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Advice on my labs...should i start armour
I've had a ton of strange symptoms for years...like 20 years. My symptoms currently are.....cold intolerance, low body temp , severe hair loss (7 years now, and have lost 2/3 of my hair), dizziness upon standing, low blood pressure, geographic tongue (cracked, sore and ugly.), sharp ear pain (comes and goes), numbness/tingling in fingers, foot cramping, "restless" legs in the evening, brain fog and memory loss, joint pain..
I recently switched to my sister's dr...he's treating her for her symptoms, and not her test results, which is something I've been looking for for quite a while. Anyway, he's convinced that my thyroid is to blame, and has me on these supplements: zinc, biotin, magnesium, selenium, vitamin c, iron, omega 3, vitamin d and iodine (a high dose).
He's thinking that I should start out on a very low dose of armour, and I'm looking for opinions. Here are my labs:
tsh : range of .358- 3.74.....mine came in at 2.25
free t4 : range of 0.76-1/46 ng/dl ......mine came in at 1.06
free t3: range of 2.30-4.20 pg/mL.....mine came in at 2.62
reverse t3: range of 9.0-27.0 ng/dL.....mine came in at 19.0
magnesium was borderline low.......1.8-2.40 is the range, mine came in at 1.9
vitamin d as well.....range of >30 ....mine was 31.6
I'm taking quite a few supplements, and have resisted armour, fearing that it might make the hairloss worse....and I just can't afford to lose anymore. Opinions from anyone with more knowledge than I have on the subject would really be appreciated.
Thanks!
I recently switched to my sister's dr...he's treating her for her symptoms, and not her test results, which is something I've been looking for for quite a while. Anyway, he's convinced that my thyroid is to blame, and has me on these supplements: zinc, biotin, magnesium, selenium, vitamin c, iron, omega 3, vitamin d and iodine (a high dose).
He's thinking that I should start out on a very low dose of armour, and I'm looking for opinions. Here are my labs:
tsh : range of .358- 3.74.....mine came in at 2.25
free t4 : range of 0.76-1/46 ng/dl ......mine came in at 1.06
free t3: range of 2.30-4.20 pg/mL.....mine came in at 2.62
reverse t3: range of 9.0-27.0 ng/dL.....mine came in at 19.0
magnesium was borderline low.......1.8-2.40 is the range, mine came in at 1.9
vitamin d as well.....range of >30 ....mine was 31.6
I'm taking quite a few supplements, and have resisted armour, fearing that it might make the hairloss worse....and I just can't afford to lose anymore. Opinions from anyone with more knowledge than I have on the subject would really be appreciated.
Thanks!
Did you request the tests for Free T3 Vitamin D, and B12?
I've found that sometimes the doctor nods his head yes, but doesn't write it on the lab request. It is always a good idea to ask the lab person what tests are going to be done,and if not all the ones you want then you have the opportunity to correct it right then, rather than finding out later.
I've found that sometimes the doctor nods his head yes, but doesn't write it on the lab request. It is always a good idea to ask the lab person what tests are going to be done,and if not all the ones you want then you have the opportunity to correct it right then, rather than finding out later.
No, no test for t3, I actually checked the paperwork a few times thinking I must've missed it. No d or b12 either. I KNOW if my new dr. saw this bloodwork, he'd have her on armour. He wants her to take iodine and that's just according to her symptoms that I've deacribed. He's never even met her. I have read that as well....tht high antibodies don't necessarily mean hypothyroid. I also know that she seems to be falling apart, and that's not normal at 17 either. So, I'm not sure what I do here. I have a feeling the endo will my be much help, but we'll see. :)))
My mother takes betaine HCL with pepsin supplements and vegetarian digestive enzyme supplements and she no longer suffers severe GERD/LPR or severe bile gastritis pain. If you are interested, there is an article from SCD Lifestyle: 3 Tests for Low Stomach Acid.
A recent article by Chris Kresser is interesting. Here is a excerpt from his article RHR: Is it Possible to Get Off Thyroid Medication?...
"And I have seen that with patients, where they’ve come and they’ve had one or two negative tests. I test them a third or fourth time, and we catch the antibodies elevated on the third or fourth time. But even then, it’s not necessarily indicative that hypothyroidism is present or will ever be present.
