I have had a hypo thyroid condition for 9 years. When I first was diognosed my TSH was 40. (I gained 30 lbs in 6 months and went to the Dr. feeling aweful) She said I was Hypo and prescribed T4. I have been on Synthroid 150 mcg for all of these years. This amount of T4 brings my TSH to 1.5. (Doctor tells me I am normal). However, I am still tired, foggy, low libido, dry skin, cold and overweight. Every year I go for a check up and they tell me my thyroid is normal. Recently I upped my T4 by taking a half a pill more every couple of days. I was getting desperate and depressed with the hypo symptoms.
Here are my lates results:
TSH = .02 (Lab ange .4 to 5.5) Free T4 = 2 (Lab range .8 to 1.8) Free T3 = 305 (Lab range 230-420)
Thyroid antibodies: Thyroglobulin = 317 (Lab range less than 20) Thyroid Paroxidease = 875 (Lab range less than 35)
Adrenals are normal.
I still have all of the hypo symtoms. I could sleep 12 hours a day and still be tired. I went to 2 different Endo's neither will give me T3 combo to try and both said they don't prescribe Armour either.
I am considering self medicating by lowering my T4 and adding T3. I know I can order T3 on the internet.
Also, I follow a very low carb diet and that is the only way I can keep my weight down. But not down enough to be normal. Still 20 lbs overweight ....
Simon Waters 31 October 2005 01:05:32 [ permanent link ]
On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 13:06:50 -0800, mlgaughan wrote:>
I am considering self medicating by lowering my T4 and adding T3. I know> I can order T3 on the internet.
Need advice please ....
There is an old saying about those who medicate themselves, having a fool for their doctor (that cuts both ways - think about it).
There are several thyroid groups with lists of doctors who will prescribe combined T4/T3 or Armour. I think trying a combined treatment is perfectly reasonable if other treatments haven't worked, but I think you should get a doctor with experience of these treatments rather than try to self medicate.
Simon Waters wrote:> On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 13:06:50 -0800, mlgaughan wrote:> >
I am considering self medicating by lowering my T4 and adding T3. I know> > I can order T3 on the internet.>
Need advice please ....>
There is an old saying about those who medicate themselves, having a fool> for their doctor (that cuts both ways - think about it).>
There are several thyroid groups with lists of doctors who will prescribe> combined T4/T3 or Armour. I think trying a combined treatment is perfectly> reasonable if other treatments haven't worked, but I think you should get> a doctor with experience of these treatments rather than try to self> medicate.
I know.....I am really on the fence though. The latest Endo I went to said that Armour is going off the market and they won't be making it much longer. I am terrible with confrontation and didn't have the courage to debate with him. He tested my adrenals. Labs recently came back normal(lab sent me a copy in the mail) I have an actual follow up with Endo next week. I will try one more time and ask if he will lower my T4 and add T3. (as a trial dose) I need to get my life back I have kids and I feel like they are missing out by me being tired all the time.
Also my General Practitioner is wonderfull in the respect that she will run my full thyroid tests as often as I request but the only thing she will treat with is T4. She doesn't feel comfortable prescribing any other thyroid meds and says if I want to try anything else such as Armour or Cytomel that I need to find an Endo to do so. I guess I need to keep shopping for an Endo. Just need support from others with Hypo to keep trying.
I understand feeling fatigued all the time!! It sucks.
You said you are eating a low carb diet. Do you eat fruit? Veggies? Low carb is not good for everyone. I lost weight on a diet that is mostly carbs - fruits and veggies. Also, what about exercise? Sometimes a bit of exercise will help to clear up fatigue.
Sometimes our problems aren't caused by thyroid troubles. But finding a doctor that will work with us to find what the other cause may be can be difficult.
How is your sleep pattern? Do you sleep at night? Do you dream? Could you have sleep apnea?
