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Hypo or Hyper & Synthroid vs Armour
I am a 37 year old American living overseas with the Navy. I had my thyroid removed in May (3 1/2 months ago) due to several thyroid nodules. There is no Endocrinologist here, and the doctor I do see is not knowledgeabale! My TSH levels since surgery have been .34, .37, .45.Does this make me hyper or hypo? My doctor has me on .125mg daily of synthroid. My symptoms are not getting better, in fact, I am sleepy, sweaty and crabby! My skin is broken out, my periods are all over the calendar, and I just can't loose weight! She has suggested I see a SHRINK!!! I asked if she would switch my to ARMOUR and she again suggested I see the SHRINK!!! Help, am I crazy? With the military health system, she is my only option! Any good books that I could give her to get her educated on my illness? Any thoughts on where my TSH should be, and how should I get it there? Thanks for taking the time to respond!
Let me add my heartfelt thanks to you and your family for keeping our country safe and giving so much for our freedom. I really believe most Americans feel the same way. I am sort of in the same position as you. My Endocrinologist has taken a medical leave and there is no replacement yet. This is a crucial time for me because I'm post-TT and post-ablation and just starting on medication given to me by a doctor at the hospital who administered the RAI-131. Did you have the RAI? I'm pretty sure, it is only if you are diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Anyway, I'm just beginning with Levothyroxine, which is a generic of Synthroid. I have heard many great things about Armour, but then some people do better on Synthroid. It is all trial and error. Good luck and God bless.
OH, PS: The way I found out that I had a thyroid problem was thru a magazine article. I am celiac...gluten intollerant, and was having sudden health issues!
The magazine nailed my symptoms on the head!
Thank goodness for the media!
Renee
The magazine nailed my symptoms on the head!
Thank goodness for the media!
Renee
As I sit here with my ham and bacon sandwich...just kidding, but I am not a vegitarian!
I really am glad to get to hear and talk to other people who are on the same boat as I am!
My doc never mentioned taking calcium spps. I was scared that I was having symptoms os MS, and when I told my friend, she asked what supps I was on...???? NONE! She, not my doc, said I should be on Vit D and Calcium! I have been so for a week and the leg spasms and pains are GONE!!!
Anyone got any ideas for my loss of memory?
Anyone got any ideas for me trying to get prego?
Thanks again!
Renee
I really am glad to get to hear and talk to other people who are on the same boat as I am!
My doc never mentioned taking calcium spps. I was scared that I was having symptoms os MS, and when I told my friend, she asked what supps I was on...???? NONE! She, not my doc, said I should be on Vit D and Calcium! I have been so for a week and the leg spasms and pains are GONE!!!
Anyone got any ideas for my loss of memory?
Anyone got any ideas for me trying to get prego?
Thanks again!
Renee
hi,
the simply put, the frees show how your body is responding to the medicine.
I wouldn't worry about "piggy" hormones unless you are a vegetarian. Armour or synthroid really has to be a personal preference. Synthroid caused to many complications for me.
If you do decide to go to armour, I would advice you to titrate up. It will give your body a chance to adjust to the T3 and also to split your dose in to at least 2.
My endo recommended a shrink for me, after being in the room only 15 minutes. I say that is just their scapegoat when they don't know what to do. I have heard that some people do get some good thyroid help from a shrink.
As for your question " are you crazy" , when I first started having problems, I told my GP I felt like I was going crazy. She said if you were really having mental problems you would not be able to recognize it as that so that is a good indicator you are not. I LOVE THAT GP! she doesn't know much about thyroid, but at least she listens.
DO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF!!!
the simply put, the frees show how your body is responding to the medicine.
I wouldn't worry about "piggy" hormones unless you are a vegetarian. Armour or synthroid really has to be a personal preference. Synthroid caused to many complications for me.
If you do decide to go to armour, I would advice you to titrate up. It will give your body a chance to adjust to the T3 and also to split your dose in to at least 2.
My endo recommended a shrink for me, after being in the room only 15 minutes. I say that is just their scapegoat when they don't know what to do. I have heard that some people do get some good thyroid help from a shrink.
