TSH not where I want it

[jmh14]

I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis.  My endocrinologist checks my TSH every 6 months and adjusts my dose of Synthroid.  I finally got my TSH below 2 for the first time in June of 2007, when it was 1.5.  I went back this past December 2007 and it is now 2.4.  My doctor would not raise my dose of Synthroid because she said my TSH would go too low.  Since I do not get checked again until June 2008, I am afraid my TSH will only get higher and I will have more symptoms.  I would like to TSH to be closer to 1.  How do I make my doctor understand that my TSH needs to be lower?  

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

T4 therapy (like synthroid) is the world-wide standard of care and keeping the TSH in the 0.4-2.0 range is considered the optimal replacement approach -- further "fine-tuning" has been researched and is not found to be helpful in most cases.  That being said, some people do better with a tsh closer to 1.0 or even a little less (but not too low) and some do better with adding some T3 (ie adding cytomel or trying armour).

[kathyMMM]

Synthroid was not approved by the FDA until 2002 because of PROBLEMS - Google it and see for yourself.  (Most doctors don't even know this.) Synthroid is only T4 with the assumption that your body will convert to T3!  (If your body could do that wouldn't it already be making its own T3?)  While you are on Google look up side effects of Synthroid.  Then look up Armour & Thyrolar.  Both are T3 & T4 and work GREAT for most people!  (I am on Armour)

There is a very informative book called "Is Your Thyroid Making You Fat" by Dr. Siegel.  He even has a whole chapter to give to your doctor!

[bhoutros]

Hey Kathy,

Although I respect  and appreciate that many people have done very well on Thyrolar and Armour, I went on Armour for about 2 days and was immediately climbing the walls.  It is not the best solution for everyone.  It is a fantastic solution for many people but please know that it has it's good and bad.

-Laura

[jarymo]

My endo told me armour and other "natural " derivatives put you in danger of toxicity, there is no control over how much t3 it will make, vs synthroid