Take care, ar
In article <1130706410.206811.157550@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, mlgaughan@yahoo.com says...>
I have had a hypo thyroid condition for 9 years. When I first was>diognosed my TSH was 40. (I gained 30 lbs in 6 months and went to the>Dr. feeling aweful) She said I was Hypo and prescribed T4. I have been>on Synthroid 150 mcg for all of these years. This amount of T4 brings>my TSH to 1.5. (Doctor tells me I am normal). However, I am still>tired, foggy, low libido, dry skin, cold and overweight. Every year I>go for a check up and they tell me my thyroid is normal. Recently I>upped my T4 by taking a half a pill more every couple of days. I was>getting desperate and depressed with the hypo symptoms.>
Here are my lates results:>
TSH = .02 (Lab ange .4 to 5.5)>Free T4 = 2 (Lab range .8 to 1.8)>Free T3 = 305 (Lab range 230-420)>
Thyroid antibodies:>Thyroglobulin = 317 (Lab range less than 20)>Thyroid Paroxidease = 875 (Lab range less than 35)>
Adrenals are normal.>
I still have all of the hypo symtoms. I could sleep 12 hours a day and>still be tired.>I went to 2 different Endo's neither will give me T3 combo to try and>both said they don't prescribe Armour either.>
I am considering self medicating by lowering my T4 and adding T3. I>know I can order T3 on the internet.>
Also, I follow a very low carb diet and that is the only way I can keep>my weight down. But not down enough to be normal. Still 20 lbs>overweight ....>
I do eat tons of veggies and a little fruit. Mostly berries and melons. I avoid bread, pasta, rice and sugar. I go to Curves 3x a week. But I have to force myself to go. I sleep well. I dream sometimes .... The only way I can lose weight is to live on pure protein and excercise 5x a week. I get bored with protein and as soon as I add in good carbs I put weight on.
If your GP is reluctant to prescribe T3, I suggest you print off two newspaper articles (from the very reputable "Toronto Star" newspaper, which describe the great effrot an award-winning Endo has made to ensure Cytomel is available for thyroid patients in Canada. This Endo, who practices at Mt Sinai Hospital in Toronto, is the winner of this year's pretigious Paul Starr Award for research in Ebdocrinology. He is also a member of the Order of Canada (a very high cvilian honour given to Canadians who have served the comunity and honoured Canada beyond simple citizenship). It's sort of the equivalent of being knighted in Canada.
You can find links to the two articles I mention in the "Links" section of the "Thyroid Patients Canada" group website:
I asked about the dreaming because even though I slept well, I never dreamed - which indicated to me that I wasn't getting into REM sleep which is where the refreshing sleep happens. I started taking melatonin and it has really helped. I sleep better, I'm dreaming, and I'm far less tired during the day.
I'm glad you're including fruit in your diet. Energy comes from those good carbs, too. And I'm glad to hear about the exercise! Don't give up! Perhaps someone will mention something that rings true with you and you'll find your solution.
ar
In article <1130723817.515826.168920@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, mlgaughan@yahoo.com says...>
I do eat tons of veggies and a little fruit. Mostly berries and>melons. I avoid bread, pasta, rice and sugar. I go to Curves 3x a>week. But I have to force myself to go. I sleep well. I dream>sometimes .... The only way I can lose weight is to live on pure>protein and excercise 5x a week. I get bored with protein and as soon>as I add in good carbs I put weight on.>
Smart idea to ask the pharamcist for the name of a couple of doctors who prescribe T3.
I wasn't feel qyite right on T4 alone. When I added a little T3 to the "pill regimen" of 150 mcg synthroid, my energy, concentration and stamina improved. About a month or so ago I had an RA flareup that attackerd my thyroid, cuasing me to have to increase my synthroid dosage. I've ende dup cutting out the T4 completely and taking just 18 mcg of T3 daily. My stamina is better and more consistent than on the combined T4/T3 regimen. Part of my problem may have been an underlying interstitial infection that may have been dragging me down. I've been on macrobid daily for the past month or so, and I have to wonder if it's the macrobid as much, or more, than the T3 alone that has restored me to nearly normal health. I elminated the T4 because the two together were leaving me feeling a little tense, and my T3 results were on the high end of normal. Although I'm in menopause, I apparently do convert to some extent.
