Armour Thyroid

[Lorraine910]

I have been diagnoised with Fibromyalgia and my endocrinologist has been "experimenting" with treatments to see just what is thyoid related and what is not.  I have been steadily gaining weight since she prescribed cortef 10mg and Armour thyroid 30mg 2x day with continued fatigue and exhaustion.  After several years,  I was informed if there may or may not be underlying thyroid conditon.  I struggle with many other potential symptoms such as fatigue, cold extremities, dry skin.  My endocrinologist does not want to try me on synthroid.  She firmly believes in Armour.  My mother has hypothyroidism, my sister was diagnoised with thyroid cancer as well as many other female relatives on my mothers side of the family.   My blood tests continue to be on the low side of normal.  I had 2 nodules and a goiter which apparently disappeared (as stated by the sonographer).

Any advice??????

[mbungert]

Wandering where you are on your journey?  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2004, never found any help around my area.  Researched, contacted Dr Jacob Tietelbaum, President of the Fibromyalgia Chronic Fatigue Institute, in Maryland.  I am currently working with him/staff.  I just started Corteff last week, and start Armour Thyroid tomorrow.  So far no change with Corteff alone.  I'm wandering if you think a Endocrinologist could take over my care, etc...  I cannot afford to keep working with the institute.  I hope to hear back from you or anyone out there that can enlighten me!  Thankyou!

mbungert

[stella5349]

Hello

It's nice to hear your doctor is open to different types of treatment - but I am concerned.

You state you are on Cortef and Armour. What labs were done to get you on those?

Most commonly, If you are on adrenal support as Cortef is, then most experience hypo symptoms and Armour may not be working to it's optimal level.

The adrenals and thyroid work hand in hand so if you are recieve to much with one hormones- then the other will rear up and block too.

Fibro is linked to hypothyroidism for many. Most find their thyroid is not looked at - once the Dx of Fibro is established.  Sounds like you have a great doctor.

This may be a time in your treatment to have to weather the storm first before you see a light. If your adrenals are requiring treatment, you may need to deal with a few weeks or?? of hypothyroidism symptoms until things balance out.

I would suggest a saliva test on your adrenal function ( cortisol) and see where you lye with those. Then retest the Ft3 and Ft4 labs to see where you are there. Ft3 = higher reference - Ft4 = mid lower

You condition requires monthly testing.