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Thyroid and Addisons Disease HELP
Hello,
This is my first post on here and I am extremely anxious to hear from anyone who may have some words of wisdom. I am 32, a mom of one 11 yr old daughter and I have been through a lot medically. I had a 2 year struggle with Addisions disease when I was a teenager and almost died. I then later had my daughter and I got a goiter and I was hyperthyroid at that time. I had my thyroid removed with radio active iodine and became hypo. I then was basically force fed synthroid as my only option for life and was miserable to say the least. I finally stood in my kitchen with tears in my eyes....sick of working out everyday and eating 1200 calories a day just to keep gaining weight. I felt like a shell of the joyful person I once was. I read about armour and went to a new doctor and told him I wanted to try armour and with hesitation he put me on it. I was so excited...I went to my pharmacy with my GOLDEN TICKET.....that night I took the meds and I felt like a light switched on in my body. I think at that time I was on 1.5 grains. I was on that for about 1 year and began to feel like I needed a boost so I moved slowly from 1.5 grains over the next year to 3 grains. I felt the best at 3 grains and I really felt like I could be content with that dose. He then told me my blood work showed I was low on the levels... (which really meant I was high) and wanted to cut it by 1 whole grain. During that time I gained ten pounds (within 3 months) and I was so tired and felt depressed...I had NO side effects from my 3 grain dose EXCEPT I felt like myself. I was sleeping fine, no tremors,no high blood pressure or high heart rate. I went to the doctor again yesterday and they took my blood. I have since counted out my pills and I am going to start taking 3 grains again and I want to start taking a small boost of cytomel and lower my armour. I feel like I can't rely on my doctor any longer. I have never had a doctor who actually listens to me for the long haul. He actually says to me well maybe you're depressed! I told him.....don't you think it might be the MEDS since it all happened during the time you changed my dose you $(%*(*#!? He tries to scare me with the haunting of getting osteoperosis (spelling) and high high rate but I said.... even if I knew I WOULD get that I would take that worry and have a great life than live feeling like crap forever! Anyway, to finally get to my question....I am planning on dosing myself at this point. My doctor is useless to me. I would like to find out the right way to tweek my meds so I can feel great again. I can't live in a state of a mediocre life. I would like to get on cytomel and use it sparingly to boost my t3. Please give me some advice as I take the road alone. I know many people feel like I do. It's a sad day when the people who you trust to help your help base all their answers on a couple of numbers. Any thoughts are welcome,even if you don't agree with my thoughts. Thanks!
This is my first post on here and I am extremely anxious to hear from anyone who may have some words of wisdom. I am 32, a mom of one 11 yr old daughter and I have been through a lot medically. I had a 2 year struggle with Addisions disease when I was a teenager and almost died. I then later had my daughter and I got a goiter and I was hyperthyroid at that time. I had my thyroid removed with radio active iodine and became hypo. I then was basically force fed synthroid as my only option for life and was miserable to say the least. I finally stood in my kitchen with tears in my eyes....sick of working out everyday and eating 1200 calories a day just to keep gaining weight. I felt like a shell of the joyful person I once was. I read about armour and went to a new doctor and told him I wanted to try armour and with hesitation he put me on it. I was so excited...I went to my pharmacy with my GOLDEN TICKET.....that night I took the meds and I felt like a light switched on in my body. I think at that time I was on 1.5 grains. I was on that for about 1 year and began to feel like I needed a boost so I moved slowly from 1.5 grains over the next year to 3 grains. I felt the best at 3 grains and I really felt like I could be content with that dose. He then told me my blood work showed I was low on the levels... (which really meant I was high) and wanted to cut it by 1 whole grain. During that time I gained ten pounds (within 3 months) and I was so tired and felt depressed...I had NO side effects from my 3 grain dose EXCEPT I felt like myself. I was sleeping fine, no tremors,no high blood pressure or high heart rate. I went to the doctor again yesterday and they took my blood. I have since counted out my pills and I am going to start taking 3 grains again and I want to start taking a small boost of cytomel and lower my armour. I feel like I can't rely on my doctor any longer. I have never had a doctor who actually listens to me for the long haul. He actually says to me well maybe you're depressed! I told him.....don't you think it might be the MEDS since it all happened during the time you changed my dose you $(%*(*#!? He tries to scare me with the haunting of getting osteoperosis (spelling) and high high rate but I said.... even if I knew I WOULD get that I would take that worry and have a great life than live feeling like crap forever! Anyway, to finally get to my question....I am planning on dosing myself at this point. My doctor is useless to me. I would like to find out the right way to tweek my meds so I can feel great again. I can't live in a state of a mediocre life. I would like to get on cytomel and use it sparingly to boost my t3. Please give me some advice as I take the road alone. I know many people feel like I do. It's a sad day when the people who you trust to help your help base all their answers on a couple of numbers. Any thoughts are welcome,even if you don't agree with my thoughts. Thanks!