For what it is worth- after standing my ground with my very reluctant T4/TSH obsessed NHS Endo I convinced him to prescribe tetroxin (T3- cytomel in North America) as well as Levothyroxine (T4). I take the T4 all together at the start of the day and the T3 in 2 split doses mid morning and late afternoon. I had been down to TSH of 1 for three months but still feeling s**t. It has certainly made a positive difference to me.
In the sense that I stood my ground- and would not leave his office until he had written the prescription/ having a varied discussion using print outs of research and info from this groups website- I basically self medicated as he was completely against it. But as I said its the first time since taking HRT (15 months) that I have felt a definite improvement. If you are 'TSH normal but still Hypo symptomatic' I would recommend you try it.
Most people if they suppress or have TSH less than 1 on T4 alone are fine but there seems to be a sub group for whom this does not work. In that scenario T3 should be tried for a period. The point is to feel better.
<mlgaughan@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:1130712174.578433.37690@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...>
Simon Waters wrote:>> On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 13:06:50 -0800, mlgaughan wrote:>> >
I am considering self medicating by lowering my T4 and adding T3. I >> > know>> > I can order T3 on the internet.>>
Need advice please ....>>
There is an old saying about those who medicate themselves, having a fool>> for their doctor (that cuts both ways - think about it).>>
There are several thyroid groups with lists of doctors who will prescribe>> combined T4/T3 or Armour. I think trying a combined treatment is >> perfectly>> reasonable if other treatments haven't worked, but I think you should get>> a doctor with experience of these treatments rather than try to self>> medicate.>
I know.....I am really on the fence though. The latest Endo I went to> said that Armour is going off the market and they won't be making it> much longer. I am terrible with confrontation and didn't have the> courage to debate with him. He tested my adrenals. Labs recently came> back normal(lab sent me a copy in the mail) I have an actual follow up> with Endo next week. I will try one more time and ask if he will lower> my T4 and add T3. (as a trial dose)> I need to get my life back I have kids and I feel like they are missing> out by me being tired all the time.>
Rob, How long did it take for you to feel better after taking T3? How far apart are your doses? If I can get my T3 checked and find that I could benefit from it, I know one time of day already that I would want the extra "boost" (around 1pm because my body completely crashes then, and I have to have a couple-hour nap at that time of day just to be able to function the rest of the day). However, I'm also trying to weezle my doc into increasing my Synthroid, because my TSH is only down to 3.08, and from what I'm reading everywhere, that's still too high. Why don't doctors read things? It's almost as if they graduate med school and never pick up another book to update themselves, and I know that's not true, because they have to attend conferences to learn new things! Frustrating. Lisa
"Rob Stevens" <dp014j6196@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message news:ryx9f.54604$iD.33502@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...> For what it is worth- after standing my ground with my very reluctant > T4/TSH obsessed NHS Endo I convinced him to prescribe tetroxin (T3- > cytomel in North America) as well as Levothyroxine (T4). I take the T4 all > together at the start of the day and the T3 in 2 split doses mid morning > and late afternoon. I had been down to TSH of 1 for three months but still > feeling s**t. It has certainly made a positive difference to me.>
In the sense that I stood my ground- and would not leave his office until > he had written the prescription/ having a varied discussion using print > outs of research and info from this groups website- I basically self > medicated as he was completely against it. But as I said its the first > time since taking HRT (15 months) that I have felt a definite improvement. > If you are 'TSH normal but still Hypo symptomatic' I would recommend you > try it.>
Most people if they suppress or have TSH less than 1 on T4 alone are fine > but there seems to be a sub group for whom this does not work. In that > scenario T3 should be tried for a period. The point is to feel better.>
<mlgaughan@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:1130712174.578433.37690@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...>>
Simon Waters wrote:>>> On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 13:06:50 -0800, mlgaughan wrote:>>> >
I am considering self medicating by lowering my T4 and adding T3. I >>> > know>>> > I can order T3 on the internet.>>>
Need advice please ....>>>
There is an old saying about those who medicate themselves, having a >>> fool>>> for their doctor (that cuts both ways - think about it).>>>
There are several thyroid groups with lists of doctors who will >>> prescribe>>> combined T4/T3 or Armour. I think trying a combined treatment is >>> perfectly>>> reasonable if other treatments haven't worked, but I think you should >>> get>>> a doctor with experience of these treatments rather than try to self>>> medicate.>>
I know.....I am really on the fence though. The latest Endo I went to>> said that Armour is going off the market and they won't be making it>> much longer. I am terrible with confrontation and didn't have the>> courage to debate with him. He tested my adrenals. Labs recently came>> back normal(lab sent me a copy in the mail) I have an actual follow up>> with Endo next week. I will try one more time and ask if he will lower>> my T4 and add T3. (as a trial dose)>> I need to get my life back I have kids and I feel like they are missing>> out by me being tired all the time.>>
Kevin G. Rhoads 1 November 2005 18:24:57 [ permanent link ]
The latest Endo I went to>said that Armour is going off the market and they won't be making it>much longer.
