Aa
Recent labs, looking better
On 60 mg of Armour
TSH: 0.06 (0.36-3.74)
FT3: 3.0 (2.18-3.98)
FT4: 0.9 (0.76-1.46)
Labs done last month with 30mg of Armour
TSH: 0.55 (0.36-3.74
FT3: 2.9 (2.18-3.98)
FT4: 0.9 (0.76-1.46)
My FT4 did not budge, does this mean anything?
TSH: 0.06 (0.36-3.74)
FT3: 3.0 (2.18-3.98)
FT4: 0.9 (0.76-1.46)
Labs done last month with 30mg of Armour
TSH: 0.55 (0.36-3.74
FT3: 2.9 (2.18-3.98)
FT4: 0.9 (0.76-1.46)
My FT4 did not budge, does this mean anything?
I feel as if I've been living in a world of "do I have hypothyroidism or not?" I asked him "so I do have hypothyroidism?" May sound dumb but I actually wanted to hear someone confirm it. He immediately said "oh yes you do but you also have hashimotos." Now I don't feel like a freak that thinks she has multiple symptoms and thinks she needs thyroid meds. LOL!
Well he did not hesitate to up my dose to 90mg! He also said that given how my symptoms returned 4 weeks after the increase he was certain I have hashimoto's. I asked him if we need to retest my antibodies he said he wouldn't need to it's clear I have it.
We'll see what happens in another 6 weeks.
We'll see what happens in another 6 weeks.
Sorry I wasn't able to get back sooner. I do think another antibody test after just six weeks is probably redundant.
Good luck getting your increase.
Good luck getting your increase.
I had my antibodies tested 6 weeks ago, they were normal.
So far the doctor I'm seeing seems to understand that there is a range within the range of where you feel normal again. I'm hoping he will let me go up a dose. I'll see him tomorrow.
I'll ask him to add antibodies again even though he thought testing one time was good. I'm sure he will because he seems open minded.
So far the doctor I'm seeing seems to understand that there is a range within the range of where you feel normal again. I'm hoping he will let me go up a dose. I'll see him tomorrow.
I'll ask him to add antibodies again even though he thought testing one time was good. I'm sure he will because he seems open minded.
Antibodies can rear their ugly little heads at any time. How long has it been since they were last checked?
No, I don't think that your labs not changing indicates that Armour isn't working. Even if you don't have Hashi's, your thyroid function could be deteriorating, and you could just barely be keeping up with the deterioration. Also, your TSH is now suppressed, which means that even if you do have thyroid function left, your low TSH will mean that your thyroid isn't being stimulated enough to produce much. Just to be absolutely clear, it's the T3 in Armour that's suppressing your TSH.
Your FT4 is only at 20% of range. However, it's sometimes hard for people on desiccated to get FT4 up to the 50% guideline without getting FT3 too high. FT3 is at 40% of range, which is low, especially when on desiccated, when you should be shooting for upper half to upper third of range.
If I were you, I'd just ask for a simple increase. Has your doctor refused an increase?
No, I don't think that your labs not changing indicates that Armour isn't working. Even if you don't have Hashi's, your thyroid function could be deteriorating, and you could just barely be keeping up with the deterioration. Also, your TSH is now suppressed, which means that even if you do have thyroid function left, your low TSH will mean that your thyroid isn't being stimulated enough to produce much. Just to be absolutely clear, it's the T3 in Armour that's suppressing your TSH.
Your FT4 is only at 20% of range. However, it's sometimes hard for people on desiccated to get FT4 up to the 50% guideline without getting FT3 too high. FT3 is at 40% of range, which is low, especially when on desiccated, when you should be shooting for upper half to upper third of range.
If I were you, I'd just ask for a simple increase. Has your doctor refused an increase?
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If you're skating for the same amount of time every day and expending the same amount of energy on it, while it is considered exercise, it's just normal for you and your body has learned to expect that. You have to vary it in duration and intensity in order make it work in your favor. I'm finding that out, as well.
