My question- Do you think I should go on thyroid replacement things even though my tests say my levels are fine because I have the symptoms of an underactive thyroid?

I was thinking that I should take the thyroid replacement for a month and if the above symptoms go away then I will stay on them and if they get worse or don't change then I will stop thyroid replacement.

Should I go to an endocrinologist(I don't know if I spelled that correctly)?

Suggestions?THANK YOU :)

There is also a debate going on about the thyroid tests as well. I recently saw a doctor who said that the current ranges are under review, but his studies show that alot more people have thyroid problems than first thought.

Even though your test show normal you could still have a problem. I went on thyroid meds several months ago and noticed a real change. The problem is finding the right doctor. There is a group of doctors that believe in tracking your basal temperature.

Taking your temp first thing in the morning, trying to be consistent at what time it is done. It is best to take it under the arm. A low temp would indicate hypothyroid, a higher than normal temp could indicate ongoing infection or hyperthyroid, it does vary for women because of the cycle.

I know once I started my thryroid meds, my basal temp returned to normal. By the way normal should be between 97.8 and 98.2. This is just when you first wake up.

My doctor agreed to do this after I brought him studies showing that thyroid supplemenation before the thyroid fails saved the thyroid gland from continued attack by the antibodies.

You need to take enough supplement to bring your TSH down to suppressed levels. Less than 1.0.

It has made a big difference to me. Many of the same symptoms you are showing have gone away since I started levoxyl and cytomel.

I don't have time right now, but if you are interested, I can point you to the studies.

Armour is an excellent thyroid replacement. It has T3 and T4 already broken down. Synthroid and Levothroid provide you with T4, which your body then breaks down in T3 and T4. (or is it the other way around) Some people aren't able to break down the T4 (like me) so they remain sick, because you need both.

Anyway, try Synthroid, but if it doesn't make you feel better, go to Armour. It made a big difference for me. I would also try an Endocrinologist. Mine is fantastic. I am very lucky.

quote:

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Originally posted by Foggy:
I'm curious, what dose of Levox or Synth are you folks taking?

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Wifes at I think 0.05

Like your UserName. Very postivie attitude.

I have Hashimoto - have had for about 10 years.

Just prior to my Lyme dx - my doc ran thyroid panel and taught me a lot about thyroid I didn't know.

First - as mentioned in above posts - the "normal" range is wrong. I think my doc said TSH levels should be <2 (this is based on my excellent Lyme memory hahah)

Also - Synthroid is T4. I was on a high dose - but at one point my TSH was 12 - felt like my body was trying to shut itself off!

In some people they can't break down T4 into the T3 - which is necessary.

I switched to Armour Thyroid for awhile - but that didn't do the trick.

Then doc switched me to a compounded formula that was all T3 (I think).

Then I went through a couple of weeks of being hysterical. I didn't know if it was Lyme rage or just going crazy.

Apparently too high dose of T3 can make one a raving lunatic.

Doc put me back on low dose of Synthroid along with lowered dose of compounded T3, and am starting to feel more balanced as far as that is concerned - and my levels are getting closer to the <2 "normal".

Adjusting thyroid dosage is a lot of trial & error - but should be done under a doc's care.

You don't want to have too little OR too much - so don't be experimenting on your own. Your vital organs are counting on your thyroid balance to be just right.

Here's a good link that may shed more light on your thyroid issue. Hope it helps.
http://thyroid.about.com

Blessings,

I would recommend an endocrinologist...
A good one.. not a duck.
just my 2 cents

daniella

The website Dr. Wisea$$ posted is a good one to learn about thyroid issues. It can be almost as hard to find a good thyroid doc as it is to find a good LLMD.

I'm currently taking 50 mcg of levoxyl and 15mcg of cytomel (synthetic T3). I didn't really feel better till we added the T3, and I am taking a much higher percentage than many need. Even higher than what is in Armour.

I like the separate meds, because I can raise and lower them individually. Currently I am working both doses up, but I have to go slowly to give my body time to adjust.

It takes 6-8 weeks at a consistent dose of T4 for your blood levels to stabilize, so you need to wait at least that long before testing again. It is a matter of trial and error, and patience, to find the correct meds at the right dose.

Just as in Lyme, there is no one best med, either synthetic or natural, that works for everybody. Keep trying till you find the right one for you.

Another important point that I learned on the thyroid boards, is that even after you find the right doseage, it takes time to heal. Some people continue to have improvements for two or more years after finding their best dose.

If I were in your shoes, I would see a doctor who can test for BOTH to be certain which should be treated.

There is a unique test out there that detects iodine deficiency linked to thyroid imbalance, fibrocystic breast disease, infertility and diabetes. If a deficiency is detected, an inexpensive supplement can correct the problem.

quote:

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Originally posted by robi:
how long after starting armour thyroid should you have your levels tested again?

robi

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Robi- I can't remember back that far . . . I would guess maybe a month. Very often when you first start- unless you feel great on what you are on.

