Re: Test results - I'm hypo (what a shock, eh? LOL)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/25/2005 7:49:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, vme3@...

writes:

> He WILL prescribe Armour if I really really really push it, but when

> he said that about the conversion problem, I bought it.... But now

> that I'm home and trying to sort it out, it doesn't make sense.

>

Welcome Vicki!

Glad you're official.

I'd push for Armour.

Sounds like this may be more a " availability " issue than anything else...but

Armour has other things in it that you need...things the human thyroid gland

makes. I'd ask for it.

as for the conversion thing...that didn't make sense. and you recognize

that.

i think the body uses the Natural thyroid extract much better than a

synthetic hormone.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/25/2005 7:49:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, vme3@...

writes:

> He WILL prescribe Armour if I really really really push it, but when

> he said that about the conversion problem, I bought it.... But now

> that I'm home and trying to sort it out, it doesn't make sense.

>

Welcome Vicki!

Glad you're official.

I'd push for Armour.

Sounds like this may be more a " availability " issue than anything else...but

Armour has other things in it that you need...things the human thyroid gland

makes. I'd ask for it.

as for the conversion thing...that didn't make sense. and you recognize

that.

i think the body uses the Natural thyroid extract much better than a

synthetic hormone.

cindi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/25/2005 7:49:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, vme3@...

writes:

> He WILL prescribe Armour if I really really really push it, but when

> he said that about the conversion problem, I bought it.... But now

> that I'm home and trying to sort it out, it doesn't make sense.

>

Welcome Vicki!

Glad you're official.

I'd push for Armour.

Sounds like this may be more a " availability " issue than anything else...but

Armour has other things in it that you need...things the human thyroid gland

makes. I'd ask for it.

as for the conversion thing...that didn't make sense. and you recognize

that.

i think the body uses the Natural thyroid extract much better than a

synthetic hormone.

cindi

[Guest guest]

I guess for now be glad he is willing to give you the T3! You don;t say what

dosages he started you on? Three months is a LONG time to be on a starting

dosage! And are you to take all your T3 at once or several times a day?

*Artistic Grooming * Hurricane, WV

Fat cat? Diabetes? Listowner for overweight or hypothyroid cats

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hypokitties/

[Guest guest]

I guess for now be glad he is willing to give you the T3! You don;t say what

dosages he started you on? Three months is a LONG time to be on a starting

dosage! And are you to take all your T3 at once or several times a day?

*Artistic Grooming * Hurricane, WV

Fat cat? Diabetes? Listowner for overweight or hypothyroid cats

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hypokitties/

[Guest guest]

I guess for now be glad he is willing to give you the T3! You don;t say what

dosages he started you on? Three months is a LONG time to be on a starting

dosage! And are you to take all your T3 at once or several times a day?

*Artistic Grooming * Hurricane, WV

Fat cat? Diabetes? Listowner for overweight or hypothyroid cats

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hypokitties/

[Guest guest]

Vicki, I don't know if you realize how lucky you are finding such a

doctor outside of North America! This guy might just be 'educate-

able', so don't give up on him.

FWIW, your labs are the same units we use here in Canada. Your FTs

are really low and conversion does apper to be an issue, but I'm not

sure why that would make Armour out of your reach. Makes little

sense, frankly - however, from a monetary standpoint, the T3/T4

combo he's given you might work just fine and be a lot cheaper.

Do you have free reign to increase your dose if you need it?

Welcome to the hormonally challenged club

Nat

>

> It's official. I'm hypo. Now here I come into the milieu: another

> menopausal, progesterone cream using hypothryoid lady!

>

> HOW do y'all have time to read ALL the messages here? I can't keep

> up, so I will no doubt ask questions that have been asked over and

> over... I apologise in advance.

>

> I don't have time to copy all the results for all the tests right

> now, but basics:

>

> Free T3 3.5 Range (4.0-6.8) pmol/L

> TSH 1.305 Range (0.35-5.5) mIU/L

> TotaI T3 1.61 Range (1.3-3.1) nmol/L

> Free T4 12.09 range (9.1-23.8) pmol/L

>

> (I'm in Ireland - diff units).

