Re: Too much Armour-or too little: that is the question!

[Guest guest]

Just a couple comments here. I had cushing's syndrome and when I

see people talk about the symptoms you are having I can't help

myself but mention some things or ask some questions if you don't

mind. There are more things that can burn out then just your

thyroid if and when your endocrine system goes for a dive.

" My cortisol is on the

high side (a very common finding with depression) so I do not want to

try any adrenal supplements. "

-Cortisol - High side, HOW high?

-Have you had weight gain, how much and where?

-How is your sleep? Especially at night.

-How is your menstral cycles? Have any?

-Have you ever had a CT scan of the adrenals WITH contrast?

-Have you had your metanephrines and Catecholamines checked? The

test for this is no longer the urine test either, it is the plasma

free metanephrines (I just learned about that one)

Oh gosh, that was just a start, this stuff is hard to figure out,

but you can do it, I have been sick for a long time too and I get so

tired of the testing, but slowly but surely I am getting better.

Along with the adrenal testing above, have you " thought " about your

pituitary gland itself? It is the master gland of the system, it is

your thyroid regulator.

Just some ideas, it might be something other then your thyroid going

outta wack here. I too am learning but as I learn I like to share,

if it helps just one person that is great! Just some other stuff to

think about..

Canasa

>

> It's been a while since I have posted but I have been reading the

> digests for over one year.

>

> I started 30 mg Armour Feb 2004. Was finally diagnosed with

Hashi's

> in July 2004... Be sure and test those ANTIBODIES...this was my

only

> abnormal " lab " .

>

> I was virtually bed-ridden most of 2004...I was gradually upping

my

> doseage. In November 2004 when I reached 2 grains I FINALLY began

to

> feel better. I could get out of bed by 8 or 9; drive a car!; even

> baked some Xmas cookies. I was splitting my dose (morning and

early

> afternoon). But I could never have the energy to make it thru the

> entire day. I started taking a small caffeine pill to help cuz I

do

> not drink coffee.

>

> Anyway, I was feeling a lot better for about 6 weeks. In January,

I

> began to spiral down- feeling thoroughly fatigued and the

depression

> returned, too.

>

> I assumed I needed to up my dose to 2 and one quarter grains but

it

> did not help. Then I read a post here yesterday that said maybe it

is

> a sign of too much Armour...I am so confused....My cortisol is on

the

> high side (a very common finding with depression) so I do not want

to

> try any adrenal supplements.

>

> I can't tell if I am undermedicated or overmedicated.... I only

took

> 2 grains today and I still have bad heart palps.. Do heart palps

> indicate I have gone HYPER or can they mean that I upped the

Armour

> too fast- even tho I waited out the 4 weeks. Or maybe I dropped

the

> dose TOO much.

>

> I have had problems upping ever since I hit 2 grains. When I lower

> the dose should I only lower it by a quarter grain? Should I skip

an

> entire day of Armour? The depression is THE worst...I used to

think

> fatigue was the worse..........BTW I am certain that I have had

> thyroid problems for almost ten yrs. I always complained of

fatigue

> and they shoved antidepressants at me

>

> I have tried ALL of them and none worked...So, I politely ask you

not

> to suggest anything for the depression...I've tried SamE and St

> 's wort and the light box....

>

> Sorry, I really needed to vent. I felt so much better and it did

not

> last and I appear to be more fatigued than anyone I have ever come

> across on this board. I am 51 yrs old and in menopause for about 2

> yrs but can't take hormones cuz of migraines.........

>

> Did anyone know this: the bioidentical estrogen gel I tried last

year

> is SYNTHETIC! Is there a NATURAL estrogen?? I don't feel

well...sorry

> to go on so.........The Artist formally known as ....