born with half my thyroid

Hi!
I found out about 8 years ago through a ultrasound of my thyroid, that i only have one half of it and was most likely born that way. I was just curious if anyone else had discovered this about themselves and what they did and if they had any symptoms of hypothyroidism? I have been on levoxyl for about 5 years, and I still have many of my symptoms. Recently I've been going to a different all natural medicine chiropractor and also a "wellness MD" and I think they are going to be a good help, but I've been spiralling down since May and am desperately looking for any answers!
Thanks everyone!

[quintessence89]

do you happen to be overweight because of your hypothyroidism? My brother has it and he's had it all his life. he's been on all kinds of medications and i was just curious.

[tiredpoet]

I have a relative born without a thyroid who is extremely hypo.  When she is really, really good about taking her medication (synthroid, been on it all her life) she still has hypo symptoms.  When she gets sloppy about taking her meds she gets really bad, especially with lots of weight gain and depression.

[TamraW]

Victoria, please post your levels: TSH, FT3, FT4.

Many endos treat only TSH, ignoring the important free levels. Sometimes, the FT3 levels are low and Levo (synthetic T4 drug) alone will not help it. Adding Cytomel (synthetic T3 drug) to the mix makes all the difference. Sometimes, the FT4 levels are still low, but doctors are afraid to push TSH beyond their 'magic' number.

From my experiences thus far, chiros actually know a lot about thyroid. Many prescribe thyroid meds, but I'm pretty sure most chiros prefer the natural dessicated meds (made from pig thyroid). Medication like Nature Thyroid have FT4, FT3, plus I believe it also has FT1 and 2.

If you've had no adverse effects of Levo, other than the fact that you're still hypo, which probably has more to do with the prescription strength, then be warned that occasionally people who switch to the natural stuff have reactions. Sometimes, people who take the natural stuff have reactions to synthetics.

The point is that we are all different, but that DOES NOT mean we should suffer with hypo symptoms. There is a medication and dosage that is right for you. You just need a reliable doctor who will get you feeling better.

:) Tamra

[TamraW]

Please read my post to Victoria about the various drug options. When we are hypo, our bodies store fat. If he is following a good diet and exercise routine, and he is still overweight, then his medication probably needs to be adjusted.

Maybe his endo is only treating TSH. Many endos make this mistake. This list has state-by-state recommended thyroid specialists:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

This is where I found my new endo. My last endo only wanted to treat my TSH, even though I was clearly still hypo.

:) Tamra

[Victoria10]

Hey Tamra!
Thank you for replying.
These results were from May 2009:
TSH = 0.566
FT4 = 1.42

These results were from July 2009:
FT3 = 3.5 pg/mL
Reverse T3 = 37 which was High according to the given range
Vitamin D = 63.6 ng/mL

I got more tests ran today but will not get those levels back until later this week or early next week.

I also had a saliva cortisol test and a yeast stool culture test and should learn of my results this week I hope. If my doctor will call me....I wish I had a direct line sometimes to just ask and get an immediate response. I hate going thru nurses and secretaries!

I have an appt with my chiropractor and wellness MD next Thurs (10/22/09) so I hope that they will consider me for Cortef if my cortisol levels determine it and also maybe some Cytomel. I have previously tried Armour - 1/4 grain- for about two weeks and had a racing heart beat and sweatiness. I even split the 1/4 grain to even smaller pieces and it still had that affect so maybe the synthetic drug Cytomel will work for me better.

Have you heard of the Dr. Broda Barnes temperature test? I am reading a book about him now. My chiropractor and wellness MD want me to track my temperature according to his temperature guidelines. It says if you have a basal temp(resting temp,first in the morning, 10 min under the arm with a mercury thermometer) of 97.8 or below then it is very likely you have hypothyroidism.

This was an extremely long post but I really am trying to get better and I'd love to network with others and let us all help each other out! Thanks!! Hope to hear from you soon!

