Aa
Finally looks like diagnosis!!!
I recently had my first appointment with the MD/alternative doctor.
It went super great!
He's a very warm, caring, kind doctor and he is very passionate about health and getting better. Several times in my visit he said we'll get me better. I felt very cared about and like we were finally going to make some progress. He was very thorough with my medical papers and symptom intake, etc. He also carried out a physical exam more thorough than other doctors have done.
He looked over my past thyroid labs and mentioned that according to the new range by the endocrine association (AACE), I've been over 3.0 a number of times, showing hypothroid. And he said that even normal range people can be hypothyroid, especially if the dysfunction is with a gland in the brain (hypothalamus, pituitary, etc.) He also looked at my past adrenal testing, and said the morning range is actually 15-25 or 30, and my cortisol was at 10 once, 12 something, and then 8.0, plus he took my blood pressure three times and it kept dropping! It went from 104, to 98, to 90. He thinks that's an adrenal issue. He also took into account all my other symptoms and problems I've been having, and really thinks I've got a thyroid, adrenal and iron problem. He ordered lots of testing to check everything again and other new things. He said my magnesium looked okay last time, and he wants to see where my magnesium and vitamin D are currently, as the D was low.
So, Thursday I had 10 vials of blood drawn. He's having me check my temperature every morning for 5 mornings. Plus I did an at-home, 24 hour thyroid urine test and fed ex'ed it.
He wants to see me in a few weeks and he said he'd have the labs back but not the urine one yet, but it should be enough to get started on medicine. He said we'll go slow, and it can take a few months before I start feeling better, but some notice improvement sooner.
I vented to him my frustration about how the other doctors say "you're fine" and he said "normal" is a wide range. There is a wide gap between dead and okay. He believes in treating the mild conditions that most doctors ignore. He said they tend to only do something if it's really serious or life-threatening. He really wants to get me functioning more normally. He even said that, after telling him how I get tired trying to jog, that we should get me to where I can run (not that I should run, but just to be healthy to have the ability).
I was like in shock during the appointment as I looked at him and heard his words, because I've suspected these issues (adrenal and thyroid) since my teenage years, and am just now finding a doctor able to see this, too.
I am so blessed to have this doctor fairly nearby (1 hour and a half drive plus traffic).
He wants to try me on Armour for my thyroid. He prefers it because it is natural, and contains all T3, T4, T1, and T2. After expressing my nervousness about it because people have said the reformulation was a problem for them, he calmed me by telling me that it wouldn't be a problem for me since I'm just newly trying it out, as opposed to having been on it before the reformulation. He said we could try the Acella if I wanted, but I told him I wanted to try the Armour given all he said. I have learned from people that some do better on natural while others do better on synthetic, so it will be interesting to see how I do. I believe my grandma and Mom have been on synthetics and still didn't feel much better, so maybe natural is what's best for me. Also, they may have had adrenal issues that needed attention. It probably was inherited, all the adrenal and thyroid issues.
I'm totally happy and counting my blessings! :) :) :)
Note:
He believes in treating the thyroid by how you feel and slowly going up by 15mg every 2-4 weeks I think. And for the adrenals, his sheet said up to 20mg spread out, but I'm not sure if he ever gives more. He feels 20 and under is safest.
Any thoughts on low-dose adrenal treatment if my condition is mild?
It went super great!
He's a very warm, caring, kind doctor and he is very passionate about health and getting better. Several times in my visit he said we'll get me better. I felt very cared about and like we were finally going to make some progress. He was very thorough with my medical papers and symptom intake, etc. He also carried out a physical exam more thorough than other doctors have done.
