Aa
should my thyroid medication be lowered based on these lab results?
I've been on 150mcg of synthroid for a couple of years and recently had some lab work done that prompted my primary doctor to higher the medication to 175mcg.
A week later I had a ER doctor look at the lab results after I wasn't feeling well. He states the dosage should have been lowered. Does any one know who is right here??
TSH 0.15
T3 2.2
T4 1.0.
A week later I had a ER doctor look at the lab results after I wasn't feeling well. He states the dosage should have been lowered. Does any one know who is right here??
TSH 0.15
T3 2.2
T4 1.0.
No way should you give up and stop the med. The Endo has certainly confused everything. He is following the standard of care for hypothyroidism, and he is wrong about several things. Doctors don't understand that in the unmedicated state, the equilibrium among the hypothalamus/pituitary/thyroid gland is the end result of a continuous low flow of natural thyroid hormone. When a hypo patient starts taking large daily doses of thyroid med adequate to raise FT4 and FT3 levels enough to relieve symptoms, TSH usually becomes suppressed below range. That does not mean hyperthyroidism, and is not a reason for concern, unless you have hyper symptoms due to excess levels of Free T4 and Free T3, which is not the case for you. If you could ask that doctor what is supposed to be adversely affected by suppressed TSH he would likely tell you about cardiac issues and osteoporosis concerns. Neither of those are the result of a lack of TSH. Instead they are the possible result of excessive levels of Free T4 and Free T3. TSH is only an indicator of the hypothalamus/pituitary response to serum thyroid hormone levels. Even under normal circumstances TSH does not correlate well with either one of the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T4 or Free T3, and even less with symptoms. When already taking thyroid med, TSH is basically a wasted test.
The second thing is that yes, T3 affects serum levels in about 3-4 hours after taking it and then diminishes over the same period. So that is why it is recommended to defer morning doses of any T3 med until after the blood draw for tests. It is not a reason to refuse to test Free T3. The same thing applies with T4 med, only it does not affect serum levels as fast. Even the AACE/ATA Guidelines for Hypothyroidism recognize the need to defer the morning dose of thyroid med to prevent false high results. In the following link authored by an excellent thyroid doctor you will find the statement, " in tests done about 24 to 28 hrs after their last daily dose, most people on adequate NDT therapy have a suppressed TSH. They usually have FT4 levels that are 1 to 1.3ng/dL, and free T3 levels that are rather high in the range or even slightly above the range. The higher FT3 level compensates for the lower FT4 levels on NDT. These patients have no symptoms or signs of hyperthyroidism--if such occur the dose is reduced." In the link you will also find info about suppressed TSH, such as the following, "The TSH level tells us nothing about the physiology of a person on thyroid replacement therapy."
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
The third thing is that the Endo is ignoring hypothyroid related symptoms, refusing to test for Free T3, which is the biologically active thyroid hormone metabolized by all the cells of your body to produce needed energy, and somehow questioning your need for thyroid med at all. This tell me that you are wasting your time there and your will be better off with your primary doctor who is doing most of the things you need. I think that if you discuss all of this with your primary and give him a copy of the following link I first gave you and ask him to have a look and see if he will agree to test for Free T3, ignore the suppressed TSH, test for ferritin, and then optimize your Free T4 to midl-range, your Free T3 in the upper third of range, or as needed to relieve symptoms, and get your ferritin to at least 100. With all the supporting scientific evidence included with the paper, the doctor should not have a difficult time accepting the need to do the above things for you. If you haven't read at least the first two pages of the link you should do so and be better prepared to be your own best advocate for what you need. If you get these things done I think you will be amazed at how much better you will feel.
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf
Do not give up on getting what you need just because of misinformation from that latest doctor.