So that’s another important thing to understand, that Hashimoto’s itself doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an under-functioning thyroid gland. It means that your immune system is tagging the thyroid gland for destruction. It doesn’t even necessarily mean that destruction of the tissue is occurring actively. And those are all not necessarily connected. They’re likely to be connected, but they’re not necessarily connected.
There are a certain percentage of patients, and I think it’s actually over 50%, who produce thyroid antibodies that don’t go on to develop frank hypothyroidism. Of course, people with thyroid antibodies have a much higher likelihood of developing hypothyroidism in the future. In fact, it’s over sevenfold; I think seven- and ninefold greater risk than people without antibodies. But it doesn’t mean that if you have antibodies, that you a) for sure, right now, have hypothyroidism, or b) will ever develop hypothyroidism. That’s important to understand as well."
A recent article by Chris Kresser is interesting. Here is a excerpt from his article RHR: Is it Possible to Get Off Thyroid Medication?...
"And I have seen that with patients, where they’ve come and they’ve had one or two negative tests. I test them a third or fourth time, and we catch the antibodies elevated on the third or fourth time. But even then, it’s not necessarily indicative that hypothyroidism is present or will ever be present.
So that’s another important thing to understand, that Hashimoto’s itself doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an under-functioning thyroid gland. It means that your immune system is tagging the thyroid gland for destruction. It doesn’t even necessarily mean that destruction of the tissue is occurring actively. And those are all not necessarily connected. They’re likely to be connected, but they’re not necessarily connected.
There are a certain percentage of patients, and I think it’s actually over 50%, who produce thyroid antibodies that don’t go on to develop frank hypothyroidism. Of course, people with thyroid antibodies have a much higher likelihood of developing hypothyroidism in the future. In fact, it’s over sevenfold; I think seven- and ninefold greater risk than people without antibodies. But it doesn’t mean that if you have antibodies, that you a) for sure, right now, have hypothyroidism, or b) will ever develop hypothyroidism. That’s important to understand as well."
I have really benefitted from all of the advice that I have received here, and am more determined than ever to find answers. My daughter had her appt today, and here are some of her labs. Opinions would really really be appreciated.
TSH 1.19. (01/17/14). Range of .34-4.82 uIU/ml
TSH. 1.71. (08/22/14) Range of .34-4.82 uIU/ml
Free T4 1.13 (01/17/14). Range of 0.59-1.61 ng/dl
Free T4. 1.09. (08/22/14) Range of 0.59-1.61 ng/dl
Thyroglobulin AB. 1.3. (01/17/14). Range 0-0.9
Thyroglobulin AB. 0.9. (08/22/14) Range of 0.0-0.9 IU/mL
Thyroid Peroxidase (8/22/14)). 57. Range of 0-26 IU/ml
Ferritin was 27 (01/17/14) Range of 3-244 NG/ML
Retested ferritin (08/22/14). 67. Range of 50-175. Ug/dl
A bit of her background...she's 17 , and athletic. She's small, about 5'2", and her weight varies from 105 to about 115. For the past year, she's been losing her hair by the handful. She's gone from super thick to thin hair. She has awful acne, that is not manageable with any cream or potion on the market. She has very heavy periods, and struggles with severe pms. For most of the school year we knew the day her period was starting, as she would have to leave school to come home and vomit. She has dry skin, and has had bouts iof eczema.
I'm looking for opinions on her labs if anyone has them. Her pediatrician said today that she'll send her to an endocrinologist , to further evaluate her, but feels she just needs watching at this point. She said that while her antibodies were high , her TSH would need to skyrocket too, for there to be a problem worth medicating. She'd like her to go back on iron....she was on it for four months in the Spring and her hair loss lessened somewhat...and pretty much wait for the endocrinology appt
I'm unsure what to do....wait to get the endo's advice? Or immediately switch to my dr?
Any advice would be helpful.