He looked over my past thyroid labs and mentioned that according to the new range by the endocrine association (AACE), I've been over 3.0 a number of times, showing hypothroid. And he said that even normal range people can be hypothyroid, especially if the dysfunction is with a gland in the brain (hypothalamus, pituitary, etc.) He also looked at my past adrenal testing, and said the morning range is actually 15-25 or 30, and my cortisol was at 10 once, 12 something, and then 8.0, plus he took my blood pressure three times and it kept dropping! It went from 104, to 98, to 90. He thinks that's an adrenal issue. He also took into account all my other symptoms and problems I've been having, and really thinks I've got a thyroid, adrenal and iron problem. He ordered lots of testing to check everything again and other new things. He said my magnesium looked okay last time, and he wants to see where my magnesium and vitamin D are currently, as the D was low.
So, Thursday I had 10 vials of blood drawn. He's having me check my temperature every morning for 5 mornings. Plus I did an at-home, 24 hour thyroid urine test and fed ex'ed it.
He wants to see me in a few weeks and he said he'd have the labs back but not the urine one yet, but it should be enough to get started on medicine. He said we'll go slow, and it can take a few months before I start feeling better, but some notice improvement sooner.
I vented to him my frustration about how the other doctors say "you're fine" and he said "normal" is a wide range. There is a wide gap between dead and okay. He believes in treating the mild conditions that most doctors ignore. He said they tend to only do something if it's really serious or life-threatening. He really wants to get me functioning more normally. He even said that, after telling him how I get tired trying to jog, that we should get me to where I can run (not that I should run, but just to be healthy to have the ability).
I was like in shock during the appointment as I looked at him and heard his words, because I've suspected these issues (adrenal and thyroid) since my teenage years, and am just now finding a doctor able to see this, too.
I am so blessed to have this doctor fairly nearby (1 hour and a half drive plus traffic).
He wants to try me on Armour for my thyroid. He prefers it because it is natural, and contains all T3, T4, T1, and T2. After expressing my nervousness about it because people have said the reformulation was a problem for them, he calmed me by telling me that it wouldn't be a problem for me since I'm just newly trying it out, as opposed to having been on it before the reformulation. He said we could try the Acella if I wanted, but I told him I wanted to try the Armour given all he said. I have learned from people that some do better on natural while others do better on synthetic, so it will be interesting to see how I do. I believe my grandma and Mom have been on synthetics and still didn't feel much better, so maybe natural is what's best for me. Also, they may have had adrenal issues that needed attention. It probably was inherited, all the adrenal and thyroid issues.
I'm totally happy and counting my blessings! :) :) :)
Note:
He believes in treating the thyroid by how you feel and slowly going up by 15mg every 2-4 weeks I think. And for the adrenals, his sheet said up to 20mg spread out, but I'm not sure if he ever gives more. He feels 20 and under is safest.
Any thoughts on low-dose adrenal treatment if my condition is mild?
Hydrocortisone is given in physiological amounts to replicate what your body should be producing. that's why the dose is so low. Some may only need 5 mg and some may need up to 20. I understand it is usually split throughout the day. The dose should be tailored to what you need.
High doses are no longer physiological and become medication (and can have side effects).
be guided by this doctor. Sounds like you have found a really good one.
High doses are no longer physiological and become medication (and can have side effects).
be guided by this doctor. Sounds like you have found a really good one.
hydrocortisone is up to 20mg. I don't know if he ever gives more. It sounds like he wants to treat both at the same time.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Congratulations in finally finding a doctor who will listen.
We will be interested in seeing your lab results and other information when you get it all -- do make sure you get copies for your records.
I've always heard that adrenal issues should be addressed prior to treating thyroid issues. Is this what the doctor plans on doing?
What will he be raising at 15 mg and 20 mg?
If you start out low and increase slowly, you should do fine on the Armour, but if problems arise, you can always go to synthetic; many of us do very well on synthetics.
We will be interested in seeing your lab results and other information when you get it all -- do make sure you get copies for your records.
I've always heard that adrenal issues should be addressed prior to treating thyroid issues. Is this what the doctor plans on doing?
What will he be raising at 15 mg and 20 mg?
If you start out low and increase slowly, you should do fine on the Armour, but if problems arise, you can always go to synthetic; many of us do very well on synthetics.
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