Update on bloodwork and symptoms..

[Extreme2001]

Well I met with my new doctor on Oct. 26th and it seemed to go very well. He's a holistic/alternative doctor and he listened and talked about the issues I've been dealing with. That being said he ran new blood work and the results were not good:

TSH - 6.880 High ( Range: 0.178 - 4.530)
Free T4 - 1.23  ( Ref. Range: 0.80 - 1.73)
Free T3 - 2.4 ( Ref. Range: 2.0 - 4.7 )
Anti - TPO Ab - 234 High
Vit. B12 - 382 ( Range - 211-911 ) Lo
Vitamin D - 26.5 Lo ( Range - 32.0 - 100.0 )
Ferritin - 67  ( Range- 22-322)
Folic Acid - 14.25 Ok, Normal >5.38, Borderline deficient 3.38-5.38, Deficient - 0.35-3.37, Excessive: >24.00

That being said he only prescribes Armour Thyroid and started me on 120mg tabs or 2GR, once a day. Have been taking it for almost two weeks. I feel like ****. The symptoms I'm experiencing are worst now since starting on the Armour. Excessive body aches and nerve pain, excessive headaches, neck & shoulder pain, loss of appetite, lost 5 pounds, no energy at all, insomnia. Seems like body inflammation has gotten worst. Taking Advil and Tramadol for headaches and pain. My question is are these symptoms from my underactive thyroid are they from the medicine. Not suppose to follow up with doctor for another 6 weeks to run blood work and adjust medicine if need be. Any feed back would be highly appreciated.

[Extreme2001]

I know he put me on Armour due to me not converting enough T4 to T3. So you're suggesting that I might be taking to much hormone replacement and also need to split the dose. I believe he started me on the 120mg of Armour due to me taking the 125mcg of tirosint. I've noticed these pills would be hard to cut to split the dose being they want to break and crumble.

[Red_Star]

Those are some of my symptoms of too much thyroid hormone.

[gimel]

From your test results the diagnosis would be Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.  With Hashi's the autoimmune system erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as foreign to the body and produces antibodies to attack and eventually destroy the gland.  As this proceeds the output of natural thyroid hormone is diminished and has to be replaced with thyroid med.  

Looking at your other results, your Free T4 was not too bad.  Recommended level is middle of the range, at minimum.  Your Free T3 was way too low in the range.  It needs to be in the upper part of the range, as needed to relieve hypo symptoms.  Your Vitamin d was much lower than optimal of about 55-60.  Your B12 was way too low.  Should be in the upper end of the range.  Ferritin is adequate.  

I am surprised that the doctor started you on 2 grains of Armour Thyroid.  I would have expected that you start on 1 grain for 4-5 weeks and then increase by maybe 1/2 grain, and then go back for new tests after 4 weeks or so.  Also, Armour contains both T4 and T3.  Since T3 acts so quickly, it is best to split the dose and take half in the morning and the other half in the early afternoon, in order to even out the effect.   So I expect that some of those symptoms are just due to starting on 2 grains of Armour and taking it in only one dose.  You need to talk with your doctor and explain what is happening and ask to start with a lower dose and split the dose and then increase in 4-5 weeks and then go back for new tests in another 4-5 weeks.