what should I do?

May 13, 2008

so many times I have heard that people find it hard-going when taking high doses of Levothyroxine and adding in Armour. It is my experience that when taking Armour, because it contains all the hormones your body needs, there is no need to take synthetic thyroxine as well. You may not be converting the synthetic T4 into the active hormone T3 and you could be experiencing a toxic effect, with the thyroxine staying in your blood with nowhere to go - and then adding more T4 that is in Armour which also isn't converting. I would telephone Dr S and ask him if you could stop the synthetic thyroxine and just take Armour on its own. I am sure you would feel better. This is just my personal opinion, but because I have been running the TPA-UK forum for 4 years, and because I have heard such a similar story from many members who used both synthetic and natural thyroid hormones together, I think the way you are going is a long road.

Luv - Sheila

HiI saw Dr Skinner recently as I was not responding well to a dose raise by GP from 100 to 125 despite a TSH of 16.1. I was still hypothyroid but symptoms of Hyper began also intermittently.Dr Skinner said as my ferritin was 25.1 (lower limit 25) I should start ferrous sulphate 3 times a day, start B12 tablets (although not sure if this was due to a blood test result or not), and begin to add Armour to my 100mcg thyroxine dose.I started by taking 1/4 am and 1/4 pm for (almost) a week, with no ill effects except a hypoglaecemic episode 2 hours after very first dose. 3 days into it I had two days of improvement followed by a return of symptoms. On Saturday I upped it to 1/2 and 1/2. It has been hard to tell over the last few days whether there has been more improvement in the fatigue etc as my 20 month old has had a temperature and chest infection and so has had me up all night and therefore very tired!This morning I had some hyper type symptoms for the first time ince starting the armour - but I don't feel well yet? I still feel achey and tired (though much improved than when I first had that high TSH). Pulse has gone up to 92 and basal temp is 36.2 and have had upset tummy this morning.I forgot to mention to DR Skinner when we were there, but I had had quite a lot of nausea over the week or two before I went ot see him, and that has continued, along with a weird metallicy taste in my mouth...Any advice much appreciated!ThanksLeah xI don't have another appointment with DR Skinner until the end of June so not ure what to do?

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May 13, 2008

Hi Sheila

Thanks for your reply. I didn't phone Dr S today as my little one

took a turn for the worse with a temp of 104 - we've been off to the

doctors and I've only just got her to bed! Unfortunately I think I

am coming down with it now - good old immune system - NOT!

Perhaps the Armour only route is the way forward - I just didn't want

to take away the 100mcg I had been on for years as I couldn't bear

the thought of getting iller again even just for a little bit - but I

guess that is backwards thinking!

I have been thinking about this thing I have been describing as

Nausea - I didn't know what to call it, but it felt more like nerves

than wanting to be sick, but not like the hyper type thing either.

However I was looking at something today and saw this internal

shivering thing associated with adrenals - and I think that sort of

describes it better than nausea. I will mention it to Dr S.

I didn't do the adrenal saliva as when I got the kit it said the

results are affected by hydrocortisone creams and steroids, which I

have been taking for nasal polyps, and I have also been slathering on

my daughters excema and and the thickened skin on my foot (which by

the way is yellow - adrenals?).

Am so sick of this particular road, so hopefully wiht your and Dr S's

help I can shorten it!

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine in your time off!

Leah x

>

> so many times I have heard that people find it hard-going when

taking high doses of Levothyroxine and adding in Armour. It is my

experience that when taking Armour, because it contains all the

hormones your body needs, there is no need to take synthetic

thyroxine as well. You may not be converting the synthetic T4 into

the active hormone T3 and you could be experiencing a toxic effect,

with the thyroxine staying in your blood with nowhere to go - and

then adding more T4 that is in Armour which also isn't converting. I

would telephone Dr S and ask him if you could stop the synthetic

thyroxine and just take Armour on its own. I am sure you would feel

better. This is just my personal opinion, but because I have been

running the TPA-UK forum for 4 years, and because I have heard such a

similar story from many members who used both synthetic and natural

thyroid hormones together, I think the way you are going is a long

road.

>

> Luv - Sheila

May 13, 2008

Hi Leah

So sorry to hear about your little one, and I sincerely hope you are not getting this too. You need to support your adrenals more, and try some licquorice and Siberian Ginseng and also high dose Vitamin C.

You ARE thinking "backwards" Leah. T4 has not done you any good up to now. It might have done when you started taking it, but you are obviously unable to convert, so taking it is a waste of time if you are taking Armour. It is the ACTIVE hormones T3 and T2 (and possibly T1) that your body needs. I am sure that you will only feel better by stopping your synthetic T4. Also, remember that T4 has a long half life of 6 to 8 weeks so it takes that time for it to leave your body. There are tens of thousands who do really well on just Armour alone, so you will be amongst many.

Internal 'shivvering' is a symptom of low adrenal reserve and if that explains how you are feeling, this shows that you need to rethink your adrenal support and do let Dr S know about this as I am certain he will want to treat this.

Let us know how you get on. The sun is shining, but I have been rather busy today and not able to get out, but going out tomorrow.