And if you'll buy that, he probably has some GREAT deals in waterfront property in South Florida; commercial property in metro NY (actually a bridge connecting two boroughs).
Kevin G. Rhoads 1 November 2005 18:27:14 [ permanent link ]
However, I'm also trying to weezle my doc into increasing my >Synthroid, because my TSH is only down to 3.08,
Dosing guidelines for synth-T4 are to increase dose until TSH in normal range AND SYMPTOMS ARE RELIEVED. <emphasis added> TSH in range alone is NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
(I'm going to have to put those lines into a keyboard macro. This is getting ridiculous -- third time this week and it is ONLY TUESDAY!)
Kevin G. Rhoads 1 November 2005 18:30:44 [ permanent link ]
So I know I am taking too much T4. The problem is when I take>only 150 mcgs of T4 my FT3 drops below normal.
Dr. Toft (very conservative) indicates that dosing until TSH is suppressed, in order to get T3 into the middle of the range, is FINE. He further indicates that upping synth-T4 dose until blood levels of T4 are slightly above normal range may be necessary to get T3 into the middle of the range, and that that is OK -- so long as T3 levels stay normal and hyper- symptoms are not experienced.
Dr. Toft believes the typical "gold standard" guidelines used in the US of A are insufficient and lead to underreplacement. But since he is in the UK, he doesn't comment on US of A stuff that often.
Kevin G. Rhoads 1 November 2005 18:46:41 [ permanent link ]
I am 37. I am hoping it is not menopause. To tell you the truth for>the nine years that I have been on the synthroid I have never felt>"normal". I have always been tired, constipated, dry skin etc..etc..>And I have told my Dr. each visit that I don't feel quite right. I felt>a little better on the T4 but not completely better.
Our son, soon to have his 18th birthday, was first diagnosed hypo- in Third grade, but it was clear in hind-sight that he had been developing it since First grade. Preschool he was slim, active and very sunny of disposition. When hypo- and undiagnosed he was constantly tired, but had trouble sleeping, gained weight rapidly, was lethargic and depressed. Talked about death. After diagnosis and dose equilibrated on synth-T4, he was no longer depressed. Could sleep reasonably, not always tired. But not active, only slowly lost weight, and not "sunny" like before. Came the Feb 1999 NEJM article and Nora (his Mom, also hypo-) was switched to armour. First follow-up, one month later, and she insisted Tom get switched (although MD would only prescribe Thyrolar (artificial armour-like, much mroe expensive, not as good IMHO)) even though she had been underdosed by the switch. The very evening that Thomas had his first dose of a T3/T4 combo instead of T4 only, it was already a night/day difference. He was "sunny" again. Doctor discounted what Nora reported of how she felt, but he didn't discount our observations about the difference in how Thomas responded.
Maybe T4-only works well for some people, and maybe they just don't know how to be assertive with doctors. But for two out of two in our family, T4-only just ain't enough. It'll keep death away, but does not restore full life.
