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Ferritin?
I've been seeing a lot of talk about ferritin. My hair keeps falling out so I'm wondering if this could be my problem. How do you raise these levels? Is it just iron supplements? I didn't think woman past menopause should take iron...
COMMUNITY LEADER
Wow - I have some of those same memories... LOL I did eventually learn to like beef liver, but it has to have plenty of onions and I'm very careful about where I buy it.
Well you have given me lots of good advise, but I think I'll pass on the liver!!! Blahhhh...brings home some bad childhood memories sitting at the dinner table with talk about how I better eat it cause kids where starving in Africa!!! LOL! Gentle Iron sounds much better to me!!! :)
COMMUNITY LEADER
The Gentle Iron is iron bisglycinate.
You can also just eat liver on a regular basis (not daily...lol), which is also very high in protein and vitamin B12, as well.
You can also just eat liver on a regular basis (not daily...lol), which is also very high in protein and vitamin B12, as well.
I have used ferrous bisglycinate, carbonyl iron, and desiccated liver pills at various times. There are other forms of iron that are advertised as easy on the stomach; those will work too. If whatever iron you are taking results in constipation, you can always add in some magnesium to counteract it.
You have been extremely helpful! All of you! Thanks! I have some ideas now and some hope!!!
Thanks Barb...I will look for it. I don't need any more issues with constipation! I will ask my doctor to do the iron panel too. I just know I'm not right. I should feel different if Im on medication and I don't! What is the sense in taking anything if I still have all the symptoms???!!!
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, 48 was not that good on the ferritin. There are quite a few different parameters that aren't good enough to just be "in range". They have to be high enough in the range to do some good. Free T3 and Free T4, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, are some of those. If these levels aren't high enough, you will have the same symptoms you'd have if you were totally deficient.
I have a product called "Gentle Iron", made by Solgar that's non-constipating, and does not contain, gluten, wheat or dairy. I quit taking it when my ferritin levels came back way over range.
Do get ferritin and the iron panel done prior to supplementing, so you have your baseline.
I have a product called "Gentle Iron", made by Solgar that's non-constipating, and does not contain, gluten, wheat or dairy. I quit taking it when my ferritin levels came back way over range.
Do get ferritin and the iron panel done prior to supplementing, so you have your baseline.
so maybe 48 wasn't that great...I had very low TIBC levels some years back and they made me go for a colonoscopy, but it has not been rechecked. It had to be 10 yrs ago.Can you recommend a form of iron that is easy to absorb?
My ferritin levels were at rock bottom along with my thyroid levels. However, it was raising thyroid levels that made the difference for me. Once I reached a certain dose of medicine, my chronic telogen effluvium of many years ceased. I was amazed. I am still raising ferritin because it is important for hair growth-- you will want to aim for 70 or above. There are many forms of iron, some more absorbable than others. Just do a little googling before you buy. Be sure to take with vitamin C for better absorption, and do not take with calcium-containing food or supplements.
Thanks to both of you for printable info for the dr. I hope he doesn't get insulted! My last ferritin level was 2 yrs ago and it was 48 (10-232) but I guess I should do it again. I am really getting scared about my hair. I get down on the floor and gather it up every morning after I brush it. :( Between thyroid, menopause, stress (getting divorced after 40 yrs) I am a mess!
COMMUNITY LEADER
I just realized that your original question about ferritin and hair loss. From what I can find, ferritin levels may have an effect on hair loss, but so does hypothyroidism and we can see that you're definitely hypo.
Have you had a ferritin test and/or an iron panel? If so, please post your results, with ranges, so we can better assess.
Have you had a ferritin test and/or an iron panel? If so, please post your results, with ranges, so we can better assess.
COMMUNITY LEADER
That's a good link gimel posted; it's not unusual for those of us on a thyroid replacement hormone, particularly, one with a T3 component to have suppressed TSH. Mine has been suppressed since shortly after I began taking the med and I, too, had a doctor who tried to dose me, based on TSH ---notice I said "had"... lol
Many doctors get uncomfortable with suppressed TSH. I agree with gimel that it might be helpful if you print that link and take it with you on your next appointment.
