Re: New Member! Interested in Dessicated Thyroid!

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacey,

welcome...and you do have interesting labs to still be having symptoms. one

thought would be that for some reason the thyroid hormone is not getting into

the peripheral tissues....and there is no marker to determine that. but since

you went hyper on a higher dose...we have to assume those blood levels are

okay...and figure out how to get the thyroid hormone to work.

My first inclination would be is that the synthetic thyroid hormone just

isn't doing it for you. I would definitely get switched to natural dessicated

thyroid. It has so much more than just a T4 med. Everything your own thyroid

gland would be giving you. So that would be my first step.

Janie, the moderator - will also ask you what your ferritin (iron stores)

is...and if it is optimal. Many hypos have low ferritin...and there is a

connection between that and your body utilizing the thyroid hormone.

Another question would be - what is your temperature running? HAve you been

able to get it up to 98.2 yet?

Ok - we'll see what the wise women here have to say for you...

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Hi Stacey,

welcome...and you do have interesting labs to still be having symptoms. one

thought would be that for some reason the thyroid hormone is not getting into

the peripheral tissues....and there is no marker to determine that. but since

you went hyper on a higher dose...we have to assume those blood levels are

okay...and figure out how to get the thyroid hormone to work.

My first inclination would be is that the synthetic thyroid hormone just

isn't doing it for you. I would definitely get switched to natural dessicated

thyroid. It has so much more than just a T4 med. Everything your own thyroid

gland would be giving you. So that would be my first step.

Janie, the moderator - will also ask you what your ferritin (iron stores)

is...and if it is optimal. Many hypos have low ferritin...and there is a

connection between that and your body utilizing the thyroid hormone.

Another question would be - what is your temperature running? HAve you been

able to get it up to 98.2 yet?

Ok - we'll see what the wise women here have to say for you...

Cindi

[Guest guest]

> Has anyone here experienced what I have on Synthroid? Here are my

> current numbers:

>

> TSH: 0.3 (range 0.30-4.70)

> T3 Total RIA: 2.1 (0.7-2.1)

> Free T4: 18.5 (9.1-23.8)

> Free T3: 5.4 (2.5-5.7)

>> My dosage was upped slightly a little while ago, but this caused

me to go Hyperthyroid... Had severe heart palpitations, numbness in

> left arm, anxiety, insomnia, etc.

I am amazed to see such great numbers on Synthroid!! LOL.

Cindi gave you a great response! And yes, you really do need to get

your Ferritin tested. It can cause similar issues. But as Cindi

said, you might have tissue resistance. Your blood can look great,

but your tissues aren't getting the thyroid. And....it wouldn't hurt

to get your adrenals tested. The most accurate is the 24 hour

adrenal saliva test---check the LINKS section and look at ZRT labs

for it. Let's rule out adrenals and Ferritin issues.

Janie

[Guest guest]

> Hi Stacey,

>

> welcome...and you do have interesting labs to still be having symptoms.

one

> thought would be that for some reason the thyroid hormone is not getting

into

> the peripheral tissues....and there is no marker to determine that. but

since

> you went hyper on a higher dose...we have to assume those blood levels are

> okay...and figure out how to get the thyroid hormone to work.

>Cindi

Stacey,

Cindi pretty much has it right on, but I would like to expand on what she

said. If your tissues are thyroid resistant, meaning the thyroid hormone

isn't getting into the cell receptors, then the thyroid hormone doesn't get

metabolized and it stays in your blood. So your blood test results can look

good, and your TSH could even be low, because the pituitary doesn't measure

the T3 and T4 at the cellular level but only at the blood level, and the

good blood level tells the pituitary it doesn't need to stimulate the

thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone. You can hypothyroid and still get

hyperthyroid symptoms, such as heart palpitations, insomnia, and anxiety (I

don't know about numbness in the arm), because the heart is getting more

perfused with thyroid hormones from the blood than tissues in other parts of

your body. To sum it up, you can have a mix of hyperthyroid symptoms and

hypothyroid symptoms and still be hypothyroid, even with good blood levels.

I had the flu, started getting palpitations and insomnia, yet still had a

lot of hypothyroid symptoms. I finally figured out that the flu probably

stressed my already burnt-out adrenals, and that's why I started getting

palpitations, even though I'd been stable on my thyroid dose for years. I

didn't have enough adrenal function anymore to handle my thyroid dose.

Assuming you don't have an infection, your body temperature is one of the

best indicators of how well your body is metabolizing your thyroid. If your

basal morning temperature is below 97.8, using a mercury thermometer, you're

probably still hypothyroid, especially given your symptoms.

I've had hair analysis and based on the mineral levels and ratios it can

tell you if you have tissue resistance, adrenal problems, or mineral and

vitamin imbalances, and toxins. It might help you understand why you become

hypothyroid in the first place and correct the underlying causes with a

nutritional and supplement program targeted specifically to you.

There are many factors that contol how well thyroid is metabolized at the

cellular level. Adrenal health is a big one, plus ferritin levels, female

hormones, vitamin and mineral levels, and toxins. As a first step, you can

take a saliva test or 24 hr. urine panel to measure your adrenal function

and hormone levels. A serum ferritin blood test will tell you if you're

anemic - maybe you can get your doc to do that.

