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Frustrated and Confused
So I went to see an endocrinologist today who basically took a look at my labs and said I should not be on any kind of thyroid medication. I told him about the new standards for underactive diagnosis and I was definitely symptomatic but he didn't agree. Said a TSH of 3.6 which is when I was initially diagnosed fell within normal parameters. He said my feelings of wellness were probably a placebo effect but I know I didn't imagine the swelling in my ankles going down or my nails improving or energy increasing.
Anyway, he is resting my T3 and said that if its too high and I'm overmedicated, I could be doing more damage - and that I should stop my Armour.
I know that there is real resistance in the medical community but he was so Anti Armour and so anti everything - that now I don't know where I stand. i ahve to say I haven't felt terrifically well on the newer dosage of Armour. My TSH 1.09
T3 Uptake - 27.3
Free T4 - 0.98.
I continue to have edema in my ankles and face and am finding it difficult to lose weight.
Any thoughts? Thank you.
Anyway, he is resting my T3 and said that if its too high and I'm overmedicated, I could be doing more damage - and that I should stop my Armour.
I know that there is real resistance in the medical community but he was so Anti Armour and so anti everything - that now I don't know where I stand. i ahve to say I haven't felt terrifically well on the newer dosage of Armour. My TSH 1.09
T3 Uptake - 27.3
Free T4 - 0.98.
I continue to have edema in my ankles and face and am finding it difficult to lose weight.
Any thoughts? Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A TSH of 3.6 does not require treatment -- the choice must be individualized to the clinical scenario -- ie, presence of symptoms, goiter and thyroid antibody status. With a TSH of 1.09, there is little chance that the medication is hurting you -- but the question remains --- is it helping you feel better?
I would not expect much weight loss w/ thyroid meds (unless there is inappropriate over-medication, ie TSH <0.3) given a starting TSH of 3.6. Weight loss still boils down to diet/exercise, etc.
I would not expect much weight loss w/ thyroid meds (unless there is inappropriate over-medication, ie TSH <0.3) given a starting TSH of 3.6. Weight loss still boils down to diet/exercise, etc.
I am 47 and 7 years ago had my thyroid removed due to Papallary cancer of the thyroid. Recently I have been very lathargic and my hair is dry and have heart palpatations, at times it feels as if I'm having a heart attack, I get winded even in the shower I have no sex drive and wake up tired. I had my TSH levels checked and they were 4.92, I have high blood pressure and was put on 20MG of Propranolol. I have cronic constipation and in order to have a movement I have to take something. I see on this forum that people are taking Armour what is that? I take 112 MG of Levoxill. I have to wait another three weeks before my doctor is avaliable to have my thyroid medication raised or lowered. And could you explain to me why my levels are high but I feel so low!
Hi! Yes I would just wait till you see the other endo, sometimes swelling is a side effect of some other meds, but since you're not on any.. Maybe you don't even need 50mgs of Synthroid.You'll have to post what your labs are without meds for 6 weeks.Good luck with new endo!
No, taking nothing else besides thyroid. when I took the synthroid initially my ankles and stomach subsided a lot but gradually the water retention returned. I don't know anymore!
I cut back from 90-60mgs Armour but have not cut it out. I do believe I was hypothyroid and do need treatment. I am waiting to see one more endo and after that I will make a further decision on meds and maybe go back to Syntrhoid. I've never been comfortable taking groudn pig glands anyway being a vegetarian and a factory farm campaigner!
I cut back from 90-60mgs Armour but have not cut it out. I do believe I was hypothyroid and do need treatment. I am waiting to see one more endo and after that I will make a further decision on meds and maybe go back to Syntrhoid. I've never been comfortable taking groudn pig glands anyway being a vegetarian and a factory farm campaigner!
No, taking nothing else besides thyroid. when I took the synthroid initially my ankles and stomach subsided a lot but gradually the water retention returned. I don't know anymore!
I cut back from 90-60mgs Armour but have not cut it out. I do believe I was hypothyroid and do need treatment. I am waiting to see one more endo and after that I will make a further decision on meds and maybe go back to Syntrhoid. I've never been comfortable taking groudn pig glands anyway being a vegetarian and a factory farm campaigner!
I cut back from 90-60mgs Armour but have not cut it out. I do believe I was hypothyroid and do need treatment. I am waiting to see one more endo and after that I will make a further decision on meds and maybe go back to Syntrhoid. I've never been comfortable taking groudn pig glands anyway being a vegetarian and a factory farm campaigner!
Do you take any heart meds? Sometimes these can cause swelling or you need a diuretic type blood pressure pill, just a thought...your labs are too high/low the other way if anything, not hypo.
I switched to Armour because I was having constipation very badly on 50mgs of Synthroid. And my doctor is an advocate of the natural thyroid.
I don't have any side effects on the extra dose of Armour apart from an initial headache the first week which has disappeared. No jitteriness or nervousness or difficulty sleeping so I thought I was doing okay but my ankles are very badly swollen!
I don't have any side effects on the extra dose of Armour apart from an initial headache the first week which has disappeared. No jitteriness or nervousness or difficulty sleeping so I thought I was doing okay but my ankles are very badly swollen!
Hi! It seems the Armour is making your free t-3 too high, according to my lab ranges. That makes your tsh go down, it's kind of low. The free t-4 is in normal range though. I would stop it also, too high a free t-3 can cause heart issues, I think. You said you were on Synthroid, why the switch to Armour?
I just got further results from my endo who tested me yesterday morning about 21/2 hours after my Armour dose
Free T3 =4.8
TSH=0.05
Free T4= 1.2
He recommends I stop treatment entirely and check back in 6 weeks. I'm still confused. I don't know if its helping me feel better!! I do feel like I'm not as tired and nodding off in the afternoon but whether its the meds or a placebo effect as he stated, I don't know. I know when I started the Synthroid initially I felt a big difference in my bloated stomach, swollen ankles and eventually my nails stopped breaking. I'm also consulting another endo in a months time who was recommended so I'll see.
Free T3 =4.8
TSH=0.05
Free T4= 1.2
He recommends I stop treatment entirely and check back in 6 weeks. I'm still confused. I don't know if its helping me feel better!! I do feel like I'm not as tired and nodding off in the afternoon but whether its the meds or a placebo effect as he stated, I don't know. I know when I started the Synthroid initially I felt a big difference in my bloated stomach, swollen ankles and eventually my nails stopped breaking. I'm also consulting another endo in a months time who was recommended so I'll see.
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