Melissa
TSH 1.19. (01/17/14). Range of .34-4.82 uIU/ml
TSH. 1.71. (08/22/14) Range of .34-4.82 uIU/ml
Free T4 1.13 (01/17/14). Range of 0.59-1.61 ng/dl
Free T4. 1.09. (08/22/14) Range of 0.59-1.61 ng/dl
Thyroglobulin AB. 1.3. (01/17/14). Range 0-0.9
Thyroglobulin AB. 0.9. (08/22/14) Range of 0.0-0.9 IU/mL
Thyroid Peroxidase (8/22/14)). 57. Range of 0-26 IU/ml
Ferritin was 27 (01/17/14) Range of 3-244 NG/ML
Retested ferritin (08/22/14). 67. Range of 50-175. Ug/dl
A bit of her background...she's 17 , and athletic. She's small, about 5'2", and her weight varies from 105 to about 115. For the past year, she's been losing her hair by the handful. She's gone from super thick to thin hair. She has awful acne, that is not manageable with any cream or potion on the market. She has very heavy periods, and struggles with severe pms. For most of the school year we knew the day her period was starting, as she would have to leave school to come home and vomit. She has dry skin, and has had bouts iof eczema.
I'm looking for opinions on her labs if anyone has them. Her pediatrician said today that she'll send her to an endocrinologist , to further evaluate her, but feels she just needs watching at this point. She said that while her antibodies were high , her TSH would need to skyrocket too, for there to be a problem worth medicating. She'd like her to go back on iron....she was on it for four months in the Spring and her hair loss lessened somewhat...and pretty much wait for the endocrinology appt
I'm unsure what to do....wait to get the endo's advice? Or immediately switch to my dr?
Any advice would be helpful.
Melissa
Make sure they test you for Free T3 and Free T4. Also request Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin.
The tingling hands/feet could be related to B12 that is too low in the range. B12 needs to be in the upper part of its range.
The tingling hands/feet could be related to B12 that is too low in the range. B12 needs to be in the upper part of its range.
Thank you everyone for your 2 cents! I really appreciate the support and all the info. If my daughter had not started having symptoms, I might have given up on my own issues. Once she started having problems....and really, she's a wreck right now....I knew I had to find an answer. She's back to her own dr on Friday. We're looking forward to getting a copy of her blood work, so at least we'll have that when we leave.
One thing we have noticed recently.....her pediatrician started her on iron in Jan. 2014 After about 2 months, we noticed that her hair loss had slowed. Not normal, but better. By May, her derm. retested her levels, and her ferritin had gone up from the high 20s, to 65, so she was told to stop. Now, in late Sept., her hair loss is severe once again. She's had sores in her mouth for a month. Her dr. will HAVE to agree that something is wrong.
My next appt. is not until Nov. 5. We specifically waited to see what3-4 mos. of all of these supplements would do for me. I've lowered my iodine down to half a 12mg pill at this point. My anxiety was out of control, and with three kid's to raise I just could not handle life feeling like I was. The constant panic/anxiety feeling has subsided, thank God.
Funny, my tingling hands and feet continue...they're always feeling like they're either asleep, or that feeling you get when you've been sitting too long in a certain position....kind of numb (?) I guess.
Anyway, thank you all. I'm taking my girl to my new dr. for sure. She's struggling with trying to balance sports, great grades, looking at colleges, her job....she's got a busier life than I do. And always feeling run down while doing it. :((
One thing we have noticed recently.....her pediatrician started her on iron in Jan. 2014 After about 2 months, we noticed that her hair loss had slowed. Not normal, but better. By May, her derm. retested her levels, and her ferritin had gone up from the high 20s, to 65, so she was told to stop. Now, in late Sept., her hair loss is severe once again. She's had sores in her mouth for a month. Her dr. will HAVE to agree that something is wrong.
My next appt. is not until Nov. 5. We specifically waited to see what3-4 mos. of all of these supplements would do for me. I've lowered my iodine down to half a 12mg pill at this point. My anxiety was out of control, and with three kid's to raise I just could not handle life feeling like I was. The constant panic/anxiety feeling has subsided, thank God.
Funny, my tingling hands and feet continue...they're always feeling like they're either asleep, or that feeling you get when you've been sitting too long in a certain position....kind of numb (?) I guess.
Anyway, thank you all. I'm taking my girl to my new dr. for sure. She's struggling with trying to balance sports, great grades, looking at colleges, her job....she's got a busier life than I do. And always feeling run down while doing it. :((
Also I don't think much mention has been made to the tingling in your hands/feet. This is sort of a classic symptom of low Vitamin B-12.