hey yeah mate, is that all the doctors know? - depression and osteoporosis? - don't they teach any better than that in medical scool? i got the same 'advice'. it then became a case of me having to re-arrange my thinking (1) just accept their ignorance in that area - your being well is not dependent on their intelligence (2) fact: it's a tricky area, and this is clear from the lack of knowledge by medics.
sure was infuriating to me, it sometimes burns me still, to think of who else they're leading up the garden path.
after your experience w addisons too, of course you'd be wanting to get the treatment right.
the good thing is my current dr is a life-saver - no exaggeration. she's been supportive of me self-medicating if i choose to; i largely follow the numbers now, though.
sure was infuriating to me, it sometimes burns me still, to think of who else they're leading up the garden path.
after your experience w addisons too, of course you'd be wanting to get the treatment right.
the good thing is my current dr is a life-saver - no exaggeration. she's been supportive of me self-medicating if i choose to; i largely follow the numbers now, though.
I still have my thyroid, but I've had Hoshimots for many years and have experience with many hypo meds. By the way, thyroid disease affects men also, you just dont hear about it as much.
It would be helpful to post your last lab results with the ranges that lab uses. Seeing your free levels and not just your TSH is important.
You really need to find a new doctor that treats by symptoms, this takes time. If you can afford it, some Naturopaths prescribe natural dessicated thyroid, and treat symptoms. Sometimes a doctor with his/her own clinic will treat symptoms, since they can go by their "rules", not the clinic.
Armour - do not depend on this brand, its not as good after the reformulation either last spring. Google Nature-Throid (spelled just like that), and call them to find who has it. You will most likely have to fax to another state to get it. They talk to regular people, so dont be afraid to call. By the way Nature - Throid is high quality but not as strong more many people. May need more grains per day. You can also order ERFA thyroid from Canadian online pharmacies, its their version of Armour.
Cytomel is so fast acting, you really cant take it every other day.......unless you like roller coasters. You may just need, as you suspect, a higher continuous dose of dessicated thyoid (Armour is only one brand). Repeat: You need a better doctor. I was in your shoes, I know.
Please post labs for some detailed insight on your free T3 and free T4 levels from some members experienced in this area..
It would be helpful to post your last lab results with the ranges that lab uses. Seeing your free levels and not just your TSH is important.
You really need to find a new doctor that treats by symptoms, this takes time. If you can afford it, some Naturopaths prescribe natural dessicated thyroid, and treat symptoms. Sometimes a doctor with his/her own clinic will treat symptoms, since they can go by their "rules", not the clinic.
Armour - do not depend on this brand, its not as good after the reformulation either last spring. Google Nature-Throid (spelled just like that), and call them to find who has it. You will most likely have to fax to another state to get it. They talk to regular people, so dont be afraid to call. By the way Nature - Throid is high quality but not as strong more many people. May need more grains per day. You can also order ERFA thyroid from Canadian online pharmacies, its their version of Armour.
Cytomel is so fast acting, you really cant take it every other day.......unless you like roller coasters. You may just need, as you suspect, a higher continuous dose of dessicated thyoid (Armour is only one brand). Repeat: You need a better doctor. I was in your shoes, I know.
Please post labs for some detailed insight on your free T3 and free T4 levels from some members experienced in this area..
Hello, and thank you for the feedback. I don't know weather to be happy or disgusted that there are women struggling with that same bologna as myself. It's good to know you're not the only one yet so sad that this seems like such a widespread struggle. The meds I currently take are florinef .1 mg once a day cortef 20mg once a day and I take 2.5 grains of armour which had been reduced from 3 grains about 3 months ago. Alll I want (which you would think I was asking for world peace!) is to feel normal. I felt optimal with my armour at 3 grains and my other meds are stable....NOW with that armour shortage I am even more concerned. I try searching for armour and all the online pharmacies are out. The reason why I am thinking about taking a small amount of cytomel is because I will have to contine to take the 2.5 grains and since I don't feel good on that amount I need a boost to my T3. My doc doesn't subscribe to the ideal that maybe my body isn't converting the way it should.I figure this will solve a couple things....I won't run out of my armour (if I can even find it) and I will get a boost to my T3 that will hopefully make me feel better. I'm just tired of being tired. It's not me and when I hear you say that your doc prescribed prozac it makes me want to scream! Oh ladies......I don't know about you but I am looking forward to at least having others to share with and maybe help get to a point when we all can be happy,healthy and at our optimal help. God Bless
How would you get the extra medication if you are dosing yourself? Did the doctor already prescribe T3 to you?
