I am looking for suggestions with regard to "lifestyle changes" (diet, etc.) for people with hypoactive thyroid. For several years I have had a practice of walking an average of two to three miles per day; sometimes more. I eat very little salt and eat more fish and chicken than red meat.
PMD recently prescribed Armour Thyroid 60 mg. in the AM due to TSH of 4.88. Selected lab results are below.
I read here on the "Armour Health Page" the suggestion that the medication be taken sublingually rather than swallowed. Neither my MD nor my pharmacist mentioned this. I take other meds in the morning (Lisinopril, Wellbutrin, Ritalin, baby aspirin (also inhale Advair and Nasonex); and in the PM, Sanctura, Colace, Xanax PRN, and Ambien PRN) all of which I swallow with obvious the exception of the sprays.
QUESTION: Is it important to dissolve the Armour Thyroid under my tongue rather than swallowing?
QUESTION: I read on the same page that it's good to divide the dose at least 2x per day, to spread the effect. Again, is this an important point? It's not the way my prescription was written. If it's important, I'll discuss it with my MD. Thyroid issue is new to me.
QUESTION: Are any of the OTHER meds listed above known to cause thyroid issues or interactions with Armour Thyroid, including possibly impairing systemic absorption?
QUESTION: Would grapefruit juice potentiate (increase) or block the effect of Armour Thyroid? Avoid it?
RECENT LAB RESULTS:
TSH 4.88 uIU/mL (Range = 0.450 - 4.500) - High
Thyroxine (T4) 7.9 ug/dL (Range = 4.5 - 12.0)
Triiodothyronine (T3) 135 ng/dL (Range = 85 - 205)
Sex Horm Binding Glob, Serum 24 nmol/L (Range = 13-71)
Free Testosterone (Direct) 9.0 pg/mL (Range = 7.2 - 24.0)
Estradiol 28 pg/mL (Range = 0 -53 / Adult Male 39) - Low
LDL 115 mg/dL (Range = 0-99) - High
LDL/HDL Radio 3.0 (Range = 0-3.6)
Calcium (Serum) 9.2 mmol/L | 9.3 on 1/2/2009 | (Range = 8.5-10.6)
Sodium (Serum) 139 mmol/L on 2/1/2009 | 103 on 1/2/2009 | Range = 135-145)
Glucose (Serum) 71, fasting (Range = 65 - 99) fasting / 114 on 1/2/2009, not fasting
White Blood Count 9.8 on 2/1/2009 | 12.0 on 1/2/2009 - High | (Range = 4.5-11)
Red Blood Count 4.74 on 2/1/2009 | 5.08 on 1/2/2009 | (Range = 4.7-6)
Hemoglobin 14.3 on 2/1/2009 | 14.9 on 1/2/2009 | (Range = 13.5-17.5)
Platelets "Unable to perform adequate platelet count due to platelet clumps" on 2/1/2009 | "Clumped" on 1/2/2009 | (Range = 150-400)
"Hematology comments: Differential verified. Slight anisocytosis [red blood cells of unequal size] and poikilocytosis [presence in the blood of poikilocytes]. Few large platelets were observed... Unable to perform accurate platelet count due to platelet clumps. Platelets appear adequate on slide."
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I had prostate cancer; RRP in 11/2006. PSA 0 since; Depression since 2003; ADHD first dx 1982; and Hypertension since 2008.
My next scheduled MD appointment is next Monday, with a hematologist/oncologist, to assess the platelet clumping, as well as some unexplained bruising, followed by my PMD the following Monday. I was assessed for this once before, in 2005, with negative findings. Clumping at that point in time was attributed to an anticoagulant agent in the test tubes, rather than any medical condition in me.
Recent symptoms: In recent months I have gained about 10 lbs., despite daily walking and moderate diet. I have felt run down and unfocused, despite meds; anxiety, insomnia. Lipid profile (HDL and LDL) has been healthy from 2004 up to the most recent. LDL is now elevated, and HDL low.
It's unclear to me whether the platelet clumping and bruising could be related to high TSH, or if it is entirely unrelated. This issue seemed to concern my PMD more than the elevated TSH. Could they be related?
Childhood health history positive for mumps, chicken pox, and unconfirmed rheumatic fever.
Family history is positive for hyperthyroid (mother); leukemia (paternal grandmother); and heart disease (father and paternal grandfather); and diabetes (paternal grandmother, sister).
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NOT TESTED RECENTLY, BUT PLAN TO DISCUSS WITH MD:
Thyroid Antibodies (TPO and TgAb) -
Ferritin –
B12 -
DHEA –
Cortisol –
VitD –
Phosphorus –
FSH -
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Any suggestions or advice would be most welcome, with thanks.