natural thyroid after thyroid cancer

[BeeBee300]

Hi. Does anyone have any positive input on whether it is safe and ok to take armour as opposed to synthroid.  I had thyroid cancer last year and had a total thyroidectomy and neck dissection.  

Since taking synthroid I have put on 2-3 kg per month - every month!  I have painful spots on my face. My skin and hair are thin and terrible and I'm exhausted. My neck and throat ache and my jaw hurts.  All tests look OK though. My diet has not changed, I still eat sensible.  

My doctor, oncologist and endocrinologist all dismiss armour as dangerous and not necessary.  But before synthroid, armour was in use for decades, so I'm not sure what to believe. I am tired of being told it has nothing to do with my thyroid/surgery/treatment.  If not - it's a terrible set of coincidences that this has all come about since my surgery/treatment.

Any feedback would be appreciated as I am so confused on this.  I just want someone to listen and tell me all is going to be ok and to give honest advice.  The docs seem to read off the same spec sheet.

Thank you.

[goolarra]

I just looked at your profile and see that you are Aussie.  That will probably make it hard to get FT3 testing and any kind of T3 meds.  Where in Aus are you?  We have several members from Aus who might be able to recommend a doctor.  Have you been in touch with any of them?

Keep in mind that if you have to get cancer, thyroid cancer is one of the best to get...very curable.  However, as you said, terrifying.  

The complaint we hear most often on the forum is from people whose doctors have left them undermedicated, the second biggest complaint is from people whose doctors refuse to test FT3 and/or prescribe Cytomel and/or dessicated.

How does your doctor explain that your FT4 is above range, your TSH is very low, but you still feel hypo?  Does he plan to just ignore your symptoms?  Very frustrating...

[BeeBee300]

Hi and thank you again.

I have asked for free T3, but the doctor said not necessary.

He has no experience of thyroid cancer.  This is the third doctor i have tried and none have any experience of thyroid cancer.  

I will find someone willing to do the free T3 test and see if I can get dessicated thyroid.  I just want to get back to normal and hopefully live a full life.  The cancer is so terrifying that some days I feel sick with worry that I won't see my babies grow up.

It's good to have your support.  Very best wishes. BB.

[goolarra]

If your doctor does not test FT3 every time you have bloodwork, it's a sign that you might need to find a better thyroid doctor.  He is also not amenable to using dessicated, which is unfortunate.  Has he said anything about trying synthetic T3 (Cytomel) along with your Synthroid?

After thyroid cancer, they do want to keep your TSH suppressed to forestall any regrowth of thyroid tissue.  T3 meds will only help to suppress it even more.

Be sure to ask for free T3.  If they just order T3, you will get total T3, which is considered an obsolete test and of limited use.

You are absolutely right that for the first half of the twentieth century, before synthetics, dessicated was all that was available.  Many people, after being switched to T4-only synthetics, begged for their dessicated back.  Unfortunately, many doctors can be very stubborn, both about FT3 testing (you don't need it...wrong!) and dessicated (it's dangerous...wrong, again!).

Let us know how you make out with getting the FT3 and best of luck...don't give up until someone treats you properly and your symptoms are alleviated.

[BeeBee300]

Thank y ou Goolarra.  I know on paper it looks like I'm over medicated. They are keeping the level high to surpress the cancer, though it's not looking like it's working at the moment.  I will ask for a T3 test though.

Many thanks for the feedback - it is appreciated. B.

[goolarra]

Your FT4 is high, above range, and your TSH is a bit on the low side.  So, it doesn't "look" like you ought to feel hypo.  What's missing from your tests is FT3.  If your FT3 is low, you might be converting slowly and need to add a source of direct T3 (Cytomel/dessicated) to your meds.  If FT3 is not low, then your symptoms might be from overmedication.  Many symptoms "cross over" and can be symptoms of either hypo or hyper.

If I were you, I'd request FT3 as soon as convenient.  Many doctors do not use FT3, so be prepared to have to present an arguement for having it tested and/or demanding that you, as the patient (customer), want to see it.  If all else fails, and you can't get your doctors to order FT3, it is available online, the drawback being that insurance will not pay for it.

I'm away for the next few days.  I'd like to give you a more complete answer.  If you have more questions, hopefully, someone else will answer.  Otherwise, I'll add more when I return.

[BeeBee300]

Hi Goolarra,

Thank you for your reply.  I appreciate your comments.  I am finding it difficult to figure out what is going on. My docs all say I am fine, but I know I feel far from it. According to them I need to cut my meds but I still have all symptoms of hypo, despite readings. Last labs as follows ( have include a few that were highlighted too:

Free T4 23  range 7.0 - 17 for euthyroid patients
tsh 0.05  range 0.3 - 4.5
anti thyroid peroxidase ab 4  range less than 50
anti thyroglobulin ab  49  range less than 100
calcium (alb corr) 2.05  range 2.15 - 2.55
lymphocytes 0.76 range 1.00 - 4.00
Neutrophils 8.32 range 2.00 - 8.00
no thyroglobulin figures at this time.

I take 150 mcg per day.  I have constant constipation, thinning hair and my eyebrows are falling out to name a few issues. I am also retaining water terribly and could sleep all day, though with small children I am unable to do so.

I have no paraythyroids as these were partially removed in error and the rest died. So i am on calcium and calcitriol.  

I'm just not sure what to do next.  In theory my t4 looks fine, but it doesn't feel it.  

Hope you can help.

Thank you for your time and help.

[goolarra]

Many of our members who have had a TT for thyroid cancer take Armour or one of the other equivalent brands of dessicated thyroid hormone.

Many doctors are quite prejudiced againtst dessicated.  They were taught in med school that all anyone needs is T4 meds, like Synthroid.  However, that is not true since many of us find that T3 meds added to T4 are the only way to relieve all symptoms.  T3/T4 combos can be either synthetic or dessicated.

Please post your FT3, FT4 and TSH results along with the reference ranges from you lab report.  Ranges vary from lab to lab.  It sounds like you might be undermedicated.  How much Synthroid do you take, and how long have you been taking it?  Many doctors also think that if your labs are "in range" that everything is fine.  This couldn't be further from the truth as many of us have to be around midrange on FT4 and upper half to upper third of range on FT3 before feeling well.

We can comment further after seeing your labs.