>

> He had lots of other test results, so I got quite overwhelmed.

>

> He prescribed " Eltroxin " and " Tertroxin " - turns out that's

Synthroid

> and Cytomel. I protested a bit, and he said he was giving me T3.

> Said he didn't want to give me Armour because it appears that I

have

> a problem converting T4.

>

> Well... now I'm completely confused. Why prescribe T4 (Synthroid)

if

> I have a problem converting it?

>

> He also said Armour is much more expensive here, and sometimes

> difficult to get. The Eltroxin, for 56 days' worth was only

EUR6.35.

> So that is very cheap. He says the Armour is about 35 per month.

I

> forget how much the Tertroxin is, but it wasn't awul.

>

> He WILL prescribe Armour if I really really really push it, but

when

> he said that about the conversion problem, I bought it.... But now

> that I'm home and trying to sort it out, it doesn't make sense.

>

> He seems very good, thorough, aware, etc. His yardstick for how I

> respond will be based on my basal temp (10 mins, axillary, mercury

> thermometer). So he treats symptoms, not lab tests. That's a

relief.

>

> In a week and a half I'm going home to the States for 3 weeks, so

> I'll be getting into results time on the European version of

> Synthroid over there. Won't see my doc again til early April.

>

> Any advice?? I'm swirling in too much info, confusion, etc.

>

> I have to say though, that I am RELIEVED, exonerated, etc. I KNEW

it

> was hypo, and now a lot about the last 40 years of my life makes

> sense. I wasn't pretending to be sick back in my school days when

I

> complained, but my temp was " only " 99º... not enough to worry

about.

> Nowadays I know when I have 99º I am one sick puppy. Now I know

I'm

> not just lazy and fat and a lot of other unpleasant things. So I

> feel better to know that it wasn't just all in my head. But I'm

> overwhelmed...

>

> I'll try to read more of the messages and try to keep up! I have

> learned so much here. I've already thanked everyone, but thanks

> again for being here!

>

> Muddled,

> Vicki in Ireland

[Guest guest]

Vicki, I don't know if you realize how lucky you are finding such a

doctor outside of North America! This guy might just be 'educate-

able', so don't give up on him.

FWIW, your labs are the same units we use here in Canada. Your FTs

are really low and conversion does apper to be an issue, but I'm not

sure why that would make Armour out of your reach. Makes little

sense, frankly - however, from a monetary standpoint, the T3/T4

combo he's given you might work just fine and be a lot cheaper.

Do you have free reign to increase your dose if you need it?

Welcome to the hormonally challenged club

Nat

>

> It's official. I'm hypo. Now here I come into the milieu: another

> menopausal, progesterone cream using hypothryoid lady!

>

> HOW do y'all have time to read ALL the messages here? I can't keep

> up, so I will no doubt ask questions that have been asked over and

> over... I apologise in advance.

>

> I don't have time to copy all the results for all the tests right

> now, but basics:

>

> Free T3 3.5 Range (4.0-6.8) pmol/L

> TSH 1.305 Range (0.35-5.5) mIU/L

> TotaI T3 1.61 Range (1.3-3.1) nmol/L

> Free T4 12.09 range (9.1-23.8) pmol/L

>

> (I'm in Ireland - diff units).

>

> He had lots of other test results, so I got quite overwhelmed.

>

> He prescribed " Eltroxin " and " Tertroxin " - turns out that's

Synthroid

> and Cytomel. I protested a bit, and he said he was giving me T3.

> Said he didn't want to give me Armour because it appears that I

have

> a problem converting T4.

>

> Well... now I'm completely confused. Why prescribe T4 (Synthroid)

if

> I have a problem converting it?

>

> He also said Armour is much more expensive here, and sometimes

> difficult to get. The Eltroxin, for 56 days' worth was only

EUR6.35.

> So that is very cheap. He says the Armour is about 35 per month.