Here's one that talks about bone density with suppressed TSH:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8252740
That subject is still controversial; however, I can say from my own experience that suppressed TSH has had no effect on my bone density. I was diagnosed with osteopenia approximately 10 years ago, several years prior to beginning thyroid medication. Through a program of calcium supplementation and exercise, I've actually rebuilt bone that had been lost.
Many doctors get uncomfortable with suppressed TSH. I agree with gimel that it might be helpful if you print that link and take it with you on your next appointment.
Here's one that talks about bone density with suppressed TSH:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8252740
That subject is still controversial; however, I can say from my own experience that suppressed TSH has had no effect on my bone density. I was diagnosed with osteopenia approximately 10 years ago, several years prior to beginning thyroid medication. Through a program of calcium supplementation and exercise, I've actually rebuilt bone that had been lost.
Here is a link to a scientific study that should alleviate your doctor's concern about suppression of TSH when adequately treating central hypothyroidism.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12481949
I'd give the doctor a copy with this portion highlighted for his attention.
"Suppression of TSH by thyroid replacement to levels below 0.1 mU/L predicted euthyroidism in 92% of cases, compared to 34% when TSH was above 1 mU/L (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, in central hypothyroidism baseline TSH is usually within normal values, and is further suppressed by exogenous thyroid hormone as in primary hypothyroidism, but to lower levels. Thus, insufficient replacement may be reflected by inappropriately elevated TSH levels, and may lead to dosage increment."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12481949
I'd give the doctor a copy with this portion highlighted for his attention.
"Suppression of TSH by thyroid replacement to levels below 0.1 mU/L predicted euthyroidism in 92% of cases, compared to 34% when TSH was above 1 mU/L (p < 0.0001). In conclusion, in central hypothyroidism baseline TSH is usually within normal values, and is further suppressed by exogenous thyroid hormone as in primary hypothyroidism, but to lower levels. Thus, insufficient replacement may be reflected by inappropriately elevated TSH levels, and may lead to dosage increment."
Yes i take dostinex for the adenoma. My problem never showed on the tsh only in below normal free t4 and free t3. I was diagnosed in 1997 but im sure I had it much longer than that because I had specific symptoms from high prolactin levels. Maybe six yrs ago a found a woman dr who treated me with armour but i was getting nowhere. I switched docs cause of the insurance I had at the time to the one I have now. I like him and he is willing to listen to my ideas but as I said earlier my tsh is suppressed from my meds and he doesnt like it. We have discussed how in central hypothyroidism tsh levels should not matter...he listens but i think he is uncomfortable.
COMMUNITY LEADER
No, you don't just replace what you don't have, because the body has a round about way of getting there, so you have to follow what your body would do, if it could.
A normal thyroid produces much more T4 than it does T3. Of the T4 produced most of that is bound by protein, so is unusable. The amount of T4 that's not bound by protein is the Free T4. Free T4 isn't used directly by the body; it has to be converted to T3. As with T4, most of the T3 in your blood is bound by protein so is unusable. The portion not bound by protein is what the individual cells use.
If you don't have adequate FT4, there's nothing to convert to T3, so you aren't going to get anywhere.
An internist is fine to manage your thyroid, but either he, or you have to know what you're doing.
How long have you been on this regimen?
Pituitary adenoma? If you have a pituitary adenoma that could/would affect the way your thyroid works. Was anything done with that? If not, I'd agree that needs to be dealt with rather than just pouring T3 med into your system.. If the pituitary adenoma were treated, you might not have a thyroid issue, since the pituitary is the "master gland"; if it can't produce TSH to stimulate your thyroid, your thyroid can't produce hormones. It's a delicate balancing act... and things have to be done in order of importance. Pituitary first.
A normal thyroid produces much more T4 than it does T3. Of the T4 produced most of that is bound by protein, so is unusable. The amount of T4 that's not bound by protein is the Free T4. Free T4 isn't used directly by the body; it has to be converted to T3. As with T4, most of the T3 in your blood is bound by protein so is unusable. The portion not bound by protein is what the individual cells use.
If you don't have adequate FT4, there's nothing to convert to T3, so you aren't going to get anywhere.
An internist is fine to manage your thyroid, but either he, or you have to know what you're doing.
How long have you been on this regimen?