Luv - Sheila

Perhaps the Armour only route is the way forward - I just didn't want to take away the 100mcg I had been on for years as I couldn't bear the thought of getting iller again even just for a little bit - but I guess that is backwards thinking!I have been thinking about this thing I have been describing as Nausea - I didn't know what to call it, but it felt more like nerves than wanting to be sick, but not like the hyper type thing either.However I was looking at something today and saw this internal shivering thing associated with adrenals - and I think that sort of describes it better than nausea. I will mention it to Dr S. I didn't do the adrenal saliva as when I got the kit it said the results are affected by hydrocortisone creams and steroids, which I have been taking for nasal polyps, and I have also been slathering on my daughters excema and and the thickened skin on my foot (which by the way is yellow - adrenals?).Am so sick of this particular road, so hopefully wiht your and Dr S's help I can shorten it!Hope you are enjoying the sunshine in your time off!Leah x>> so many times I have heard that people find it hard-going when taking high doses of Levothyroxine and adding in Armour. It is my experience that when taking Armour, because it contains all the hormones your body needs, there is no need to take synthetic thyroxine as well. You may not be converting the synthetic T4 into the active hormone T3 and you could be experiencing a toxic effect, with the thyroxine staying in your blood with nowhere to go - and then adding more T4 that is in Armour which also isn't converting. I would telephone Dr S and ask him if you could stop the synthetic thyroxine and just take Armour on its own. I am sure you would feel better. This is just my personal opinion, but because I have been running the TPA-UK forum for 4 years, and because I have heard such a similar story from many members who used both synthetic and natural thyroid hormones together, I think the way you are going is a long road. > > Luv - Sheila

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May 15, 2008

Hi Leah, the nausea and metallic taste are your adrenals. so get the 24 hour saliva test doneand start with some support first be for trying to take thyroid meds. as your body will not be able to use the thyroid meds if your adrenals are not working properly. angel.

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May 15, 2008

I developed a noticeable metallic taste in my mouth around the time I

was on high-dose iron supplementation. I've now stopped taking it

altogether as my ferritin soared from 52 to 187 in less than 3 months.

The metallic taste has now gone so could have been due to the iron

supplements.

Tracey

May 15, 2008

Wow Tracey - what on earth did you take to increase your ferritin level from 52 tol 187 in 3 months????

Luv - Sheila

I developed a noticeable metallic taste in my mouth around the time I was on high-dose iron supplementation. I've now stopped taking it altogether as my ferritin soared from 52 to 187 in less than 3 months. The metallic taste has now gone so could have been due to the iron supplements.Tracey

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May 15, 2008

Hi Angel and Tracey, thanks for your replies...

I am taking iron supplements, but only for a couple of weeks, and the

metallic taste pre-dated it, although it has got worse!

I hadn't read your replies before posting a minute ago - I have decided

to take my adrenals under control! I have ordered the dynamite adrenal

so hopefully that will help as I couldn't tolerate the NA... I am under

Dr Skinner so will speak to him about it but I haven't been able to get

hold of him yet...

Leah x

July 11, 2008

Jon -

Have you had a CT done recently? My 4 1/2 year old was recently diagnosed wit C-toma. Was diagnosed on April 29th and had surgery June 23rd. It was and still is a very aggressive case. They weren't able to remove all of it in the 1st surgery and will have more surgeries to come here in the coming months. Her doctor said he didn't expect it to be so aggressive, her hearing bones were hiding it very well.

Anyway on a side note if I were you I'd be getting in for a CT immediatly to see if they can tell how far it's spread. In additon I'd be getting in for your other appointments ASAP.

Just my opinion.

take care

From: jonfrashier <j_frashier@...>Subject: What Should I do?cholesteatoma Date: Friday, July 11, 2008, 2:01 PM

Hi everyone. I need some advice if it's okay...I saw a local ENT in my small town that I live in and he says that he thinks I could possibly have some reoccuring cholesteatoma in my right ear, he's not positive but its possible and that is so it is small and confined to one area. He sent me to an ear specialist in a big city that is supposed to be good to have a look at it. He said that if I wait a few months before I see him it should be okay but kinda sounded like he would like me to get it looked at this summer. I'm not sure what was going on or if I really have it or what to think about what the local ENT is saying. I have not had any symptoms of cholesteatoma from what I have seen on the net. I had surgery like 10 years ago on my ear to remove cholesteatoma and have two artifical hearing bones and have not had any trouble since. I am 27 now. I am currently thinking about moving to a new

state and changing jobs. Does it sound like my appointment set up in a month can way another few months? Should I worry about this or what should I do? Only thing I've felt lightly is like I'm in a fog, not dizzy completely but like you are trying to wake up in the morning and it still lingers if that makes since. I don't know if this is my sinus or allergies I've been having lately or what. What do you guys think?Thanks,Jon

July 13, 2008

Jon,

It wouldn't hurt to go see a

otologist now and get his opinion about waiting or not. At least then

you can make an informed decision based on what he finds. It's hard to

make any decision if you don't know what you're dealing with. Did your

ENT say that the "foggy" feeling you're experiencing might be

related to the c-toma? Have you had a physical to rule out other

reasons for your current symptoms?

As an adult (49), I let mine go for several years before I got it taken

care of. I wouldn't recommend it, because the longer you let these

things go the more damage they will do. By the grace of God I only had

one hearing bone partially destroyed and part of my ear canal had to be

rebuilt. And, from what I've read on this group it looks like the

c-tomas seem to grow faster in children, and in most cases c-tomas in

adults are considered "slow growing." I waited 3 months to get in to

see my otologist for the initial appointment, and then it was another 2

months before I ended up having the surgery. Since this is something

you initially had as a teen - you'll want to take that into

consideration.

I took some time to find the best Otologist in town - because

experience does count. The very first ENT I went to said he saw only

about 2 c-tomas per year. In my opinion that isn't enough experience.

Also, the first ENT wouldn't even discuss reconstruction or

prosthetics. Look in the files section of this group for more