I

> forget how much the Tertroxin is, but it wasn't awul.

>

> He WILL prescribe Armour if I really really really push it, but

when

> he said that about the conversion problem, I bought it.... But now

> that I'm home and trying to sort it out, it doesn't make sense.

>

> He seems very good, thorough, aware, etc. His yardstick for how I

> respond will be based on my basal temp (10 mins, axillary, mercury

> thermometer). So he treats symptoms, not lab tests. That's a

relief.

>

> In a week and a half I'm going home to the States for 3 weeks, so

> I'll be getting into results time on the European version of

> Synthroid over there. Won't see my doc again til early April.

>

> Any advice?? I'm swirling in too much info, confusion, etc.

>

> I have to say though, that I am RELIEVED, exonerated, etc. I KNEW

it

> was hypo, and now a lot about the last 40 years of my life makes

> sense. I wasn't pretending to be sick back in my school days when

I

> complained, but my temp was " only " 99º... not enough to worry

about.

> Nowadays I know when I have 99º I am one sick puppy. Now I know

I'm

> not just lazy and fat and a lot of other unpleasant things. So I

> feel better to know that it wasn't just all in my head. But I'm

> overwhelmed...

>

> I'll try to read more of the messages and try to keep up! I have

> learned so much here. I've already thanked everyone, but thanks

> again for being here!

>

> Muddled,

> Vicki in Ireland

[Guest guest]

Vicki, I don't know if you realize how lucky you are finding such a

doctor outside of North America! This guy might just be 'educate-

able', so don't give up on him.

FWIW, your labs are the same units we use here in Canada. Your FTs

are really low and conversion does apper to be an issue, but I'm not

sure why that would make Armour out of your reach. Makes little

sense, frankly - however, from a monetary standpoint, the T3/T4

combo he's given you might work just fine and be a lot cheaper.

Do you have free reign to increase your dose if you need it?

Welcome to the hormonally challenged club

Nat

>

> It's official. I'm hypo. Now here I come into the milieu: another

> menopausal, progesterone cream using hypothryoid lady!

>

> HOW do y'all have time to read ALL the messages here? I can't keep

> up, so I will no doubt ask questions that have been asked over and

> over... I apologise in advance.

>

> I don't have time to copy all the results for all the tests right

> now, but basics:

>

> Free T3 3.5 Range (4.0-6.8) pmol/L

> TSH 1.305 Range (0.35-5.5) mIU/L

> TotaI T3 1.61 Range (1.3-3.1) nmol/L

> Free T4 12.09 range (9.1-23.8) pmol/L

>

> (I'm in Ireland - diff units).

>

> He had lots of other test results, so I got quite overwhelmed.

>

> He prescribed " Eltroxin " and " Tertroxin " - turns out that's

Synthroid

> and Cytomel. I protested a bit, and he said he was giving me T3.

> Said he didn't want to give me Armour because it appears that I

have

> a problem converting T4.

>

> Well... now I'm completely confused. Why prescribe T4 (Synthroid)

if

> I have a problem converting it?

>

> He also said Armour is much more expensive here, and sometimes

> difficult to get. The Eltroxin, for 56 days' worth was only

EUR6.35.

> So that is very cheap. He says the Armour is about 35 per month.

I

> forget how much the Tertroxin is, but it wasn't awul.

>

> He WILL prescribe Armour if I really really really push it, but

when

> he said that about the conversion problem, I bought it.... But now

> that I'm home and trying to sort it out, it doesn't make sense.

>

> He seems very good, thorough, aware, etc. His yardstick for how I

> respond will be based on my basal temp (10 mins, axillary, mercury

> thermometer). So he treats symptoms, not lab tests. That's a

relief.

>

> In a week and a half I'm going home to the States for 3 weeks, so

> I'll be getting into results time on the European version of

> Synthroid over there. Won't see my doc again til early April.

>

> Any advice?? I'm swirling in too much info, confusion, etc.