Pituitary adenoma? If you have a pituitary adenoma that could/would affect the way your thyroid works. Was anything done with that? If not, I'd agree that needs to be dealt with rather than just pouring T3 med into your system.. If the pituitary adenoma were treated, you might not have a thyroid issue, since the pituitary is the "master gland"; if it can't produce TSH to stimulate your thyroid, your thyroid can't produce hormones. It's a delicate balancing act... and things have to be done in order of importance. Pituitary first.
Sorry.i hit post by mistake. I had been on 1/2 of a 25 mcg with the 75 mcg of synthroid. I just remembered...I believe i was on 100 mcg of syntroid last year and 50 mcg of cytomel a yr ago. My weight was good and i felt good but I was in the higher end of the range and the dr. got nervous because my tsh is so surpressed and he is worried about my bones. I have read this is irrelavent...but he lowered my dose and i havent been right since. My tsh is surpressed no matter what my dosage so I not sure why this continues to be an issue for him
Geeze Barb...I didnt know it worked that way. I just thought you replace what you dont have. Ill have to talk to him. He is an internist. I couldnt get an endo to give me the time of day and without insurance I cant go to everyone in the book. The 3 I tried wouldnt treat me for my thyroid only the pituitary adenoma. Thanks for the learning experience! This may be why I have so many symptoms and my weight is creeping up...and my hair.....uggghhhhh
COMMUNITY LEADER
Why isn't your doctor raising your synthroid, instead of constantly increasing your T3 med. With levels like yours, I can see why you feel hypo.
With your FT4 so low in the range, you have nothing to convert to T3.
Have you ever been on a higher dose of T4 med? If so, how did that work out?
The idea of using a T3 med is to keep it level in your system. Alternating 50 mcg and 25 mcg, is sort of defeating the purpose. How long have you been on these dosages?
With your FT4 so low in the range, you have nothing to convert to T3.
Have you ever been on a higher dose of T4 med? If so, how did that work out?
The idea of using a T3 med is to keep it level in your system. Alternating 50 mcg and 25 mcg, is sort of defeating the purpose. How long have you been on these dosages?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Here's an excerpt from another thread mamadukesfl had posted on and to which I had commented:
mamadukesfl1
Nov 10, 2013
To: Barb135
I take 25 mcgs of cytomel and 88 mcg of synthroid and my levels are still at the rock bottom end of the range. I felt best when I alternated 50 mcgs of cytomel with 25 mcgs. I had no ill effects.
Barb135
Nov 10, 2013
To: mamadukesfl1
What are your actual levels and how do you feel?
What do you mean you alternated 50 mcg cytomel with 25 mcg of cytomel? Cytomel is to be taken at the same dosage every day.
Do you split your dosage into more than one? Most of find that splitting our total dosage into two or more works best, because we don't get an initial "jolt", then run out of steam later on. Multi-dosing keeps the T3 levels more steady over the day.
mamadukesfl1
2 hours
To: Barb135
Yes one day 50mcg in the am and the next 25mcg. That is what the dr. told me to do. I get no jolt and splitting didn't make me feel any different. I feel under medicated. My last results were
Free t4 - .96 (.93-1.70)
Free t3 - 1.9 (1.8-4.6)
tsh -.006 (.270-4.200)
I have central hypo that is why tsh is so suppressed.
mamadukesfl1
Nov 10, 2013
To: Barb135
I take 25 mcgs of cytomel and 88 mcg of synthroid and my levels are still at the rock bottom end of the range. I felt best when I alternated 50 mcgs of cytomel with 25 mcgs. I had no ill effects.
Barb135
Nov 10, 2013
To: mamadukesfl1
What are your actual levels and how do you feel?
What do you mean you alternated 50 mcg cytomel with 25 mcg of cytomel? Cytomel is to be taken at the same dosage every day.
Do you split your dosage into more than one? Most of find that splitting our total dosage into two or more works best, because we don't get an initial "jolt", then run out of steam later on. Multi-dosing keeps the T3 levels more steady over the day.
mamadukesfl1
2 hours
To: Barb135
Yes one day 50mcg in the am and the next 25mcg. That is what the dr. told me to do. I get no jolt and splitting didn't make me feel any different. I feel under medicated. My last results were
Free t4 - .96 (.93-1.70)
Free t3 - 1.9 (1.8-4.6)
tsh -.006 (.270-4.200)
I have central hypo that is why tsh is so suppressed.
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