped my dosage to 250mcg a day. This is above most standards for synthetic thyroid treatment, but I would also consider my LBM above most medical standards.
Now, from the research I have done, T4 uptake is most dependent on LBM. This is why I think my
TSH has risen, even with an increased dosage. I also pulled this from an article I found:
“The daily replacement dose of L-T4 to normalize serum TSH in adult hypothyroid subjects is, on average, 1.6 Ã???Ã???Ã??Ã?µg/kg. The amount of hormone to be administered must be increased when suppressed values of serum TSH are desired. In both cases, however, individual adjustments are usually required to attain the optimal daily dose. Although the total daily requirements of L-T4 are related to body mass, unexplained difference can occur among individuals for the same age and body size, even in the absence of functioning thyroid tissue. In this regard, the role of obesity in affecting L-T4 disposal and therapy requirements has never been defined.”**
My question is, is anyone here knowledgeable on Thyroid function and/or treatment? I’m not too worried about taking ‘too-much’ Synthroid, as I have no thyroid left to destroy, but I do not want my muscle building adventures to be in vein. I do understand that my doctor is the best person to ask. Be assured that I have talked to him, I am just looking for other views on the subject. The only thing bad about talking to him is he does not know anything about bodybuilding and/or steroids, so those subjects have not been touched. He is aware that I am in the gym, that I am eating correctly, and that I am gaining weight on purpose.
I know this is long, and my question may be somewhat abstract. Thanks for any opinions. If any more information is needed from me, just let me know.