>

> I have to say though, that I am RELIEVED, exonerated, etc. I KNEW

it

> was hypo, and now a lot about the last 40 years of my life makes

> sense. I wasn't pretending to be sick back in my school days when

I

> complained, but my temp was " only " 99º... not enough to worry

about.

> Nowadays I know when I have 99º I am one sick puppy. Now I know

I'm

> not just lazy and fat and a lot of other unpleasant things. So I

> feel better to know that it wasn't just all in my head. But I'm

> overwhelmed...

>

> I'll try to read more of the messages and try to keep up! I have

> learned so much here. I've already thanked everyone, but thanks

> again for being here!

>

> Muddled,

> Vicki in Ireland

[Guest guest]

You do appear to have a problem converting. But, maybe your doc has

not done anything too bad. He may have given you more T3 than is in

Armour. Armour has 24% T3. What was the prescription he gave for

each med? It would be easier for him to figure out percentages by

going with T4 and T3 only and in that way more easily fine tune how

much T3 you are getting. The alternative would be to give Armour and

then add T3 on top. It's harder to figure out percents of T4 and T3

that way. But, if in the future you would like to go that way, you

may be able to pressure him into it. Once you settle on a good dose

and T4/T3 combo, it would not be hard then to figure out an

Armour/T3 combo that is close to your T4/T3 dose.

Tish

[Guest guest]

You do appear to have a problem converting. But, maybe your doc has

not done anything too bad. He may have given you more T3 than is in

Armour. Armour has 24% T3. What was the prescription he gave for

each med? It would be easier for him to figure out percentages by

going with T4 and T3 only and in that way more easily fine tune how

much T3 you are getting. The alternative would be to give Armour and

then add T3 on top. It's harder to figure out percents of T4 and T3

that way. But, if in the future you would like to go that way, you

may be able to pressure him into it. Once you settle on a good dose

and T4/T3 combo, it would not be hard then to figure out an

Armour/T3 combo that is close to your T4/T3 dose.

Tish

[Guest guest]

You do appear to have a problem converting. But, maybe your doc has

not done anything too bad. He may have given you more T3 than is in

Armour. Armour has 24% T3. What was the prescription he gave for

each med? It would be easier for him to figure out percentages by

going with T4 and T3 only and in that way more easily fine tune how

much T3 you are getting. The alternative would be to give Armour and

then add T3 on top. It's harder to figure out percents of T4 and T3

that way. But, if in the future you would like to go that way, you

may be able to pressure him into it. Once you settle on a good dose

and T4/T3 combo, it would not be hard then to figure out an

Armour/T3 combo that is close to your T4/T3 dose.

Tish

[Guest guest]

> Tertroxin (T3): 10 mcg, x2, that is, 1/2 tab, twice per day, away

> from meals. Each whole tab is 20uG (20mcg).

>

> Eltroxin (T4) 25 mcg, once per day.

---------------------------

That's a tiny dose of T4, Vicki, you might need to up that a lot

sooner than the T3, the ratio of the two is really off. Watch out

for signs your T4 is not keeping up with your T3 (fatigue, insomnia)

> I'm taking each upon rising in the a.m. Then not sure when is

best

> to take 2nd half of T3?? Mid-afternoon? bedtime?

-------------------------

I would take the T3 eight hour apart maximum, you want to keep the

dose as even as possible and T3 has a short half life, so it

degrades quickly.

>

> And the pills will not break evenly in half! Crunchies/dust result

> along with uneven " halves. " Do I need a pill cutter? Do they

> actually work?

> I'm using an exacto knife presently. I guess I'll scrape up

> crumbs to even them out?

---------------------------

Yes, the pill splitters really do work - I've had to cut cytomel

into quarters and it does an admirable job, those pills are little

suckers!

>

> Should I do them sublingually, or just wash them down with water?

> Ok to take together??

-----------------------

I take my sublingually - it means I don't have to wait the

prerequisit 4 hours for my cal/mag supplement, iron or fiber. I

just wait a good 30 minutes and I can go on with my day. I'm also

taking T4 and T3 (synthetic like you) at the moment.