The second thing is that yes, T3 affects serum levels in about 3-4 hours after taking it and then diminishes over the same period. So that is why it is recommended to defer morning doses of any T3 med until after the blood draw for tests. It is not a reason to refuse to test Free T3. The same thing applies with T4 med, only it does not affect serum levels as fast. Even the AACE/ATA Guidelines for Hypothyroidism recognize the need to defer the morning dose of thyroid med to prevent false high results. In the following link authored by an excellent thyroid doctor you will find the statement, " in tests done about 24 to 28 hrs after their last daily dose, most people on adequate NDT therapy have a suppressed TSH. They usually have FT4 levels that are 1 to 1.3ng/dL, and free T3 levels that are rather high in the range or even slightly above the range. The higher FT3 level compensates for the lower FT4 levels on NDT. These patients have no symptoms or signs of hyperthyroidism--if such occur the dose is reduced." In the link you will also find info about suppressed TSH, such as the following, "The TSH level tells us nothing about the physiology of a person on thyroid replacement therapy."
http://www.hormonerestoration.com/Thyroid.html
The third thing is that the Endo is ignoring hypothyroid related symptoms, refusing to test for Free T3, which is the biologically active thyroid hormone metabolized by all the cells of your body to produce needed energy, and somehow questioning your need for thyroid med at all. This tell me that you are wasting your time there and your will be better off with your primary doctor who is doing most of the things you need. I think that if you discuss all of this with your primary and give him a copy of the following link I first gave you and ask him to have a look and see if he will agree to test for Free T3, ignore the suppressed TSH, test for ferritin, and then optimize your Free T4 to midl-range, your Free T3 in the upper third of range, or as needed to relieve symptoms, and get your ferritin to at least 100. With all the supporting scientific evidence included with the paper, the doctor should not have a difficult time accepting the need to do the above things for you. If you haven't read at least the first two pages of the link you should do so and be better prepared to be your own best advocate for what you need. If you get these things done I think you will be amazed at how much better you will feel.
http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/TUK_PDFs/diagnosis_and_treatment_of_hypothyroidism_issue_1.pdf
Do not give up on getting what you need just because of misinformation from that latest doctor.
So, I had my prolactin level checked and it was fine.
In the meantime my doctor wants to wait 8 weeks before adding cytomel to my Armour 180mg.
I recently had a TSH test which showed that my TSH is 0.0 my T4 is right in the middle of the reference range and my T3 is almost in the middle of the reference range. That was 17 days ago. I still have hypo symptoms like muscle fatigue, vertigo, constipation, back ache, joint pain in my knees and ankles, dry skin, and of course some kind of hormone problem because I have some discharge which is NOT prolactin.
On the up side I'm not as tired, my carpal tunnel went away after wearing splints for 4 years, my hair isn't falling out, I don't have breast soreness any longer, and I lost the 10 lbs I put on the Armour.
In the meantime
A client of mine is the president of a hospital here where I live and offered to get me in to see the endocrinologist that works for him.
Since my doctor is Leary to add anything to my T3 I thought I'd get a 2nd opinion.
I had a bunch of tests done there and everything came out normal. I am in menopause, my vitamin D is up to 70 which is great, but he states that my TSH, being at 0.0...he'd like to see it at least 0.3 he thinks I should move the Armour down to 120mg from 180mg because he feels that I am being overmedicated. Really, he states he's actually would like me to stop taking all of it for 6 weeks and redo a TSH test, but if I'd prefer he'd lower the dose to 120mg and see from there. He states that a test shows my thyroid is actually working somewhat on its own.
So. I keep an open mind and think about it for the day but decide that I want to see what my T4 and my T3 level is BEFORE I decide what to do.
I go this morning to pick up all of the 8 lab tests and my T3 is no place listed as tested. I go back into the office and ask the girl if she gave me the T3 test because I don't have it. She looks all through the paper work and nothing. So she sends me back to the endocrinologist to talk with him. So apparently he states testing T3 isn't really showing anything accurate because if I took the Armour the day it's tested it will show my T3 high, and if I didn't take it that day my T3 will be low. So, what's the point of doing the test. He states with Armour, unlike synthetic, it's like drinking a cup of coffee... and he said they are trying to come up with a version of T3 that is XR, so until then the test is irrelevant, and that it would be ideal for me to get off of everything because he doesn't think I need the medicine but he isn't going to "FORCE" me to.
