Dead Thyroid

[11Tigeress11]

I was diagnosed with hashimotos thyroditis in 1993, been on thyroxine for 17 years, i presented to doctor with a referral from optometrist saying i had fluid behind the eyes, also i have chronic headaches and since first diagnosis i just say i have hypothyroidism. I had a heart attack nearly 4 years & now think its related to my ongoing thyroid problems. 6 months ago both my thyroid and ovaries were normal, now i have a dead thyroid and menopaused. I have been taken off 100mc of thyroxine and put on tertroxin 20 mc, i feel ill, massive migraines, dizzy spells, lethargy, eye ball pain, heart beat in my head, i can hear it banging in my chest and head. Called doctor who without seeing me, tells his receptionist to tell me to halve the dose to 10mc. I do not like this feeling, ive been taking for 11 days now, i skipped the whole deal today, i am scared of another heart attack as ive had angina. Can i survive without this hormone and what happens when yr thyroid is DEAD????? What do i have to look forward to accept more organ shut downs anyway, am i prolonging the inevitable??? At my less than witty ends

[11Tigeress11]

When i saw him thyroid tests were done 6 months ago, i had more done two weeksago so im assuming those readings are accurate, he told me to stop T3 because it wasnt doing anything for me and start tertroxin ... my first thought was sheet, my energy and brain are going to go blah. he wants to do more tests ... ultrasound and iodine uptake, "i think" dont quote me on my memory but he wanted to see if T3 would helpme improve over 3 weeks but omg it was toooo much, so over phone i was told to drop from 20mc to 10 mc, my body has calmed down some but energy and memory and vision, not real swish.

[Smilerdeb]

Mines long gone and I am working and doing fine.
Get another Doc :)

[MANmom]

Some of us have had our thyroid removed, you can live without it.

[Barb135]

Do you have the results of any recent labs?  If not, you should get tested for TSH, FT3 and FT4.  

I'm shocked to think that your doctor would take you off your T4 med and put on a T3 med without even testing FT3 and FT4.  Dosages should always be based on symptoms, along with FT3 and FT4 levels.  

When your thyroid is "dead", all that means is that it no longer produces hormones, which is why you are taking the replacement hormones.  It's not like a part of your body "shutting down".  I'm not sure what "inevitable" you are referring to, but so long as you get the right meds, at the correct dosages, there's no reason why you can't live a long, healthy life in spite of your thyroid no longer producing.

Best of luck

[Lori707]

What type of doctor is taking care of you? Do you currently have an Endocronologist taking care of your thyroid? If not, PLEASE get a good one!!!!  

Hope all goes well and you're feeling better!

[Smilerdeb]

Have you had FT3/FT4 done with TSH?
It just may be you was HYPO when taken off the thyroxin and instead of being taken off, you may have needed an increase.
The T3 med taken may be causing the symptoms and the heartbeat in the head shows yr heartrate too fast.

I am surprised that any Doctor would put you on a T3 med when you have had Myocardial infarction.
Any Doctor in their right mind would not put you on a T3 med after a heart attack.

I suggest you go back to your Doc and ask to be started back on the T4 med depending on yr levels.

Starting back on the T4 med and increasing slowly would be the way to go.
Let us know how you go.