how soon to increase nature throid?

[vino14]

Hi to all, I've been reading for the past two weeks and I have increased my knowledge about  hypothyroidism(??)  I've  had some of the symptoms for 15 years , others have crept in  and more severely in the last 6 years. I can post a more detailed story later. Short story , I went to see a functional doctor  and based on the chart symptoms and more detailed questions, put me on Armour right away, small dose... ( 15mg up to 3 a day)  I had labs done  and checked for other things. He also told me to take Logul's Iodine 5% etc.  So here goes the story, he told me to start with one pill a day for two days, then up to 2 a day for a week and 3 a day after that if needed.  I had issues with no appetite, some nausea, many trips to the bathroom. After reading here, I've done the sublingual switch, and it solved the listed issues. I was having really bad headaches as a lot of people are describing, having improvements in the meantime.  When I increased to two pills a day, I got  a little cranky in the morning and went in tired full mode, body weakness, skull crushing pain; no palpitations or others.  After three days I started splitting the dose and it was better , but still headache and not much improvement, like the doses were not in sync with each other. When i got the iodine involved, it made things worse... I did stop the Armour and the doctor prescribed Nature Throid to use in the same manner. I did stop the iodine (which I'm really deficient in blood and hair test) . Is the schedule he said correct or should I stay on a dose longer? Today was my first day on it , I didn't have any of the previous issues with nausea, appetite, bath trips. So, I don't have to take it sublingually. I had the buzzed like, head pressure  from 9 to about 2 (take it at 7) I felt really good before 9, then got tired from 11, had lunch and felt a little better . From 2 pm to about 7pm felt great. After that, got more tired,  now I'm here for some guidance. The doctor gave a back up for Synthroid, he said to try each one for 2 weeks and see which one works better. I'm really low on T4, almost no reserve at all. I need to know to proceed correctly, so I give it a fair chance to work, before i use the Synthroid.  Any input will be much appreciated, Thanks.

[vino14]

I found one  4 year old test for TSH, which he did see, before he ordered my labs. Maybe that's why was not included.

TSH 3rd gen. 1.13   0.30-4.5 uIU/ml

[vino14]

Today I felt really good almost no side effects, I did increase to 2 a day and  felt really good. Based on how I felt today I should take the second dose around 10am. ( I took at 12,  felt the gap a little)  When I look back at my progress with Armour, because I was taking it sublingually I was having a normal morning then about 1hr later the surge would come in so fast, therefore the headache and tiredness etc. My conclusion is, that I was getting hyper  while all the symptoms were hypo.  While the headaches were getting less intense, when I was splitting the dose even every 2 hrs.,  that explains why I was not making progress when I was increasing my dose. I did take the iodine in the morning around the same time, that was in the last half of my trial, later I figured it made things worse.  I do follow the protocol for food and supplements .  Yesterday I took 1/2 drop of iodine and was fine.  Today I took a drop  while I was preparing diner... didn't get the headache but really cranky. After I had my food, all was ok.  I'll stick with a drop for a while after a meal.
I didn't take the Armour that day when I had blood work done. I started the day after that. I noticed that the pill for NT is much bigger than Armour is , (16.25 vs. 15mg)  for the difference in weight. Now I understand what people meant, what they said, that NT is not as strong as Armour.  I'm happy to see improvement without side effects.  If one increases  the dose based on symptoms, why the labs need to be done everytime?  It makes sense to have them done ,when you  are stable for a while, to see where you feel best at.  Thanks, I hope this info will come in handy for someone someday. I only found one thread that was  describing close to my symptoms, but she was having issues after 2 years on Armour. In her case was adrenal issues.

[dgmootry]

I tell you this site saved my life. You are very lucky to have a doctor that listens to you and works with you. As far as the iodine, maybe look into foods high in iodine an go that route, or just take it slow taking the supplement. When you took your iodine before did you take it with your thyroid med? if so that is your problem, when taking thyroid med always take it by itself space it 4 hrs from when you take the thyroid med. Also take meds 1 hr from food, so it can absorb properly. Did you take your meds before you got tested? Sounds like your feeling better, that's good.  

[vino14]

Hi, my levels for iron is really good,
118(50-170 ug/dl)
B12 is 1719 (213-816 pg/ml) said not to worry that is this high
no TSH test, didn't noticed before the appointment
Free T3    3.6 (1.71-3.71 pg/ml)
Total T3  100 (58-159 ng/dl)
Total T4  5.5 (4.87-11.72 ug/dl)
my d3 is at 54, he said he wants it to be at 70 to 100
My main concern for the visit was hormonal imbalance, soon to be 40. I've been feeling like a zombie on drugs for most part of last 2 years. Since 33 everything started to go  downhill .  While experimenting with the Armour and NT, I find that 70% of my symptoms are improving, some faster than others. I wasn't even gonna mention thyroid to him.  I am paying for all of it out of pocket,  maybe that's why he didn't order the Free T4? Because of the  hormonal creams I'll start using, he said to go back in 3 months. To call and  let him know what thyroid is working for me,  so he can order a more permanent script, and of course if I run into trouble to call anytime. I'll ask about that when I go, and about testing all of them again. I find myself extremely lucky  to have found him . He is really good at what he does, he looked at the whole body health, not just what I thought was my problem. Also had an adrenal test but forgot to ask about it. I call myself these days: no brain. Do you have any ideas on how to incorporate iodine without messing things with the medication? I'm not allergic to iodine, but he stated that I need that increased. Thanks for all the help. I don't have any support from family, I'm happy to have come accross this site! So much information.

[dgmootry]

one more thing, when you get your labs done, make sure you don't take your NT otherwise you'll get a very high T3 what I do is I'll try and get my labs done real early and I'll wait till afterwards to take my morning med. deb

[dgmootry]

Hey, that's good the NT sounds like it will work for you, I know it does for me. Oh as far as tests go, make sure they do a Free T3 and FreeT4 and TSH and also Ferritan and B12 and Vit D these vitamin are usually very low in those with Hypo thyroid. well when you get your tests back make sure to post them with there reference ranges from the test sheet. Deb

[vino14]

Thanks for you reply. When I tried the Armour, I did split the doses but I couldn't find the balance with 2 a day, it got even harder when it was time for 3. Today was my second day on one a day for Nature Throid, much better; almost no buzzed head feeling at all. I feel much better on it,  then the Armour by far. It appears so far, that the Armour was releasing the T3 too fast for me, as in the NT it has a more stable release. At this rate I should be able to increase soon. I will post my labs soon. From what I remember I don't think he tested the TSH and maybe not the FreeT's. Thanks.

[dgmootry]

Hey, I was on Armour  I was started out at 30mg a day, I divided up morning and afternoon, it took 4-6 weeks to get into my system and I felt good at first, but then I could tell I needed more so she uped me 15mg more and then I felt good, and then felt not good she uped my meds another 15mg but each time she checked my Free T3 FreeT4 and TSH this was done every 4-6 weeks, I am now at 105mg which I divide still.  My t4 is rock bottom which I have heard on Armour or nature throid it is hard to get the t4 to raise. So I might need to supplement t4 med like levoxyl. I am now on Nature throid mainly because it has less ingredients.  If you had any tests done, post them with there reference ranges and those on this board can give you some good insight as to whats going on. Always make sure your tests consist of Free T3 FreeT4 and TSH . You'll start feeling better once you get the right amount of Armour or Nature Throid in your system, but it takes time you don't want to go to fast. Good Health deb