Do you do your refills on the armour monthly or every 3 months, and if so, you would run out before the next refill wouldn't you.
Unless I am missing something I would not self dose, I would find a doctor who is willing to treat your symptoms not your labs.
Do you do your refills on the armour monthly or every 3 months, and if so, you would run out before the next refill wouldn't you.
Unless I am missing something I would not self dose, I would find a doctor who is willing to treat your symptoms not your labs.
what should I say to you....its the same story....last time when I saw my doc (yesterday) he said to me I need anti-depressants....nothing else!!
I dont know for sure, but you should try alternative medicine (if you are too anxious), because, for every reason its better to consult an specialist whether a naturopath or endocrinologist.what is your reports for TSH free T3 and Free T4? dosing ownself sometimes is scary.....If you wanna to dose yourself, the 1st thing is donot increase it more than what you have taken at max.I wont recommend you taking cytomel if you are on armour....it would harm you since you are adjusting yourself. and armour has natural T3 which is actually a potent hormone, you dont need to take an excess of t3....do you know if your converting t4 to t3 or not? did you doc ever check you for this???
I know the pain you are going through....donot strain yourself, try to do yoga and tai chi and all relaxing exercises, walking is a good option too. I know this disease is overwhelming....
I have been on synthyroid for a yr now, my doc decresed my med in september and I started having hypo symptoms in november, and still now I am down.....currently I am under the evaluation process from a naturopath and meanwhile I am also taking synthyroid.I dont know where this road is taking me, just have left everything on God.
one thing I have learnt on this forum, if you worry too much about your condition then you would never be able to fight it....its time for you to give your body and mind some rests.....your nerves need to be relaxed. I have also weight issues and my doc says before diagnosing with thyroid disorder, you were hypermetabolic and so your weight stayed within normal ranges quite well.....so stupid answer from a family doctor.....he means, all of my 26years of life were related to a disease process and that I was in hypermetabolic state for 26yrs of life.....does that make sense to you? Oh my Gosh...you can expect anything from PGs!! he dosent even call my high cholesterol levels as high...its 5.49, he said your cholesterol levels are fairly good!!!what would you conclude over all???
I dont know for sure, but you should try alternative medicine (if you are too anxious), because, for every reason its better to consult an specialist whether a naturopath or endocrinologist.what is your reports for TSH free T3 and Free T4? dosing ownself sometimes is scary.....If you wanna to dose yourself, the 1st thing is donot increase it more than what you have taken at max.I wont recommend you taking cytomel if you are on armour....it would harm you since you are adjusting yourself. and armour has natural T3 which is actually a potent hormone, you dont need to take an excess of t3....do you know if your converting t4 to t3 or not? did you doc ever check you for this???
I know the pain you are going through....donot strain yourself, try to do yoga and tai chi and all relaxing exercises, walking is a good option too. I know this disease is overwhelming....
I have been on synthyroid for a yr now, my doc decresed my med in september and I started having hypo symptoms in november, and still now I am down.....currently I am under the evaluation process from a naturopath and meanwhile I am also taking synthyroid.I dont know where this road is taking me, just have left everything on God.
one thing I have learnt on this forum, if you worry too much about your condition then you would never be able to fight it....its time for you to give your body and mind some rests.....your nerves need to be relaxed. I have also weight issues and my doc says before diagnosing with thyroid disorder, you were hypermetabolic and so your weight stayed within normal ranges quite well.....so stupid answer from a family doctor.....he means, all of my 26years of life were related to a disease process and that I was in hypermetabolic state for 26yrs of life.....does that make sense to you? Oh my Gosh...you can expect anything from PGs!! he dosent even call my high cholesterol levels as high...its 5.49, he said your cholesterol levels are fairly good!!!what would you conclude over all???
Hi, I'm sorry for all your troubles, I'm new to all this too so I'm no help but I do have all
your symptoms too. It is so very hard, when Doctors do not want to listen. My Doc, said it I was just nervous, it's no be deal either, my numbers are t4 12.9 , and TSH 0.125
she put me on prozac, a friend told me to post my question on the expert Forum, that why a Doctor might can help you, I'm a mess my self needing help. I will say a prayer for you though.
and may God Bless you.
your symptoms too. It is so very hard, when Doctors do not want to listen. My Doc, said it I was just nervous, it's no be deal either, my numbers are t4 12.9 , and TSH 0.125
she put me on prozac, a friend told me to post my question on the expert Forum, that why a Doctor might can help you, I'm a mess my self needing help. I will say a prayer for you though.
and may God Bless you.
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