> He is **very** unusual for this country, and I do very much

> appreciate that. He is exceedingly pleasant as well, so that is a

> bonus. He is also exceedingly EXPENSIVE! But I am glad to have

all

> this information.

----------------------

Vicki, I know many women in the UK who would kill to know this man's

name - be sure to add him to all the lists you can for Top Docs. He

is truly a rare find!

>

> I'm not under the impression that I have free reign to increase if

I

> think I need to. However, my prescription is pretty open. I don't

> think he'd cut me off it I upped it. HOW LONG should I give it to

> have an effect before I start thinking I should increase it?

--------------------------

You could always call and let him know you'll be out of the country

for an extended period and could you increase if you felt horrid?

The T4 increase is typically done on a 2 week basis until you get to

a higher amount, then you adjust upward every 6 weeks. With T3 the

time frame is shorter at 10 days. I'd keep a close eye on my HR,

BBT and blood pressure and when I noticed them dropping again

increase my dose slighlty - that's how I was doing it when I was

self medicating and based on my latest labs I was pretty damned

close to finding my optimal dose.

> HOW LONG TIL I FEEL BETTER???!

---------------------

You'll feel the T3 effects soon, at least by 10 days from now.

You'll feel the T4 effects a little less soon, but if you're

sensitive you'll notice them sooner. I was put on only T4 at first

and I felt it the next day (no headaches and my BP came up a little).

> I got very depressed last night thinking of all the bad labels

that

> I, my family, my ex-husband, teachers, etc have put on me over the

> years... so much wasted time. It just made me cry. So much of my

> attitude about myself has been because of things related to this

> stuff. Why why why are doctors so reluctant to check for this?!

----------------------------

I'm a cynic about this and I think the problem is that this effects

women primarily - and who do women get treated by men (most Drs are

men) in the medical field? " Here have an antidepressant, you're

hysterical again, you poor thing " .

> just don't get it? Is it because it only costs about $7/month(

maybe

> more over there) in prescriptions to get it under control? No more

> anti-depressants (I'm only on St s wort), cholesterol lowering

> medication, antibiotics for repeated infections, sinus

medications,

> etc etc. Is that it? An undiagnosed hypothyroid person is a

> veritable GOLDMINE??? My cynicism is at an all time high.... I

feel

> better about things today though.

-------------------

And yes, this is a big part of it. Undiagnosed hypoT is a cash cow

for the big drug companies. Amazing how a little tiny cheap pill

can fix so much ay?

> I'm not about to give up on him, Nat. Have no fear. No one is

> perfect, and he is very, very open and forward thinking. He tests

> free T3 and free T4. Was not interested in what my TSH level was.

> He's good. I was just confused about the T4 conversion thing.

Still

> am a bit, but since my T4 is a bit on the low side of normal, what

> harm... I just got overwhelmed with it all yesterday. His name is

> Dr. Magovern, Blackrock, Dublin, if anyone wants to know.

He

> has a website (somewhat out of date, though). Google for it if

> interested. Key words: Magovern, integrative. He's also listed in

> thyroid-info.com top docs. That is how I found him: via y'all to

them.

--------------------

Vicki, he sounds like every hypoT's dream. I am so happy you found

him!

[Guest guest]

> Tertroxin (T3): 10 mcg, x2, that is, 1/2 tab, twice per day, away

> from meals. Each whole tab is 20uG (20mcg).

>

> Eltroxin (T4) 25 mcg, once per day.

---------------------------

That's a tiny dose of T4, Vicki, you might need to up that a lot

sooner than the T3, the ratio of the two is really off. Watch out

for signs your T4 is not keeping up with your T3 (fatigue, insomnia)

> I'm taking each upon rising in the a.m. Then not sure when is

best

> to take 2nd half of T3?? Mid-afternoon? bedtime?

-------------------------

I would take the T3 eight hour apart maximum, you want to keep the

dose as even as possible and T3 has a short half life, so it

degrades quickly.

