Guest guest Posted June 15, 2008 Report Share Posted June 15, 2008 Sleep issues? Not sleeping at night and being sleepy in the daytime? That could be a cortisol issue. You might also look into taking all or part of your Armour in the evening or even at bedtime. With antibodies, you may still be undermedicated and need a larger dose of Armour. Can you tolerate a larger dose? If you would like to post your labs, we may be able to comment on them. I would also suggest that you look into balancing all of your sex and adrenal hormones, too. They can have an impact on antibodies, too. > >> > > > Hello, out there!> > > > Drop in and say, "Hi!"> > > > How are you doing? Are you getting good medical care for your thyroid> > and other endocrine disorders? Do you have a doc to recommend?> > > > Do you have any questions?> > > > What are you doing for fun this summer?> > > > Do you have any good (semi-clean) jokes to share?> > > > jan nathan> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2008 Report Share Posted June 15, 2008 I've had two sleep studies done. In the first, I had no stage 3 or 4 sleep, which is why I was put on the medication. I did the second study while taking the med, so that part was okay. I also have alpha wave intrusion, which is a symptom of fibromyalgia, which I don't think I have (no other symptoms to speak of). Of course, everything else you mentioned could play a part. I haven't had sex hormones since last summer, and nothing was done about them at that time. That was Dr. Ozan - his note on the labs offered Premarin or bio-IDs. I rolled my eyes about the Premarin. Last January: Cortisol 15.6 (range 4.3-22.4) Free T4 2.25 (range .61-1.76) Free T3 5.8 (range 2.3-4.2) TPO AB 47 (range 0-34) DHEA 261 (range 26-200) TSH .005 August 2007: Free T4 2.07 Free T3 6.3 TSH .004 TPO AB <10 Cortisol 11.9 June 2007: Free T4 1.44 Free T3 3.8 Estradiol 25 (range 0-13 post meno) Progesterone 8.2 (range 0.0-0.7) November 2006: Testosterone, serum 30 (range 14-76) Cortisol 7.0 DHEA 282 Progesterone 14.9 I've been on 40 mg of hydrocortisone since fall of 2006 and cortisol is finally at a reasonable number. I think my new doc thought that was an awful lot until he saw the labs. I've been on 3 1/2 grains of Armour for most of that time, some OTC DHEA (20 mg, then 10) and 100 mg Progesterone. That's it for hormones. Most of those lab results also include the usual CBC and cholesterol and such if anyone wants to know. Cholesterol is fine. I don't know why Dr. W. decided to run the TPO AB. The first time he did, the Free's had not been high. I don't think I even noticed that he'd run the antibodies. The next time when they were high, I almost had a heart attack. He'd been running the TgAB for me (cancer marker) so I didn't have to deal with the endo, and I thought that's what this was! > > > Sleep issues? Not sleeping at night and being sleepy in the daytime? > That could be a cortisol issue. You might also look into taking all or > part of your Armour in the evening or even at bedtime. > > With antibodies, you may still be undermedicated and need a larger dose > of Armour. Can you tolerate a larger dose? If you would like to post > your labs, we may be able to comment on them. > > I would also suggest that you look into balancing all of your sex and > adrenal hormones, too. They can have an impact on antibodies, too. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 15, 2008 Report Share Posted June 15, 2008 The marker for thyroid cancer is not thyroglobulin antibodies. It is serum thyroglobulin, also just called "thyroglobulin". The antibodies test is run at the same time to determine the validity of the thyroglobulin levels. If you have antibodies, then the thyroglobulin test may not be accurate. The one thing that jumps out at me is your testosterone of 30 in 2006. I would not be happy with anything below about 55. Estrogen is another factor in sleep issues. When you said your Frees were "high", I did not realize that what you meant was "over range". Some folks really do need their Free T3 to be over range, but if you are not doing well, that may not be the case for you. Being overmedicated can make you feel as bad as being undermedicated. The Free T4 over range may be working against you. You may be one of the folks who needs a reduced dose of Armour with a little Cytomel added. This is a highly individual matter. Did you take your meds before the blood draw? If so, how long before? If you did not take your meds, then you may be overmedicated. If you took your meds 2-5 hours before the blood draw, then those numbers may represent a spike, and you may actually be undermedicated. I would also point out that in December 2007, there was a recall of the larger doses of Armour for solubility issues. My best suggestion for you, if you can afford it, is to go back to Dr. and do exactly what he tells you to do. Even if you can get your GP to prescribe your Armour and bio-identicals, you will basically be self-managing, and I don't think you know enough to be able to do that successfully. I know I don't. > >> > > > Sleep issues? Not sleeping at night and being sleepy in the daytime?