I can't stand roller blades but my 9 year old started staking 3 months ago and swears they're easier than quads. He's doing recreational hockey now but wants to take speed skating next. I have quad speed skates and love them because they give more support due to wider wheels. You don't have any rinks near by? :(
Back in December the doctor I was seeing then freaked when he saw my TSH after starting 60mg of Armour so he switched me to Levothyroxine and a T3 med. I was getting severe heart palpitations. He then concluded that I never had a thyroid problem to begin with so to stop all meds. He originally gave me enough refills of the Armour 30mg that ended up getting me through till I found another doctor.
Back in December the doctor I was seeing then freaked when he saw my TSH after starting 60mg of Armour so he switched me to Levothyroxine and a T3 med. I was getting severe heart palpitations. He then concluded that I never had a thyroid problem to begin with so to stop all meds. He originally gave me enough refills of the Armour 30mg that ended up getting me through till I found another doctor.
'Yet the medical industry will not accept this because the TSH or other blood labs for thyroid are "normal" yet the person still has hypo symptoms. And they say that it is "impossible". And then as a result you feel depressed, so they feed you anti-depressants like candy without reservation. But if you ask for an increase of thyroid dosage it is like you are asking for the end of the world and there is no way in hell that they would even consider that!!!!!!'
I completely agree with you on the way thyroid patients are treated, flyingfool. It's a sad situation we find ourselves in. And this is coming from 24 years of experience with the medical community and at least six different prescriptions for antidepressants, beta blockers, statins, and blood pressure meds. They would toss any of those meds my way without hesitation, but don't ask to have the thyroid optimized. If your almighty TSH is 'in range' your thyroid disease is cured. Yeah, right.
Rachel2023, I hope you find the right medication and the right doctor to help you. I'm glad you're not giving up on the exercise as I've found it does help me feel better regardless of what my thyroid is or isn't doing at the time. I've slowly lost 42 pounds (and I mean SLOWLY, lol) so I know what a struggle this is. Eat less, move more? Well, might work for those w/o a thyroid issue, lol, but for those of us who do, it's a tad more complicated, right? Best of luck!
I completely agree with you on the way thyroid patients are treated, flyingfool. It's a sad situation we find ourselves in. And this is coming from 24 years of experience with the medical community and at least six different prescriptions for antidepressants, beta blockers, statins, and blood pressure meds. They would toss any of those meds my way without hesitation, but don't ask to have the thyroid optimized. If your almighty TSH is 'in range' your thyroid disease is cured. Yeah, right.
Rachel2023, I hope you find the right medication and the right doctor to help you. I'm glad you're not giving up on the exercise as I've found it does help me feel better regardless of what my thyroid is or isn't doing at the time. I've slowly lost 42 pounds (and I mean SLOWLY, lol) so I know what a struggle this is. Eat less, move more? Well, might work for those w/o a thyroid issue, lol, but for those of us who do, it's a tad more complicated, right? Best of luck!
I love skating but the skating rink closed down decades ago. I used to be a speed skater. But I need normal skates not those inline thingies lol. Armour didn't do much for me personally. I need T4 only. Have you only ever tried Armour?
Totally agree with you both!
I doubt I'd give up roller skating anytime soon...spent a lot on my skates. ;)
And it's amazing to even think of it as exercise when you're having so much fun. I gained 20 lbs in 6 months and can't get it off no matter what I do. I won't lie by saying the thought of giving up hasn't run through my mind but I know it'll only hurt me in the long run. I've given up sugar and simple carbs but still dream if brownies and rocky road ice cream. Getting off of those things has improved my life just not enough to lose the weight or magically reverse the hypothyroidism (sarcasm, sarcasm).
Why is my ft4 not responding?
I doubt I'd give up roller skating anytime soon...spent a lot on my skates. ;)
And it's amazing to even think of it as exercise when you're having so much fun. I gained 20 lbs in 6 months and can't get it off no matter what I do. I won't lie by saying the thought of giving up hasn't run through my mind but I know it'll only hurt me in the long run. I've given up sugar and simple carbs but still dream if brownies and rocky road ice cream. Getting off of those things has improved my life just not enough to lose the weight or magically reverse the hypothyroidism (sarcasm, sarcasm).
