THYROID

[Denny70]

I am a 70-year-old male. I have always, since youth, seemed to be mentally and physically sluggish 24 hours a day and because of my wife’s dependably, concern, care, and hard work, I was able to make it this far in life. Am retired, and about 50 lbs overweight?
My basal underarm temp is usually around 95.7 to 96.5 upon awaking in the morning. I first read Dr. Barnes book about 30 years ago and started taking desiccated thyroid. I have at times been up to 2 1/2 grains a day. When I first get on desiccated thyroid I always get a nice lift in mood and energy (especially mental energy) and my basal temp. will raise a little; maybe up to 97, but it will only last for a week or two and back to my old physical and mental sluggishness and low grade depression and my temp. will always drop back to the high 95's to low 96's. I have been on and off desiccated thyroid many, many times thru the years.
Since grade school I never seemed to have much energy and I always fall asleep after lunch in school or anytime I had to sit still for a class or in church. I did poorly in school and my attention span was next to nothing. I have never slept well and I have sleep apnea. I use a CPAP unsuccessfully. I seem to have daytime sleepiness.
I procrastinate always, every since I can remember.
I have always felt that all of my life’s problems are somehow tied to my thyroid.
I have been to many doctors thru the years about my low energy and low temps. I have never received any real help.
I'm at my wits end---can somebody help me.

Thanx-so-much for your time

Denny   02/19/08

[AR-10]

Maybe I am reading the initial post wrong, but I get the impression this gentleman has been self medicating for years.

I don't see any mention of doctor or dosages, other than he has seen doctors about his low body temperatures.

That is why I suggested he go to a doctor and have a full thyroid panel run. He doesn't mention anything about levels rising and falling, only starting and stopping his medication.

[Karly122]

Hi. When I first started out on Synthroid, the same thing would happen to me. Started feeling better, noticing improvements for about a week, then going back to the same tired me. My endocrinologist explained this as my body "eating up" the missing thyroid hormone quickly (as though trying to replenish itself), then the medicine would just start stabilizing.  One way to explain this is when you are really hungry. You start gobbling your food like there's no tomorrow, then when the hunger starts to subside a bit, you start eating more slowly (more normally).  This might explain the "jolts" you have had with your medicine. For me, it always meant I needed an increase.  Are you working with a doctor who is open minded about what they call "fine tuning" thyroid medication? With this, you need to be careful. Go SLOWLY,  with small increases.  I also agree with ifupleze's answer. I have read that if you are having poor improvement with thyroid medications, your adrenal glands may be the culprit. I would definately ask your doctor to check this out for you. I would have the adrenals checked first before doing anything with your doses.  One thing I have learned through the years is, not all doctors know everything about the thyroid.  This disease is not simple. Self educate yourself. Good luck to you.
-Karly

[ifupleze]

Have you had your adrenals checked?  Could be adrenal fatigue which has the same symptoms as low thyroid.

[AR-10]

Have you asked a doctor to run a thyroid panel?
TSH, Free T3, Free T4 would be the tests to ask for.