And I think everyone of this list will tell you that dessicated thyroid is a

better treatment than Synthroid or other thyroxine product. Of course it's

not so easy to convince most docs.

Lynn

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> A year ago when I was first diagnosed with my TSH of 11.93 my

> Ferritin level was 7 (range 13-145)! So it wouldn't surprise me if

> that was the problem. I will get an updated bloodwork on that ASAP!

>

does someone have that link for her...about ferritin and hypo? was it jamy's

doc that had it?

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> A year ago when I was first diagnosed with my TSH of 11.93 my

> Ferritin level was 7 (range 13-145)! So it wouldn't surprise me if

> that was the problem. I will get an updated bloodwork on that ASAP!

>

does someone have that link for her...about ferritin and hypo? was it jamy's

doc that had it?

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> I'm not sure if I have Hashimoto's? I was not ever tested for

> Antibodies... Should I ask for that?

>

I think it's wise to know if you have this autoimmune disease.

I would want to know the origin of my hypo.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> I'm not sure if I have Hashimoto's? I was not ever tested for

> Antibodies... Should I ask for that?

>

I think it's wise to know if you have this autoimmune disease.

I would want to know the origin of my hypo.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> Body temperature I have never checked. Should I check first

> thing in the AM?

> I notice I am ALWAYS cold, my hands and feet are blueish all the

> time and feel like icicles.

>

it's best to check first thing in the morning...before getting out of

bed...and checking under the arm is probably the most accurate...leaving it

there for

10 minutes.

although checking it any time will at least give you an idea of where you

stand on this...you really want to get your temp normal...so that all the bodily

processes work better.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> Body temperature I have never checked. Should I check first

> thing in the AM?

> I notice I am ALWAYS cold, my hands and feet are blueish all the

> time and feel like icicles.

>

it's best to check first thing in the morning...before getting out of

bed...and checking under the arm is probably the most accurate...leaving it

there for

10 minutes.

although checking it any time will at least give you an idea of where you

stand on this...you really want to get your temp normal...so that all the bodily

processes work better.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> Should I be going to an Endocrinologist?? My family doc is the one

> taking care of me, and frankly everyone here seems to have more

> knowledge than she does on this.

>

NO...endos are notorious for treating hypo poorly. If you feel okay with

your family doc...maybe she will work with you on this.

The ladies here are smart because we have had to study this to get well. I'm

sure we have more hours of study on the various hypo issues than the majority

of docs who treat it.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/22/2005 10:24:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> Should I be going to an Endocrinologist?? My family doc is the one

> taking care of me, and frankly everyone here seems to have more

> knowledge than she does on this.

>

NO...endos are notorious for treating hypo poorly. If you feel okay with

your family doc...maybe she will work with you on this.

The ladies here are smart because we have had to study this to get well. I'm

sure we have more hours of study on the various hypo issues than the majority

of docs who treat it.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/23/2005 7:05:50 PM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> All I do know is that my doc did send me for a Thyroid

> Ultrasound and I had no masses and everything was pretty much

> normal. Doesn't Hashimoto's mean your thyroid is enlarged?

> Otherwise I should just ask for Antibodies testing as well, just to

> make sure.

>

No...in Hashimoto's, the thyroid does not always get enlarged. some folks

have " atrophic " thyroiditis.

The best way to tell if you have Hashimoto's as the origin of your hypo is to

have a TPO test - Thyroid Peroxidase antibody test. It's the most accurate

although there is also another antibody test.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

Hey Stacey - it's good to see ya hear! ;-)

sounds like you are getting a lot of good advice!

I just thought about something - been thinking about your numbers - I

was wondering - when you had the bloodwork done for those last

numbers - did you happen to take your Synthroid before doing the

blood work?

That could have made the numbers look better than they really are

too?

besides the other stuff we have talked about - that just came to mind?

CathyP

>

> WOW you ladies are good !! lol

> I can't believe my doctor hasn't mentioned any of those

possiblities

> that you all have.

>

> #1- A year ago when I was first diagnosed with my TSH of 11.93 my

> Ferritin level was 7 (range 13-145)! So it wouldn't surprise me if

> that was the problem. I will get an updated bloodwork on that ASAP!

>

> #2- Adrenals are a possibility, as unfortunitely I have stressed

> ALOT over this whole thing. As I'm sure everyone does... But being

> 23 and everyone else my age seems to be healthy as a horse. It's

> very depressing.

>

> #3- I'm not sure if I have Hashimoto's? I was not ever tested for

> Antibodies... Should I ask for that?

>

> #4- Body temperature I have never checked. Should I check first

> thing in the AM?

> I notice I am ALWAYS cold, my hands and feet are blueish all the

> time and feel like icicles.

>

> I think that's it...

> I'm pretty much 100% convinced that I'm going on natural thyroid,

> even if I have to BUY it off the internet!! But I just wanted to

> make sure there weren't any other complications first... So I am

> going to ask for all the other tests first, to rule out anything

> else.