Why is my ft4 not responding?
Dessicated thyroid sites suggest that the increases in Armour or similar dessicated medicine has about a 2 week cycle or feedback loop. And that increases should be done slowly but done about ever two weeks.
How you describe that you started having problems 3 weeks after the last update would be consistent with the 2 week theory.
My wife and others with Hypo have found that until you optimize (my wifehas never yet achieved optimization) of thyroid horomones balance it is impossible to lose weight. Happens time and time again.
But the people who do not know this (Defined by the dictionary as the term/word = ignorant) will simply tell the Hypo person that they are lazy and just need to excercise more and eat less. And that you "must be cheating" on your diet otherwise you'd be losing weight.
But it has been proven by several people in a hospital situation where food amounts were strictly held to a point so low that it was scientifically impossible for the person to not lose weight. But in fact the person actually GAINED weight in this completely controlled environment.
Yet the medical industry will not accept this because the TSH or other blood labs for thyroid are "normal" yet the person still has hypo symptoms. And they say that it is "impossible". And then as a result you feel depressed, so they feed you anti-depressants like candy without reservation. But if you ask for an increase of thyroid dosage it is like you are asking for the end of the world and there is no way in hell that they would even consider that!!!!!!
And hence the dark ages of medicine we live in today.
You see in the good old days, Dr's actually PRACTICED medicine. Where they used BOTH art AND science. They used training and THOUGHT about what could be the problem. They used experience, thought, training and science but also took into account the symptoms and the results of trials resulting in using JUDGEMENT to come to a conclusion.
Today we seem to have a medical industry that has almost 100% based upon science. What the numbers say on a lab result, or an x-ray or a MRI etc. THey use little to no judgement and pay little attention to the way the patient feels. And heaven forbid that you medicate based upon a THOUGHT which is not what the rest of the "standard of care" because it would open them up to a lawsuit. Forget the fact that it may actually cure the patient, only medicate to within a reference range that everyone else uses and nothing more.
How many times growing up did you hear your parents say: "If all your friends jumped off a bridge would you jump too?"
If it was unacceptable behavior for a child to fall for peer pressure and simply follow along like lemmings. Why is it acceptable to allow the medical industry simply follow the "standard of care" and only prescribe a treatment that everyone else does? isn't this simply following your friends jumping off a bridge?
This all defies common sense. And the same thing seems true in general. Common sense is no longer common. In fact in many cases it is not ALLOWED to be followed. It is insanity.
But bottom line is that you must get your thyroid balance right or you are fighting the nearly impossible to lose weight. Of course this does not mean to stop excercising because you give up as it is worthless/useless. Because there are many other major health benefits to excercise than simply weight loss.
How you describe that you started having problems 3 weeks after the last update would be consistent with the 2 week theory.
My wife and others with Hypo have found that until you optimize (my wifehas never yet achieved optimization) of thyroid horomones balance it is impossible to lose weight. Happens time and time again.
But the people who do not know this (Defined by the dictionary as the term/word = ignorant) will simply tell the Hypo person that they are lazy and just need to excercise more and eat less. And that you "must be cheating" on your diet otherwise you'd be losing weight.
But it has been proven by several people in a hospital situation where food amounts were strictly held to a point so low that it was scientifically impossible for the person to not lose weight. But in fact the person actually GAINED weight in this completely controlled environment.
Yet the medical industry will not accept this because the TSH or other blood labs for thyroid are "normal" yet the person still has hypo symptoms. And they say that it is "impossible". And then as a result you feel depressed, so they feed you anti-depressants like candy without reservation. But if you ask for an increase of thyroid dosage it is like you are asking for the end of the world and there is no way in hell that they would even consider that!!!!!!
And hence the dark ages of medicine we live in today.
