Aa
From hypo to hyper
My (now former!) doctor started me on Armour Thyroid several years ago, although my lab work indicated there was no problem with my thyroid. About a year ago she increased my dosage from 30mg to 60mg, and wanted me to increase to 90mg and then 120mg. When I took 90mg, I started having heart palpitations and frequent sweats, so I went back to 60mg. For the last 4 months, I've had debilitating diarrhea, nausea, weakness, sweats, shakiness, sleeplessness, etc. Finally about 4-6 weeks ago I stopped taking the Armour (with my doctor's permission) to see if it was the culprit. The symptoms have not abated. After losing over 40 lbs. in 4 months, I was sent to a gastroenterologist who did a colonoscopy this past Friday. He said that there were signs of an overactive thyroid, so he had additional labs done. It will be another week or so before we get these results.
Other meds (which have now been stopped with my doctor's approval) were apparently masking the symptoms of Armour overdose. When these meds were stopped, the symptoms kicked in with a vengeance.
My main questions: Will my thyroid gland ever return to "normal" after being overdosed for so long? I am concerned that an overdose for this length of time may have damaged my thyroid gland. It has been at least 4 weeks since I stopped the Armour - is it typical for an overdose to stay in a person's system for this long?
Thank you for any insight!
This discussion is related to overmedication on armour.
Other meds (which have now been stopped with my doctor's approval) were apparently masking the symptoms of Armour overdose. When these meds were stopped, the symptoms kicked in with a vengeance.
My main questions: Will my thyroid gland ever return to "normal" after being overdosed for so long? I am concerned that an overdose for this length of time may have damaged my thyroid gland. It has been at least 4 weeks since I stopped the Armour - is it typical for an overdose to stay in a person's system for this long?
Thank you for any insight!
This discussion is related to overmedication on armour.
A reverse FT3 will show the T3 in your body is pooling and will not allow hormone release.
With Thyrotoxicosis though - it is so hard for anyone - even doctors where to go when you have this.
AR-10 is very familiar with this and can help you with the details.
With Thyrotoxicosis though - it is so hard for anyone - even doctors where to go when you have this.
AR-10 is very familiar with this and can help you with the details.
I can go back to before the Thyrotoxicosis event in May and see I had overmedication symptoms going back to March 31, 2008. I started having chest pains, shortness of breath, a voracious appetite, fatigue, irritability. Then three days later I had more symptoms; spaciness, anger, hostility, anger, muscle weakness, joint pains, muscle cramping, muscle twitching, nausea, dizziness, insomnia, boil and rashes worsening, sudden headaches, dry skin, swollen fingers and hands and eyelids, heart palpitations, increased heart rate, exercise intolerance, profuse sweating. My TSH on March 20, 2008 was 0.58, about what it is now.
Three weeks later, my TSH was 1.07 nr 0.45 - 5.45, FT3 2.83 nr 2.5 - 3.9, FT4 1.21 nr 0.58 - 1.64, and I had more symptoms in addition to the other ones; gas, bloating, lactose intolerance, frequent soft BMs up to 3 to 4 times a day or more, insomnia and disturbed sleep pattern, temperature dysregulation.
Five days later and seventeen days before being hospitalized for Thyrotoxicosis, I had more symptoms; ringing in my ears, hands cold and clammy, skin flaking off, hair falling out, sleeping a lot, outer shin on both legs swollen, weird pressure headaches.
Four days before hospitalization on May 6, 2008, my symptoms were; drier hands, itchy dry skin, boils on head and body, aching and sore muscles after very little exertion of any kind, painful joints, stiffness, having to steady myself, clicking joints, sharp stabbing pain in top of feet and hands, fatigue, disturbed sleep cycle, forgetfulness, difficulty writing/speech, migraines, increased gas, stomach distended, water gain, increased nausea, hair falling out, itching/ringing in ears, feeling warm and sweating in cool room.
And now I have these symptoms all over again and my doctors refuse to decrease my dose.
What would the reverse FT3 show?
I don't believe have a low ferritin level but my doctor wouldn't perform that test even if I requested it.
Three weeks later, my TSH was 1.07 nr 0.45 - 5.45, FT3 2.83 nr 2.5 - 3.9, FT4 1.21 nr 0.58 - 1.64, and I had more symptoms in addition to the other ones; gas, bloating, lactose intolerance, frequent soft BMs up to 3 to 4 times a day or more, insomnia and disturbed sleep pattern, temperature dysregulation.
Five days later and seventeen days before being hospitalized for Thyrotoxicosis, I had more symptoms; ringing in my ears, hands cold and clammy, skin flaking off, hair falling out, sleeping a lot, outer shin on both legs swollen, weird pressure headaches.
Four days before hospitalization on May 6, 2008, my symptoms were; drier hands, itchy dry skin, boils on head and body, aching and sore muscles after very little exertion of any kind, painful joints, stiffness, having to steady myself, clicking joints, sharp stabbing pain in top of feet and hands, fatigue, disturbed sleep cycle, forgetfulness, difficulty writing/speech, migraines, increased gas, stomach distended, water gain, increased nausea, hair falling out, itching/ringing in ears, feeling warm and sweating in cool room.