>

> Should I be going to an Endocrinologist?? My family doc is the one

> taking care of me, and frankly everyone here seems to have more

> knowledge than she does on this.

>

> Thank you all soooooo much for your extremely helpful responses!

[Guest guest]

Lynn- Thanks for all that info!! I'm saving all that, it was very

helpful! I'm definitely going to get my adrenals and ferritin

levels checked! I'm sure my family doc will be willing to do that

for me.

Cindi- All I do know is that my doc did send me for a Thyroid

Ultrasound and I had no masses and everything was pretty much

normal. Doesn't Hashimoto's mean your thyroid is enlarged?

Otherwise I should just ask for Antibodies testing as well, just to

make sure.

Cathy- VERY very possible about the whole taking meds before

bloodwork! EVERY single time I've always taken my medication before

I go to the lab, since my lab is a good 45min drive away I always

take it before I leave. Next time I am NOT going to take my pill

until after I get my blood taken, and see what happens.

Well I guess I won't bother with an Endo... since I'm pretty much

set that I am going to try Armour/Thyroid. I've found a few

alternative doctors so far- most are pretty pricey $$... but I'm

going to keep looking around and I'm also going to at least ASK my

doctor if she can let me try it. I expect she'll say no, but it's

worth a try. Otherwise I do know of at least 1 doctor I can see.

But he's not available until June.

[Guest guest]

Lynn- Thanks for all that info!! I'm saving all that, it was very

helpful! I'm definitely going to get my adrenals and ferritin

levels checked! I'm sure my family doc will be willing to do that

for me.

Cindi- All I do know is that my doc did send me for a Thyroid

Ultrasound and I had no masses and everything was pretty much

normal. Doesn't Hashimoto's mean your thyroid is enlarged?

Otherwise I should just ask for Antibodies testing as well, just to

make sure.

Cathy- VERY very possible about the whole taking meds before

bloodwork! EVERY single time I've always taken my medication before

I go to the lab, since my lab is a good 45min drive away I always

take it before I leave. Next time I am NOT going to take my pill

until after I get my blood taken, and see what happens.

Well I guess I won't bother with an Endo... since I'm pretty much

set that I am going to try Armour/Thyroid. I've found a few

alternative doctors so far- most are pretty pricey $$... but I'm

going to keep looking around and I'm also going to at least ASK my

doctor if she can let me try it. I expect she'll say no, but it's

worth a try. Otherwise I do know of at least 1 doctor I can see.

But he's not available until June.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/25/2005 11:40:31 AM Eastern Standard Time,

staceymck@... writes:

> armpit- 96.8

> 2nd time- 96.4

>

> under tongue- 97.2

> 2nd time- 97.0

>

looks hypo to me. i think the goal under arm is 98.2. someone correct me if

i'm wrong.

cindi

[Guest guest]

ok ladies... i got my thermometre to take my basal body

temperatures... here they are as of this morning.

i did them twice and in 2 different spots to be sure;

armpit- 96.8

2nd time- 96.4

under tongue- 97.2

2nd time- 97.0

[Guest guest]

Either way, you are severely hypo. (

Janie

> armpit- 96.8

> 2nd time- 96.4

>

> under tongue- 97.2

> 2nd time- 97.0

[Guest guest]

Either way, you are severely hypo. (

Janie

> armpit- 96.8

> 2nd time- 96.4

>

> under tongue- 97.2

> 2nd time- 97.0

[Guest guest]

> Either way, you are severely hypo. (

>

> Janie

>

> > armpit- 96.8

> > 2nd time- 96.4

> >

> > under tongue- 97.2

> > 2nd time- 97.0

Hmm this is interesting.... So is there still a possibility of

other problems like Adrenal, Ferritin, etc.?

Or is it purley that I'm still Hypo and my medication is not getting

into my tissues?

I'm so shocked that my #'s can be that good- considering it looks

like I'm still really Hypo. Ofcourse my symptoms and the way I

feel, I knew it all along.

[Guest guest]

> Either way, you are severely hypo. (

>

> Janie

>

> > armpit- 96.8

> > 2nd time- 96.4

> >

> > under tongue- 97.2

> > 2nd time- 97.0

Hmm this is interesting.... So is there still a possibility of

other problems like Adrenal, Ferritin, etc.?

Or is it purley that I'm still Hypo and my medication is not getting

into my tissues?

I'm so shocked that my #'s can be that good- considering it looks

like I'm still really Hypo. Ofcourse my symptoms and the way I

feel, I knew it all along.

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the polar bear club!

-- prr (hi 95's to low 96's)

" Stacey " staceymck@...> wrote:

ok ladies... i got my thermometre to take my basal body

temperatures... here they are as of this morning.

i did them twice and in 2 different spots to be sure;

armpit- 96.8

2nd time- 96.4

under tongue- 97.2

2nd time- 97.0

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the polar bear club!

-- prr (hi 95's to low 96's)

" Stacey " staceymck@...> wrote:

ok ladies... i got my thermometre to take my basal body

temperatures... here they are as of this morning.

i did them twice and in 2 different spots to be sure;

armpit- 96.8

2nd time- 96.4

under tongue- 97.2

2nd time- 97.0