> > That could be a cortisol issue. You might also look into taking all or> > part of your Armour in the evening or even at bedtime.> > > > With antibodies, you may still be undermedicated and need a larger dose> > of Armour. Can you tolerate a larger dose? If you would like to post> > your labs, we may be able to comment on them.> > > > I would also suggest that you look into balancing all of your sex and> > adrenal hormones, too. They can have an impact on antibodies, too.> > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2008 Report Share Posted June 16, 2008 Well, they always run both thyroglobulin tests; I can't keep them straight. I just knew the number wasn't supposed to be what I was seeing. Interesting about the testosterone. I had added that test to the lab sheet myself. It's not what I wrote in (I wanted free & weakly bound), and it's not the test that Dr. W. usually runs, which may be why he didn't do anything about it. The last time it was run was in the spring of 2006, when it was 55. Probably ought to look at that again. And ferritin. I don't know if going by how I feel is any indication of anything. I feel like crap when my frees are low; I feel the same when they're over range. <shrug> I would have to call Dr. 's office and see if I could arrange to have the labs paid for by me and my insurance plan. I've found that my plan doesn't care if the ordering doctor is on the plan as long as the lab is, and CPL is in-network. I seem to remember that's not how they arranged things when I saw him before, though. There's no way I can deal with those lab bills again. I'm not sure I can deal with the travel as it is. On the other hand, my local doctor is a nice guy, but I really don't know how much he knows about hormones. > > > > I've had two sleep studies done. In the first, I had no stage 3 or 4 > sleep, which is why I > > was put on the medication. I did the second study while taking the > med, so that part was > > okay. I also have alpha wave intrusion, which is a symptom of > fibromyalgia, which I don't > > think I have (no other symptoms to speak of). Of course, everything > else you mentioned > > could play a part. I haven't had sex hormones since last summer, and > nothing was done > > about them at that time. That was Dr. Ozan - his note on the labs > offered Premarin or > > bio-IDs. I rolled my eyes about the Premarin. > > > > Last January: > > > > Cortisol 15.6 (range 4.3-22.4) > > Free T4 2.25 (range .61-1.76) > > Free T3 5.8 (range 2.3-4.2) > > TPO AB 47 (range 0-34) > > DHEA 261 (range 26-200) > > TSH .005 > > > > August 2007: > > > > Free T4 2.07 > > Free T3 6.3 > > TSH .004 > > TPO AB <10 > > Cortisol 11.9 > > > > June 2007: > > > > Free T4 1.44 > > Free T3 3.8 > > Estradiol 25 (range 0-13 post meno) > > Progesterone 8.2 (range 0.0-0.7) > > > > November 2006: > > > > Testosterone, serum 30 (range 14-76) > > Cortisol 7.0 > > DHEA 282 > > Progesterone 14.9 > > > > I've been on 40 mg of hydrocortisone since fall of 2006 and cortisol > is finally at a > > reasonable number. I think my new doc thought that was an awful lot > until he saw the > > labs. I've been on 3 1/2 grains of Armour for most of that time, some > OTC DHEA (20 mg, > > then 10) and 100 mg Progesterone. That's it for hormones. > > > > Most of those lab results also include the usual CBC and cholesterol > and such if anyone > > wants to know. Cholesterol is fine. > > > > I don't know why Dr. W. decided to run the TPO AB. The first time he > did, the Free's had > > not been high. I don't think I even noticed that he'd run the > antibodies. The next time > > when they were high, I almost had a heart attack. He'd been running > the TgAB for me > > (cancer marker) so I didn't have to deal with the endo, and I thought > that's what this was! > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Hello, I am Hashi's and my goal a few months ago was to get on Armour (was taking Levoxyl for ten yrs). I was able to find an endo in Houston ( Zavaleta) to prescribe Armour 3grains in Feb 08. He also said I needed Metformin for Polcystic Ovaries and Insulin Resistance so I started that medication. I felt like I was having some improvement after starting the meds for about 6-8wks, but then felt like I was slowly going downhill. I saw Dr Z in May and explained how I felt and he ran more bloodwork which I have yet to see or hear details of after leaving messages. He left me a voicemail saying my labs were " altered " and I needed to cut my afternoon dose of 90 to half a tablet. I cut the pm dose as he requested, but after a month now feel pretty bad. I was not able to get tests for adrenals or ferritin which seem like my next steps, so today on lunch and out of frustration that so many of you know decided I called Dr 's office and they said they have a waiting list until August to see if he will accept you as a new patient. Does anyone recommend another doctor in Texas that might be able to test adrenals, ferritin and other tests with an open mind to treating symptoms rather than TSH? I am considering Launius or Manzanero if anyone has comments about them. I appreciate your views about this as I have learned a lot from the group the past five months. I apologize