He believes me feeling better is the result of the vitamin D being at 70, and not under 13.
He states no Hashimotis so I'll be AOK and he gave me a lab slip for sometime in September to have my TSH, T4, AND T3 tested.
I walked out hysterical without the lab test.
I'm quitting ALL THE MEDICINE AND AM DONE.
In the meantime my doctor wants to wait 8 weeks before adding cytomel to my Armour 180mg.
I recently had a TSH test which showed that my TSH is 0.0 my T4 is right in the middle of the reference range and my T3 is almost in the middle of the reference range. That was 17 days ago. I still have hypo symptoms like muscle fatigue, vertigo, constipation, back ache, joint pain in my knees and ankles, dry skin, and of course some kind of hormone problem because I have some discharge which is NOT prolactin.
On the up side I'm not as tired, my carpal tunnel went away after wearing splints for 4 years, my hair isn't falling out, I don't have breast soreness any longer, and I lost the 10 lbs I put on the Armour.
In the meantime
A client of mine is the president of a hospital here where I live and offered to get me in to see the endocrinologist that works for him.
Since my doctor is Leary to add anything to my T3 I thought I'd get a 2nd opinion.
I had a bunch of tests done there and everything came out normal. I am in menopause, my vitamin D is up to 70 which is great, but he states that my TSH, being at 0.0...he'd like to see it at least 0.3 he thinks I should move the Armour down to 120mg from 180mg because he feels that I am being overmedicated. Really, he states he's actually would like me to stop taking all of it for 6 weeks and redo a TSH test, but if I'd prefer he'd lower the dose to 120mg and see from there. He states that a test shows my thyroid is actually working somewhat on its own.
So. I keep an open mind and think about it for the day but decide that I want to see what my T4 and my T3 level is BEFORE I decide what to do.
I go this morning to pick up all of the 8 lab tests and my T3 is no place listed as tested. I go back into the office and ask the girl if she gave me the T3 test because I don't have it. She looks all through the paper work and nothing. So she sends me back to the endocrinologist to talk with him. So apparently he states testing T3 isn't really showing anything accurate because if I took the Armour the day it's tested it will show my T3 high, and if I didn't take it that day my T3 will be low. So, what's the point of doing the test. He states with Armour, unlike synthetic, it's like drinking a cup of coffee... and he said they are trying to come up with a version of T3 that is XR, so until then the test is irrelevant, and that it would be ideal for me to get off of everything because he doesn't think I need the medicine but he isn't going to "FORCE" me to.
He believes me feeling better is the result of the vitamin D being at 70, and not under 13.
He states no Hashimotis so I'll be AOK and he gave me a lab slip for sometime in September to have my TSH, T4, AND T3 tested.
I walked out hysterical without the lab test.
I'm quitting ALL THE MEDICINE AND AM DONE.
i went back to the doctor today.
Because, believe it or not for the past year I really haven't given this much thought, but I've had some extreme major breast soreness in the past 6 to 12 months like I'm about due for a period. First I contributed it to menopause, then contributing it to my thyroid levels low.
I finally figured out why my rack has been killing me for like over a year. I'm lactating.
Thought that was just dry skin on my nipples
For the past YEAR, but that is actually dry discharge.
Yeah, so they hurt SO BAD last night I googled breast soreness long term and most people have discharge with long term breast soreness, so I squeezed my girls just to make sure I was AOK in that area but yeah, NO.
So I couldn't even tell my doctor because I was so upset so it took like a few minutes
For me to spit it out and I can tell you, I think that was the last thing he'd thought I'd say.
Actually that's the only really funny thing about this was the look on his face when I did tell him.
So he did a blood test for prolactin high levels?
And i have to get an MRI of my pituitary gland because and he now suspects I have a tumor on it. I. His words..."the snake
Because, believe it or not for the past year I really haven't given this much thought, but I've had some extreme major breast soreness in the past 6 to 12 months like I'm about due for a period. First I contributed it to menopause, then contributing it to my thyroid levels low.