You see in the good old days, Dr's actually PRACTICED medicine. Where they used BOTH art AND science. They used training and THOUGHT about what could be the problem. They used experience, thought, training and science but also took into account the symptoms and the results of trials resulting in using JUDGEMENT to come to a conclusion.
Today we seem to have a medical industry that has almost 100% based upon science. What the numbers say on a lab result, or an x-ray or a MRI etc. THey use little to no judgement and pay little attention to the way the patient feels. And heaven forbid that you medicate based upon a THOUGHT which is not what the rest of the "standard of care" because it would open them up to a lawsuit. Forget the fact that it may actually cure the patient, only medicate to within a reference range that everyone else uses and nothing more.
How many times growing up did you hear your parents say: "If all your friends jumped off a bridge would you jump too?"
If it was unacceptable behavior for a child to fall for peer pressure and simply follow along like lemmings. Why is it acceptable to allow the medical industry simply follow the "standard of care" and only prescribe a treatment that everyone else does? isn't this simply following your friends jumping off a bridge?
This all defies common sense. And the same thing seems true in general. Common sense is no longer common. In fact in many cases it is not ALLOWED to be followed. It is insanity.
But bottom line is that you must get your thyroid balance right or you are fighting the nearly impossible to lose weight. Of course this does not mean to stop excercising because you give up as it is worthless/useless. Because there are many other major health benefits to excercise than simply weight loss.
All calories burn the same in a lab. Once we eat it biochemistry rules! Dr Lustig talks about calorie in calorie out on the youtube video Sugar The Bitter Truth. And when you see there is an obese 6 month old epidemic around the world you can see clearly it's not a matter of eating less and exercising more! Excellent presentation with almost 5 million views. Highly recommended.
What would be the protocol since my labs didn't really change? Does this mean Armour isn't working?
Only real difference is that my heart palpitations have drastically reduced. The first three weeks were great! Never knew what life was without palpitations. All my life I thought if I felt my heart pounding to the point it hurt my neck and chest that that was my body's way of saying I needed to stop. In the first three weeks I exercised and never felt like my heart was gonna come out of my chest, my reason for slowing down was due to muscle tiredness which my husband said was normal. After the fourth week the heart pounding started making it difficult to go on exercising because I'd react as I did before but I'd reassure myself that it wasn't anything serious, I would take a break and go on till they started up again.
We roller skate 2 hrs a day-4 days a week. My husband is losing weight while I maintain my weight. My husband thinks if I try to get some roller skating time in during the mornings every weekday I may see a tiny improvement in my weight. This frustrates me because before I'd walk 3 miles a day and lost 60 lbs but yet I can't drop a single pound with what I'm doing now and that's that I'm burning more calories. :(
Only real difference is that my heart palpitations have drastically reduced. The first three weeks were great! Never knew what life was without palpitations. All my life I thought if I felt my heart pounding to the point it hurt my neck and chest that that was my body's way of saying I needed to stop. In the first three weeks I exercised and never felt like my heart was gonna come out of my chest, my reason for slowing down was due to muscle tiredness which my husband said was normal. After the fourth week the heart pounding started making it difficult to go on exercising because I'd react as I did before but I'd reassure myself that it wasn't anything serious, I would take a break and go on till they started up again.
We roller skate 2 hrs a day-4 days a week. My husband is losing weight while I maintain my weight. My husband thinks if I try to get some roller skating time in during the mornings every weekday I may see a tiny improvement in my weight. This frustrates me because before I'd walk 3 miles a day and lost 60 lbs but yet I can't drop a single pound with what I'm doing now and that's that I'm burning more calories. :(
I was feeling much better till the 4th week when most of my symptoms returned: hands and feet freezing, moodiness, depression, heart palpitations (not as bad though), muscle aches, constipation, hair falling out, and tired all the time even though I sleep pretty good.
I had both antibodies checked and both came back normal. Should I have it rechecked even though the doctor said there was no need to?
I had both antibodies checked and both came back normal. Should I have it rechecked even though the doctor said there was no need to?
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