Is there something else I can do?

[doneitall]

A member of our family has been diagnosed with hypothyroidism.  She went from a size 4 to a 14 in 4 months!  She has seen a doc and is on 100m of synthroid AND is taking a drug for insulin resistance.  About 10 pounds have come off in the last year, but she continues to be cold all of the time and the weight remains...any suggestions?  

[kitty9309]

The American Thyroid association recommends that the TSH fall between 0.5 and 2.0 when a person is on thryoid replacement hormone.

http://www.thyroid.org/patients/brochures/Hypothyroidism%20_web_booklet.pdf

see page 18.

[Applecore]

The blood tests  should show the normal range according to the lab that did the test.  Normal ranges usually between .5 and 5.0.  I think each person has to know where they feel better.  People with hashimoto usually feel better on the low range around 1.  I don't know the difference in the T4.  Someone else on here will know that.   linda

[laura1967]

Hi there....Was she tested for Hashimototo's autoimmune disease?  You need to make sure she has that test. If she has hashi's then her TSH should be supressed to a .50-1.0 for her to start feeling better. Otherwise most feel better if their TSH is below a 2.0.
She also should have had a Free T3 test done with the TSH and Free T4. (Ft4 and Free T4 same thing just abbreviated) Basically her most recent lab shows her to still by a little hypo from the T4 results. When you post the lab results, always include the lab ranges because each lab varies.

[doneitall]

thanks for responding!
Where do I go to find out what levels are "normal on the TSH and what is the difference between FT4 and Free 4  any help you can give me is greatly appreciated.

[doneitall]

Thanks for responding to my sos...her initial TSH was 26.2  and her FT4 was initiall .51
Her last bloodwork showed a TSH of 3.89 and FT4 of .86
Any help you can give this ole mom would be greatly appreciated

[Applecore]

You can be as supportive and encouraging as possible.  It is very difficult to cope with all the changes that happen when you are diagnosed with thyroid.  It is crazy time for those of us tha t have it.  I think your learning about it is good so that you can encourage her.  It is hard when you have brain fog and anxiety and worry to really research the problem.  Thank you for being such a good friend.  We all need them and ones that will stay a friend.    I also found thata L-Glutinmine, really helped me to not crave sweets at all and I immediately lost 10 lbs.  The doctor took me off of it though because it can cause a little nervousness and that is a problem for me.  I am thinking about take 1/2 dose which he said I could do again so that the sugar problem would be controllable.  It REALLY works to take away a desire for anything sweet.     Hope this helps.   linda

[laura1967]

What were her most recent lab results for her thyroid function tests? TSH, Free T4 and Free T3? The thyroid and body takes time to start healing and only starts to happen once she is at optimal levels for a while. It is not a quick fix.
As for the weight, it could take quite a while before that really starts shedding. Remember that the thyroid regulates metabolism.
Make sure she is consuming Enough calories to boost her metabolism....make sure it is healthy food. Lots of protein, veggies and fruit, and she should be eating small meals every 3 hours.