throid med's

[springnyc]

hi,
i have hashimoto's. my tsh levels are around 6.9. t4's are within normal range. the only reason my endoctrinologist is recommending i take thyroid hormone is to bring down my TSH and decrease the risk of miscarriage in the event i want to get pregnant. i am 37 and thinking of having children.
i frankly wouldn't mind getting rid of some of the symptoms either: sensitivity to cold, bloated, tired, terrible memory.
i have heard that taking thyroid hormone stops your thyroid from functioning, which means you have to take the medication for the rest of your life.
i have also heard that smaller doses, only assist your thyroid and don't stop it from functioning on its own. i heard the amount depends on weight. i am 5foot 2inches and weigh 110 pounds. my endoctrinologist recommends 25 mg of synthroid. i'd rather take natural thyroid: armour or nutrimeds.
i read with armour, though, that it's effective only if you increase does over roughly a 2-month period. how much would i  want to increase it by without compromising my own thyroid? and adrenal glandulars: are those good to take together with thyroid hormone?  
are naturopathic medicines helpful for hashimoto's, possibly? or is thyroid hormone the only alternative?

[laura1967]

Hi there....I tried to take naturopathic route for a year for my thyroid. Big mistake, I only got worse. I have since learned through some reputable naturopaths that if you truly have a thyroid disorder, it cannot be solely treated naturally. If I had started Synthroid a year earlier, I wouldn't have gotten so bad. I have been on Synthroid for 2 1/2 yrs and I am in the process of new doctor and going to ask to be put on Armour. Some of my symptoms have only gotten worse over this period of time, but other symptoms much better. If I had to do all over again, I would find a doctor who would try Armour first. I have read great testimonies on it and know people personally who take it after being on Synthroid first. If this new Endo won't try you on Armour then find a new one ASAP, don't waste time like me. You definately need thyroid meds with your TSH level as it is.

[AR-10]

Unless you know what your Free T4 and Free T3 are, you should just follow your doctor's advice.

You have Hashimoto's.
If you KNOW you have Hashimoto's, for sure, then it is just a matter of time before you need to be put on meds. That time is now. Your TSH is elevated because you're not getting enough hormone. You have symptoms to varify that. You need more hormones.

Armour may not be the drug you need.
Synthroid is just as natural as Armour. While it IS synthetic, it is bio-identical to the T4 in your body. Give it a try, and see in a few months if your T3 tests out where it NEEDS to be within range. If it is low in a few months, then consider Armour.

Naturopathic meds are not going to get you very far. You might stave off the meds for another year, maybe. Maybe not.