My wife also had acid reflux and when she started getting enough thyroid medication, her acid reflux ended and she was able to stop taking medication for it.
As for your daughter. Yes I'd definately say get her to the new Dr you are seeing. I would bet that she is low in range and you already suggest that she most likely has Hashi's. So how bad does she have to feel before she starts taking thyroid replacement. She WILL be on it sooner or later. So why make her suffer when she is clearly already showing symptoms consistent with low thyroid.
Just my 2 cents!
My wife also had acid reflux and when she started getting enough thyroid medication, her acid reflux ended and she was able to stop taking medication for it.
As for your daughter. Yes I'd definately say get her to the new Dr you are seeing. I would bet that she is low in range and you already suggest that she most likely has Hashi's. So how bad does she have to feel before she starts taking thyroid replacement. She WILL be on it sooner or later. So why make her suffer when she is clearly already showing symptoms consistent with low thyroid.
Just my 2 cents!
Thought I should also give you this info. Note that no. 1 on the list of causes for achlorhydria (low/no stomach acid) was "slowing of the body's basal metabolic rate associated with hypothyroidism".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlorhydria
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achlorhydria
I swear that sometimes doctors make up things just to support what they have told you previously. What do they think causes heartburn and acid reflux, if not low stomach acid. Hypo patients frequently have low stomach acid. That is why they don't absorb nutrients/vitamins well. that is why they typically have low Vitamin d, B12 and ferritin.
Almost 2 years ago, I think it was, when Armour thyroid was taken off the market for a while, I had to go back on a T4 med. since I was not converting T4 to T3 very well, I got back into hypo again. During that time I had awful acid reflux. When Armour was again available, I started back on it and in just 2-3 days my reflux was gone.
From a very long list of symptoms that can be hypothyroid related, this is the section on those related to digestion.
Digestion:
Hard stools
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Loss of appetite
Food allergy
Food sensitivity
Alcohol intolerance
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Lactose intolerance
Celiac Disease
Gluten Sensitivity/Intolerance
Colitis
Abdominal distention
Weight gain in abdominal area
Protruding abdomen in children
Diverticulosis
Excess gas
Flatulence
Nausea
Ulcers
Acid Reflux
Excessive belching
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
Almost 2 years ago, I think it was, when Armour thyroid was taken off the market for a while, I had to go back on a T4 med. since I was not converting T4 to T3 very well, I got back into hypo again. During that time I had awful acid reflux. When Armour was again available, I started back on it and in just 2-3 days my reflux was gone.
From a very long list of symptoms that can be hypothyroid related, this is the section on those related to digestion.
Digestion:
Hard stools
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Loss of appetite
Food allergy
Food sensitivity
Alcohol intolerance
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Lactose intolerance
Celiac Disease
Gluten Sensitivity/Intolerance
Colitis
Abdominal distention
Weight gain in abdominal area
Protruding abdomen in children
Diverticulosis
Excess gas
Flatulence
Nausea
Ulcers
Acid Reflux
Excessive belching
GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)
I've heard of low stomach acid causing a host of problems, and have brought it up to previous drs., that have told me that there is no such thing. There was a point a few years ago that I did do that test, only for a morning...maybe two, and didn't burp at all. I went as far as buying HCl, but never went any further than that. Too chicken to take it on my own, I guess, without a dr. supervising. I'm determined to find an answer, and I'm going to keep low stomach acid in mind as a possible answer. Thanks so much. :)
One common reason for malabsorption is insufficient stomach acid. Wikipedia has an article on achlorhydria/hypochlorhydria (no or low stomach acid) and here are some of the causes...
"The slowing of the body's basal metabolic rate associated with hypothyroidism
Pernicious anemia where there is antibody production against parietal cells which normally produce gastric acid.
The use of antacids or drugs that decrease gastric acid production (such as H2-receptor antagonists) or transport (such as proton pump inhibitors).
A symptom of rare diseases such as mucolipidosis (type IV).
A symptom of Helicobacter pylori infection which neutralizes and decreases secretion of gastric acid to aid its survival in the stomach.[1]
A symptom of atrophic gastritis or of stomach cancer.
Radiation therapy involving the stomach.