YMMV -- but I think synthroid was the worst mistake hypo-thyroid treatment ever got and dose-setting by TSH testing was a close second. Neither is anywhere near adequate for our family's two hypo-s. More like putting a band-aid on an arterial puncture wound. Nowhere near adequate. In addition, in all my reading in the medical literature on thyroid matters, I have NEVER found any testing to justify either T4-only dosing or dose-setting by TSH. Plausible theories, yes; testing that proves either works, no. I'm still looking through the literature, but I am getting SERIOUSLY UNDERWHELMED and UNIMPRESSED by the so-called "science" behind the hypo-thyroid treatment "gold standards". At least they aren't doing blood letting.
Thanks for the info.....just more reason for me to want to try adding T3. What dosage is your soon to be 18 year old son on? Just curious?
I wan to be SUNNY again!!!!!
1 more week till I go to the Endo again. This is a new endo that I have seen once before and he ordered all types of Adrenal gland tests. He asked the Lab to copy me on the results and so far all tests have been normal. So when I see him next week I plan on asking him. And possibly demanding to try the T4/T3 combo.
*lol* Yep, I remember reading that elsewhere on here earlier in the week. I actually remember reading that in the prescribing info document I downloaded from the Synthroid web site, as well. Perhaps I'll request the doc get a copy of that and point it out to her if she refuses. At this point...I'm still waiting on a call back from her. Normally, this would irritate me terribly, but she seems like a very good doc for thyroid stuff, and seems like someone who is willing to work with me and understand and get me where I need to be, so she's more than worth waiting for. At least until she proves me otherwise. I don't know her that well yet, but she seems to have done all the right things so far, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed here! Hope to hear from her today. Lisa
"Kevin G. Rhoads" <kgrhoads@alum.mit.edu> wrote in message news:43678952.27FC6CF8@alum.mit.edu...> >However, I'm also trying to weezle my doc into increasing my>>Synthroid, because my TSH is only down to 3.08,>
Dosing guidelines for synth-T4 are to increase dose until TSH in normal> range AND SYMPTOMS ARE RELIEVED. <emphasis added> TSH in range alone is> NOT GOOD ENOUGH.>
(I'm going to have to put those lines into a keyboard macro. This is > getting> ridiculous -- third time this week and it is ONLY TUESDAY!)
I felt very much better within a day but I put this down to an initial placebo effect. Its now 7 weeks and that initial big boost calmed down within 7 days and I have continued with the brain fog, verbal dexterity and concentration being markedly improved and the memory and fatigue being slightly improved. A 'much brighter bunny' in fact!
I take 20mcg in two split doses: one first thing in the morning with my levo (Synth) and one late afternoon. I do not have a newly raised pulse rate, pain in the chest, thumping head or hot flushes- things you may have read about here.
If you can get your TSH below 1.0 with T4 for three months but the symptoms still continue, then I would try added T3 for 3 months in the first instance and then re-evaluate. Unless you have the reaction that some people have had here (but which I have not) in which case lower dose or stop using it.
The point is to find the med/ HRT therapeutic regime that works for *you*.
