Aa
hypo to hyper??!! - help!!
Diagnosed last August as hypo, last tsh test 0.05, doc. thinks I am now in hyper range, says to reduce dose.
Trouble is, I am not happy on thyroxine and wanted to switch to Armour - so what do I do now??
Please advise, end of tether in sight!
Trouble is, I am not happy on thyroxine and wanted to switch to Armour - so what do I do now??
Please advise, end of tether in sight!
That's not a good idea putting your situation in the hands of the internet. I'm sorry it is so difficult getting a T3 panel - but it IS necessary to get it before you choose Armour therapy. If you storm on it - it could be life threatening. Tell your doctor you will pay out of pocket for the T3 test and push hard. If he/she won't budge -- get a new doctor with some sense!! You are the patient/customer - you are paying HIS bills. A little "push" sometimes goes a long way.
Unlike AR - I do not know the UK policies and treatments - I know as a person you are entitled to the best treatment you can get though. I can't totally imagine NO ONE in the UK tests T3.
The UK offers a similiar brand name to Armour called Thyrolar. You may get somewhere with that. It also has the T's built in as does Armour and also is natural - If i remember right - it basically is the same med as Armour only different name.
I think you are jumping and want to feel better as we all do - but I played the "taking care of myself" deal for a while prior to my Armour and almost died!! --- no joke.... I am telling you the real deal.
You have options -- and you only have one life.
Unlike AR - I do not know the UK policies and treatments - I know as a person you are entitled to the best treatment you can get though. I can't totally imagine NO ONE in the UK tests T3.
The UK offers a similiar brand name to Armour called Thyrolar. You may get somewhere with that. It also has the T's built in as does Armour and also is natural - If i remember right - it basically is the same med as Armour only different name.
I think you are jumping and want to feel better as we all do - but I played the "taking care of myself" deal for a while prior to my Armour and almost died!! --- no joke.... I am telling you the real deal.
You have options -- and you only have one life.
Thanks for replies! VERY difficult to get T3 test done, my doc. says it's irrelevant unless the T4 indicates that it's necessary.
Awaiting results Monday, will reduce to 75 mcg thyroxine for a while to stabilize, then hopefully switch to Armour sometime.
Not available here so would have to do it all online which means I would be on my own as far as my doc. is concerned, but I can't just put up with Thyroxine for the rest of my days without trying something else!
Awaiting results Monday, will reduce to 75 mcg thyroxine for a while to stabilize, then hopefully switch to Armour sometime.
Not available here so would have to do it all online which means I would be on my own as far as my doc. is concerned, but I can't just put up with Thyroxine for the rest of my days without trying something else!
Thanks AR - I looked back on the post I did see she states 0.05 (not .5 like I thought)
Are you sure you are at the 0.05 on your TSH? If you are then you ARE hyper as he states. If also, that is the case, I most definately would not consider an Armour change right now. I think the symptoms you have - also lean to the hyper side.
No I was on Synthroid for 4 years. I NEVER had any results come back normal and always fell very hypo. My body could not get the conversion process figured out and the synthetic did not work for me. It is tough here in the states to find Armour therapy - I thankfully did and yes, in my situation - I do feel much better. I try not to sway an individual on med changes. It is not as easy as one thinks. Your body really gets confused for a long while when that is done and it takes a while to balance out. In fact I still haven't mastered the magic number ( I should find out Monday) I feel close - but anything is possible with blood tests.
Are you sure you are at the 0.05 on your TSH? If you are then you ARE hyper as he states. If also, that is the case, I most definately would not consider an Armour change right now. I think the symptoms you have - also lean to the hyper side.
No I was on Synthroid for 4 years. I NEVER had any results come back normal and always fell very hypo. My body could not get the conversion process figured out and the synthetic did not work for me. It is tough here in the states to find Armour therapy - I thankfully did and yes, in my situation - I do feel much better. I try not to sway an individual on med changes. It is not as easy as one thinks. Your body really gets confused for a long while when that is done and it takes a while to balance out. In fact I still haven't mastered the magic number ( I should find out Monday) I feel close - but anything is possible with blood tests.
Stella is right.
You need your T3 level tested before considering Armour. If you need T3 supplement over and above the Thyroxine, then switching to Armour would help. If your T3 level is similar to your T4 level, then Armour may make you sick.
You need to be tested more frequently as well, but I understand medical care in the UK works a little differently than here. Still, had you been tested more frequently, you would not be Hyper right now.
You should find out what the lab test ranges are and post them for your TSH and T4. They use different lab ranges in the UK than they do here, I think. A TSH of 0.05 here is Hyper, with no question. The ranges there may be similar to what they are here, but I forget.
You need your T3 level tested before considering Armour. If you need T3 supplement over and above the Thyroxine, then switching to Armour would help. If your T3 level is similar to your T4 level, then Armour may make you sick.
You need to be tested more frequently as well, but I understand medical care in the UK works a little differently than here. Still, had you been tested more frequently, you would not be Hyper right now.
You should find out what the lab test ranges are and post them for your TSH and T4. They use different lab ranges in the UK than they do here, I think. A TSH of 0.05 here is Hyper, with no question. The ranges there may be similar to what they are here, but I forget.
Hi thanks so much for reply!
I am in the UK, and my doc. is pro-throxine, unable to prescribe Armour, will not test for T3, only T4 and tsh!
Last T4 was around 25 , new results due Monday.
I just feel that, since starting thyroxine, feel only marginally better, hair disappearing, weight hard to shift, hence my urge to try something else!
Did you start out on Armour? Do you feel 'back to normal' ? That's what I am hoping for.
I am waiting for my new results, and to decrease thyroxine, but then I want to switch, just to see if I will feel better.
I am in the UK, and my doc. is pro-throxine, unable to prescribe Armour, will not test for T3, only T4 and tsh!
Last T4 was around 25 , new results due Monday.
I just feel that, since starting thyroxine, feel only marginally better, hair disappearing, weight hard to shift, hence my urge to try something else!
Did you start out on Armour? Do you feel 'back to normal' ? That's what I am hoping for.
I am waiting for my new results, and to decrease thyroxine, but then I want to switch, just to see if I will feel better.
Well you are on the low end of normal ranges not totally hyper. I think your doc may be shooting for 1.0-1.5 normal range and that's why he/she want a dosage change. Your meds are definately working for you if you were hypo and now at this TSH. Why the change? I am on Armour - but there should be clinical reasons to change - not just because. Why do you want that? and you need to post T3 and T4 along with TSH to help me out reading why the change COULD be needed.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
