HCG & Thyroid Issues, Adrenal???

[Doing It Right]

Yes, I know, HCG works even if your hypo.. I love HCG too!

I'm more of a lurker, but I swear I've read every post on this site over the last 8 months, I'm here every day, and don't post much because I'm always catching up. I'm always amazed at how supportive everyone is. Thank You!

I've read a lot about the liver test results while taking HCG. I'm curious if anyone has had a thyroid panel done while dosing.

I posted on the Thyroid page but since I'm on HCG I thought I would post here also. I know many others have the same problems, and some have a wealth of info (like Shelbyla among others)

Here is what I posted...

My mom and I were both diagnosed hypo about 5 years ago. She has spent many hours learning about this, I have not. But... the time has come.

We both self medicate, due to lack of insurance. I've seen a few doctors with my lab results during the 5 years, but of course my TSH is low so they tell me to reduce my meds.

I take Throid S (armour), and have adjusted dosage based on how I felt, and how my labwork looked. I don't believe I've ever been optimally medicated. While I have had spurts of feeling better, it was usually after med increases, and short lived.

I had my bloodwork done again this week, and for the 1st time also had my reverse T3 tested. I have a problem!!!

TSH .006 Range 0.450 - 4.500

T4, Free (direct) 1.74 Range .82 - 1.77

Reverse T3 683 Range 90 - 350

Triiodothyronine, free, syrum 3.8 Range 2.0 - 4.4


So, I'm wondering if anyone here has any experience with this, what I should do from here etc. Also, I have read the sticky's on this forum but would love suggestions for more (beginner's) info. I find this to be very confusing... to many 3's and 4's. Kidding, sort of!

Additional questions for HCG group...

1. Do you think the HCG caused this? I don't bc I believe this has been ongoing for me for several years, and my 1st round was Feb. of this year.

2. I also feel I may have adrenal fatigue (for a long time also) but do you think HCG would cause this or make it worse. I'm ordering the spit test tonight, so hopefully will have the results soon. (Thank you Cheryl, I love your journal and finally got to the end this week)

Any thoughts are welcome, thanks for taking the time to read!
Tonya

[shelbyla]

i have extensive experience with this. on the treadmill now. will be back after workout...

[Doing It Right]

I thought so, was hoping you'd chime in. Thank You!

[shelbyla]

Ok, back now. Can't type while I'm on the treadclimber, lol! Then my gf came over, etc., etc.!

As you suspected, you have a serious RT3 issue. I doubt that it was caused by the hcg but if you were low carb or dieted for a long time prior to hcg, that could indeed be the culprit. It could also be a lot of other stuff! To correct this, you will need to switch to T3 only (which you can also get and self-treat with). Any medication with T4 in it (including Armour) will just contribute to the problem. It usually takes about 12 weeks of being on T3 only to “clear” your RT3. (The reason you felt nominally better when increasing your Armour is because of the T3 in it.) After you clear your RT3 (and stop making it from T4), your cells will be able to start using meds like Armour again, IF the issues causing the T4 to be converted to RT3 have been removed.

Some of those issues include long-term physical and/or mental stress, extreme low-carb dieting, pregnancy, issues with iron, and issues with electrolytes. Have you had a full iron panel done? It’s really important to get TIBC, UIBC, % saturation, serum iron and ferritin in a good place as well as get potassium and sodium to optimal levels. A comprehensive metabolic panel (or CMP) will give you the potassium and sodium. I would also encourage you to check your B12, D3 and RBC magnesium levels (if you haven’t already) which are often sub-optimal in hypothyroid folks and can contribute to RT3. I’ve had pretty good luck raising iron with Iron Biglycinate (~150-200mg daily), raising B12 with methylcobalamin (~5000-10,000mg sublingual daily and more bioavailable than cyano), raising D3 with a combo of 10,000mg gels and 5000mg liquid (not D2), and RBC mag with magnesium oil (not realy an “oil” for those on P2, applied twice daily) plus around 600mg orally. I am taking prescription strength potassium (equivalent to 1500mg daily) and adding Celtic sea salt to all the water that I drink.

Another contributor to RT3 can be adrenal fatigue. It’s entirely possible that you have it because the two conditions—hypothyroid and hypoadrenal--often go hand in hand. The saliva test is the best way to tell, but you need to be off all adrenal supplements for two weeks ahead of time. This would include anything with adaptogens (ginseng, ashwagandha, rhodiola, licorice), hydrocortisone or other steroids. Even some anti
-depressants or anti-anxiety meds can impact results. When you get your spit test, make sure to spend the extra money and Fedex or UPS it back overnight. If it sits in the mail (especially in summer), the samples will degrade and the results will be useless. Another good way of telling if you have adrenal fatigue is to chart temperatures. Are you taking your temps to monitor your thyroid status? If so, and your average daily temps fluctuate by more than 0.2 degrees, then it’s a good bet that you have adrenal fatigue.

So this is a small book but I did want to let you know that I have successfully overcome an RT3 issue, iron issues, electrolyte issues, and am managing my adrenal fatigue, all on my own. I’ve also done two successful HCG rounds with no impact to my health or my med schedule. I have a LOT more info, including information on RT3 and adrenal fatigue and how they happen, support groups (who have much more knowledge than I do) and websites, where to get meds (which you probably already know), how to switch from Armour to T3, what tests to order and where to get the best prices, and a whole host of other stuff. If you have PM privileges, feel free to private message me and I’d be happy to email you the information.

