Guest guest Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 The only thing I can think of is that you are getting too much of the T4 going through the blood brain barrier. There is one school of thought that T3 doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and thus you need some T4 to get converted to T3 in the brain. If you have enough T3 already in your tissue, it may divert more of the T4 to the brain? This is just a thought. I know that I did not do well when I tried to increase my T3 and decrease my T4. I did not feel like I got my brain back until my Free T4 was mid-range when I was trying to work up to an adequate dose of both T3 and T4. It could be that it's just an individual thing as to how much T4 and whether T3 gets to the brain. Actually, here's an article that gets into some of this:http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722086_8It states that 80% of the T3 in the brain is produced by local conversion of the T4. This is actually an excellent article describing how the hormones are converted. There are multiple types of enzymes. My guess is that some of us have abnormal levels of these enzymes, thus might convert less or more in some parts of the body than others. B. Back when I first started the hypothyroid journey, my doctor put me on T4. Within days, I had a migraine. I discontinued the T4 (levoxyl, I think) and the migraine(s) stopped. I was then put on a compounded synthetic T4/T3 and the same migraine happened. I switched to dessicated thyroid and actually had FEWER migraines than before. Now I am seeing a new doctor and taking T3 only. I have requested T4. He prescribed synthroid. I took 1/2 of the pill prescribed, knowing my history with the migraines. I had the worst migraine I have ever had after taking the synthetic T4. I have not taken it since, and I am still fuzzy headed. This was a couple of days ago. Do y'all have any idea what could be causing these migraines? I have a call in to my doctor and have talked with the nurse, but we have not yet connected after her conversation with the doctor. I feel like I need some T4 to cover the overnight time when I don't take any of the cytomel. I am having a very difficult time waking up, despite the fact that my blood levels of cortisol are high. Have any of you had this migraine issue with synthetic T4? Were you able to find a brand or compound so that you could tolerate it? Or did you switch to dessicated? Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 The only thing I can think of is that you are getting too much of the T4 going through the blood brain barrier. There is one school of thought that T3 doesn't cross the blood-brain barrier and thus you need some T4 to get converted to T3 in the brain. If you have enough T3 already in your tissue, it may divert more of the T4 to the brain? It's an idea. In fact, my FT3 is at the bottom of the range, but I feel pretty good. Other hormones are not doing as well. This is just a thought. I know that I did not do well when I tried to increase my T3 and decrease my T4. I did not feel like I got my brain back until my Free T4 was mid-range when I was trying to work up to an adequate dose of both T3 and T4. It could be that it's just an individual thing as to how much T4 and whether T3 gets to the brain. I felt like I was very, very hyper when I took that one day of synthroid. I have never had issues with the dessicated, and I wonder how that plays into all of it. I don't have $195 to make another appointment with the doctor, so I am just going back and forth with the nurse on the issue. He is fine with me not taking any T4. I think that T4 is pretty important and would like to have some storage hormone available, just in case. Actually, here's an article that gets into some of this:http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722086_8It states that 80% of the T3 in the brain is produced by local conversion of the T4. This is actually an excellent article describing how the hormones are converted. There are multiple types of enzymes. My guess is that some of us have abnormal levels of these enzymes, thus might convert less or more in some parts of the body than others. Thanks. I will read this later. The funny thing about the migraines is that I had these even when my labs were as bad as they have ever been. I wonder if an allergy to wild yam would cause a migraine? Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Susie and , I feel the same way abount wanting some in reserve! My T4 is at the bottom of the range, and I worry that I don't have any in reserve at all. I was only converting to the bottom of the FT3 range before I started any thyroid treatment, but at least it was a little. However, my b/p didn't do well on desiccated thyroid (Armour or ERFA), or Cytomel or its generic. I agree about the expense of the visits to get a question answered. When I go through his nurse, the answer seems to be " don't worry about it " , but it does bother me. I know he was concerned with my Reverse T3 being high, and it is much lower now. However, I still cannot lose weight no matter what, and I don't feel quite right. I was hoping, I suppose naively, that I wouldn't have to struggle to figure it all out on my own anymore. K > > > > I felt like I was very, very hyper when I took that one day of synthroid. I > have never had issues with the dessicated, and I wonder how that plays into > all of it. I don't have $195 to make another appointment with the doctor, > so I am just going back and forth with the nurse on the issue. He is fine > with me not taking any T4. I think that T4 is pretty important and would > like to have some storage hormone available, just in case. > > > > > > Actually, here's an article that gets into some of this: > > http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722086_8 > > It states that 80% of the T3 in the brain is produced by local conversion > > of the T4. > > This is actually an excellent article describing how the