>

> And the pills will not break evenly in half! Crunchies/dust result

> along with uneven " halves. " Do I need a pill cutter? Do they

> actually work?

> I'm using an exacto knife presently. I guess I'll scrape up

> crumbs to even them out?

---------------------------

Yes, the pill splitters really do work - I've had to cut cytomel

into quarters and it does an admirable job, those pills are little

suckers!

>

> Should I do them sublingually, or just wash them down with water?

> Ok to take together??

-----------------------

I take my sublingually - it means I don't have to wait the

prerequisit 4 hours for my cal/mag supplement, iron or fiber. I

just wait a good 30 minutes and I can go on with my day. I'm also

taking T4 and T3 (synthetic like you) at the moment.

> He is **very** unusual for this country, and I do very much

> appreciate that. He is exceedingly pleasant as well, so that is a

> bonus. He is also exceedingly EXPENSIVE! But I am glad to have

all

> this information.

----------------------

Vicki, I know many women in the UK who would kill to know this man's

name - be sure to add him to all the lists you can for Top Docs. He

is truly a rare find!

>

> I'm not under the impression that I have free reign to increase if

I

> think I need to. However, my prescription is pretty open. I don't

> think he'd cut me off it I upped it. HOW LONG should I give it to

> have an effect before I start thinking I should increase it?

--------------------------

You could always call and let him know you'll be out of the country

for an extended period and could you increase if you felt horrid?

The T4 increase is typically done on a 2 week basis until you get to

a higher amount, then you adjust upward every 6 weeks. With T3 the

time frame is shorter at 10 days. I'd keep a close eye on my HR,

BBT and blood pressure and when I noticed them dropping again

increase my dose slighlty - that's how I was doing it when I was

self medicating and based on my latest labs I was pretty damned

close to finding my optimal dose.

> HOW LONG TIL I FEEL BETTER???!

---------------------

You'll feel the T3 effects soon, at least by 10 days from now.

You'll feel the T4 effects a little less soon, but if you're

sensitive you'll notice them sooner. I was put on only T4 at first

and I felt it the next day (no headaches and my BP came up a little).

> I got very depressed last night thinking of all the bad labels

that

> I, my family, my ex-husband, teachers, etc have put on me over the

> years... so much wasted time. It just made me cry. So much of my

> attitude about myself has been because of things related to this

> stuff. Why why why are doctors so reluctant to check for this?!

----------------------------

I'm a cynic about this and I think the problem is that this effects

women primarily - and who do women get treated by men (most Drs are

men) in the medical field? " Here have an antidepressant, you're

hysterical again, you poor thing " .

> just don't get it? Is it because it only costs about $7/month(

maybe

> more over there) in prescriptions to get it under control? No more

> anti-depressants (I'm only on St s wort), cholesterol lowering

> medication, antibiotics for repeated infections, sinus

medications,

> etc etc. Is that it? An undiagnosed hypothyroid person is a

> veritable GOLDMINE??? My cynicism is at an all time high.... I

feel

> better about things today though.

-------------------

And yes, this is a big part of it. Undiagnosed hypoT is a cash cow

for the big drug companies. Amazing how a little tiny cheap pill

can fix so much ay?

> I'm not about to give up on him, Nat. Have no fear. No one is

> perfect, and he is very, very open and forward thinking. He tests

> free T3 and free T4. Was not interested in what my TSH level was.

> He's good. I was just confused about the T4 conversion thing.

Still

> am a bit, but since my T4 is a bit on the low side of normal, what

> harm... I just got overwhelmed with it all yesterday. His name is

> Dr. Magovern, Blackrock, Dublin, if anyone wants to know.

He

> has a website (somewhat out of date, though). Google for it if

> interested. Key words: Magovern, integrative. He's also listed in

> thyroid-info.com top docs. That is how I found him: via y'all to

them.

--------------------

Vicki, he sounds like every hypoT's dream. I am so happy you found

him!

