I know it's been hypothesized that Lyme creates a problem with the thyroid and the receptors. Many people seem to find relief with thyroid replacement therapy or supplements. I'm not in this category.
It seems like ANYTHING I try to help with the thyroid, causes a problem for me.
I've tried RegeneMAX, DHEA supplements, Armour, and most recently Hyaluronic Acid. Each of these produces some kind fatigue, nausea, anxiety, confusion mental-state and/or headache.
Like I've mentioned before, I feel like I have a nice thyroid gland sitting behind some bad wiring.
It was late last year when I first noticed hypothyroid symptoms, but I also noticed it was worse when taking Oxycodone. I had a reaction where my feet and hands would get ice cold, but it would be very brief. However, after continued use it became very bad and didn't go away.
I've done a search that revealed something about opiod-induced thyroid suppression. But, I don't understand how this affects using supplements to help treat the problem.
What do I do from here?
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Have you tried plain old Synthroid or a Synthroid/Cytomel combo?
Dr. B talks about receptor blockade from toxin release.
If your adrenals are off too, thyroid meds can aggravate your condition. So you may want to check out adrenal status.
There is also T3 only therapy (controversial) but works for some.
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
No, I haven't tried Synthroid yet.
Speaking of the receptor blockade from toxin release, what can I do to help aid the unblocking? I don't think there are any tests for the receptors?
My adrenals could be off definitely be off as well. I have a saliva cortisol results, but they were somewhat inconclusive. At 6pm my peak level reached like 45+ or something, but the results were really sketchy. Any other tests I should consider?
I don't have a ton of trouble sleeping, and generally sleep between 6 1/2 to 8 hours a night.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
You could repeat adrenal test...maybe try the 24-hr urine cortisol test.
Receptor blockade is probably more of a theory but it does make some sense. Articles on pubmed are scant, the few are hard to digest. I'll look again later.
Dr. B does not directly mention how to overcome it.
Optimizing detox may help. Of course, getting well is the best way to reset the HPA axis. What abx are you on now?
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
Based on my later reaction to oxycodone, it leads me to believe there is some kind of blocking going on.
The hypothyroid-like symptoms I suffered were a result of oxycodone, and have VERY slowly become better. But, I don't believe the ABX is the reason, rather it's just improving with time on it's own.
That's why I mentioned something I read about oxycodone-induced thyroiditis.
I continue to loss hair, and my skin is awful -- wrinkling, dry and tight. But, the cold intolerance is much better than before.
At this point, I'm convinced it has something to do with the HPA Axis.
I've received some good suggestions for HPA Axis testing that might reveal more interesting information in another thread I started.
Posted by sk8ter (Member # 8671) on :
Please go to Stopthethyroidmadnesscom and read the adrenal fatigue part. If the adrenals are not fixed first the thyroid cannot use any thyroid meds correctly.
Posted by GiGi (Member # 259) on :
Look into heavy metal toxicity, mercury, lead, nickel, etc. and hormone producing cells. Lots of information on this board. Search Klinghardt Lyme on internet and here.
Kidneys/ adrenals/ hormone producing cells are severely affected by toxic metal blockages.
Good luck.
Posted by elizzza811 (Member # 24713) on :
quote:Originally posted by Wolfed Out: Like I've mentioned before, I feel like I have a nice thyroid gland sitting behind some bad wiring.
Your response was especially helpful. I read over the adrenal fatigue section and performed a few of the tests on myself. Indeed, by the 3 of the tests standards, it revealed I'm suffering from adrenal exhaustion.
I read a thread recently about adrenal fatigue, and it was suggested by a poster to use D-Ribose and Phosphatidylserine. I went and purchased the Phosphatidylserine 500mg in the store today, and ordered the D-Ribose from nutrabio.com online.
I took the Phosphatidylserine this evening, and now have an amazing headache to ruin my evening. It seems more important to focus on the D-Ribose than the Phosphatidylserine, but that's only from what I've read in this thread:
Armour didn't help me when I was sick. Synthroid/Cytomel helped a lot.
Now that I'm better, I'm doing fine on one grain of Armour. My thyroid testing showed that I didn't need as much T3 anymore. I haven't yet been able to get off the Armour though.
There is no doubt I had adrenal fatigue as well. It took me about a year after I was well to start getting tired at night/awake in the morning and have other signs that they were healing.
Posted by sk8ter (Member # 8671) on :
I took i/4 of D-Ribose and almost went into seizures..That one is not for me. Dr.Lam is another leading expert on adrenals and he does everything thru the phone. He is not cheap but I am making some headway. My ILADS dr agrees that unless the adrenals are healed the thyroid will never work correctly. Amour redid their product in 2009 and many are getting their old symptoms back..Others are using the two products mentioned on stopthethyroidmadness.com site. Or you can have it compounded at a pharmacy. One is from Canada.
I hope this helps. You still need to have those tests done to get a base line. I was amazed that MCS can be from a low functioning adrenals.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
It's true that the adrenals must be fixed for the thyroid to be healed.
Nature-throid, made by RLC Labs, is similar to Armour, but it is purer. And as Six said, when they reformulated Armour, many didn't get relief anymore. You might try that. Your pharmacy can order it, if your dr rx's it.
Or perhaps T3, etc.
Posted by Wolfed Out (Member # 23727) on :
I have the issue where all my thyroid tests have come back normal.
Free T4: 1.06 ng/dL Range (.82 - 1.77)
TSH: 2.250 uIU/mL Range (.45 - 4.5)
Reverse T3: 237 pg/mL Range (90-350)
DHEA: 194.2 ug/dL Range (160 - 449)
Free Triiodothyronine: 3.3 pg/mL Range (2.0 - 4.4)
Dehydrotestorterone: 42 ng/dL (Range 30 - 85)
So, after trying Armour and having the reaction I did where I felt Hyperthyroidism, I must conclude that the thyroid isnt the specific issue. So, it must be something in the HPA (including the Adrenals).
IF I'M THINKING INCORRECTLY, PLEASE INPUT.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
I've had to throw all my endocrine tests out the window for the most part with lyme. Generally, they are normal yet there are clear symptoms at times.
That's why I subscribe to the idea of a receptor blockade as suggested by Dr. B. Yes, it's a theory but it seems to make some sense given that certain parts of the immune system are chronically triggered and thus the HPA is affected in unique ways.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
quote:Originally posted by Rumigirl: And as Six said, when they reformulated Armour, many didn't get relief anymore.
Someone else said that .... I'm taking Armour and doing fine, but I have heard this.
Posted by amberini (Member # 21281) on :
My numbers were terrible with the reformulated Armour. I switched to Synthroid/Cytomel combination, then a month later added LDN. This combination has helped me the most. Labs tomorrow to see how my levels are now after 6 months of new therapy.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
What abx are you on now?