Re: Re: Question to mods about low dose Armour thyroid and reduction...

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your thoughts Joan, it's remarkable how close your levels are to mine? My ferritin is lower 40s, where are yours? There is clearly an issue with me converting T4 to T3 and although I told my new hormone doctor (he's not an endo but he treats hormone issues) that the website discussions are not in favor of T4 treatment with ratios under 20, he doesn't seem to be bothered by that. He also similarly is not bothered by the elevated cortisol, he thinks all will improve with a gradual increase in dosing with Armour thyroid and iron supplements (180mg ferrous sulfate at bedtime with Vit C, bothers my stomach). This is what I wanted to get feedback on from others. I'm sorry that the Naturethroid did not work for you and as you pointed out, perhaps it had something to do with your adrenals. I tend also wake up in the mornings with low energy, some jitteriness and it takes half a day or so, a cup or two of coffee before I feel better. Loss of hair, especially in the eyebrows, dry wrinkly skin, bad eyes, etc. I really need to get on a good treatment soon, and after 3 failed attempts with T4 only, Armour thyroid seems to be the next trial. Stan

Stan, my ratio is 10.78! And my doctor had me only on 1/2 gr Naturthroid. My rt3 3 weeks ago was 27....my ft3 was 290, and ft4 was .9 on the same ranges as yours. I'm not even going to chance it with Armour or Naturethroid again since we can easily live on t3 alone. I'm just going to start the cytomel as soon as I get it in. Tired of being short of breath and tired all of the time. Ugh. (I'm not a moderator....so just telling you my recent experience). I've had a lot of stress in my life, and possible my adrenals were causing the ft4 to convert to rt3. Anyone else have thoughts on this?>> Dear Val Nick and other mods, > > A month ago, after an unsuccessful 3 weeks of levoxyl, my labs (Quest) were > :> > TSH 5.75 (normal range 0.4 - 4.50)> fT4 0.9 (normal range 0.8-1.8)> fT3 299 (normal range 230 - 420) > rT3 20 (normal range 11 - 32) > > ratio fT3/rT3 = 15 > > On the ZRT saliva test, I was elevated on cortisol on the morning and > evening samples (1 and 3).> > My doctor has decided that I should start Armour Thyroid 15 mg and every 2 > weeks increase by 15 mg, and after 6 weeks at 90 mg Armour thyroid, get new > labs. > > I've read here that with a low ratio (<20), the T3 gets converted to rT3 > but my doctor doesn't think this is an issue? Has anyone had any experience > with treating this low a ratio with low dose Armour and increasing dosage in > 2 week increments and seen good results? Please advise. > > Stan>