Gastric bypass procedures such a duodenal switch and RNY, where the largest acid producing parts of the stomach are either removed, or blinded.
VIPomas (vasoactive intestinal peptides) and somatostatinomas are both islet cell tumors of the pancreas.
Pellagra, caused by niacin deficiency.
Chloride, sodium, zinc and/or iodine deficiency, as these minerals are needed to produce adequate levels of stomach acid (HCl)."
***
An easy home test is the the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, not baking powder) test...
The following steps help to determine your stomach's acidity:
1. Perform this test first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (before
eating or drinking)
2. Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of baking soda into an 8 oz glass of cold water
3. Drink the solution and start timing
4. Record the time until you first burp up gas
5. Perform this test for 5 consecutive days (or longer) at the same time each day to give a better estimation of your stomach’s acidity
Time until first burp:
If you burp immediately and excessively your stomach acid level is probably too high
Under 2 min: indicates normal acidity
2 - 5 min: low normal acidity
Over 5 min: possible hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
No burping indicates possible achlorhydria (no stomach acid).
"The slowing of the body's basal metabolic rate associated with hypothyroidism
Pernicious anemia where there is antibody production against parietal cells which normally produce gastric acid.
The use of antacids or drugs that decrease gastric acid production (such as H2-receptor antagonists) or transport (such as proton pump inhibitors).
A symptom of rare diseases such as mucolipidosis (type IV).
A symptom of Helicobacter pylori infection which neutralizes and decreases secretion of gastric acid to aid its survival in the stomach.[1]
A symptom of atrophic gastritis or of stomach cancer.
Radiation therapy involving the stomach.
Gastric bypass procedures such a duodenal switch and RNY, where the largest acid producing parts of the stomach are either removed, or blinded.
VIPomas (vasoactive intestinal peptides) and somatostatinomas are both islet cell tumors of the pancreas.
Pellagra, caused by niacin deficiency.
Chloride, sodium, zinc and/or iodine deficiency, as these minerals are needed to produce adequate levels of stomach acid (HCl)."
***
An easy home test is the the baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, not baking powder) test...
The following steps help to determine your stomach's acidity:
1. Perform this test first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (before
eating or drinking)
2. Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of baking soda into an 8 oz glass of cold water
3. Drink the solution and start timing
4. Record the time until you first burp up gas
5. Perform this test for 5 consecutive days (or longer) at the same time each day to give a better estimation of your stomach’s acidity
Time until first burp:
If you burp immediately and excessively your stomach acid level is probably too high
Under 2 min: indicates normal acidity
2 - 5 min: low normal acidity
Over 5 min: possible hypochlorhydria (low stomach acid)
No burping indicates possible achlorhydria (no stomach acid).
I was hoping my tongue issues were somehow related to my thyroid problems. That my hair loss, tinging hands, tongue, and all of my other problems had to do with one problem. My tongue is really, really cracked. When I asked my doctor about it, he said that that wasn't the usual cracking he's seen, associated with thyroid problems. There are deep cracks in it....and, depending on the day, I have white weird looking lines through it....kind of looking like the pictures I've seen of geographic tongue online. And I can have a weird pattern of white lines on the tip of my tongue, and have something different somewhere else on my tongue the next day. It just looks sore...ugly and sore. I'm def. going to ask about b12. I think I'm deficient in something...or a few somethings....and I don't think supplementing is helping, because I don't think I'm absorbing all of these supplements I'm taking. :(
Vitamin B12 is the most difficult to absorb in the digestive tract. I can't absorb B12 in the digestive tract as I have autoimmune pernicious anaemia and so I take sublingual (under the tongue) B12 spray daily.
The appearance of geographic tongue usually appears as depressed, smooth (sometimes rough or crater like) patches on the tongue. It looks like a map is on your tongue hence the name. :) Geographic tongue has been linked to vitamin B deficiencies, zinc deficiency, anaemia, psoriasis or other skin disorders, allergies, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, stress, birth control pills, hormonal changes.
The appearance of geographic tongue usually appears as depressed, smooth (sometimes rough or crater like) patches on the tongue. It looks like a map is on your tongue hence the name. :) Geographic tongue has been linked to vitamin B deficiencies, zinc deficiency, anaemia, psoriasis or other skin disorders, allergies, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, stress, birth control pills, hormonal changes.