[Guest guest]

Vicki, this guy sounds open to reason, so if you use logic and

reason with him, then I don't see how you can go wrong. I out and

out told my new guys that I was self medicating, and if they give me

any grief about my TSH in the future (I'm in the process of

educating them ) I will tell them that thyroid is no longer being

looked after by them - I'll do it myself. It's taken me a while to

get that comfortable with them, past experience with doctors and

thyroid hasn't been very good, as you can well imagine!

Increasing your dose happens and a good doctor will understand that

you know your body pretty well and are best suited to decide when

this should happen. Keeping a good record of things like BBT and HR

will go a long way to showing you (and him) just what to expect, and

how your body reacts. I'd be lost without my excel spreadsheet

Nat

>

> [...snip...]

> Vicki, I know many women in the UK who would kill to know this

man's

> name - be sure to add him to all the lists you can for Top Docs. He

> is truly a rare find!

> [...snip...]

>

>

> > > His name is

> > > Dr. Magovern, Blackrock, Dublin, if anyone wants to

know.

> > He

> > > has a website (somewhat out of date, though). Google for it if

> > > interested. Key words: Magovern, integrative. He's also listed

in

> > > thyroid-info.com top docs. That is how I found him: via y'all

to

> > them.

[Guest guest]

Vicki, this guy sounds open to reason, so if you use logic and

reason with him, then I don't see how you can go wrong. I out and

out told my new guys that I was self medicating, and if they give me

any grief about my TSH in the future (I'm in the process of

educating them ) I will tell them that thyroid is no longer being

looked after by them - I'll do it myself. It's taken me a while to

get that comfortable with them, past experience with doctors and

thyroid hasn't been very good, as you can well imagine!

Increasing your dose happens and a good doctor will understand that

you know your body pretty well and are best suited to decide when

this should happen. Keeping a good record of things like BBT and HR

will go a long way to showing you (and him) just what to expect, and

how your body reacts. I'd be lost without my excel spreadsheet

Nat

>

> [...snip...]

> Vicki, I know many women in the UK who would kill to know this

man's

> name - be sure to add him to all the lists you can for Top Docs. He

> is truly a rare find!

> [...snip...]

>

>

> > > His name is

> > > Dr. Magovern, Blackrock, Dublin, if anyone wants to

know.

> > He

> > > has a website (somewhat out of date, though). Google for it if

> > > interested. Key words: Magovern, integrative. He's also listed

in

> > > thyroid-info.com top docs. That is how I found him: via y'all

to

> > them.

[Guest guest]

>>Tertroxin (T3): 10 mcg, x2, that is, 1/2 tab, twice per day, away

from meals. Each whole tab is 20uG (20mcg)Eltroxin (T4) 25 mcg, once per day.<<

This is a pretty small dosage still. About equal to 1/2 grain Armour and some

extra T3.. about 15 extra MCG. MOst folks do well on 3-5 grain Armour which

equals 114-190 MCG T4 and 36-45 MCG T3. I hope he will allow you to increase

your dosage fairly quickly.

Artistic Grooming

Hurricane, West Virginia

[Guest guest]

>>Tertroxin (T3): 10 mcg, x2, that is, 1/2 tab, twice per day, away

from meals. Each whole tab is 20uG (20mcg)Eltroxin (T4) 25 mcg, once per day.<<

This is a pretty small dosage still. About equal to 1/2 grain Armour and some

extra T3.. about 15 extra MCG. MOst folks do well on 3-5 grain Armour which

equals 114-190 MCG T4 and 36-45 MCG T3. I hope he will allow you to increase

your dosage fairly quickly.

Artistic Grooming

Hurricane, West Virginia

[Guest guest]

>>Tertroxin (T3): 10 mcg, x2, that is, 1/2 tab, twice per day, away

from meals. Each whole tab is 20uG (20mcg)Eltroxin (T4) 25 mcg, once per day.<<

This is a pretty small dosage still. About equal to 1/2 grain Armour and some

extra T3.. about 15 extra MCG. MOst folks do well on 3-5 grain Armour which

equals 114-190 MCG T4 and 36-45 MCG T3. I hope he will allow you to increase

your dosage fairly quickly.

