Tired and Hurting

[hurtingandtired]

Just this week I found out that I have Hypo Thyroid (TSH 9.44).  What should I know?  I am 35, hurt ALL the time and stay tired.  Been taking synthroid 5 days.  Any info would help being that I had never heard of this before this week.

[Nitter]

Why do people think your just lazy, when actually can't even function? I need back up to help explain to my family and friends how it feels when my tsh is high. Now it only 30 sometime it goes into the 400's. Please help

[doodlebug1]

Hi doll face--you asked when I switched to natural thyroid hormone, and if it was at my suggestion--I switched in July of 2002, and yes, it was at my suggestion. But I had to find a doc who knew enough to do it!! I found a Nurse Practioner by asking pharmacists as to who prescribed it. I drive 1 1/2 hours from my house to see her. I switched from a .125 T4-only med and started on 3/4 grain. Over the next few months, I got up to 2 grains and was doing great! Then I heard that before the TSH came into existence, and before T4-only meds were thrust onto patients, folks were on a minimal dose of 3-5 grains. So, with my doc's approval, I went up 1/4 grain at a time, holding each raise a few weeks, until I got up to 3 grains. And VOILA! Even more symptoms went away! I was happily dumbfounded. I am now holding at 3 1/2 grains and doing SO much better than T4-only meds. Many folks are on more than me, but it's all individual.

My NP understood the need not to dose by TSH--we watched my free T4 and free T3--especially the latter, plus my temps and symptoms. My goal was first and foremost to rid myself of all symptoms. We also allowed the free T3 to get to the top of the range. Temps--we looked for 97.8 - 98.2 in the morning before rising (with a mercury thermometer, not a digital) and 98.6 in the mid-afternoon.

Oh, and by the way, there are many folks who have to use a minimal amount of adrenal support before they can do great on Armour. I wasn't one of those. I am one who had to improve my Ferritin, though, which was low.

There is a great "new member" folder at the natural thyroid hormones site on yahoo that explains a lot of this. Sure hope this helps answer your questions.

[doll face]

When were you switched to Armour, and was it at your suggestion? I have been trying to get my PCP to send me a lab request for blood work for 2 weeks now. I finally got my hepatologist to do it and will go in for blood work on Monday. I would like to request that they try Armour also but need to know the right things to say when they ask why. I have done a lot of research on the net and have printed many articles to send the doc. Just looking for personable experiences.

[doodlebug1]

I understand---my posts are disappearing, too. SO, let's see if you can get this one read before it "mysteriously" disappears too.

What I had posted to you was that I do understand brain fog! It's maddening, isn't it? And I had asked if you were on thyroid meds. Because if you are, it sure looks like you are sorely undertreated. Are you on meds? I had the same problems while on T4-only meds. It's only when I switched to Armour, and was allowed to dose by symptoms rather than simply the TSH, did they disappear. It's worth looking into!!

[Artylady]

OK, my brain fog must be really bad.  I posted a comment and it is not there...but my second one is.  I basically asked if anyone can explain in simple terms about thyroid levels in blood tests.  I've been hypo (hashimotos) for about 12 years and I suffer with symptoms i.e. tired, brain fog, achy, forgetful, etc.  It is difficult to understand all this when I am feeling so brain-fogged that I can't read.

[Artylady]

I'm sorry...I should have posted a new subject.  I was reading here for the first time... feel the same symptoms as have been posted here.  Please forgive a newcomer  :-)

[mmfd]

Keep in mind the disclaimer statement after the physician's comments.  These people are just giving their opinion, and are NOT medical trained individuals, no matter what they think.  It always amazes me that some people actually think they know more than the doctors who have years and years of training and experience!  I would go with the BOARD CERTIFIED physicians myself, and plan to.  Some of the medhelp messge boards will not even allow such as been posted above.

[OMC]

Thanks for all the information and Best of Health to you!

[OMC]

I have recently been thrown into the thyroid arena and have also started the long research to get the right answers. I presented with Hyper symptoms but a TSH of 2.7 and elevated thyroid antibodies, diagnosis was Hashimotos. I felt like a crazy person, toxicosis may be what I had. Now I am becoming hypothyroid. Last TSH was 4.0. Currently I am taking .25mg of Levoxyl. I am nearing my fourth week on this dose and Endo tells me that I have to wait 6 weeks and then get TSH and F3 tested again. So, I and am just starting my journey to wellness(can't wait to feel normal again, sooo tired!)Thank you for the input for us newly diagnosed, hopefully we can make the correct decisions for ourselves and save years of ill health.

[OMC]

Both of you are pro Armour and natural hormone replacement. How long have you both been on this type of med?

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The thyroid effects nearly every part of your body - so if it's low you may feel it all over.  Usually the cause is auto-immune -- ask your doctor to check thyroid antibodies -- if they are positive you most likely have Hashimotos.  Check out thyroid.org for more info.  

It will take a few weeks for the synthroid to have an effect -would repeat tsh after starting synthroid then adjust the dose to keep tsh around 1.