[Victoria10]

Hey quintessence89:

When I first was diagnosed with hypothyroidism I had gained about 20lbs and only after about 2 yrs on levoxyl 75 mcg did I lose the weight. I was up to 140 and am now 118lbs. I definitely believe hypothyroidism has a lot to do with weight gain bc I felt like everything I ate went straight to my gut and legs and I exercised mroe than I ever had in my life trying to get it to go away with no success.
Unfortunately, I still have all my other hypo symptoms. I wish your brother the best with his struggles. Thanks for contacting me...

Victoria

[TamraW]

Yeah, I've heard of the temp test. My temp is usually around 97.5. I don't know your reference ranges for your FT3, so I can't comment on that. I can tell that FT4 is in the mid-range, and some of us feel better with it pushed higher.

Those labs were in May and a lot can change between now and then. I suggest another set of labs and maybe a second opinion. Look at doctors on that list I sent you and see if you can find one who can help you.

Take care...
:) Tamra

[Victoria10]

Hey Tamra and anyone else who may be interested. I went to my doctors today and these are the changes in medications and tests that were run. Just thought it may be inetersting or helpful for others. I am praying these new meds will bring about a dramatic change in improving the way I feel!! Feel free to comment!


Dr. McMinn

*Dr. McMinn prescribed me a compounded T3 and Cortef, Ambien CR, and the pill for the heavy metals take home test.
*I also got 12 vials of blood drawn to do a WIDE ARRAY of tests: Spectracell, MBV, Lyme disease, and various liver labs.
*Spectracell is a test that measures levels of selected vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other essential micronutrients within your white blood cells. This test will give the doctor and patient a more precise measure of which specific vitamins and minerals etc that need to be supplemented.
*I've also received take home tests to test the strength of my immune system and a urine test to detect heavy metals. Presence of heavy metals can really fatigue you apparently.
*I am also going to begin taking Transfer Factor Plasmyc for the next 6 months to rid myself of the EBV (epstein bar virus a.k.a. “mono-virus”) that I have.
*Due to a high reverse T3 test, I am going to discontinue taking levoxyl and begin taking my compounded T3 (7.5 mcg- two pills- twice per day-12 hrs apart). I will monitor my temperatures and the way I feel and check in with my doctor every week so we can decide how much we need to titrate up.
*I will also begin taking Cortef twice a day- 10mg in the morning and 5 mg at noon. I am taking the Cortef to increase my cortisol levels. My saliva test results were:

6:00 to 8:00 a.m. 6 Depressed 13-24 nM
11:00 to Noon 10 Normal                   5-10nM
4:00 to 5:00 p.m. 3 Normal                   3-8 nM
10:00 to Midnight 7 Elevated                   1-4 nM
DHEA                1 Depressed 3-10 ng/ml


*Due to my liver tenderness and an elevated bilirubin level, I am going to get a liver ultrasound.
*I am also getting a thyroid ultrasound because of nodules that were discovered on my left lobe when I was 16, and also because my last scan showed I had no right lobe. I’ll have these scans done Monday,October 26, 2009.

Dr. Murphree

*I am going to continue taking Adrenal Cortex, CFS/Fibro Pack.
*I am going to increase my Probiotics/Acidophilus to 3 per day because I have 6 strains of moderate to abundant bacterial infections in my stomach: Staphylococcus spp.(moderate), Staphylococcus aureus(moderate), Enterococcus species (abundant), Alpha Hemolytic Streptococcus(abundant), Gamma Hemolytic Streptococcus(abundant), and Cornybacterium species(moderate).
*I am also going to take DHEA (25 mg) bc my levels were low (1 when the range was 3-10ng/ml) and it is   supposed to be the most potent anti viral there is.
*I am also going to take Digestive Enzymes to make sure I am taking in all the nutrients and vitamins I   need to and to improve digestion.

[magpieannie]

My daughter is nine and born without a thyroid gland. You don't happen to live in the Dallas/ Ft. Worth, Tx. area? I would love to find a doctor for her that would test all of that!

[Victoria10]

No I live in Alabama. TamraW might be able to help you. She is from Texas. Also try this website:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/
It gives you a list - state by state- of good doctors in your state.
Hope this helps!