I finally figured out why my rack has been killing me for like over a year. I'm lactating.
Thought that was just dry skin on my nipples
For the past YEAR, but that is actually dry discharge.
Yeah, so they hurt SO BAD last night I googled breast soreness long term and most people have discharge with long term breast soreness, so I squeezed my girls just to make sure I was AOK in that area but yeah, NO.
So I couldn't even tell my doctor because I was so upset so it took like a few minutes
For me to spit it out and I can tell you, I think that was the last thing he'd thought I'd say.
Actually that's the only really funny thing about this was the look on his face when I did tell him.
So he did a blood test for prolactin high levels?
And i have to get an MRI of my pituitary gland because and he now suspects I have a tumor on it. I. His words..."the snake
When will you be going back to the doctor for followup tests? I would not increase the Armour dosage without consultation with the doctor. This doctor is doing good things for you and you don't want to create any problem with him by self medication with Armour. I don't understand his reluctance to test for ferritin. Maybe you should make him aware that you are an athlete, a vegetarian, perhaps perimenopausal and certainly hypothyroid, so you suspect that your ferritin is low. If you do supplement with iron, VitronC is a very good one. It contains iron plus Vitamin C to prevent any stomach issues from the iron.
I'm not sure about this ferritin thing either.
I just read that ferritin levels are affected by being a vegetarian, which I am, an athlete, which I am, and Peri menopausal women which maybe I am.
If I take an iron supplement will that put my ferritin level up?
I just read that ferritin levels are affected by being a vegetarian, which I am, an athlete, which I am, and Peri menopausal women which maybe I am.
If I take an iron supplement will that put my ferritin level up?
If I don't feel better is 2 weeks I'm going to take the script I have of 30 mg of Armour on top of the 180 mg. I have enough to last me for another 5 weeks of the 30mg.
I did not have any blood work done at this time as it had only been 3 weeks since the last TSH test. He said it was kind of ridiculous to do the TSH test since it was obvious my levels were surely not what they were suppose to be just by looking at me physically.
He also said to take the vitamin D 50,000 U for the next 3 weeks, then start taking 4000 U, bringing it to 28,000 per week.
I'm not sure if he will test that again in a month, I hope so. TSH test he will do in one month.
As for the ferritin IDK, he's pretty adamant that the iron is good, so should I take an iron pill or something on my own?
I already take women's one a day multi vitamin, B12 3000mcg, switching every other day with a B complex 100.
I'm just wondering as well if the vitamin D is contributing to me not being able to go to the bathroom, and I think iron supplements makes you constipated also.
I'm very disappointed that I haven't felt better results in the past few weeks.
Shall I be prepared that I'm not going to be feeling good for another month?
How much Armour is gonna do it?
My doctor wants to send me for a colonoscopy next, and my obgyn wants to do a biopsy of my uterus because of the irregular spotting.
Nobody even cares about my hair.
He also said to take the vitamin D 50,000 U for the next 3 weeks, then start taking 4000 U, bringing it to 28,000 per week.
I'm not sure if he will test that again in a month, I hope so. TSH test he will do in one month.
As for the ferritin IDK, he's pretty adamant that the iron is good, so should I take an iron pill or something on my own?
I already take women's one a day multi vitamin, B12 3000mcg, switching every other day with a B complex 100.
I'm just wondering as well if the vitamin D is contributing to me not being able to go to the bathroom, and I think iron supplements makes you constipated also.
I'm very disappointed that I haven't felt better results in the past few weeks.
Shall I be prepared that I'm not going to be feeling good for another month?
How much Armour is gonna do it?
My doctor wants to send me for a colonoscopy next, and my obgyn wants to do a biopsy of my uterus because of the irregular spotting.
Nobody even cares about my hair.
As I mentioned previously the 120 = 30 of Armour was only a small increase from the 150 dose that you were on for a couple of years. So I did not expect a significant effect. It is good that your doctor increased your dosage to 180 mg. That increases your T4 med by 19.5 mcg, and your T3 med by 4.5 mcg.
