How to tell is this is correct armour dose.

[Alittleblues]

I'm new here, so here's a little history: I'm 48 years old. I was hypo years ago, but decided to go off Synthroid. Without treatment, I had no symptoms for ten years, and a 'normal' TSH (4.5.) which we tested every six months. However, a year ago I felt withdrawn and mildly hypo, so we tested TSH: 4.98. We did not do an antibody or T3 test.

I've been taking Synthroid ever since, but in the past 5 months, I've became very symptomatic. TSH was 46. We doubled Synthroid (100mcg) for two months, and now TSH is 2.5, but I feel exhausted, withdrawn, depressed, scattered, dull, voice is gravelly, strong cravings for carbs/sweets and hot/spicy, gained 20 lbs, fingers and face are puffy. I don't recall if I have any short term memory. :-) And now my hair is thinning.

So it's Hashimotos. My TPO antibodies are 6771.

Because Synthroid is clearly not relieving the symptoms, my Dr is supporting me to try Armour, but he knows little about it. Because my antibodies are so high I decided to start on one grain. I felt more energy after I took it, but not noticeably better, so after a week I decided to up to 1 and a 1/2 grains. No shakes or other issues and I'm sleeping better, so I think it's helping. After another week, I went up to 2 grains, which I split between 3 doses. I plan to stay on 2 grains for two or three weeks. My morning temp was averaging 97.3, but now hitting 97.8 almost every day.

How --or when-- can I tell if this is the correct dose? How will I know if it's too much or too little?
I would really appreciate advice.

[goolarra]

Already have!

[Alittleblues]

I posted a new question called "Rt3 rears its ugly head! Please advise!" I think that's what I called it anyway. It has all my new labs listed. From the title you can see there is an RT3 problem. I do not feel hyper in any way, shape or form. I don't feel great either, but improving. Rt3 is daunting to me.  

So you aren't feeling the drop in FT3? That's good! Hopefully the small increase will get it back up there before it takes any toll on your energy levels.

re: lab results: My Dr's office staff know I call for the results and they always give them to me over the phone, time permitting, until I can pick up the paper copy. I'm always matter-of-fact when I go to a new Dr so we just start out with that expectation, that I will get the labs and research them before my next visit. I catch things my Dr misses sometimes.

Well, if you get a chance to read my other post, please let me know what you think.

[goolarra]

Well, suppressed TSH definitely has no ill effects.  I know several people who have had undetectable TSH for years.  Even high FT3 has no ill effects, IF you are not hyper.  It's being hyper that's the problem.

My FT3 had tanked last time I had labs...I'm talking below range.  The amazing part of that was that it totally blindsided me because I felt fine, so much so that I was sure the lab had made an error and had the test repeated.  No error, but no symptoms, either.  Anyway, I increased just slightly mostly to assuage my endo's conscience.  So, I'm curious to see what FT3 is doing now.

Unfortunately, getting my labs out of the doctor's office is enough to raise anyone's BP.  HE'S great about it, but the ladies in the office guard those results like junyyard dogs!  Grrrrrr.....  Got to start bothering them again this morning when the office opens.

[Alittleblues]

I took 3 and a 1/2 grains yesterday and will try it for a few weeks. But today my basal temp was 97.5 where it had been 97.6 for three days before.

I was just getting up to 98.2 a week or so ago before my period. If my temp doesn't go up to around 98.2 for the second half of this cycle, then I will probably increase again. I'm in another thyroid group and several of the mods have had suppressed TSH for years now with no other problems.
But for me the Ft3 over range is a reason for reducing. I'm happy to get my Ft4 in mid range.

My next appt with my new doc is in Nov.

Hope all is well with your labs. Are you hoping for a certain result?

[goolarra]

I am feeling happy and healthy, thanks.  However, we seem to be going from spring right back into winter on alternating weeks.  The warmth and the light definitely help the psyche.  

I just had blood drawn this morning, so I will know tomorrow if my labs have caught up to my lack of symptoms or not.

Give it a try.  You can always increase again if you have to.

[Alittleblues]

Thanks so much! I was on 3 and 1/2 grains for four weeks without much improvement so I raised 1/4 grain. Now I am starting to see some improvement and if it's from 3 and 1/2 catching up, then I'm happy to drop a 1/2 grain.

I think I will try it and see if I continue to improve. I think I was hypo for years but didn't feel obvious symptoms. The inability to lose weight no matter how active I was, plus memory problems that never improved probably were pointing to hypo. But my TSH was "normal" at 4.5 so I didn't treat.

My employees are shocked lately that I've been remembering things in detail! That's a great sign. I have had memory issues for at least fifteen years. I thought it was permanent damage from being hypo years ago.

How are you doing? Are you feeling healthy and happy this Spring?