My tongue is one of the worst symptoms. :(( It's so cracked you'd think it would be sore beyond belief, but it's not. It's sore occasionally, but not all the time. I read that some people find relief with certain b vitamins. I actually took a b complex for about a year and it didn't seem to help. My rheumatologist thought it might be geographic tongue, but none of the other dentists/drs. had any idea. I'll have to ask my doc about b12 when I go back in early Nov. thanks!!
I had tongue cracking due to vitamin B12 deficiency and also vitamin B6 deficiency. Check out the video on youtube: I'm Having a Vitamin B Complex!! 2 of 2
Your advice has been invaluable. Thanks so much. :)) She has an appt. next Friday afternoon, and we plan on asking for copies of her blood work. I'll post them here then.
There is definitely a heredity factor involved with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. Since there was a mention of antibodies being high, that sounds like Hashi's. You should always get a copy of all lab reports and write on there how your/she was feeling at the time and any symptoms noticed, and what meds/supplements were being taken. Those become very valuable for future reference.
From your description, I definitely would switch her to your new doctor and get all the important tests done same as yours..
If you will get all your daughter's test results and post here, along with reference ranges shown on the report, members will be glad to help assess her status.
From your description, I definitely would switch her to your new doctor and get all the important tests done same as yours..
If you will get all your daughter's test results and post here, along with reference ranges shown on the report, members will be glad to help assess her status.
Thanks for the input. :) My next appt. is sncheduled for early nov. and I'm thinking I'll agree to start armour then. I would not be brave enough to do anything higher than the lowest dose possible, so I'll start there. I've known for years that my ferritin should be higher, I just could never get a dr. to agree with me. I'm supplementing now, but I'm not convinced that I'm absorbing what I should be.
I'm wondering what your thoughts are on teenagers and thyroid issues. My 17 yr old daughter has been struggling with heavy periods, terrible acne, sores in her mouth (three in the past three weeks), and over the past year, maybe year and half, has lost over half of her hair. It just pours off of her head. Her pediatrician stated that all of her labs were normal, but her iron was "low normal"...I think coming in at 27, so she agreed to let her take iron, due to the heavy periods and because she's an athlete. When I took her to a dermatologist, he kind of mentioned at the very end of her appt., that "her thyroid antibodies were high....and that while her thyroid was currently working to make up the difference...it may be a problem in the future". He said it so nonchalantly that we almost didn't catch it. We've since gone back to her pediatrician, and they re-ran the blood work, but have only agreed to re-test every six months.
I'm thinking of switching her to my new dr., but I was wondering if that was the right move. He is very in to thyroid issues, and I just don't want her misdiagnosed. It just kind of seems to make sense that if I'm having a problem, she may be too.
Thanks,
Melissa
I'm wondering what your thoughts are on teenagers and thyroid issues. My 17 yr old daughter has been struggling with heavy periods, terrible acne, sores in her mouth (three in the past three weeks), and over the past year, maybe year and half, has lost over half of her hair. It just pours off of her head. Her pediatrician stated that all of her labs were normal, but her iron was "low normal"...I think coming in at 27, so she agreed to let her take iron, due to the heavy periods and because she's an athlete. When I took her to a dermatologist, he kind of mentioned at the very end of her appt., that "her thyroid antibodies were high....and that while her thyroid was currently working to make up the difference...it may be a problem in the future". He said it so nonchalantly that we almost didn't catch it. We've since gone back to her pediatrician, and they re-ran the blood work, but have only agreed to re-test every six months.
I'm thinking of switching her to my new dr., but I was wondering if that was the right move. He is very in to thyroid issues, and I just don't want her misdiagnosed. It just kind of seems to make sense that if I'm having a problem, she may be too.
Thanks,
Melissa
Here are the words of a good thyroid doctor about diagnosing hypothyroidism.
" if the FT4 is below 1.3 and the FT3 is also rather low, say below 3.4 (range 2 to 4.4 at LabCorp) then its likely that hypothyroidism is the cause of a person's symptoms."
Your Free T4 and Free T3 levels clearly fall into the hypothyroid category. Starting on a low dose of Armour Thyroid and gradually increasing as necessary to relieve symptoms is definitely a good idea for you; however it is very important that you also raise your ferritin level. Following is some info on ferritin.
