Anyone else feel very sick most of the time???

[laura1967]

Is it just me or do a lot of you feel downright sick most of the time. I live in a constant fog, tremors here and there, almost always fatigue, vision seems to be off, thyroid soreness, and the mood swings (those are fun!)
I just can't seem to feel normal anymore, maybe for a day or two and then I am down again. Sometimes I lay there wondering if I am dying....it is an aweful feeling. I am going to a new doc on 6/9, hoping she can fix me and my thyroid. Definately going to try Armour and get away from this Synthroid. It has been a downward spiral since I have been on it, along with the nodules that come and go.
Is anyone floating in my aweful boat??

[laura1967]

Hi Dave,  I have read somewhat on reverse T3. Reverse T3 is called a trace hormone such as the T1's and T2's , that our thyroid makes. Very rarely do you hear of a doc checking the reverse T3 level, as it can be rare if this level is off. I read of one lady that wasn't getting well and her doc finally tested her reverse T3 and found the problem from there. I don't know if it was excess or not enough. Did your doc run this test on you? I will let you know if I read anything further. Sorry I don't know more at this time.
Laura

[Dave0272]

Do you or any one posting on this thread know anything about "reverse T3" ?

I was told by a MD that in some people. T4 converts in to both useable T3 and reverse T3 which bind to the nomal T3 making it unavailable for bodily functions.

Please comment on this.

Dave

[laura1967]

When doctors stop allowing the pharmaceutical companies to educate them and they start educating themselves, then eyes will be opened! I agree with you completely to the problem with conversion. The thing that cracks me up is all these docs that say no to Armour because of unreliability....what a crock!  Forest Pharmaceuticals that produces Armour is under the same FDA scrutiny and laws that the Synthroid makers are. What a joke huh? But docs are being told otherwise by "the Synthroid makers".  Synthroid has had more manufacturing problems than Armour.  We as patients definately need to be our own advocates with our doctors. If we have a bad one we need to find another. I wasted 2 1/2 yrs with a bad endo....shame on me!

[inquisator]

Wow, the more I listen to others, the more I am becoming convinced that maybe there is a serious problem that doctors aren't considering.  I think that there is something preventing us from converting the T4 into the T3 that the body uses.  when I asked that before, I was told that this condition is very rare.  If it is so rare, why is it that so many people being treated with T4 (i.e. Synthroid) are not getting any relief in their symptoms and many are in fact getting worse?  My theory is that the body is not effectively converting the T4 into T3.  Then after a while the body slows its production of T4, since it is ineffective anyway.  Finally the labs indicate that the body is not producing enough T4 and one is diagnosed with a thyroid disorder.  The medical profession seems convinced that if there is not enough T4, the body produces more TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) to start producing more T4, and then all is well. If not, give synthetic T4 and the body will use it effectively. But if the body is unable to convert the T4, then giving T4 is not going to correct the problem. There has to be a break in the process somewhere (TSH-T4-T3) for so many people to have symptoms when the TSH and T4 are "normal".  And the symptoms are so similar!  How much longer can doctors dismiss these symptoms?  Hopefully, not much longer!!

[laura1967]

Hi Liz......I read a great book which I have recommended to many thyroid patients. "What you doctor may not tell you about hypothyroidism" it is written by an endo who specializes in using Armour and some synthetics. He has proven his 98%, 2% ratio, with T3 as the lower ratio. He usually uses Armour and a small amount of Synthroid to offset the balance so people don't have all the palp issues. You may want to research this and find a doc willing to read and listen. Apparently your body does need some T3 as well, it is just a matter of finding the right ratio. Ask the doc to try this with you, get the book and show him if you have to. The endo that wrote this book use to be a synthroid only doc too and was stubborn until he started researching and trying. Now he is sold on having an open mind. Also believes in treating symptoms not test results! He has even treated people long distance because there are so many stubborn docs out there.

[Liz1900]

Hi,

    Don't feel alone - I have felt miserable since I have been on Synthroid mid-March.  Had my dose increased 3 times and still feel bad.  So many symptoms.  My blood results just taken are within normal range - but I don't feel well at all.  I have an appointment tomorrow - and praying the doctor will treat my symptoms and not the lab work.  I don't know what to do either.

   I was on Armour for 40 years without problems - in Dec 2007 I started having heart palpitations and they finally took me off Armour.  But lots of people love it - I wish I could take it again - as at least I functioned some - but those heart palpitations were bad too.

Hope the doctor can help you,
Liz

Keep me posted.

[laura1967]

I forgot to mention the aweful joint pain....I sound like a pathetic whiner!! lol