Armour and Labs

[RenKat]

I am back...I am currently on Armour 90 and this is the most recent results:

In anyone's opinion, should there be a adjustment to my medication at all?  As we know, I see an Endocrinologist that is far from great, and quite cavalier about what to do in accordance to what I think should be done.  He is not the worst I have had, though.  Any help most appreciated!!!

TSH:            0.01  L    (Range: 0.08-1.8)
T4, Free:      1.1         (Range:  1.2-)
T3, Free:      4.5   H    (Range:  2.3-4.2)
T3, Total:     137         (Range:

The recent retest for the cortisol levels, and the Cushings disease came back negative, which is a huge relief.  This struggle is tough enough, without adding something even more complicated.  

[gimel]

I'd say that your continuing hypo symptoms are due to your relatively low Free T4 and Free T3.  Rule of thumb here is for Free T4 to be at the middle of the range, at minimum., and Free T3 in the upper part of its range, as necessary to relieve symptoms.  So you have lots of room to raise both levels.  By the way, I know of no compelling reason to switch to Naturethroid.  You can get the same effect from your Levoxyl and Cytomel, plus you can adjust separately if needed.  

In addition, hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D B12 and ferritin.  If not tested for those, you should do so.  

It will be interesting to see if additional lab work confirms the high cortisol.  I have read that cortisol is an antagonist of thyroid hormone and high levels would negate some of the thyroid hormone effects.  Probably worthy of a discussion with your doctor.  

[RenKat]

Sorry, I never answered you.  No, I did not take my medication prior to the lab draw.  Thanks

[RenKat]

Thanks for the responses, flyingfool and goolara.  I haven't been on this site is a really long time.  I have been through so many medications shifts, since.  I am not back on the Levoxyl 50 and the Cytomel 15 mcg.  I split the Cytomel up during the day.  But weight gain, severer bloating and other unpleasantness is increasingly unpleasant, as is the sleeping..We are re-doing the 24 hr cortisol urine collection.  But here are the current labs (When I was on 50 levox/25 Cytomel:
TSH:  0.01 L
T3, Free  3.3  (2.3-4.2 pg/mL)
T3, Total 88 (76-181 ng/dL)
T4, Free 0.8 (0.8-1.8 ng/dL)
Cortisol, Free, Urine  64.2 (4.0-50.0 mcg/24 h) H
Cortisol, Free, Urine 47.2 (mcg/g creat) H
ACTH, Plasma  16 (6-50 pg/mL)

I am working on Gluten free, and contemplating Naturethroid.  But reading that adrenal issues could need to be addressed, first and this could be the problem  I am looking to have labs done shortly, as I still don't feel right,  and any input would be welcome.

[flyingfool]

IF,

IF you never took your Armour prior to the blood draw. Then the general recommendation I'd talk to your Dr about would be to;

REDUCE: your Armour dosage

Add in synthetic T4.

You will have to talk to your Dr about the dosages.

On the other hand, if you did take your armour before the blood draw.  I would ask to get retested. And this time do not take your armour until after the blood draw.

Other questons:

Do you take your Armour on two dosages a day?

How do you feel?

Armour has a significant portion of T3 in it.  And T3 ramps up and is used and peaks in your blood about 4 hours after taking it. So splitting the dose into two portions helps level out the amount of T3 in your blood a little better rather than a full blast in the morning and then the roller coaster ride as it peaks and then wanes over the day.  

[goolarra]

The big question is how do you feel?

FT4 is a little on the low side; FT3 is above range.  Had you taken your Armour before the draw?  If so, how long before?