Thyroid Level Questions

[mschmidt]

I have some questions about thyroid levels…

My Free T-3 was WAY out of whack from 5/09-10/09.  4.7 to 7.1!! Normal range is 2.3-4.2.   Since taking Armour thyroid (60mg daily), the last reading I had was 2.9, and I'm waiting on my November and December results to be sent from Dr. F.

My Free T-4 has flucuated slightly from 1.5 to .9(most recent) Normal range is .8-1.8

My TSH is LOW 0.00-.01 (Normal range is .27-4.20)

I don't show any thyroid peroxidase antibodies, or thyroglobulin antibodies, which is a good thing, I guess.

My question is, am I in adrenal failure, and it's driving down my thyroid levels?  I have dry skin but, expect that with SD.  I don't have any fatigue whatsoever…never have, no hair falling out.  My body temperature and blood pressure are low, and I seem to be more cold than hot.  I did get my hormones tested by saliva and urine, and am waiting for those test results to come back.

Any suggestions or advice?

Maria

[m.]

[user=977]mschmidt[/user] wrote:

I have some questions about thyroid levels…

My Free T-3 was WAY out of whack from 5/09-10/09.

[m.]

Adding….Maria, do you have any baseline thyroid scores from before you were put on Armour?

[orchid]

Hi mschmidt –

I've also had my fair share of thyroid issues. I do have antibodies, though = hashimotos. So – he suggested I go gluten free.

I finally found a good doctor (in Chicago 'burbs) and he tested my reverse T3 along with the frees, etc. I've never had the reverse T3 tested before. It came back high (which means my T4 was never converting to T3 – only reverse T3 which is not good. So — we switched to armour. I've been on it 3+ weeks now. I don't notice too much of a change yet, but don't feel “worse” so that is good. I do have a little more energy, I guess.

I did notice that I have little hair poking up out of my head (along my hair part) and it's obviously new growth! I didn't have a lot of hair loss, but some I guess — and this new growth means (to me) that things are going in the right direction.

I think I also have some adrenal issues (like you) so he has me on thyrosol and is going to test my ferritin and some other things next time. Switching meds with adrenal issues can be risky (make you feel worse) so it's good you're looking into fixing those adrenals.

If you are looking for a new thyroid doc, I highly suggest him. Sometimes it's just too much to juggle on your own. He is very good at what he does. The first doc that literally blew me away with his knowledge (and he likes to help educate) – he is an allergist as well and will work with you on diet, etc if necessary.

I'll PM you with his name just in case…

[mschmidt]

My thyroid levels were normal in 2007, 2008 despite the fact that I had lost an unbelievable amount of weight, and had severe muscle wasting.  I didn't go hypothyroid until Spring of 2009, and didn't start Armour until summer of 2009-toward the end of May.  All baseline tests from 2007 to 2009 were completely normal.

On 10/03/07:   

T-3 Uptake 30..range is 22-35%;

T-4 Thyroxine total 5.7..range 4.5-12.5mcg/dL;

Free T-4 Index 1.7..range 1.4-3.8

On 1/28/09: 

T3 Total 107…range 97-219,

T-3 Uptake 30..range is 22-35%,

T-4 Thyroxine Total 5.4..range 4.5-12.5mcg/dL;

Free T4 Index 1.6..range 1.4-3.8;

TSH 3rd Generation 1.4..range .40-4.50

I'm not taking Selenium (not deficient in it, so didn't want to add that to the pile I'm already taking)

Never heard of Gugol, and thought that taking Iodine while taking any thyroid med was contraindicated. 

Dr. F doesn't seem concerned about the fluctuations–he'd be more concerned if I was producing antibodies to my thyroid.  I only have the 60 mg tablets…maybe I should cut them in half? Or do every other day?  I get this tested monthly, as well as always take it on an empty stomach, at 5:00am every morning. (have to space it 2 hrs away from my ABX)

Maria

[Patti D]

Well looks like this is the perfect thread to get an education. I only had 3 tests done in July and 2 weeks ago. The TSH, T3& T4. I am goiing to ask about the thyroid antibodies. Pleasle tell me exactly what to ask for. He will be checking my bloodwork every 3 months to see if the armour helps.
I was never recommended to take any iodine and even if I was I probably wouldn't be compliant as I have seen some huge drug reactions to iodine and would be a little gun shy on that one.

Maybe this thyroid thing is hugly AI related. I thought is was menopausal but Maria you look about the age of my daughter.

My hair is not falling out either but I am always so cold with the occassional “flash ” thrown in daily. Much less energy, weight gain, constipation,twitchy eyes, muscle aches and a host of other symptoms I am hopeful things will improve for all of us.
Thanks for posting this. I am very grateful to get quality information.

Patti

[mschmidt]

I agree, it's so good to ask questions and get feedback here because there's so much knowledge collectively.  There are several causes of thyroid issues so, it's good to get the right tests to figure out what is going on.  I know I have adrenal burnout/crash–my first red flag was my declining DHEA levels in the spring but, since I techically wasn't “out of range” (although low normal, and declining), my doctor didn't want to put me on anything to help it.  I could feel my thyroid (literally) slowing down in late Spring.  Again, I was in the “normal” range, although it was low normal.  Then, I finally convinced my doctor when I abruptly gained 20 pounds in 8 weeks–CRAZY:shock:  Thus started the quest to fix' the craziness.  From what I understand, the synthetics work faster to get the thyroid stabilized. It's a little trickier with the naturals. (which is fine with me)  It takes some tweaking and dosage adjusting, etc but, I think in the end it's worth it.  The only reason I get monthly results is because I'm on Clindy iv's, and Dr. F does a complete blood work-up on me (CBC, Hematology, Chemisty, Special Chemistry, Hormones, Urinalysis, and Immunology panels)

I would ask for your Free-T-4, Free T-3, TSH, DHEA, Thyroglobulin ABS, and Thyroid Peroxidase ABS to be done.  I've been supplementing with 15mg of DHEA for about 8 months, and my levels are climbing, and I'm halfway to where he wants me to be. 

I do have other symptoms, that have slowly gotten better. I never had fatigue at all, which, believe it or not, I was hoping for because I swear I'm the energizer bunny– WAY too much energy!! I've been having hot flashes the last 2 months but, think it's related to my other hormones being out of whack.  (I thought I was going through perimenopause–I'm 39 so, anything is possible)  My LLMD is also a top hormone specialist so, I'm sure he'll take care of that situation when I go see him in about a month. 

I hope you're able to figure things out–I know how frustrating it is.

Maria

[m.]

Hi Maria, I'm not seeing your baseline scores upon which it was decided you needed Armour.

It's a possibility that the hot flashes and or gobs of energy could be from being on too much Armour.

It's possible to have a TSH = normal, in range, and still feel like crap. No one is going to feel very good with a TSH of 4. Most people feel best when it gets down to about 0.5-1.

A person's FT4 (not T4, FT4) can be normal, in range, but not optimal. You want to see it in the upper part of the range.

A person's FT3 should also be in the upper part of the range. If TSH is looking good, and FT4 is looking good, but FT3 is still very low, you can take things to help with the conversion of T4 to T3, such as Selenium or Gugul.

Progesterone and thyroid are intimately linked as well. Thyroid works MUCH better if there is adequate progesterone.

If you need thyroid meds, you want to add to what the thyroid is already producing. You don't want to take so much thyroid meds that your thyroid begins to shut down and not contribute (suppressed TSH).

Maria, I don't know if the current formulation of Armour can be split. That's a good question for the pharmacist. Lots of people get their meds in a combo of 1/2s or 1/4s to make adjustments when necessary.

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