"FERRITIN test: Measures your levels of storage iron, which can be chronically low in hypothyroid patients. If your Ferritin result is less than 50, your levels are too low and can be causing problems…as well as leading you into anemia as you fall lower, which will give you symptoms similar to hypo, such as depression, achiness, fatigue. If you are in the 50′s, you are scooting by. Optimally, females shoot for 70-90 at the minimum; men tend to be above 100."
It is not clear to me why you need to supplement with iodine if you are going to take Armour. You also need to supplement your Vitamin D up to about 55 - 60. I didn't see anything about B12, but it needs to be in the upper end of its range..
" if the FT4 is below 1.3 and the FT3 is also rather low, say below 3.4 (range 2 to 4.4 at LabCorp) then its likely that hypothyroidism is the cause of a person's symptoms."
Your Free T4 and Free T3 levels clearly fall into the hypothyroid category. Starting on a low dose of Armour Thyroid and gradually increasing as necessary to relieve symptoms is definitely a good idea for you; however it is very important that you also raise your ferritin level. Following is some info on ferritin.
"FERRITIN test: Measures your levels of storage iron, which can be chronically low in hypothyroid patients. If your Ferritin result is less than 50, your levels are too low and can be causing problems…as well as leading you into anemia as you fall lower, which will give you symptoms similar to hypo, such as depression, achiness, fatigue. If you are in the 50′s, you are scooting by. Optimally, females shoot for 70-90 at the minimum; men tend to be above 100."
It is not clear to me why you need to supplement with iodine if you are going to take Armour. You also need to supplement your Vitamin D up to about 55 - 60. I didn't see anything about B12, but it needs to be in the upper end of its range..
Thanks SO much for your response. :)) Well, I guess I never really cared about my symptoms until maybe 7-8 years ago. I'm 43 now, so back twenty years ago, in my early twenties, I didn't really care that I was always cold, constipated, anxious. Maybe I cared, just not enough to go the doctor, I suppose. Once my hair started falling out, that was a whole new ball game. You care when you're a woman and your hair falls out by the handful. I had A LOT of hair to begin with, or I would truly be left with nothing at this point.
My thyroid has been tested too many times to count over the last 7 years or so. I've switched doctors numerous times, and every time I switched, we'd do the same round of testing. Two different derms did the same rounds as every PCP did....I've seen an endocrinologist and a rheumatologist too. All the same bloodwork, all "normal" results. My vit. D is always a little low, I'm told, so supplement and maybe that will help. :( It wasn't until my sister mentioned a new doctor she had been seeing....how he was the type of doctor that concentrated more on the symptoms rather that the test results, that I thought I might finally get an answer. This doctor is great....leaves an unheard of (in my experiences anyway) 40 min. per appt., and really listened. He's of the mindset that there are a whole lot of undiagnosed thyroid issues going on with his patients...in the world for that matter. I feel blessed to have found him, I've just been reluctant to start his armour protocol.
My ferritin tested at 24,7, with a range of 8.0-252.0 ng/dL. While within the "normal" range, he still feels I should be supplementing. The reason for all the supplements, he says, is to "train" my thyroid. By taking these particular supplements, for a time frame of 2-3 mos., your thyroid learns to use them to it's advantage. He told me my thyroid would use the armour more effectively, from the start, if I started with these supplements....most importantly, iodine. I take iordal, 12mg, which is a huge dose, so I've read. I've had headaches (more than usual), and for maybe the first week or so on the iodine, I had anxiety/panic issues like I've never experienced. It was awful, and I nearly quit. That was at the beginning of July though, and I've continued taking all supplements recommended, in hopes of it working for me. Restless legs seem better, as does the fatigue. Hair loss is worse though, as is anxiety, nervousness, and scalp burning (not even sure if that's a thyroid symptom or not)
I will definitely check out the link you've provided. I'm scouring the internet, trying to decide what to do about armour supplementation. I do not want to make things worse at this point, but if I never try it, I"ll never know if it could have helped, I suppose.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond. :))
Melissa
My thyroid has been tested too many times to count over the last 7 years or so. I've switched doctors numerous times, and every time I switched, we'd do the same round of testing. Two different derms did the same rounds as every PCP did....I've seen an endocrinologist and a rheumatologist too. All the same bloodwork, all "normal" results. My vit. D is always a little low, I'm told, so supplement and maybe that will help. :( It wasn't until my sister mentioned a new doctor she had been seeing....how he was the type of doctor that concentrated more on the symptoms rather that the test results, that I thought I might finally get an answer. This doctor is great....leaves an unheard of (in my experiences anyway) 40 min. per appt., and really listened. He's of the mindset that there are a whole lot of undiagnosed thyroid issues going on with his patients...in the world for that matter. I feel blessed to have found him, I've just been reluctant to start his armour protocol.
