Thyroid tests are normal?? Are you sure? - Page 67

nonstickpam107 · 06-23-2008, 05:49 AM

That's also what I've heard. Seems the larger the pharmacy/store, the more they had on hand and ordered. But I've run into two pharmacies (Yep, did my 'civic duty' and called them all) that didn't 'get it' about giving split dosage..and then when they were told that MOST of us split the dosage anyway cuz T3 only has a four hour half life...they were further 'amazed', lol.

I love it when I'm subbed Westhroid. But when it's not being the 'generic' for Armour...it's expensive and you run the risk of it not being 'fresh' unless you order and pay for the entire 100-ct. bottle.

Pam

nonstickpam107 · 06-23-2008, 06:00 AM

Oh, and thanks Ileen!

Pam

PalmTreeGal · 06-23-2008, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Mandy, prayers for you, and inlaws/family...my MIL has been in hospital for two days now...she just bottomed out (pulse and heart failure) during her dialysis a couple days ago.

AH HA..you take BCP's!! It's even MORE important to go by FT's. Total T's show what's in the blood...and Free T's show what's USABLE. And BCP'S bind up conversion and FT3 in the bloodstream.

Um, yeah, your doctor 'doesn't get it'.

Yep, get that iron test (and NO, a hemoglobin is NOT the 'same thing'...watch in amazement when it comes back and your doctor says you're 'normal' if it's a range of 10-210 and it comes back, say 11'ish...I hear that all the time..oh, so normal..NOT).

If you want to hear a hypothyroid story/coupled with low iron...ask inatic! She went through that...and finally got her iron levels up so she could get her FT's up (with T4/T3 at first, and now Armour, but her iron had to be brought up...it took about a year for her).

Pam

Pam, thanks for your sympathies on my FIL. He had declined really fast in the three weeks since we had seen him. I'm so sorry about your MIL, I hope she is on the mend.

I picked up my generic levothyroxine today, it's 75 mcg. Is that a high dose to start?

I will ask for the iron tests - what exactly are the names of the labs I should request?

As far as BCPs - should I go off them? Would that "fix" my thyroid? Or is it that my thyroid is already underperforming and then the BCPs bind up my T3 and make it worse?

I need to start on this search for a doc. There is a local endo who is on the Top Thyroid Doc site as "no longer listed." He is nearby so I think I will call him and ask him about TSH vs FTs, use of T3 etc. If he sounds okay I will give him a shot. (This is Dr. Dicke, he is based in Baltimore and has a clinic up by me.) After that . . . I guess I will call the pharmacies asking about Armour and also call that Dr. Sindler who sells the weight loss supps.

nonstickpam107 · 06-23-2008, 04:02 PM

No, going off BCP's doesn't 'fix it'. Yes, that's way too high a dosage to start (but you got THAT dosage cuz he's a TSH worshippin' T4 only doctor'). 25mcg. is a starting dosage.

Pam

nonstickpam107 · 06-23-2008, 04:03 PM

Call the doc in Hershey.

Pam

Lilgrnize · 06-23-2008, 06:19 PM

For iron, you need to get your ferritin checked, which measures your storage iron. But I would suggest having the actual iron levels and the % iron saturation tested, as well. My ferritin looked great (it ran in the 140's to 170's) but my iron and % saturation were in the basement. That means I was storing iron, but my body wasn't utilizing it.

The iron levels are falling back into place as I heal, but from just the initial ferritin levels, no other doc realized how anemic I was.

pennylovesdarren · 06-23-2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

So, um..that's the ONLY drugstore available to you?

Pam

No, they're aren't the only one. lol. Premature panic that's all. I called Armour today and got the facts.

PalmTreeGal · 06-23-2008, 10:07 PM

Is it okay if I see the doc in Hershey for thyroid, and have my local PCP handle my day-to-day issues? Since Dr Hoffman's not an endo, it seems like an unusual arrangement, But I can't realistically have a PCP several hours away.

Okay, for labs: I requests serum iron and ferritin?