There is no need to be concerned about your Armour dosage. The important thing is getting your FT4 and FT3 levels high enough to relieve hypo symptoms. An excellent thyroid doctor once told me that dosage was irrelevant, only the physiological effect mattered. So if you have less absorption than other hypo patients it doesn't really matter, you just have to adjust med dosage to achieve symptom relief. At one time in the past I was on 4 grains of Armour (240 mg) plus 25 mcg of T3.
Did your doctor draw blood for tests? You should make sure they test for Free T4 and Free T3 every time you go n for tests. That helps to monitor your levels as your dosage changes. In addition it is very important that you get your Vitamin D up to at least 50 ng/mL, and in view of your hair loss you should insist on testing your ferritin level and then supplement as needed to raise it to at least 100.
There is no need to be concerned about your Armour dosage. The important thing is getting your FT4 and FT3 levels high enough to relieve hypo symptoms. An excellent thyroid doctor once told me that dosage was irrelevant, only the physiological effect mattered. So if you have less absorption than other hypo patients it doesn't really matter, you just have to adjust med dosage to achieve symptom relief. At one time in the past I was on 4 grains of Armour (240 mg) plus 25 mcg of T3.
Did your doctor draw blood for tests? You should make sure they test for Free T4 and Free T3 every time you go n for tests. That helps to monitor your levels as your dosage changes. In addition it is very important that you get your Vitamin D up to at least 50 ng/mL, and in view of your hair loss you should insist on testing your ferritin level and then supplement as needed to raise it to at least 100.
I went back to the doctor today as I now have some kind of respitory infection.
It's been 3 weeks on The Armour and the Vitamin D, and I still have most of the hypo symptoms that I had before, the BIggest ones being not able to go to the bathroom, being tired, muscle fatigue, a constant backache if I stand for long periods, and my hair falling out.
I have however finally stopped spotting with a period for the past 3 months, it isn't snowing with dry skin when I take my clothes off, and I've lost 5 lbs in the past few weeks, even though I'm still having problems with constipation, and I'm not retaining water.
My doctor moved the Armour from 120/30 mg to 180mg, gave me a B12 shot, a steroid shot, and a 7 day steroid pack Methylprednisolone.
I'm beginning to wonder if I have some kind of malabsorption problem. Is that possible?
I read on the Armour website that most people take 120-150mg which is adequate. It also states that if anything higher than 180mg Armour isn't working than malabsorption And something else, I can't remember needs to be looked into.
Anyhow, I really hope it works and what do I do NOW if it does not?????
Are people on higher doses than 180mg of Armour?
I only weigh 122 lbs, 5'7". My normal weight is 113 lbs. Are thyroid meds based on weight?
I'm really worried about this.
I don't take any other medication, and have had no other problems EVER, and have been an avid runner competing in and finishing in top professional times through out my life, and now I can't walk up 3 flights of stairs without feeling like I just ran 26.2 miles.
It's been 3 weeks on The Armour and the Vitamin D, and I still have most of the hypo symptoms that I had before, the BIggest ones being not able to go to the bathroom, being tired, muscle fatigue, a constant backache if I stand for long periods, and my hair falling out.
I have however finally stopped spotting with a period for the past 3 months, it isn't snowing with dry skin when I take my clothes off, and I've lost 5 lbs in the past few weeks, even though I'm still having problems with constipation, and I'm not retaining water.
My doctor moved the Armour from 120/30 mg to 180mg, gave me a B12 shot, a steroid shot, and a 7 day steroid pack Methylprednisolone.
I'm beginning to wonder if I have some kind of malabsorption problem. Is that possible?
I read on the Armour website that most people take 120-150mg which is adequate. It also states that if anything higher than 180mg Armour isn't working than malabsorption And something else, I can't remember needs to be looked into.
Anyhow, I really hope it works and what do I do NOW if it does not?????
Are people on higher doses than 180mg of Armour?