My ferritin tested at 24,7, with a range of 8.0-252.0 ng/dL. While within the "normal" range, he still feels I should be supplementing. The reason for all the supplements, he says, is to "train" my thyroid. By taking these particular supplements, for a time frame of 2-3 mos., your thyroid learns to use them to it's advantage. He told me my thyroid would use the armour more effectively, from the start, if I started with these supplements....most importantly, iodine. I take iordal, 12mg, which is a huge dose, so I've read. I've had headaches (more than usual), and for maybe the first week or so on the iodine, I had anxiety/panic issues like I've never experienced. It was awful, and I nearly quit. That was at the beginning of July though, and I've continued taking all supplements recommended, in hopes of it working for me. Restless legs seem better, as does the fatigue. Hair loss is worse though, as is anxiety, nervousness, and scalp burning (not even sure if that's a thyroid symptom or not)
I will definitely check out the link you've provided. I'm scouring the internet, trying to decide what to do about armour supplementation. I do not want to make things worse at this point, but if I never try it, I"ll never know if it could have helped, I suppose.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond. :))
Melissa
Sorry to hear of your multitude of symptoms for all those years. Just curious. Why was nothing done for you for 20 years. Was your doctor(s) reluctant to treat because of your TSH, or did your symptoms worsen over time until they have become unbearable?
You obviously have a lot of symptoms that are frequently associated with being hypothyroid. Your test results also say that you are hypothyroid, due to a Free T4 that is too low in the range, and a Free T3 that is way too low in the range. Also, serum thyroid levels often can vary from tissue thyroid levels. The ratio of Free T3 to Reverse T3 is reported to be a good indicator of tissue thyroid levels. Your ratio is 1.4. A number of sources say that it should be more like1.8 or 2.0. Your ratio of 1.4 is well below those recommended levels, due to your low Free T3 level.
Many of our members say that relief from hypo symptoms required Free T3 in the upper third of the range and Free T4 around the middle of the range. So, your doctor is on the right track in starting you on Armour Thyroid, which contains both T3 and T4. Looks like the doctor is on top of your need for most other supplements as well. I am puzzled by the need for iodine. What was the reason given for that? Also, I noticed iron supplement. What were the results for any iron related tests? I also don't see a B12 test. That should be done and your B12 should be in the upper end of its range. Vitamin D should be around 55 - 60.
Keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. I think you will benefit from reading the info in this link, written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
You obviously have a lot of symptoms that are frequently associated with being hypothyroid. Your test results also say that you are hypothyroid, due to a Free T4 that is too low in the range, and a Free T3 that is way too low in the range. Also, serum thyroid levels often can vary from tissue thyroid levels. The ratio of Free T3 to Reverse T3 is reported to be a good indicator of tissue thyroid levels. Your ratio is 1.4. A number of sources say that it should be more like1.8 or 2.0. Your ratio of 1.4 is well below those recommended levels, due to your low Free T3 level.
Many of our members say that relief from hypo symptoms required Free T3 in the upper third of the range and Free T4 around the middle of the range. So, your doctor is on the right track in starting you on Armour Thyroid, which contains both T3 and T4. Looks like the doctor is on top of your need for most other supplements as well. I am puzzled by the need for iodine. What was the reason given for that? Also, I noticed iron supplement. What were the results for any iron related tests? I also don't see a B12 test. That should be done and your B12 should be in the upper end of its range. Vitamin D should be around 55 - 60.
Keep in mind that a good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. I think you will benefit from reading the info in this link, written by a good thyroid doctor.
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
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