Artistic Grooming

Hurricane, West Virginia

[Guest guest]

> Tertroxin (T3): 10 mcg, x2, that is, 1/2 tab, twice per day, away

> from meals. Each whole tab is 20uG (20mcg).

_____________________

This is over twice the amount of T3 that would be in 2 grains of

Armour. This is quite a bit of T3 and hopefully you will not have

adrenal issues with it at first.

_______________

> Eltroxin (T4) 25 mcg, once per day.

_________________

This is about 44% T3, much higher than Armour would give.

___________________

>

> I'm taking each upon rising in the a.m. Then not sure when is

best

> to take 2nd half of T3?? Mid-afternoon? bedtime?

________________

I think bedtime or early evening if doing it at bedtime give you

problems. People actually need a little more thyroid at night than

in the day.

_____________

>

> Should I do them sublingually, or just wash them down with water?

> Ok to take together??

________________-

Don't know. Has anybody experimented doing it both ways with the

synthetics?

________________

> The adrenal stress test results aren't back yet, as well as a

liver

> detax profile.

________________

If you have adrenal problems it is definitely going to show up with

the amount of T3 yu are taking.

________________

> I'm uncomfortable about the synthetic aspect.

______________

In order to get as much T3 as you are getting now, you would need

only a tiny amount of Armour. So, I can see why the doc went this

way. But, I think it's agood compromise for now and later you can

work on changing things.

_____________________

HOW LONG should I give it to

> have an effect before I start thinking I should increase it?

_______________

If you are going to have trouble with the amount of T3 you are

taking from adrenal problems, they will show up in 10 days to two

weeks. You will have to wait untill then before making any decisions

about raises. Then if you develope problems, the rate of raises will

all depend on how well you adapt to the dose you are on and how long

before you can handle another.

________________

>

> HOW LONG TIL I FEEL BETTER???!

_______________

Impossible to know, It can be quickly within a week that you can

start to feel better or it can take up to 3 years. Depends on your

own individual situation. If you have not been hypo long, then

recovery is usually quicker. No adrenal problems and recovery is

faster. If you have adrenal and other heatlh issues, then you can be

worse for up to a year or more before finally getting better. You

can also have problems at the beginning with the low starting

thyroid doses making you more hypothyroid due to it's suppressive

affect on the pituitary. Then it will be a while before you can get

the dose up high enough to overcome this. Then if the doc doesn't

believe in dosing by symptoms, you can be kept on insufficient

replacement and be worse off. Thyroid treatment is not easy in the

beginning. My former doctor who was also hypo said that often you

hve to get worse to get better.

Plan on a year minimum getting your dose adjusted.

________________

>

> I got very depressed last night thinking of all the bad labels

that

> I, my family, my ex-husband, teachers, etc have put on me over the

> years... so much wasted time. It just made me cry. So much of my

> attitude about myself has been because of things related to this

> stuff. Why why why are doctors so reluctant to check for this?!

An undiagnosed hypothyroid person is a

> veritable GOLDMINE??? My cynicism is at an all time high....

_________________-

This is the tragedy of hypothryoidism.

Tish

[Guest guest]

> Should I do them sublingually, or just wash them down with water?

> Ok to take together??

________________-

Don't know. Has anybody experimented doing it both ways with the

synthetics?<<

I have and it seems to me to make little difference just be sure not to eat for

an hour before or after, or if you do make sure it is nothing with calcium or

iron.

________________

Artistic Grooming

Hurricane, West Virginia

[Guest guest]

> Should I do them sublingually, or just wash them down with water?

> Ok to take together??

________________-

Don't know. Has anybody experimented doing it both ways with the

synthetics?<<

I have and it seems to me to make little difference just be sure not to eat for

an hour before or after, or if you do make sure it is nothing with calcium or

iron.

________________

Artistic Grooming

Hurricane, West Virginia