rjs
I had been at TSH 1 for over three months and felt continually crap. "Lisa" <stewlis@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:9pI9f.4141$AS6.111@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...> Rob,> How long did it take for you to feel better after taking T3? How far > apart are your doses? If I can get my T3 checked and find that I could > benefit from it, I know one time of day already that I would want the > extra "boost" (around 1pm because my body completely crashes then, and I > have to have a couple-hour nap at that time of day just to be able to > function the rest of the day). However, I'm also trying to weezle my doc > into increasing my Synthroid, because my TSH is only down to 3.08, and > from what I'm reading everywhere, that's still too high. Why don't > doctors read things? It's almost as if they graduate med school and never > pick up another book to update themselves, and I know that's not true, > because they have to attend conferences to learn new things! Frustrating.> Lisa>
"Rob Stevens" <dp014j6196@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message > news:ryx9f.54604$iD.33502@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...>> For what it is worth- after standing my ground with my very reluctant >> T4/TSH obsessed NHS Endo I convinced him to prescribe tetroxin (T3- >> cytomel in North America) as well as Levothyroxine (T4). I take the T4 >> all together at the start of the day and the T3 in 2 split doses mid >> morning and late afternoon. I had been down to TSH of 1 for three months >> but still feeling s**t. It has certainly made a positive difference to >> me.>>
In the sense that I stood my ground- and would not leave his office until >> he had written the prescription/ having a varied discussion using print >> outs of research and info from this groups website- I basically self >> medicated as he was completely against it. But as I said its the first >> time since taking HRT (15 months) that I have felt a definite >> improvement. If you are 'TSH normal but still Hypo symptomatic' I would >> recommend you try it.>>
Most people if they suppress or have TSH less than 1 on T4 alone are fine >> but there seems to be a sub group for whom this does not work. In that >> scenario T3 should be tried for a period. The point is to feel better.>>
<mlgaughan@yahoo.com> wrote in message >> news:1130712174.578433.37690@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...>>>
Simon Waters wrote:>>>> On Sun, 30 Oct 2005 13:06:50 -0800, mlgaughan wrote:>>>> >
I am considering self medicating by lowering my T4 and adding T3. I >>>> > know>>>> > I can order T3 on the internet.>>>>
Need advice please ....>>>>
There is an old saying about those who medicate themselves, having a >>>> fool>>>> for their doctor (that cuts both ways - think about it).>>>>
There are several thyroid groups with lists of doctors who will >>>> prescribe>>>> combined T4/T3 or Armour. I think trying a combined treatment is >>>> perfectly>>>> reasonable if other treatments haven't worked, but I think you should >>>> get>>>> a doctor with experience of these treatments rather than try to self>>>> medicate.>>>
I know.....I am really on the fence though. The latest Endo I went to>>> said that Armour is going off the market and they won't be making it>>> much longer. I am terrible with confrontation and didn't have the>>> courage to debate with him. He tested my adrenals. Labs recently came>>> back normal(lab sent me a copy in the mail) I have an actual follow up>>> with Endo next week. I will try one more time and ask if he will lower>>> my T4 and add T3. (as a trial dose)>>> I need to get my life back I have kids and I feel like they are missing>>> out by me being tired all the time.>>>
Sheila Fresco 3 November 2005 21:44:29 [ permanent link ]
I know exactly what you mean Kevin and I do feel there are a few things going on.
Iit would be great if we had "hormone experts" over here in the UK like you have in the US. Someone to address everything, right now if i go to my GP with perimenopause symptoms (have awful hot flushes) he can only give me HRT, prescribe Thyroxine for the thyroid, not bothering to find out if there is a connection. I want someone to look at the whole picture. I will try to find out who my local Endo is and, if he is "sympathetic to the cause".
Stella @ Stejonda 3 November 2005 23:26:19 [ permanent link ]
In message <1131043469.155915.220570@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, sheila.fresco@gmail.com writes>I know exactly what you mean Kevin and I do feel there are a few things>going on.>
Iit would be great if we had "hormone experts" over here in the UK like>you have in the US. Someone to address everything, right now if i go to>my GP with perimenopause symptoms (have awful hot flushes) he can only>give me HRT, prescribe Thyroxine for the thyroid, not bothering to find>out if there is a connection.>I want someone to look at the whole picture.>I will try to find out who my local Endo is and, if he is "sympathetic>to the cause".
It looks to me as if you do need a decrease in T4 because your Free T4 is a small bit too high and your TSH is a bit too low. Your Free T3 has some room to move, but it looks alright, actually. Do you have symptoms of either hyper or hypo?
