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Thyroid (Expert Forum)
Hypothyroid and Low DHEA,Testosterone,Insulin, High Cortisol
Answered by
Mark Lupo, M.D. - Thyroid Nodules, Thyroid Cancer, hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, Thyroid Ultrasound
Thyroid & Endocrine Center of Florida
Sarasota - FL
Questions in the Thyroid forum are answered by Dr. Mark Lupo. Topics covered include goiter, graves disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, hyperthyroid, hypothyroid, thyroid cancers, thyroiditis, and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Hypothyroid and Low DHEA,Testosterone,Insulin, High Cortisol
by MaryinNJ, Sep 27, 2006 12:00AM
Hi, I am a 42 year old female recently diagnosed as hypothyroid. I also have low insulin, very low DHEA and free testosterone, but high cortisol. I was put on 120 mg of armour thyroid and it made me feel better (much less fatigue, less muscle aches, less brain fog, less apathy, hair stopped falling out, body temperature went up) But at one month, I have started to feel bad again, and my body temperature has dropped again. I have not been given anything to address the low adrenal test results. Waiting on authorization from my insurance company for prescriptions that my doctor has recommended. Could the untreated low adrenals be causing the hypothyroid to not be "fixed" by the armour thyroid medication? What prescriptions, treatment, etc. would you recommend to raise free testosterone and DHEA levels?
Doctor's Answer
by Mark Lupo, M.D., Sep 28, 2006 12:00AM
, Sep 28, 2006 12:00AM
the only low adrenal linked to thyroid treatment that is clinically relevant (currently) is low cortisol -- yours was high, likely due to stress. DHEA supplementation has not been rigorously studied and the long-term risks are unclear. Many patients take up to 50mg of DHEA (only avail over-the-counter) without difficulty. The armour dose needs to be titrated in consideration with TSH (not body temperature).
You haven't been taking Armour Thyroid long enough to be at a perfect dose for you. Your doctor will order labs to check your thyroid, etc. and adjust the doses of your medications as needed. I read that there is far less hair loss in patients who take Armour than those who take Synthroid. I know for a fact that to be true since I have had to take Synthroid for so many years. My hair is fine and noticeably thinning. I finally found a doctor who does prescribe Armour. He was hesitant to put me on it several months ago since my thyroid levels were very messed up. My doctor preferred for my labs to improve before he started me on a new medication. I feel much better now and hope that he'll prescribe me Armour.
Get Well Soon!
The doctor who wrote this book talks about the very scenario you described, where the patient crashes after a short period on the natural thyroid. He has an interesting theory about combining a therapy of synthetic thyroid hormone with natural thyroid hormone. It may be what you're looking for... Another site that may be helpful is www.drrind.com .
You claim you were feeling good on the Armour and started after a month feeling lousy. More than likely you weren't yet at the right dose. It takes sometimes several dose adjustments. Please don't give up on Armour just yet. Although, if after several dose adjustments there is no improvement, your doctor will conclude that Armour isn't right for you. Medications work differently in each person. In other words, what works great for one person, might make another very ill.
I recall a total stranger with thyroid disease telling me many years ago that I should get off of Synthroid and take Natural Thyroid. She told me that not only would I feel great taking natural Thyroid, but there would be no hair thinning. I wish I had started Armour sooner. I do admit that some of my hair thinning is due to heredity, but more than likely it's mostly due to taking Synthroid for many years. Other thyroid patients have claimed the same. I will be taking Armour soon again and hope to feel great on it.