Armour Affects/Shortness of breath/Still Hypo

[mishami]

Hello,

I've been dealing with hypothryoidism due to hashimotos for many years. I was diagnosed seven years ago-finally and started out on a levoxyl & cytomel combination. After this did not work I found a doctor who switched me to Armour which I love, it works so well for me. I still haven't found my optimal dose and trying to get there and would love some advice on what is happening. When I take 2 -2.5 grains I am still very hypo. Everytime I try to get to 3 grains I start experiencing hyper symptoms around  4 weeks of trying to increase especially shortness of breath. If 2-2.5 grains is enough why do I still feel so hypo? My main symptoms are brain fog & tiredness, I feel like life is going to just pass me by, by the time I have enough energy to live it! Does anyone know why I'm still so tired on less than 3 grains? I have been told I am anemic, but I didn't realize there were so many types. I've been told to take an iron supplement and I take Slow FE an iron supplement. Can this affect the T3 in armour and make me feel short of breath? Should I go see a hematologist? Once I  get shortness of breath, should I just stop the mediciation for a few days and restart? If so, how many days 3 or 4 or 7? Any help would be very much appreciated!

Thank you

[mishami]

I will have to get a copy of my latest labs. My overall TSH has always been low and now maybe around .5. I will need to get a copy. I take 1 grain in the morning, 1 grain around 1 or 2 and then a prenatal vitamin and an iron supplement at night before I sleep along with magnesium citrate. I have seen if I stop my thyroid meds for a few days and restart the shortness of breath subsides quite a bit. I have always been a little short of breath I think because of the anemia, but when I try to increase my thryoid medicine it gets exacerbated. I'm just trying to figure out why I'm still so tired if 2 grains is enough for my body? Thank you for your responses!

[laura1967]

I also forgot to ask if you are splitting your dosage into two times per day? Take half in the am and the other half about 5 hrs later.

[karenros]

i would also make sure that you are not taking your thyroid medication and the iron pills at the same time... they say to give atleast 3 - 4 hrs gap in between them.. idealy i would take my thyroid medication in the morning and any other pills like calcium, iron supplements either at night or in the late afternoon

[laura1967]

What were your most recent labs with ranges? We need to look at the Free T3 and Free T4 individually.....you may need more of one or the other. (You would add T3 or T4)
Low thyroid, low iron and low B12 can all cause breathing problems.
I would Not suggest stopping your thyroid meds.