Thyroid info/treatment

[faith63]

Advise anyone, I have Hashimot'o's. Does anyone know how to tell if hyper labs[the free's and tsh] and hyper symptoms ,are a die off of cells from an attack or was I over medicated? I went hyper while at 105 mgs Armour. Dr. made me way cut back to 45 mgs. I went totally hypo. again. Finally back up to 90mgs. Some improvements, but I think I want to go up again, based on symptoms. But ,doc say's my labs are perfect! He said he treated "people not Labs" He's afraid that i'll "go toxic again". My current symptoms are cholesterol over 400, headaches, hair loss, I have to spend 13 hours in bed or I'm sick. Blurred vision,bleeding receding gums,distention and slow digestion,constipation ,body pain and 25lbs. of odd,lumpy swelling that came on in a few months in 2010! many more symptoms and this is an improvement! My latest labs from December are TSH 1.60,[ range up to 5.5,] free T3 3.2 [range 2.1-4.4,] freeT4 0.6 [range 0.6-2.7.]  I believe they are low. How can I get proper afford able treatment in Cincinnati area? T
Thank you, Emily

[faith63]

Nice to here from you again.   Yes ,it says on an empty stomach ,which may really be a problem!   I never feel that "crash" or even energized upon taking my meds.  Probably because they are still too low? Should I try multi again even if I notice no difference? What would you do?  Boy I really wish I didn't have to wait so long for labs and to see the doc.It will put me about 10 weeks n current dosage.  So glad you found a good doc!  Wish I could make $200 an hour.     Thanks

[goolarra]

I think if you research Armour, you'll find that you don't have to take it on an empty stomach.

Splitting the dose is very individual.  As a start, I'd try splitting it 50/50...50% first thing in the morning, and 50% sometime early in the afternoon.  Most people avoid taking meds with T3 in them after about 3 pm (on a "normal" sleep schedule), but you can experiment and see what works best for you.  Some people take 2/3 in the morning and 1/3 later in the day.  The idea is to avoid the "crash" that can happen when the T3 component deserts you.

I'm doing labs in a couple of weeks, too, with doctor's visit early in March...love my endo, just wish he didn't charge me $200+ to talk to him for 15 minutes!

[faith63]

Hi G
I just take the 90mg on empty stomach when I wake up. I find it difficult to split my dose because my stomach takes so long to empty, yesterday I threw up 5 hours after I ate and it was just sitting there.  How would you suggest I split the dose? Oh boy, really out of hormones in 3 hours?  No wonder I feel bad.  I can't get labs done for 2 more weeks and doc visit in early March!  OMG! They don't do labs anywhere else either. Will look up Valsalva now, maybe have it tomorrow with dinner.  Thanks!

[goolarra]

Well, you know you're not TOO bad off when your sense of humor is still intact!  Valsalva in your salad, huh?  LOL

There are a couple of rules of thumb on meds.  FT4 target is midrange.  FT3 often has to be upper half to upper third of range before symptoms are relieved.  When on a combo T3/T4 med, like Armour, FT3 often runs a bit lower and FT3 higher.  You'll know where it's right FOR YOU when you feel well.  It's often worth taking it slow, though.  If some of your symptoms are relieved or partially relieved, it can be worthwhile to take a break from meds changes and see just how everything settles out.  After being hypo for a while, your body has to have time to heal.

It is a process, and the more you try to rush it, the slower it sometimes gets...three little steps forward is better than one huge step forward and two little steps back.

Have I asked you if you split your dose?  Your FT4 is so low at the moment that there's virtually nothing available for conversion.  Once the T3 in your meds wears off, your body's flat out of hormones.

[faith63]

That is so interesting!   Valsalva?  I think I had some of  that in my salad last week!  It would be great if I could get off the beta blockers!  { he refilled them}  I'll look it up.  Thanks.  I'm concerned that the doc will lower my meds if he thinks the level is too high again, without improvements in symptoms, if so this may never end.  How do I know when my meds are right?   How long can it take once meds are right to see significant changes?  I see some improvements but haven't been able to eat much for 3 days due to distention.  So distressed that I still can't lose a single pound , have increased exercise too. There is no way to eat any less. So heavy and uncomfortable, concerned about another spring and summer where I can't hide under clothes. My skin is so taught that you can't pinch it!  Again, you give me hope because you feel better, it's a very slow process isn't it. Thank you so much!

[goolarra]

It would be nice to have an ultrasound and know where your thyroid's at.  

Have you ever tried the Valsalva maneuver?  You can google it for a description.  My cardio recommended it to me.  It slows down your HR.  It works great for me.  "...f I can burp or throw up, my heart slows down too!"  That's what made me think of it because when you make yourself burp, you're in effect doing the Valsalva.

Really, all your symptoms could be hypo symptoms.  

Yes, I have heard that it's almost impossible to regulate thyroid hormones until adrenals are in line.  Just my interpretation, you understand...but I'm thinking adrenals will come into line once thyroid hormones are regulated, but it's not pleasant that way.  When adrenals are out of line, people seem to be very, very sensitive to meds changes, for example, they're hypo on one dose and hyper if raised to the next.  Once thyroid hormones are right, it just takes everything else a while to fall back into line around the new levels.

I think maintaining a consistent dose is a huge help in that.  

Yes, I do have Hashi's.  I've had tachycardia all my life, so my first year on meds was a nightmare.  It got better once I balanced the thyroid meds and the BBs.  

Hope you're having a good day...