finally will be switching to natural thyroid replacement meds

[julius_caesar]

I have spent the past couple of years going through hell. Initially diagnosed Graves hyper, had TTR, and started on replacement T4(levoxl). Started at 125, made it up to 200 and still felt crappy. Eventially added some T3(cytomel)  5mcg three times a day and lowered T4 down to 137. Noticed a decent improvement with the T3 and can physically notice when it is starting to taper off. Having spent what time I could between work, family, and suffering I am going to try switching to dessicated thyroid. My only reservations are that my adrenals are tired from having to carry me along while I have been on inadequate treaments. Has anyone else made this change and how did it work out. Any recommendations for this.
P.S. I am using Stop The Thyroid Madness as a reference, with my family doctor to make this switch as my FORMER endocrinologist will only look at numbers and not symptoms.


This discussion is related to venous congestion and lightheadedness.

[stella5349]

Actually I have a saliva test I need to take. It's all paid for and ready to do. Just haven't found the right time to do it - It requires doing things for 24 hrs.

I am following alot of your things you mention. Vit B - and C with sea salt. Do to the time I was left hypothyroid - my doc is concentrating now on the adrenals and liver at this time to repair them

[julius_caesar]

In addition to the HC I am following the basics. I am even more vigilant to eat a good variety of fruits and vegetables( with the fruit you do have to watch how much you eat at one time or the overload of sugar can be stressful on the adrenals), watching the glutens and very little processed foods. I am taking "c" and "b" vitamins, along with selenium. I am slowly integrating moderate exercise back into my routine also ( swimming and walking ). For the longest time I would get really wiped out for a day or two after any strenuous exercise or if I pushed myself too hard.
I had tried Ashwaganda last year but found it was too strong and I didn't tolerate it at all. I veered away from licorice root because I actually have hypertension with my hypothyroidism and weak adrenals and licorice root can exacerbate this. I am also trying to get plenty of rest but this tends to be the toughest as my old hyperthyroid habits are hard to break.
I can't really tell how I'm doing with the Armour yet since my second day on it I was lucky enough to catch a stomach bug thats been going around where I live.
Have you done the testing for your adrenals? What kind of regimen have you been using to support or repair your adrenal issue?

[stella5349]

I am glad to see you had testing on the adrenals - many just assume this is a problem and do an aray of things to see if they feel better without knowing for sure that the adrenals are weak.

So many things go hand in hand inside our bodies. Is HC the only thing you are doing?

Overall I feel back to normal on my treatment with Armour. I really had a tough time prior to switching over and my body was extremely out of balance before I switched. The switch was tough for a few months b/c of the direct T3 - but I feel well adjusted now. I still have minor issues with my adrenals. I have been on a regime of repair for quite a while now and feel things are getting better there too.

[julius_caesar]

I actually have had 3 saliva tests done for adrenal levels with full hormone panel. 1 in May 2008, 1 in December 2008, and 1 in January 2009. All three confirm low cortisol levels with low dhea and an estrogen dominance. In addition to STTM I am also referencing Mary Shoman's web site and books, and books by Jeffries and Barnes. I highly recommend these for reading.
I am working with my GP who is wonderful. He is very willing to try different avenues and is truly concerned that I feel better as opposed to having good looking Thyroid labs.
As far as my improvement by adding Cytomel with my Levoxyl. I said I noticed an improvement, I didn't say I was feeling good. There are far more bad days than good days with the T4/T3 synthetics and they are very inconsistant. I also feel that Natural dessicated with the full complement of Thyroid hormones is better for your body. After all your body wouldn't produce T1,T2, and Calcitonin if it didn't have a use for them.
Started hydrocortisone treatment last month. Tapered up from 2.5mg to 20mgs daily. Definitely noticed an improvement. Feel more even with less anxiety. Started Armour this week at 1/2 grain BID. Too soon to tell how the transition will go. I am hoping that having been on Cytomel that my body will not have too much trouble getting used to the T3 in Armour. I do expect some tough days or weeks, every med change or dosage change in the past has been like walking a gauntlet. I do think it is worth the effort because the damage hypothyriodism does to your body is far too significant and I would prefer to live my life rather than to survive it.
How are you doing on Armour, any big ups or downs?
How do you feel overall?
Thank you for taking the time to write.

[stella5349]

I caution you a bit on the STTM website - It can be informative to give you some information on what's going on - but you really need the tests from your doctor to really know.

Now I moved over from Synthroid to Armour back a year ago. I was never given the option to try Cytomel so I can not tell you anything on that.

I had RAI for Graves and I also was not doing well on Synthroid alone. I did see an improvement when I started Armour too - but I will tell you there is a period of time that must go by for your body to adjust to the T3 in Armour. It can put you a little jittery at the beginning so expect some of those things too.

May I ask - If you did so well with both Cytomel and Synthroid - why are you going to Armour?

How do you know your adrenals are weak? Have there been tests?  I can give you some ideas to help get your adrenals in check - but also keep in mind - you have no thyroid any longer, so you will be one of those patients that NEED to take your Armour a tad slower and smaller increases while you are getting your adrenals in line.

Make sure your doctor know the key plan with Armour. If you were on a 200 Synthroid - with a Cytomel 3x's a day - you are really up there in meds. You probably may start out around a 2 grain dosage ( 120mg) and then up that every two weeks ( only 2x's) by 15mg each week and retest all your TSH - Free T3 and Free T4 labs and the end of four weeks

Switching is easier said than done - I hope all goes well.