advice on thyroid test

[katysue53]

Dear Dr. Mark,
I am very impressed with your responses and just have a question or two that no one seems able to answer. My dr. in Houston has all but abandoned me and I'm frustrated. I went to him having chest pain and insomnia plus other thyroid isssues. My TSH was out of range being .02 and my free T3 and T4 were also on the very low side. He told me via by phone by nurse not to change anything, it was all fine.I was shocked to say the least since I had already complained of waking up with stomach and chest pains and depression. he is a famous dr. in houston who has a book out. They have recently not returned any of my calls. I don't think I have been out of line for asking alot of questions. My real question is why is all of the three tests so low and what can I do? IF I increase my levoxyl and armour I start feeling that way again. I have on my on dropped one of the armour tablets that I was taking. This was what I was on when the tests were run: 1/2 .75 levoxyl 1x a day and 1/4 armour 3xs a day. I have hashmotos thyroid disease. Does this sound like a pituitary problem or possibly an adrenal thing? I would appreciate your advice as I feel very frustrated and alone.

                        Thanks,
                         Katysue

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Those labs are abnormal.  You have hyperthyroidism that is due to overmedication and this is a possible cause of symptoms.  The lowish T4 & T3 are not uncommon in Armour patients - esp if lab drawn before first dose of armour that day.  Your instinct to decrease the dose seems logical.  3x/day armour is a lot - most patients on T3 (ie cytomel or armour) take in am and then early afternoon.  

To rule out the unlikely adrenal or pituitary problem, would need further testing.

FYI - I prefer synthroid (or levoxyl) and cytomel combo over the use of armour IF T4/T3 combo treatment is used -- it gives more ability to "fine-tune".

[tinkerbell 2006]

If the Free's are low then you are hypo.....don't worry about the TSH, it is not a thyroid hormone and once on meds needs to be under 1.00 and close to zero if you have Hashimoto's Disease

Go here for some great suggestion on tsking Armour

www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Mistakes people make are not being on enough Armour or having adrenal fatigue that needs to be addressed

http://stopthethyroidmadness.com/mistakes-patients-make/

I am on Armour and did not have a problem with increasing

[Dixie1]

Tinkerbell is exactly right. Docs are not Gods, remember that. Most don't pay attention to your symptoms and look at narrowly interpreted lab ranges. If you have a problem going up on meds, could be your adrenals have a problem.

[ancientmariner]

Yeah, you're not hyper just because your TSH is low. There could be pituitary problems there, so that the thyroid is not being stimulated to produce. BUT, the low Free T3 & T4 are definitely hypO, not hypER.....

And BTW, the stopthethyroidmadness website has a wealth of information. Check it out!

am

[katysue53]

Thanks for your suggestions. I am very gratefful. Now, if I could just find someone to treat the adrenals......I live in Texas. Do you guys know of any good docs around Houston area?

                              kATYSUE

[Emy4]

Katy Sue,


I live in houston too and am trying to fine someone good to treat me for hashi's since now I have developed hyper and feel so depressed and anxious and dont know what to do to feel better again.  I feel like my doc isnt doing enough for me.

Have you found anyone yet?