In the meantime, be well and welcome to the forum!

[shelbyla]

Btw, that RT3 result is literally the highest I have EVER seen! Sheesh! Wow! I would be surprised if you DIDN'T feel like complete yuck...

[Doing It Right]

Didn't want you to think I overlooked this! Thank you very much. I'm not sure if I can PM, or even how but I will try to tomorrow (it's 1:20 am). Sorry, out school shopping all day. Thank you so much for taking the time to help!

On another note, I was reading S.C.A.M. and your pictures are great! If you decide on another round, we all understand, but enjoy how far you've come! Congrats!

Mirena - I got this thru Planned Parenthood 23 months ago. They didn't give me anything, and to prepare you, I had contractions about every 15 min. for the first 24 hours. It was bad, but bearable with OTC Pain reliever. It's very quick but I had to grip the table for about 1 minute... just to keep from going after the Dr.

Don't get me wrong, no regrets. 40 yrs old, 19 & 15 yr old DD's, and single for 12 years. I was done and not going there again! I was on Depo for 5 years prior, so I wasn't having any periods, and I made the switch and still haven't gotten one (even on HCG). Best thing I ever did! Have a great night!

[shelbyla]

Thanks DIR! I appreciate all the info on the Mirena! Hopefully I won't have contractions--not that I would know what those felt like (no kids)--because I'll be at work the next day. I DO have cramping to the point of pain and nausea during TOM (when not on BCP) so maybe it will be like that?

Anyway, I the way I usually PM someone is to click on their member name to the left of one of their posts. A little drop down menu comes up that says "send a private message to..." Feel free to hit me up any time!

[KelliC]

not to hijack this thread , but Mirena was recommended for me for heavy bleeding. Insurance won't cover so I have to decide if it's worth it to pay out of pocket. Knowing your experiences will help me give an informed decision

[Doing It Right]

Kelli - I didn't have insurance either and really wanted to get the tubes tied. I'm a single mom, self employed with 2 kids and no dad in the picture. I don't know if you have planned parenthood in Florida but it was only $500 in Texas, and good for 5 years. I was on Depo for 5 years prior, spending $400 a year. It was a no brainer for me!

It was a very simple procedure, but I had it done on Monday morning and couldn't go back to work until Wed. - serious contractions! Kinda like having a baby, you forget once it's in your arms... now that I know there will be no surprises it was all worth it. YMMV!

My Dr. told me I could stay on Mirena until I was fully in Menopause and that it cuts those symptoms out almost completely.

For the peace of mind alone, it was well worth it. The BEST money I ever spent!

[KelliC]

Really! w/o insurance at my Dr.'s off office it would be about $700 including post insert visit. That was my deterrent -- I've heard of people having it removed and didn't want to pay only to have it taken right back out. We've got 3 kids (one mine, two my hubby's) two in braces, one had knee surgery this year --------you get the picture. Looks like I'll be tossing it back on the discussion table with my husband, maybe this year's tax return....

[shelbyla]

Originally Posted by KelliC

Really! w/o insurance at my Dr.'s off office it would be about $700 including post insert visit. That was my deterrent -- I've heard of people having it removed and didn't want to pay only to have it taken right back out. We've got 3 kids (one mine, two my hubby's) two in braces, one had knee surgery this year --------you get the picture. Looks like I'll be tossing it back on the discussion table with my husband, maybe this year's tax return....

There's always the OTHER option...HIS option. Might be just the incentive to encourage his support of the Mirena. Just sayin'...

[shelbyla]

Btw, what kind of insurance do you have? I've found that it's a little tricky to get it but my PPO ended up paying the usual 80% of the doc's visits and 90% of the device.

[KelliC]

Originally Posted by shelbyla

There's always the OTHER option...HIS option. Might be just the incentive to encourage his support of the Mirena. Just sayin'...

He's "fixed" This is strictly for extremely heavy tom. I tend to be anemic anyway and this just really adds to it-- not to mention being unable to leave the house for several days each month hubby is all for it, I'm just having a hard time deciding. Mirena has been FDA approved for this use but United Healthcare does not care

[shelbyla]

Good for him! Ah, United Healthcare--HMO, yes? Do they have out of network benefits at all? Or are you required to use their providers? That's a bummer... But I will defintely report back on how it goes--during and after.

[Astella]

Hi there! I saw your posts regarding hcg and adrenal fatigue and I saw that you mentioned a short book as well, what is the title of that book? I was just diagnosed with adrenal fatigue in August 2012 and heard that doing hcg can reset your hormones is that true? I thought that by now I would be feeling a bit better but I am not and I just want to go back to normal.

[shelbyla]

I was referring to my post as a "small book" but if you'd like to read up on this stuff, check out eaware.org and stopthethyroidmadness. Both websites are absolute treasure troves of good info on thyroid and endocrine disorders. Stop the Thyroid Madness is also a book.

Not really sure about hCG resetting thyroid and adrenal hormones. My are regulated through supplementation.