I only weigh 122 lbs, 5'7". My normal weight is 113 lbs. Are thyroid meds based on weight?
I'm really worried about this.
I don't take any other medication, and have had no other problems EVER, and have been an avid runner competing in and finishing in top professional times through out my life, and now I can't walk up 3 flights of stairs without feeling like I just ran 26.2 miles.
Yes on the Vitamin D dosage. The doctor has you going in the right direction. I am not convinced about the ferritin being okay. I would ask again to test it just to make sure.
NO! He said that after looking at the blood work he decided not to because the hemoglobin and the hemocrit levels showed no concern for low ferritin. He said he's concerned about the vitamin D stating it is extremely, extremely low.
That's a bit surprising to me since I have a tan and have been to the beach several times this year.
He prescribed 50,000 units ( 1capsule) 1 x per week. Ever hear of someone doing that?
That's a bit surprising to me since I have a tan and have been to the beach several times this year.
He prescribed 50,000 units ( 1capsule) 1 x per week. Ever hear of someone doing that?
I don't recall ever seeing a Vitamin D test result that low. I expect he is going to give you a large dose to get you up to a good level. It should be at least 50.
B12 should be in the upper end of the range. Supplementing that would help with fatigue.
Were you tested for ferritin?
B12 should be in the upper end of the range. Supplementing that would help with fatigue.
Were you tested for ferritin?
2 Comments
My Ferritin was 6: Iron Sat % was -2; Iron was 12; and Platelets were 509. B-12 was OkK cause I give myself an injection bi/or weekly. Needless to say I had to get 4 infusions starting that day. LOL No-one took my Thyroid tests seriously even though I had a multimodular goiter getting larger until it was so big that I couldn't swallow or breathe. Complete TT removed a 70 gram thyroid with a pT2 cancer nodule 3-23-17. Drs. wouldn't listen to my 66 yr. Old hystery of malabsorption & gave me 100 mcg (mg? - sorry, very ill & brain doesn't work yet) Thyroxine which made me even more ill than I had been for past 2 yrs. So, she increased it to 128 mg.Thanks for nothing... Finally found thyroxine can have a malabsorption issue for some people. It, also, contains lactose, accacia.[grass] & confectioners sugar. All things on my Allergy list. 3, no 4, strikes & I was out. May 23 my Pain Management Dr. saw me & became slightly enraged. I was & still am ' walking death'. He didn't want to step on toes but gave me a script for 60 mg Armour, to help me survive while I have a new Endo, who believes in Armour, etc. I no longer vomit or have uncontrollable diarrhea, but 60 mg is far from enough, as we don't know what type of malabsorption I may have with it. However, since it is a natural product I may do OK. I have to get more labs done 7/11 & then she will see that & how I feel and adjust accordingly. For the first time in over 2 yrs. I have hope. Oh, after working very hard to lose over 100 lbs. That I had dieted my way up to, I've maintained a healthy 132 lbs. Since November, I've gained 17 lbs. Needless to say, that has added to my depression. I lost my 31 yr. Old son 3 yrs. Ago & all the Drs. Put my symptoms down to PTSD. I was, actually, grateful to have found such a lge. Goiter & cancer. I enjoyed proving them wrong because of their rigidity & stupidity. I'm & hoping that by the end of the summer that I will be able to get out of bed & do something with my husband. He couldn't retire because I need his health insurance. I'm praying that I can give him a gift of getting all this under control & telling him to retire for Christmas 2018. This website has given me more information in just a few posts than weeks of my medical research. Thank You. Mar
If you have any thyroid test results, please post results and references shown on the lab report.
I got my test results back for the D and the B12
Vitamin D 9 ( 30 - 300 )
B12 562 ( 211 - 946 )
Any thoughts on the results???
I've got some severe muscle fatigue today and constipation big time even on a high fiber diet.
And I've had my period for two months straight.
That is crazy, seriously.
My doctor is calling in some kind of prescription for the vitamin D.
If I thought one test would come back ok it was going to be the vitamin D.
I eat really healthy.