And now I have these symptoms all over again and my doctors refuse to decrease my dose.
What would the reverse FT3 show?
I don't believe have a low ferritin level but my doctor wouldn't perform that test even if I requested it.
I sounds to me like you could be pooling your T3. Meaning it is being stored.
A few suggestions is a reverse FT3 blood work could be done. A ferritin (iron) check should be done and a ACTH test should be done too.
Your test looks fine if you go by numbers - besides infections do you have other symptoms?
A few suggestions is a reverse FT3 blood work could be done. A ferritin (iron) check should be done and a ACTH test should be done too.
Your test looks fine if you go by numbers - besides infections do you have other symptoms?
I have similar symptoms through being overmedicated with Levoxyl. I've been on the wrong dose for nine months (eke) and even had Thyrotoxicosis back in May as a result of being overmedicated. My dose was slightly altered then but I am still experiencing hyperthyroid symptoms.
However, neither my endo or primary physician believe I'm hyperT. They insist, according to my lab results, that I should feel fine. I don't.
A short list of my symptoms: frequent soft bowel movements, heart palps, exercise intolerance, muscle cramps in thighs and upper arms, anovulation, elevated pulse, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, racing thoughts, feeling overheated in a 68 degree room, perspiring too much, dry and irritated and red eyes, and repeated infections bacterial and fungal infections which take long to recover from.
I'm about ready to fire my doctor. That makes it nine doctors, after I find the next one, who will have treated my hypothyroidism.
I asked my endo to change my dose and he refused. He said my symptoms are NOT caused by thyroid disease. And my primary doctor agrees with him.
My TSH is 0.59 and for me that's obviously too low. I've read about having lower Frees and their meaning. I've searched for that info since May when I had Thyrotoxicosis. My FT3 was below range NOT really high. My FT4 was low normal, not high. And the reason is I was suffering from repeated bacterial and fungal infections. The doctors have failed to take this into account.
On top of everything else, since I felt better I began exercising and that's when the hyperthyroid symptoms appeared again (after the first reduction in my dose). They haven't stopped.
I'm on Levoxyl and can't take any Cytomel.
However, neither my endo or primary physician believe I'm hyperT. They insist, according to my lab results, that I should feel fine. I don't.
A short list of my symptoms: frequent soft bowel movements, heart palps, exercise intolerance, muscle cramps in thighs and upper arms, anovulation, elevated pulse, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, racing thoughts, feeling overheated in a 68 degree room, perspiring too much, dry and irritated and red eyes, and repeated infections bacterial and fungal infections which take long to recover from.
I'm about ready to fire my doctor. That makes it nine doctors, after I find the next one, who will have treated my hypothyroidism.
I asked my endo to change my dose and he refused. He said my symptoms are NOT caused by thyroid disease. And my primary doctor agrees with him.
My TSH is 0.59 and for me that's obviously too low. I've read about having lower Frees and their meaning. I've searched for that info since May when I had Thyrotoxicosis. My FT3 was below range NOT really high. My FT4 was low normal, not high. And the reason is I was suffering from repeated bacterial and fungal infections. The doctors have failed to take this into account.
On top of everything else, since I felt better I began exercising and that's when the hyperthyroid symptoms appeared again (after the first reduction in my dose). They haven't stopped.
I'm on Levoxyl and can't take any Cytomel.
What were the meds which counteracted it? Perhaps I can try that as your symptoms are nearly identical to mine.
When a doctor takes you off of thyroid meds for a particular reason, say, to run a test that the medicine would interfere with, they say it takes six weeks to clear it all from your system.
They also say it takes six weeks for thyroid meds to come up to full strength in your system.
So, 4 or 5 weeks should be pretty close as far as getting it out of your system. I always figure the doctor says six weeks to leave a little wiggle room, just to be sure.
One problem is, if you were overmedicated for a long time, it may take several months for the symptoms to clear up after you stop the drug.
I don't know if your thyroid will return to normal function or not. It may, but you won't know for a few months. I'm sorry this happened to you, and I hope your thyroid returns to normal function.
My guess is you will need some sort of thyroid med, but at a lower dose, and possibly something other than Armour. But that is just a guess, and I am Mr. Pessimist today, so don't get upset because of my opinion.
They also say it takes six weeks for thyroid meds to come up to full strength in your system.
So, 4 or 5 weeks should be pretty close as far as getting it out of your system. I always figure the doctor says six weeks to leave a little wiggle room, just to be sure.
One problem is, if you were overmedicated for a long time, it may take several months for the symptoms to clear up after you stop the drug.
I don't know if your thyroid will return to normal function or not. It may, but you won't know for a few months. I'm sorry this happened to you, and I hope your thyroid returns to normal function.
My guess is you will need some sort of thyroid med, but at a lower dose, and possibly something other than Armour. But that is just a guess, and I am Mr. Pessimist today, so don't get upset because of my opinion.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Thyroid Disorders Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
