TSH question

[drick008]

I tried posting in the doctor's forum but it's hard to time it , so maybe someone here can explain something to me.

My background:
May 25, 2007 had MRI with IODINE for abdominal problem. Also started medication for High Blood Pressure.
May 29, 2007 had blood test and found TSH at 6.22. Doctor prescribed 25 mcg Levothyroxine.  I felt sick for six weeks and lost 10 lbs without exercising and slight change in diet. (Sounds like I'm Hyper) TSH did go down to 1.2
August 2007 I started Armour 30 mg and felt better. My B12, Ferritin, Cortisol, DHEA are all in great range.
I found out later that when TSH is <10.0 and without antibodies present, blood retest is done in 4-6 weeks later and no medication is recommended. So, I stop Armour and did not felt any change for one week and I had a blood test:
TSH 2.043 (0.35 - 5.50)
Free T3 3.2 (2.3 - 4.3)
Free T4 1.24 (0.61 - 1.76)
I wonder if my doctor was too fast in deciding that I'm hypo in the first place? The last time I've seen her, she prescribed a depresion medication. I did not take it after I talked to my family and friends, they don't see me as a depressed person. I do feel dizzy at times but, my friends in the medical field (Nurses) believes my High Blood medications doses were too high. When I lowered the doses, the dizziness went away.
My questions:
1) How long does Armour medication stay in my blood before I could check for Thyroid function again?
2) Did the Iodine from doing the MRI afected my TSH in four days?

[pjgovitz]

Hi,
It is possible to regain normal thyroid funnction, my mom was on synthroid for for 18 years,  she moved and lost insurance for a time, then found a new dr after several months ,she had been off thyroid meds for months at that point, and tested normal, and now nearly 30 years later she's still testing normal.  Afterward though she gained alot of weight and has many muscle/joint problems and fatigue. I haven't had normal function for years. Even my uptakes change, once too high, too low, and normal so I think our thyroids fluctuate. I had to have RAI to stop mine from changing and dumping too much hormone. Maybe you had a thyroiditis that has healed. I'm not sure on getting the Armour out of your system, but I believe it is a full six weeks for synthroid, but if you call your pharmacist he can tell you. Hope yours turned normal on you , without antibodies present it's a good possibility you had a form of thyroiditis.

[GravesLady]

MRI afected my TSH -  contrast material used for MRI does not contain iodine.

Armour medication stay in my blood before - remember the accumulation domino factor.  T-3 is short lived, about 3/4 hour and T4 6 1/2 DAYS (plus accumulation).  So this is a tough one to answer.