Amour and Synthroid

[SandyW1207]

Hi:  I just went to a new md after my previous told me "sorry can't help you".  I am on Armour and had a Free T3 of 2.7 and free T4 of .82.  My TSH was 0.3.  At first my md said the low T3 and T4 were probabaly the problem and then about faced and said they are not that low; however, I am tired all of the time, lethargic, have weight gain even though I am not one bit hungry.  I was increased by my primary care from 90 mg to 120 mg until I got to my new md.  My new results show Free T3 at 3.1 (2.0-4.4), Free T4 at 1.01 (.82 -1.77) and TSH at .03.  My new md feels that the T4 needs to be increased and added a small does of Synthroid .25mcg to my meds.  She said she would probably have to lower the Armour but wants to see how I respond.  Has anyone heard of this?  I really liked her.  She spoke to me about treating symptoms and that the TSH was really irrelevant, etc.

[gimel]

Sorry, I forget that new members may not recognize what PM meant.  It is for a Private Message.  Med Help does not like to have doctor's names used on the main Forum, so we usually use a PM to communicate such info.

To send to me, just click on my nickname and you will see on there a box that says ---Send Message.  Click on that and then post whatever you want.

Thanks.

[SandyW1207]

Thanks for your input.  I hope this works.  I just started Tuesday but I am so inpatient.  This has been goin on for 5 months.  My weight gain is increasing by the week and I am exhausted all the time.  Gimel-I don't know what a PM is --let me know.

[gimel]

Your doctor shouldn't have to lower your Armour unless your FT3 gets higher and you start to feel hyper symptoms.  A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting FT3 and FT4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  You can read about clinical treatment in this link to a letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he is consulting with from a distance.  The letter is sent to the PCP of the patient to help guide treatment.  

http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf

Your doctor really seems to understand how to best treat a hypo patient.  Congratulations on finding her.  I would really like to add her to the list of good thyroid doctors recommended by members.  If you don't mind sharing the name, please send me a PM.  Thanks.  

[Josiecatgrl]

I think it's fairly common to add Synthroid to Armour. T3 seems to lower T4. I take both Synthroid and Cytomel. Before I started the Cytomel my T4 levels were at the top of the range. Now it's around mid-level. If you are having symptoms I don't think you necessarily need to lower your Armour dosage before adding Synthroid. Your doc is correct in mostly ignoring TSH at this point. T3 will drive TSH into the ground. Best to go by symptoms & frees. A couple of months ago my doc upped both my Synthroid and Cytomel dosage, even though my TSH was only 0.03. My frees were lowish and I was having symptoms. Felt better pretty quickly. Lost a few lbs and my hair is thickening and growing back in.