I haven't had my blood tested (for THYROID) for a while because I am very sensitive to when my levels start to rise or fall and I can adjust my medication immediately.

I will feel the effects of taking an extra pill or cutting down a pill by the next day usually. It wasn't like that when I first started treating my Thyroid. Lots of trial and error.

I had my left lobe removed 1/99. Less than a year after I was infected with Lyme. It really is a luverly scar! A real conversation piece . . .

Right now I take 3 pills (60 mg) on M,W,F,Su and 2 pills on T,R,S.

My TSH is also my problem. That is what goes out of whack when I feel bad.

Thanks for the info. I figured it would take time to adjust. I am not sure I feel any different yet. I have been on Armour a week. Switched from cytomel. I am hoping to get my free t3 up and my TSH down.

quote:

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Originally posted by willbehealthysoon:
But I have many of the symptoms of an underactive thyroid:
-unexplained extreme hair loss
-fatigue
-unexplained weight gain
-my throat feels VERY tight
-skin is getting dry
-low body temperature(usually 96 but
sometimes(rarely) gets down to 92-93!)

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My temperature behaves nearly the same way. Never hit the 92s though. But upper 93 a few times.

Of your symptoms I only have one, namely the temperature.

Would that be enough to suspect an underactive thyroid?

My TSH level is ~2. and T3 is slightly below the min value (~25). T4 is within range.

I'm still just learning about all the intricacies of having a thyroid problem - despite having it for over 10 years.

This is what I do know: Last summer I had a TSH panel done, and as far as that doc (duck) was concerned it was "normal" - despite all of my various symptoms (which are difficult because fatigue & temperature, etc. can overlap with Lyme, right?)

About 6 weeks later - when I felt like my body was trying to shut itself OFF - and another doc tested my thyroid - my TSH had skyrocketed to 12 - meaning my thyroid was EXTREMELY LOW. So thyroid levels CAN fluctuate a lot!

My best advice is to educate yourself about the signs & symptoms & watch it.

I'm not certain about what T3 & T4 levels should be...but I'll bet there's plenty of opinions out there.

I've heard that the most significant temperature, with regards to thyroid problems, is the AM temperature. Keep a thermometer by your bed & take your temp before even getting out of bed to go tinky winky. Keep a dairy of your AM temps & take to your doc.

Again, I found this site http://thyroid.about.com to be really good at dispensing info & providing additional links.

(NOTE TO PROFANITY POLICE: I managed to get through yet ANOTHER post without the use of any profanity. Notice I said "tinky winky" instead of what I was thinking. Michael - "tinky winky" - that makes you feel really masculine, right?)

quote:

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Originally posted by DR. Wiseass:
Michael -

I'm still just learning about all the intricacies of having a thyroid problem - despite having it for over 10 years.

This is what I do know: Last summer I had a TSH panel done, and as far as that doc (duck) was concerned it was "normal" - despite all of my various symptoms (which are difficult because fatigue & temperature, etc. can overlap with Lyme, right?)

About 6 weeks later - when I felt like my body was trying to shut itself OFF - and another doc tested my thyroid - my TSH had skyrocketed to 12 - meaning my thyroid was EXTREMELY LOW. So thyroid levels CAN fluctuate a lot!

My best advice is to educate yourself about the signs & symptoms & watch it.

I'm not certain about what T3 & T4 levels should be...but I'll bet there's plenty of opinions out there.

I've heard that the most significant temperature, with regards to thyroid problems, is the AM temperature. Keep a thermometer by your bed & take your temp before even getting out of bed to go tinky winky. Keep a dairy of your AM temps & take to your doc.

Again, I found this site http://thyroid.about.com to be really good at dispensing info & providing additional links.

(NOTE TO PROFANITY POLICE: I managed to get through yet ANOTHER post without the use of any profanity. Notice I said "tinky winky" instead of what I was thinking. Michael - "tinky winky" - that makes you feel really masculine, right?)

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Again, another disease that shares symptoms with Lyme, so I can't really answer that about your temperature. Mine is still low and my Thyroid levels are fine. Just a Lyme thing for me.

When I first got hit with Thyroid, I KNEW IT. Gained about 25-30 lbs out of nowhere, lost half my head of hair (I am not exaggerating), had panic attacks like crazy, skin felt like scales, and my throat was enlarged and swollen.

Now I was, dare I say, a pretty "good-looking" lady at the time, (pre-marriage of course ), so the hair loss and weight gain were just unbearable.

Thyroid can also cause depression and then of course there's fatigue. Again, how can you tell what is what there. . .

I also remember I could hardly ever sweat, and I am a very busy, competitve, athlete. (At least I keep trying to be through all of this!) Being able to sweat again and cool myself down has really been a nice change in the last several years.