Vitamin D 9 ( 30 - 300 )
B12 562 ( 211 - 946 )
Any thoughts on the results???
I've got some severe muscle fatigue today and constipation big time even on a high fiber diet.
And I've had my period for two months straight.
That is crazy, seriously.
My doctor is calling in some kind of prescription for the vitamin D.
If I thought one test would come back ok it was going to be the vitamin D.
I eat really healthy.
Sorry, I misunderstood the new med/dosage. Each grain of Armour Thyroid contains 39 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3. So, 150 mg of Armour Thyroid contains 97 mcg of T4 and 22.5 mcg of T3. Since T3 is recognized by the AACE/ATA Guidelines for Hypothyroidism as being 3 times as effective as T4, that means your 150 mg of Armour is equivalent to 164.5 mcg of T4 (97 plus 3 times 22.5 equals 164.5). So that gives you a small increase in overall dosage, and gives you a significant start of T3.
When you go back for followup tests after the dosage change, just be sure to get a copy of the lab report and review with us. We will be glad to help interpret and advise further, if needed. I am very pleased to hear the doctor's response to your lab test results and his willingness to prescribe T3 type med.
One thought that comes to mind is whether the doctor advised you to split any Armour dose and take half in the morning and half in the early afternoon. Since T3 reaches full effect on serum levels in about 3-4 hours, and then dissipates over the same period, splitting the dose helps even out the effect over the full day.
One other caution would be to consider switching to the Armour in two steps, rather than all at once. The reason for that is you are reducing the T4 dosage from 150 to 97. With the half life of T4 being almost a week, that means you will continue having some effect of the old higher dose for 2-3 weeks. With the half life of T3 mentioned above, you get the full effect of the T3 in about 4 days. So to minimize even the possibility of a reaction to those changes, if possible you could split your 150 mcg dose and take 75 per day ( or take your T4 dose of 150 every other day) and start with 75 mg of Armour for the first two weeks, and then make the full change.
By the way, I have also found that Osteopathic Doctors seem to be more attuned to clinical treatment than M.D.'s. When I asked my doctor how she avoided the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and "Reference Range Endocrinology", she said she was trained different than that. She said she was trained to treat patients, not just lab results. Too bad that is such a rarity.
When you go back for followup tests after the dosage change, just be sure to get a copy of the lab report and review with us. We will be glad to help interpret and advise further, if needed. I am very pleased to hear the doctor's response to your lab test results and his willingness to prescribe T3 type med.
One thought that comes to mind is whether the doctor advised you to split any Armour dose and take half in the morning and half in the early afternoon. Since T3 reaches full effect on serum levels in about 3-4 hours, and then dissipates over the same period, splitting the dose helps even out the effect over the full day.
One other caution would be to consider switching to the Armour in two steps, rather than all at once. The reason for that is you are reducing the T4 dosage from 150 to 97. With the half life of T4 being almost a week, that means you will continue having some effect of the old higher dose for 2-3 weeks. With the half life of T3 mentioned above, you get the full effect of the T3 in about 4 days. So to minimize even the possibility of a reaction to those changes, if possible you could split your 150 mcg dose and take 75 per day ( or take your T4 dose of 150 every other day) and start with 75 mg of Armour for the first two weeks, and then make the full change.
By the way, I have also found that Osteopathic Doctors seem to be more attuned to clinical treatment than M.D.'s. When I asked my doctor how she avoided the "Immaculate TSH Belief" and "Reference Range Endocrinology", she said she was trained different than that. She said she was trained to treat patients, not just lab results. Too bad that is such a rarity.
1 Comments
Ok I understand. He did state to take the 120 mg in the am. And the 30mg in the early afternoon if I possibly could.
He also said the whole take it 30 to 40 minutes before eating was a ridiculous myth if that was going to be an issue with splitting the dosage.
He said he will call me himself tomorrow with the blood work on the D, B12, ferritin, and folic acid.
He also said within one week I would be feeling better hopefully, and if not he'd tweak the Armour so I'm assuming he has your same thoughts.