for the lenth of this message, but I am starting to feel desperate. I will write up my opinion of Dr Zavaleta in the doctor section. Thank you, everyone :-) > > > Hello, out there! > > Drop in and say, " Hi! " > > How are you doing? Are you getting good medical care for your thyroid > and other endocrine disorders? Do you have a doc to recommend? > > Do you have any questions? > > What are you doing for fun this summer? > > Do you have any good (semi-clean) jokes to share? > > jan nathan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Launius will give generous doses of Armour, but will not deal with adrenals. Manzanero is hypoadrenal himself and understands adrenal fatigue. We do not know much about Pucillo, but he may be able to help you. If you are in the Houston area, you might want to try him first. If Zavaleta reduced your dose based on TSH, then he must not know that metformin lowers TSH. > >> > > > Hello, out there!> > > > Drop in and say, "Hi!"> > > > How are you doing? Are you getting good medical care for your > thyroid> > and other endocrine disorders? Do you have a doc to recommend?> > > > Do you have any questions?> > > > What are you doing for fun this summer?> > > > Do you have any good (semi-clean) jokes to share?> > > > jan nathan> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 Metformin/Glucophage does lower TSH. I had this problem with my Reproductive Endo before I saw Dr. . I knew I was hypothyroid but couldn't "prove it." , what did they base your PCOS diagnosis on, if you don't mind me asking? - To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups From: texasthyroid@...Date: Tue, 17 Jun 2008 02:35:39 +0000Subject: Re: Roll Call! Launius will give generous doses of Armour, but will not deal with adrenals. Manzanero is hypoadrenal himself and understands adrenal fatigue. We do not know much about Pucillo, but he may be able to help you. If you are in the Houston area, you might want to try him first. If Zavaleta reduced your dose based on TSH, then he must not know that metformin lowers TSH. > >> > > > Hello, out there!> > > > Drop in and say, "Hi!"> > > > How are you doing? Are you getting good medical care for your > thyroid> > and other endocrine disorders? Do you have a doc to recommend?> > > > Do you have any questions?> > > > What are you doing for fun this summer?> > > > Do you have any good (semi-clean) jokes to share?> > > > jan nathan> >> It’s easy to add contacts from Facebook and other social sites through Windows Live™ Messenger. Learn How. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 I would highly recommend Debbie Winder at Dr. Manzanero's office. It's $300 for an office visit, and worth every penny, IMO. Jayden Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 17, 2008 Report Share Posted June 17, 2008 That is eerie and frightening, thinking that a drug could actually go straight to your pituitary like that! (((Shiver))) RE: Re: Roll Call! Metformin/Glucophage does lower TSH. I had this problem with my Reproductive Endo before I saw Dr. . I knew I was hypothyroid but couldn't "prove it." , what did they base your PCOS diagnosis on, if you don't mind me asking? - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2008 Report Share Posted June 19, 2008 I take 2000 mg of metformin plus 10mg glipizide ER daily.. been on it for years, and it still has not helped with my TSH at all. we finally had to keep increasing my armour...I'm now at 120 mg and thats working really well. as long as I can continue to get my armour. Lin > > > Metformin/Glucophage does lower TSH. I had this problem with my Reproductive Endo before I saw Dr. . I knew I was hypothyroid but couldn't " prove it. " > > , what did they base your PCOS diagnosis on, if you don't mind me asking? > > - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2008 Report Share Posted June 25, 2008 Hi , Please excuse my delayed response. Dr Zavaleta told me I had PCOS based on a high testosterone level as I understand it. There was no exam involved. I am concerned about taking Metformin if it affects my TSH. Thanks, -- In Texas_Thyroid_Groups , Caldwell wrote: > > > Metformin/Glucophage does lower TSH. I had this problem with my Reproductive Endo before I saw Dr. . I knew I was hypothyroid but couldn't " prove it. " > > , what did they base your PCOS diagnosis on, if you don't mind me asking? > > - > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Hi all, I just got back from Cancun and ended up with bronchitis. The last 2 days of my vacation I was sick. One would think that I would get the runs visiting Mexico but I had to get bronchitis. Anyway I'm on antibiotics and cough med with codeine to knock me out so I can sleep. Better luck next time right? Yvette > > > Hello, out there! > > Drop in and say, " Hi! " > > How are you doing? Are you getting good medical care for your thyroid > and other endocrine disorders? Do you have a doc to recommend? > > Do you have any questions? > > What are you doing for fun this summer? > > Do you have any good (semi-clean) jokes to share? > > jan nathan > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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