As for your question " are you crazy" , when I first started having problems, I told my GP I felt like I was going crazy. She said if you were really having mental problems you would not be able to recognize it as that so that is a good indicator you are not. I LOVE THAT GP! she doesn't know much about thyroid, but at least she listens.
DO NOT DOUBT YOURSELF!!!
Hi there. I am exmilitary myself.I am also army brat and now I am retired AF wife
I ahve have foaund the best way to deal with the miliary is doctors is to learn all I can about my issues and then press and press till I get what I need from I have been on Tricare prime since my hubby retired
Sad as it is we almost have to diagnose ourselves and then tell the doctor what treatments we need.We have to be our own besst advocates even with civilan docs.
I even take printouts from the net and I make lists to take with me so I can address all the issues I have hav being bi polar and thryoidless.
As far as armour or synthroid it is totally up to you I take the generic levothyroxine as synthroid pushes me into manic. I will not try the armour because little desscated piggy hormones can cause the cancer I had to come back and the thought of piggy hormones just grosses me out.( but that is just me )
the levo works just great for me but me and my doc had to keep tweaking the dosage till we got the right one where I feel the best at.
good luck and stay in touch .let us know how it ges for you with your doc.
Lvoe Venora
I ahve have foaund the best way to deal with the miliary is doctors is to learn all I can about my issues and then press and press till I get what I need from I have been on Tricare prime since my hubby retired
Sad as it is we almost have to diagnose ourselves and then tell the doctor what treatments we need.We have to be our own besst advocates even with civilan docs.
I even take printouts from the net and I make lists to take with me so I can address all the issues I have hav being bi polar and thryoidless.
As far as armour or synthroid it is totally up to you I take the generic levothyroxine as synthroid pushes me into manic. I will not try the armour because little desscated piggy hormones can cause the cancer I had to come back and the thought of piggy hormones just grosses me out.( but that is just me )
the levo works just great for me but me and my doc had to keep tweaking the dosage till we got the right one where I feel the best at.
good luck and stay in touch .let us know how it ges for you with your doc.
Lvoe Venora
So, what are the "Frees"? I can ask for that Monday when I see the SHRINK! I know 2 women here...one has also had the thyroidectomy, the other had hers oblighted. (spelling?) One is a synthroid and one is an Armour. They are both happy, but have to be their own advocate and doctor.
I spoke with the SHRINK for a few minutes yesterday and he says he is knowledgeable on the thyroid, and if I would like to discuss switching to Armour, he is willing to listen!
I just wish I could have 1 hour with an english speaking doctor who is an endocrynologist! Just to pick his brain and learn all I can on my new life!
I found out I had tumors and had the surgery in a 3 week period!
Thanks for the response!
By the way, I am the wife of a Naval Officer, he just returned last week from 8 months in Afghanistan. When I hear people like you thanking us and him for the sacrifices, it brings total joy to the situation!
Thanks,
Renee
I spoke with the SHRINK for a few minutes yesterday and he says he is knowledgeable on the thyroid, and if I would like to discuss switching to Armour, he is willing to listen!
I just wish I could have 1 hour with an english speaking doctor who is an endocrynologist! Just to pick his brain and learn all I can on my new life!
I found out I had tumors and had the surgery in a 3 week period!
Thanks for the response!
By the way, I am the wife of a Naval Officer, he just returned last week from 8 months in Afghanistan. When I hear people like you thanking us and him for the sacrifices, it brings total joy to the situation!
Thanks,
Renee
First thank you for serving your country. I am grateful for you. And a thank you to your family as well.
Can you get your whole thyroid panel? That really needs to be taken into consideration. The Frees are more valuable is assessing for the patient with already diagnosed disease.
Also your symptoms sound more hypo than hyper.
May be you can tell your dr you are having an allergic reaction to the synthroid and need to get on the armour...Creativity at work here....I mean you do have a rash, so it could be... ;-)
Can you get your whole thyroid panel? That really needs to be taken into consideration. The Frees are more valuable is assessing for the patient with already diagnosed disease.
Also your symptoms sound more hypo than hyper.
May be you can tell your dr you are having an allergic reaction to the synthroid and need to get on the armour...Creativity at work here....I mean you do have a rash, so it could be... ;-)
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