He also said the whole take it 30 to 40 minutes before eating was a ridiculous myth if that was going to be an issue with splitting the dosage.
He said he will call me himself tomorrow with the blood work on the D, B12, ferritin, and folic acid.
He also said within one week I would be feeling better hopefully, and if not he'd tweak the Armour so I'm assuming he has your same thoughts.
He put me on
120mg of Armour Thyroid + 30mg of Armour Thyroid.
He said they don't make 150mg of Armour.
I'm assuming he wanted the new medicine to be equivalent of the synthroid 150mcg
120mg of Armour Thyroid + 30mg of Armour Thyroid.
He said they don't make 150mg of Armour.
I'm assuming he wanted the new medicine to be equivalent of the synthroid 150mcg
He switched the med to Armour thyroid 120mg +Armour Thyroid 30mg.
He said they don't make 150 mg of Armour so I have to take 2 pills a day.
His plan was to have Armour 150 mg be equivalent to 150mcg of synthroid.
He said they don't make 150 mg of Armour so I have to take 2 pills a day.
His plan was to have Armour 150 mg be equivalent to 150mcg of synthroid.
As I started to go through the dosage numbers, I realized that you did not identify if the 50 mg was T4 or T3. I assume it must be T4, correct? Also, it would be in micrograms, not milligrams. Armour is in milligrams.
I also think the conversion may be off based on a quick calculation. I have to run right now, but will straighten out the dosages later this evening.
Ok. I guess it's right because I felt no symptom
Of taking too much.
It is suppose to be the equivalent to 150 mcg
Of synthroid. My bad, I stink at math that's why I'm a hairstylist. And I've lost faith in Doctors.
Of taking too much.
It is suppose to be the equivalent to 150 mcg
Of synthroid. My bad, I stink at math that's why I'm a hairstylist. And I've lost faith in Doctors.
Please someone tell me if the conversation is correct. I just looked and tried to figure it out.
Looks to me like it's wrong.
Looks to me like it's wrong.
I went to the doctor I saw in 2015 who has been the only one in the past 3 years interested in something other than the TSH.
I was totally committed in being a fierce advocate for myself, armed with some kind of knowledge and the printed report.
Turned out I didn't need to be.
He immediately looked at the lab work I brought with me and stated
That the T3 and T4 were off.
He also stated I needed to be tested for B12, VD, Ferritin, and folic acid, which he also said was NOT TESTED AS I WAS TOLD.
He went back and fourth with two ideas for for my thyroid.
Keep synthroid at 175 mcg and slowly add cytomel, or go on Armour 120mg + 30mg.
He decided to do the Armour 120mg + 30 mg.
He did the blood blood work for the other tests and the results will be in in 2 days.
Here is something interesting I didn't know.
This doctor is a DO, and ALL the other doctors I've seen are MD. Not sure if that made any kind of difference in his assessment compared to EVERYONE else.
Thank you for taking the time to help me understand all of this.
I hope this will make some kind of difference and am going to try to stay positive that I'll start feeling better soon.
I was totally committed in being a fierce advocate for myself, armed with some kind of knowledge and the printed report.
Turned out I didn't need to be.
He immediately looked at the lab work I brought with me and stated
That the T3 and T4 were off.
He also stated I needed to be tested for B12, VD, Ferritin, and folic acid, which he also said was NOT TESTED AS I WAS TOLD.
He went back and fourth with two ideas for for my thyroid.
Keep synthroid at 175 mcg and slowly add cytomel, or go on Armour 120mg + 30mg.
He decided to do the Armour 120mg + 30 mg.
He did the blood blood work for the other tests and the results will be in in 2 days.
Here is something interesting I didn't know.
This doctor is a DO, and ALL the other doctors I've seen are MD. Not sure if that made any kind of difference in his assessment compared to EVERYONE else.
Thank you for taking the time to help me understand all of this.
I hope this will make some kind of difference and am going to try to stay positive that I'll start feeling better soon.
1 Comments
Retest TSH in 4 weeks.
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.