If you add T3, your doctor will most likely lower T4 anyway.
ar
In article <1131071040.012372.273520@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>, mlgaughan@yahoo.com says...>
Question for all ....>I am preparing for my next Endo visit and asking to try T3.>(still feeling hypo)>
These are my latest labs on 200 mcg's of T4:>
TSH = .02 (Lab ange .4 to 5.5)>Free T4 = 2 (Lab range .8 to 1.8)>Free T3 = 305 (Lab range 230-420)>
if I add T3 what do you suggest the dosage be to start with?>Do you think the Dr. will want to decrase my T4?>Should I decrease it?>
Kevin G. Rhoads 4 November 2005 20:28:05 [ permanent link ]
TSH = .02 (Lab ange .4 to 5.5)>Free T4 = 2 (Lab range .8 to 1.8)>Free T3 = 305 (Lab range 230-420
Let's linearize these in their respective normal ranges, it facilitates comparison. TSH = (.02-.4)/(5.5-.4) * 100 = -7.5% fT4 = (2.0-0.8)/(1.8-0.8) *100 = 120% fT3 = (305-230)/(420-230) *100 = 39.5%
Clearly, at nearly 40%, the fT3 is not bad, but could be higher. While the fT4 at 120% (and the TSH at -7.5%) both say too much. Reducing T4 while adding a bit of T3 is not a bad thing to try. This linearization is most useful if you start plotting test results vs. time, it gets all the graph-lines onto the same scale for easy comparison. You can do this with most spreadsheet programs, put date in the first column and the normalized results in second, third &c columns.
I would think that going to 150 mcg of T4 with 5 mcg of T3 would be a good place to start since you are presently at 200 mcg of T4.
However, have you checked for adrenal issues? B12 malabsorption? Pernicious anemia? &c&c
I went to see the new Endo 2 weeks ago and he ordered these tests.... He had my Cortisol and B12 checked as well as insulin and peptides. All came back in the normal ranges. (low end of normal) The lab copied me on the results. I was due to see him again next Wed. to discuss these results. I decided to call his office today and ask if I could see him or speak to him sooner. I told his nurse if all my tests that he ordered were normal that I wanted to try adding T3 because I am still having Hypo symptoms. She called me back a couple hours later and said the Dr. said all my other tests were normal and that the he does not prescribe T3 and that if I still wanted to pursue a T3 combo that there was a Dr. in the area that will work with T3 dosing. She said that I should also have a thyroid ultrsound done yearly.
I should also mention here that I have an enlarged thyroid and 5 nodules. The largest nodule is .5 inch in diameter. I recently had a CT scan and all the nodules showed as cold nodules.
I looked up the Dr.'s number that they gave me and I called his office. I spoke to the nurse there and she said the Dr. is very willing to work with different medicine combos and he will prescribe Armour or T3 etc...
So I made an appointment. The sooned they could see me is December 23rd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So 2 more months of waiting.
Do you think the T3 will help with the nodules? I forgot to ask you all about that?? It's the brain fog!!!
Also.....should I request more tests? B12 malabsorption? Pernicious anemia? &c&c ????? < Not sure what this is? I had a blood cortisal and a 24 hour urine collection cortisol test. (both very low)
This is valuable information and seems to accord with my experince of T3/4 combinations. Do you have any sources for this that would carry weight with professionals?
Hi, You have to find a doctor that will work with you and will prescribe you a T3 with T4. I just started from a month ago taking T3 compound with T4. For 20 years I was only on T4 but my condition got very bad. I also went to a doctors who told me my tests TSH,T4 and T3 were normal and the same time I was feeling terrible. I did the same like you ,raised my T4, I doubled it to be able to get out of the bed. A few doctors told me that I have anemia and that's my problem , which I did not agreed and kept looking for a doctor working with T3. After I started T3 I feel much better but still adjusting the dose, which is not easy process. You won't get better only on T4 but to start with T3 , you have to work with a doctor to follow you while adjusting and geting to the right dose for you. Don't give up and find a good doctor.Mary's Shomon web site is where I found my doctor chek it out.
I have also been hypothyroid for over 20 years. Just recently I was dx as taking too much thyroid hormone, I still have the simptoms of hypo---feeling tired and sluggish, very low libito. The doc has lowered my meds 2x w/in the last month & 1/2 . With the dose I was on, I felt fine loosing weight, more energetic, and ready for sex (ha). Something just doesn't feel right! anyone w/ansers that might help?
If you would like to report an abuse of our service, such as a spam message, please . Если Вы хотите пожаловаться на содержимое этой страницы, пожалуйста .