hormones are > > converted. There are multiple types of enzymes. My guess is that some of > > us have abnormal levels of these enzymes, thus might convert less or more > > in some parts of the body than others. > > > > Thanks. I will read this later. The funny thing about the migraines is > that I had these even when my labs were as bad as they have ever been. I > wonder if an allergy to wild yam would cause a migraine? > > Susie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 I’ve had pretty good luck with FAXing Dr Spurlock my questions. I keep it extremely brief and I end it with my actual question. He’s jotted his response down and FAXed it back. Just a thought and I know it’s not practical in all cases. Kim From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of K Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 11:04 AM To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups Subject: Re: trouble with T4 Susie and , I feel the same way abount wanting some in reserve! My T4 is at the bottom of the range, and I worry that I don't have any in reserve at all. I was only converting to the bottom of the FT3 range before I started any thyroid treatment, but at least it was a little. However, my b/p didn't do well on desiccated thyroid (Armour or ERFA), or Cytomel or its generic. I agree about the expense of the visits to get a question answered. When I go through his nurse, the answer seems to be " don't worry about it " , but it does bother me. I know he was concerned with my Reverse T3 being high, and it is much lower now. However, I still cannot lose weight no matter what, and I don't feel quite right. I was hoping, I suppose naively, that I wouldn't have to struggle to figure it all out on my own anymore. K > > > > I felt like I was very, very hyper when I took that one day of synthroid. I > have never had issues with the dessicated, and I wonder how that plays into > all of it. I don't have $195 to make another appointment with the doctor, > so I am just going back and forth with the nurse on the issue. He is fine > with me not taking any T4. I think that T4 is pretty important and would > like to have some storage hormone available, just in case. > > > > > > Actually, here's an article that gets into some of this: > > http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722086_8 > > It states that 80% of the T3 in the brain is produced by local conversion > > of the T4. > > This is actually an excellent article describing how the hormones are > > converted. There are multiple types of enzymes. My guess is that some of > > us have abnormal levels of these enzymes, thus might convert less or more > > in some parts of the body than others. > > > > Thanks. I will read this later. The funny thing about the migraines is > that I had these even when my labs were as bad as they have ever been. I > wonder if an allergy to wild yam would cause a migraine? > > Susie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 I’ve had pretty good luck with FAXing Dr Spurlock my questions. I keep it extremely brief and I end it with my actual question. He’s jotted his response down and FAXed it back. Just a thought and I know it’s not practical in all cases.I kept calling until I had an answer. My husband said it was worth it to go in and talk to him if I needed to, though I hate to spend the money on a simple question. Maybe it wasn't as simple as I thought. Nothing with this hormone mess has been as simple as I thought... Regardless, he changed the T4 out to Armour and the Armour didn't cause a migraine. I still have a headache that started the day I got the migraine last week. Thanks for all of your replies. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 The other problem with going in for one question is that it can take up to two months to get an appointment. >> On Sat, Jan 28, 2012 at 6:18 PM, Kim in North Texas CAdata4u@...wrote:> > > **> >> >> > I've had pretty good luck with FAXing Dr Spurlock my questions. I keep> > it extremely brief and I end it with my actual question. He's jotted his> > response down and FAXed it back. Just a thought and I know it's not> > practical in all cases.> >> > I kept calling until I had an answer. My husband said it was worth it to go> in and talk to him if I needed to, though I hate to spend the money on a> simple question. Maybe it wasn't as simple as I thought. Nothing with this> hormone mess has been as simple as I thought...> > Regardless, he changed the T4 out to Armour and the Armour didn't cause a> migraine. I still have a headache that started the day I got the migraine> last week.> > Thanks for all of your replies.> > Susie> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 1, 2012 Report Share Posted February 1, 2012 The other problem with going in for one question is that it can take up to two months to get an appointment.I haven't had a problem getting an appointment at the new office within a week or two. Have you? With even just a teeny bit of T4 in me, I already feel so very much better. Susie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 I have not needed to be seen, nor have I had any urgent questions. On several occasions, I have sent a fax asking for a new Rx or a new dose and found a new script in my mail from WIP or got a call from Abrams Royal. We recently adjusted my testosterone in this manner. What I have heard is that folks have been waiting 1-2 months for a new patient appointment. > > >> >> > The other problem with going in for one question is that it can take up to> > two months to get an appointment.> >> > I haven't had a problem getting an appointment at the new office within a> week or two. Have you? With even just a teeny bit of T4 in me, I already> feel so very much better.> > Susie> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Spurlock tends to have more openings now that he has a second doctor on staff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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