stuggling, frustated and need guidance

[T25togo]

Hi,

I was dx with hypothyroidism almost 2 years ago and began Synthroid- it was adjusted many times because I was still fatigued and had low levels of depression. I was also feeling "zapping" sensations in my legs. My endo PA switched me to Armour and I felt better- it took away low levels of depression however I still had some fatigue. I kept getting sick (bronchitis) and eventually was dx with GERD after a barium swallow. Since I have been on GERD meds I have not gotten sick. As far as how I felt otherwise, I got to the point where I just accepted that this was the way I was going to feel and at least I no longer had to nap during the day.  However now for about 3 weeks, I have progressively gotten worse- have the depression back, constipation, trouble with memory and concentration and the worst symptom is EXTREME exhaustion- debilitating to where I can't function. I feel sedated.. Got a second opinion from a female endo and w/o looking at my blood results stated that I need a psychiatrist and anti-depressents. My endo PA ended up agreeing with her and wants to put me on Lexapro. I am so frustrated and don't know what to do- how can the medical community just give up on me like that and make these assumption? I have a known condition that can cause these symptoms!  My labs while on Armour show low TSH 0.2 (when I felt OK it was 0.069) and a high free T3 (when I felt OK it was in the high normal range). The endo PA said these new levels are fine because I had taken my meds before my bloodwork.  He has never told me to wait 24 hrs to get bloodwork and has never had me split my dose.  All other bloodwork has been normal (negative HIV, normal CBC, normal potassium, normal B12, normal blood cortisol etc). I have never had typical hyper symptoms.  

Timeline:
June 2007 dx with hypothyroidism and Alopecia Areata (had a half dollar sized bald spot on my head). Had gained 25lbs from 2006-2007. Started Synthroid (went up to 88mcg and down to 62.5mcg by Feb 2008).
April 2008 60mg Armour
June/July 2008 to present 90mg Armour
Oct 2008 dx with GERD
Oct 2008 MVA with severe whiplash- still going to PT/massage tx
End of March 2009- to present debilitating fatigue

I just wonder what I should do- Am I hyper? Am I hypo? despite the labs... Could I have something wrong with my adrenals/cortisol? hormone prob- estrogen/progesterone? or are they right and I should treat the symptom of depression (not the source) and I should suck it up and take anti-depressents? Where do I turn to when I am being blown off? Should I be taking certain vit and supplements?

Currently:
-Sedating Exhaustion all day- debilitating- feel a little better at night- biggest issue!
-Constipation
-Vision- dry eye?
-Depressed- feel hopeless
-trouble with memory- feeling less intelligent
-no appetite yet want to snack
-extremely heavy feeling/tenderness in breasts like I need to breastfeed (haven't breastfed in 7 years!) 10days prior to period. Cycle 25days (before hypo was 31-34 days) but still lasts 8days :(
-heavy periods

thanks for any advice esp if you have been here!

[T25togo]

Hi
I don't know why I am hypo... I was dx 2 years ago and was never given a reason but I went through the most stressful and intense year of my life while I was pregnant (2001-2002) and after that I was always exhausted but I assumed it was due to being a new and now single mom, being a little older now and working FT.  I have never been told that I have hashi's- my antibodies were tested 2 years ago and they were normal but they have never been tested again.  My father has been taking Synthroid for hypo for about 5 years yet has never had symptoms- they did it based on his bloodwork- I did not know this until I was dx.

Most recent lab work- however I was never told not to take my meds prior to the test and I had taken them about 4 hrs prior and am now wondering if it falsely influenced my labs...

TSH 0.209 (0.45-4.5)
free T3: 4.8 (2.3-4.2)
T3: 250 (85-205)
free T4: 1.11 (0.61-1.76)

My endo PA just doesn't think the numbers equate or make sense to the severity of my symptoms. He believe this extreme sedating exhaustion that I now suddenly have must be due to "depression" because nothing else makes sense to him- although this is a 5 min assumption.  I think something has caused this sedating exhaustion and of course I sound depressed and feel a little depressed (who wouldn't be if you were sedated and couldn't do anything?) but if we fix the source of the exhaustion I will be fine. Nothing is happening in my life right now that would make me anywhere near as miserable as my life in 2001-2002.  I just don't want to take antidepressents if I don't truly need them.  Even when I was first dx I had subclinical hypothyroidism TSH 9.6 but was really exhausted- I think my body is just sensitive- I hardly take narcotics (whenever they are prescribed- like after my c-section I didn't take any) due to the strong reaction I get...

After everything I have read I have been wondering if I need more Armour despite the labs or if my adrenals need supporting... maybe I have read too much and are looking into too much...
Thanks!

[gimel]

When on Armour it is not unusual, nor necessarily bad, for the TSH to be suppressed below the so-called "normal" range in order to alleviate symptoms.  What was your free T3, and any other thyroid test result and reference ranges?  Also, you mentioned hypothyroidism, but did not give any info as to cause.  Have you been tested for thyroid antibodies?

[mtkst13]

have you gone to your ob/gyn?  maybe they could recommend something.  if your periods are that close together and that long, you should get checked.  have you had estrogen/testosterone/etc checked?

[josydloma]

MY only thought is that Armor is not closely regulated dose to dose. Many doctors prefer it but when I was on it I felt good some months and bad some months. You will get a more consistant dose on a synthetic replacement. And find an endocrinologist willing to work with you. I have changed my doses every two months for two years. It is a little frustrating but my doctor admits it is a trial and error method to finding what works best for everyone. She admitted it would be very difficult to get things right and stated she wished I had diabetes because it would be easier to treat. Great news, huh? Keep working in it.

[FTB4]

I had an MD try to put me on Anti depressants also, they just meke my depression worse, (I went to another doctor) I would get another Endo who is experienced with Thyroid, you can ask the assistant if they treat Thyroid often prior to making an appointment. Depression and Anxiety are definate symptoms of Thyroid.  
Good Luck FTB4