HELP SYNTHROID OR DESSICATED ????

[cathy341]

I have been taking synthroid .75 for last 3 years, I was having bouts of dry hair and fatigue but my TSH was only 2.8 but my enocronologist decided to treat me. Since then i have lost more than 60% of my hair, I tryed ARMOUR for 8 weeks and while i thought i was feeling better I think i lost even more hair and my tsh came back at .81 and T4 free on the low "normal" side of range. Should i go back to synthroid ? I still have low ferritin and can't get it up no matter how many supplements i take so i don't know what to do anymore ?? Could it be i never needed thyroid meds and they caused all this hair loss ?? I know in the past I have tryed to wean myself off of synthroid but after 5 weeks i feel so tired i end up going back on my meds, PLEASE help I feel like I am going crazy with this !

[gimel]

Yes, I had inadequate conversion of T4 to T3, so after learning about the importance of Free T3, here on the Forum, I got my Free T3 tested and confirmed as low in the range. Convinced my doctor to switch me to Armour and now my Free T3 is 3.9 (range of 2.3 - 4.2).  Note that I do not take my Armour med the morning of testing for Free T3  I also take a small dose of Synthroid.  My Free T4 is 1.1 (range of .60 - 1.50).  

Also note that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results, and especially not just TSH.  You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with from a distance after an initial evaluation and tests.  The letter is then sent to the participating PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.  In the letter please note the statement, "the ultimate criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

[cathy341]

Thanks for your help, Do you personally take Armour ?

I don;t know which medication will work better for me anymore, I am so confused over it, I def think i could be undermedicated as well.

[gimel]

The highest probability is that you have never yet achieved a high enough level of Free T3 and Free T4 from your meds and dosage.  Also, symptom relief seems to lag somewhat behind changes in blood levels of thyroid.  So, you need to be at an adequate level and then allow some time for you body to heal.  

Many members, myself included, report that symptom relief required Free T3 to be in the upper third of its range and Free T4 around the middle of its range.  Most likely you will reach those levels with the Armour Thyroid.  A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not test results, and especially not TSH.  

So you need to expand testing to include Free T3.  Free T3 is the most important because it largely regulates metabolism and many other body functions.  Scientific studies have shown that Free T3 correlated best with hypo symptoms, while Free T4 and TSH did not corrrelate at all.  Other tests that are important for a hypo patient are Vitamin D, B12, and of course ferritin.  I think you need to talk with your doctor about how you can get your ferritin level high enough.  It is very important.  Take a look at this info.  

"FERRITIN test: Measures your levels of storage iron, which can be chronically low in hypothyroid patients. If your Ferritin result is less than 50, your levels are too low and can be causing problems…as well as leading you into anemia as you fall lower, which will give you symptoms similar to hypo, such as depression, achiness, fatigue. If you are in the 50′s, you are scooting by. Optimally, females shoot for 70-90 at the minimum; men tend to be above 100."