Overactive/underactive thyroid

[beacongirl]

I am hoping someone else has had a similar experience.  Try to make it brief.  Had Graves disease thirteen years ago - radioactive iodine (big mistake) taking synthroid every since.  Never have been able to control my weight, terrible energy level, bloating, depressing, etc.   Dr. played with dose but basically said "within normal"  We know that is a joke because the normal level is  soooo broad by HMOs just n ot willing to play with dose or test for T3 and Reverse T3.  Finally paying for outside specialist who tested everything - Reverse T3 was out of wack and T4 extremely low - almost off chart.  Decided to start cytomel and stop synthroid to get it in control.  Initially doing well then 3-4 weeks in extreme hyper thyroid symptons.  We cut dose as low as possible to 2.5 mcg time release.  Now symptons of low thyroid, freezing hands and feet, extreme fluid retention, and horrible joint aches.  Dr. now wants to stop cytomel and start armour thyroid but I'm really worried.  Feeling so lousy and (teacher) have to go back to school in two weeks.  What has been your experiences with armour or should I just go back on synthroid.  At least I was functional with no joint pain?  Anybody offer anything?


This discussion is related to synthroid for normal T3 and T4? but elevated tsh.