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amount of thyroid
My doctor just told me that she will not prescribe any more than 2 grains of Nature-throid because the thyroid can only use 2 grains. I am much better on 3 grains (of course she doesn't know I have been taking that much and I will run out). Does anyone know if 2 grains is the limit?
Yes, I love my endo. As Moose said, "trainable" is best and this guy doesn't need much training. I'll PM you his name (look in your Inbox at the top of the page).
I am also from Oregon and currently fly to Arizona where my doctor is. Do you know of a good doctor in Oregon? Thanks
I just signed up at direct labs and I am having both test for Hashimoto's since she won't. It is impossible to find a doctor in my area that will run tests on thyroid. I have seen 5 doctors in the last year and only 2 would even run the tests and one said I was fine and to come back in six months. The other gave me the Nature-throid but is now limiting me to 2 grains. How does one find a doctor? I called several offices here but they won't even tell me if the doctor prescribes Nature-throid. How do I find a good one? Thanks
Thanks for all the information. I was put on Armour when FT3 was 3.1 in May. The last lab showed FT3 to be 2.4 on Nature-throid. I would love to find a doctor closer as I fly to Phoenix, Arizona from Oregon.
I was shocked when she told me that I had to be caffeine free for 3 to 4 months before any more tests. I have asked why but have not heard back.I signed up at direct labs for testing this month. I don't know what I will do with the information but I just have to do something. Brain fog up and energy tanked.
I was shocked when she told me that I had to be caffeine free for 3 to 4 months before any more tests. I have asked why but have not heard back.I signed up at direct labs for testing this month. I don't know what I will do with the information but I just have to do something. Brain fog up and energy tanked.
I said PTO? I'm thinking of time off again!
You know I meant TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies).
Your over the limit TPO level with hypo labs (with out thyroid med) = Hashimoto.
Oddly enough there are other autoimmune issues that raise TPO levels sometimes, but these people will not have hypo thyroid labs.
Most knowledgeable Drs will test TGab with TPO. I guess if they don't its to save the insurance co money maybe. They are both antibody tests associated with Hashimoto when accompanied with hypo thyroid hormone lab results.
You know I meant TPO (thyroid peroxidase antibodies).
Your over the limit TPO level with hypo labs (with out thyroid med) = Hashimoto.
Oddly enough there are other autoimmune issues that raise TPO levels sometimes, but these people will not have hypo thyroid labs.
Most knowledgeable Drs will test TGab with TPO. I guess if they don't its to save the insurance co money maybe. They are both antibody tests associated with Hashimoto when accompanied with hypo thyroid hormone lab results.
Sorry, please confirm that the before and after Free T3 results were before and after the change from Armour to Nature-Throid. Also, did you take the meds before the blood draw for the tests? If so, how long before each test?
As for your doctor, I think she is mistaken about the Hashimoto's. It is the number one cause for diagnosed hypothyroidism, and your TPO ab test was over the range, and you have many hypo symptoms. What would it take to convince her? Also, there is no rule that limits dosage to two grains. Dosage is irrelevant. Symptom relief should be all important. Also, what is it with the caffeine issue? Where does she get that?
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So you can see that you most likely need an increase in your meds, as necessary to relieve symptoms. Based on what has happened with your doctor so far, you probably need to start looking for a good thyroid doctor elsewhere.
As for your doctor, I think she is mistaken about the Hashimoto's. It is the number one cause for diagnosed hypothyroidism, and your TPO ab test was over the range, and you have many hypo symptoms. What would it take to convince her? Also, there is no rule that limits dosage to two grains. Dosage is irrelevant. Symptom relief should be all important. Also, what is it with the caffeine issue? Where does she get that?
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So you can see that you most likely need an increase in your meds, as necessary to relieve symptoms. Based on what has happened with your doctor so far, you probably need to start looking for a good thyroid doctor elsewhere.
Dont mean to bud in, but you have Hashimoto with that high a PTO.
You need to retrain this Dr or find a new one. Actualy I think you need a new Dr after the comment that the thyroid can only take two grains. Drs with an open mind are best, and "trainable".
Having experienced five different manufacture of natural dessicated thyroid myself, I will add that it can take 1-1/2 to 2 months for the body to adjust to a different brand and up to 3 - 4 months to stabilize / get dose readjusted.
You latest lab looks hypo, but it wont be very accurate if you changed doses in the last 6 weeks.
You need to retrain this Dr or find a new one. Actualy I think you need a new Dr after the comment that the thyroid can only take two grains. Drs with an open mind are best, and "trainable".
Having experienced five different manufacture of natural dessicated thyroid myself, I will add that it can take 1-1/2 to 2 months for the body to adjust to a different brand and up to 3 - 4 months to stabilize / get dose readjusted.
You latest lab looks hypo, but it wont be very accurate if you changed doses in the last 6 weeks.
I took Armour for a month then changed to Nature-thyroid. I have never taken anything from Canada. (EA34 above takes thyroid from Canada) The free T3 was 3.1.( then went down to 2.4) My doctor then ran the TPO test which came out 136 (range 0 to 34). She will not run any more test until I am off caffeine for 3 to 4 months. I currently drink about 10 ounces of coffee in the morning. She also said I do not have Hashimoto's.
I began taking Armour in May of 2012. I have been prescribed 2 grain since Oct. 2012. She told me I could increase, slowly, until my symptoms went away. I had just started with 3 grain and I needed more. She then told me 2 grain was the limit because the thyroid can not use any more. I am due for labs again the end of this month. I cut back to 2 grain because I will run out. It has been a terrible 5 days!
I began taking Armour in May of 2012. I have been prescribed 2 grain since Oct. 2012. She told me I could increase, slowly, until my symptoms went away. I had just started with 3 grain and I needed more. She then told me 2 grain was the limit because the thyroid can not use any more. I am due for labs again the end of this month. I cut back to 2 grain because I will run out. It has been a terrible 5 days!
What were you taking before the "Thyroid" from Canada? Also, what were the Free T3 results before and after. If it was only a small change, it could be only variation in test results.
If you change the brand of natural thyroid you are taking- your numbers may change. My dosage changed when started getting "Thyroid" from Canada.
Yes the newest labs are as follows
TSH 5.230
FT4 1.15 Range .8 to 1.8
FT3 2.4 range is 2.3 to 4.2
The odd result is that the FT3 dropped after I started taking the Nature-thyroid
TSH 5.230
FT4 1.15 Range .8 to 1.8
FT3 2.4 range is 2.3 to 4.2
The odd result is that the FT3 dropped after I started taking the Nature-thyroid
Baloney, to be polite. Many of our members are taking more than 2 grains.
Your doctor should be willing to adjust your meds until FT3 and FT4 levels are appropriate for you and until you feel your best. She's not listening to you.
Do you have recent labs to post with reference ranges? We can take a look and see how your levels are.
Your doctor should be willing to adjust your meds until FT3 and FT4 levels are appropriate for you and until you feel your best. She's not listening to you.
Do you have recent labs to post with reference ranges? We can take a look and see how your levels are.
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