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Thyroid info/treatment
Advise anyone, I have Hashimot'o's. Does anyone know how to tell if hyper labs[the free's and tsh] and hyper symptoms ,are a die off of cells from an attack or was I over medicated? I went hyper while at 105 mgs Armour. Dr. made me way cut back to 45 mgs. I went totally hypo. again. Finally back up to 90mgs. Some improvements, but I think I want to go up again, based on symptoms. But ,doc say's my labs are perfect! He said he treated "people not Labs" He's afraid that i'll "go toxic again". My current symptoms are cholesterol over 400, headaches, hair loss, I have to spend 13 hours in bed or I'm sick. Blurred vision,bleeding receding gums,distention and slow digestion,constipation ,body pain and 25lbs. of odd,lumpy swelling that came on in a few months in 2010! many more symptoms and this is an improvement! My latest labs from December are TSH 1.60,[ range up to 5.5,] free T3 3.2 [range 2.1-4.4,] freeT4 0.6 [range 0.6-2.7.] I believe they are low. How can I get proper afford able treatment in Cincinnati area? T
Thank you, Emily
Thank you, Emily
Thank you. Sounds hopeful. Yes the symptom list is huge, effecting every part of the body. stopthethyroidmadness and Broda Barnes book, Dr. Lowe is where I got most all info. Doc has said very little.I wish I wasn't treated like "a nervous female" This is not in my head! Why do you think there is this need for beta blockers to remain comfortable? What is this lumpy fat stuff , Mucin? I had been slim for 47 years and BAM! I know my doc doesn't realize that this is very unusual for me and that I am actually overweight. I'm only 5'1 with little bones , was 105, now 128 or so. I miss life so. What are the tests that show how much thyroid is left? Thanks again, Emily
I am also in the greater Cincinnati area... I sent you a PM... hope you are able to get into your inbox.
Well, you have a number of things going on, and it is hard to sort through all of them. However, you do know your current thyroid levels, and you are hypo, so you have to work on that and see what symptoms it resolves...you might be amazed at how many actually are thyroid...I was.
My PCP once told me that taking atenolol was going to require me to take more thyroid meds, which was going to require me to take more atenolol, ad nauseum...talk about depressing! However, when I started seeing my endo, he said this was NOT true. As you raise your dose of thyroid meds, you may have to raise your dose of beta blocker (I did), but that does NOT require you to take more thyroid meds.
I don't think the BB will raise your T3, and raising your T3 should make it easier for you to control your weight, not more difficult.
I've heard that atenolol is the BB that interferes least with thyroid meds. Maybe your cardio would consider switching you to atenolol?
"He say's my thyroid is almost gone by touch alone, I believe based on symptoms I've had this for many years. " Once your thyroid is completely "dead", and it sounds like yours probably is (my endo and I think mine is, too), then there's usually even less reason to remove it than there was when it was in the process of dying. Once your thyroid is no longer producing hormones, and you're on 100% replacement, Hashi's becomes much more stable and easier to manage.
Of course, there are tests that will tell you exactly how much thyroid function you do have left.
My PCP once told me that taking atenolol was going to require me to take more thyroid meds, which was going to require me to take more atenolol, ad nauseum...talk about depressing! However, when I started seeing my endo, he said this was NOT true. As you raise your dose of thyroid meds, you may have to raise your dose of beta blocker (I did), but that does NOT require you to take more thyroid meds.
I don't think the BB will raise your T3, and raising your T3 should make it easier for you to control your weight, not more difficult.
I've heard that atenolol is the BB that interferes least with thyroid meds. Maybe your cardio would consider switching you to atenolol?
"He say's my thyroid is almost gone by touch alone, I believe based on symptoms I've had this for many years. " Once your thyroid is completely "dead", and it sounds like yours probably is (my endo and I think mine is, too), then there's usually even less reason to remove it than there was when it was in the process of dying. Once your thyroid is no longer producing hormones, and you're on 100% replacement, Hashi's becomes much more stable and easier to manage.
Of course, there are tests that will tell you exactly how much thyroid function you do have left.
I 'm so very glad I came to this forum and cried when I read that you will be there for me. You wouldn't believe how alone I have felt and have been home bound for years.. My doctor IS an endocrinologist! He say's my thyroid is almost gone by touch alone, I believe based on symptoms I've had this for many years. My Gp thought it was mental and put me on large doses of benzo's and anti depressants. Only my TSH was checked 2x in 20 years. Endo. has never mentioned tests other than blood, but I'm aware of them. I have a high Serum Serotonin Level {carcinoid syndrome?], which he says is the cause for many symptoms, although my thyroid levels are low. I have had c/t scans and x rays looking for tumors and nothing has been found. Other tumor markers are negative. I'm in protracted benzo withdrawal as wee and it is very confusing. I'm not sure what symptom is what. Blood work has let me know I'm hypo, but he thinks tests ok. He says the beta blocker will raise the T3 and make me fatter! He doesn't think they're necessary and I don't think he'll refill them. I take them as needed , 1x day, my BP is low. I better see if he will refill or i'll end up with a cold turkey. I do feel hopeless often and I do wish I could have my thyroid removed. I wish one of you lived nearby, you are so sweet and kind. What to do next? Thank you!
One of the problems with treating by symptoms is that many symptoms "cross over", and you can have the same ones whether a little hypo or a little hyper. The symptoms you list all can be due to hypo. It's not part of Hashi's. If your meds are properly adjusted and you're no longer hypo, there should be no more symptoms.
Do you take your propranolol regularly or just as needed? I've been on another betal blocker (atenolol) ever since starting meds, but I take it every day. I think beta blockers are more effective if they build up in your system. I'd never have been able to do the increases without the beta blocker. Once you get on a proper dose of thyroid meds, you might be able to d/c the propranolol (you have to wean off).
Do you take your propranolol regularly or just as needed? I've been on another betal blocker (atenolol) ever since starting meds, but I take it every day. I think beta blockers are more effective if they build up in your system. I'd never have been able to do the increases without the beta blocker. Once you get on a proper dose of thyroid meds, you might be able to d/c the propranolol (you have to wean off).
Hi Faith63,
Don't loose hope. I had Hashimoto's and had to have my thyroid and part of my parathyroid removed (over 3 years ago) and have been in rather good health ever since. The improvement was dramatic and immediate. Only just recently (last 3 months) have my levels (TSH and free T3 & T4) acted up a bit but I think that this will resolve itself shortly. You might want to consider seeing an endocrinologist. They will conduct a few additional tests (sestamibi scan, ultrasound, etc.) to determine the extent of disease of your thyroid and the possibility of your parathyroid being affected. Given this information, then you can decide is the possibility of surgery is in order. Don't fret if surgery is suggested but only you can decide if this option is viable for you. Keep tuned to this forum and people like myself and goolarra will be there for you. (Thanks go to goolarra for their comments to my ?'s also).
Don't loose hope. I had Hashimoto's and had to have my thyroid and part of my parathyroid removed (over 3 years ago) and have been in rather good health ever since. The improvement was dramatic and immediate. Only just recently (last 3 months) have my levels (TSH and free T3 & T4) acted up a bit but I think that this will resolve itself shortly. You might want to consider seeing an endocrinologist. They will conduct a few additional tests (sestamibi scan, ultrasound, etc.) to determine the extent of disease of your thyroid and the possibility of your parathyroid being affected. Given this information, then you can decide is the possibility of surgery is in order. Don't fret if surgery is suggested but only you can decide if this option is viable for you. Keep tuned to this forum and people like myself and goolarra will be there for you. (Thanks go to goolarra for their comments to my ?'s also).
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