Pam, is my PCP starting me on a high dose of T4 in an effort to knock my TSH down as fast as possible? Why would she start so high?

nonstickpam107 · 06-24-2008, 03:58 AM

You don't want to know why I think your doc is starting that way too high..and I don't want to be you with the side effects (hint hint). Lilgrenize..you want to elaborate how if you start on too high a dosage you may have to back up and start all over again (not to mention that it's pretty lame to put someone on a 75mcg. of T4 who has really GOOD T4 to begin with, and ignore that low T3). I'm not a doctor...I can't tell you what to 'take'..I can only tell you the side effects. Thanks for reading the whole thread..there are quite a few asking about starting dosage and many had recounted what happened.

Thanks Niki for your help.

Pam

carrielyn · 06-24-2008, 06:04 AM

As I read through the thread I see the information regarding Armour or T3 having a 4-hr time, and it being suggested that one take half in the morning and the other half later in the day. Would this also apply to Cytomel?

I take my Synthroid and my Cytomel around 3:30 to 4:00 AM (whenever I happen to wake up) to ensure I don't interfere with it when I get up at 5:45.

If splitting the Cytomel dosage would help me to have more energy in the afternoon, that would be great. My labs are very good at this time but if I can improve my bodies usage of these meds I'm on I'm ready.

I'm hoping to get back on Armour but I know this endo I'm with is not going there. I'm staying with her right now because I also am diabetic. With my thyroid labs being where they need to be and my blood sugars and A1C improving regularly, I'm not ready to rock this boat quite yet.

Thanks for any information on splitting the Cytomel dose.

Carolyn

Lilgrnize · 06-24-2008, 06:25 AM

Starting on a too high dosage is bad bad bad...it's like taking one step forward, three steps back. You might feel better for a few days, and then it all goes downhill quickly. One of the docs I saw understood the free t's and where they needed to be, but he was quite aggressive with Armour. He increased my armour too fast, and I became hyper. Hyper doesn't mean more energy...it means you have so much nervous energy inside you, you exhaust yourself just by being. I was so nervous I felt like there was a tiger around every corner, and I was gaining weight like crazy because all this nervous energy was making me so hungry I could chew my own arm off. Not to mention, increasing the armour too fast pushed my already compromised adrenals right over the edge. There were other things, like heart beating so hard and fast I couldn't hear, etc.

I had to go back to my starting dose of armour and start all over - almost a year into my treatment - talk about frustrating! My current doc (yes, a different one) starts with a conservative dose and only increases every 6 months to 1 year. The previous doc took me from 2 to 4 grains of armour in less than 3 months, this doc took me back down to 2.5 grains and I've increased to 3.5 over a 2 1/2 year span. Others may be able to increase faster (the adrenal issues require me to take it slowly), but starting off with a very high dose is too much of a shock to your system, IMO.

And I agree, your ft4 isn't low enough to warrant that much t4.

RavenG · 06-24-2008, 06:58 AM

[quote=PalmTreeGal;10492312]Is it okay if I see the doc in Hershey for thyroid, and have my local PCP handle my day-to-day issues? Since Dr Hoffman's not an endo, it seems like an unusual arrangement, But I can't realistically have a PCP several hours away.QUOTE]

Hi Mandy,

I'm a patient of Dr. Hoffmann's and I see her for my thyroid...she's an hour and a half from my house in PA. I see her for thyroid checkups and she basically allows me to go to any lab that's convenient for me for bloodwork, tests, etc.

I'm in a unique situation since my husband is in the military and I was able to choose her as my personal care manager....I can still go to any base locally and get care if I need it as well.

nonstickpam107 · 06-24-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carrielyn

As I read through the thread I see the information regarding Armour or T3 having a 4-hr time, and it being suggested that one take half in the morning and the other half later in the day. Would this also apply to Cytomel?

I take my Synthroid and my Cytomel around 3:30 to 4:00 AM (whenever I happen to wake up) to ensure I don't interfere with it when I get up at 5:45.

If splitting the Cytomel dosage would help me to have more energy in the afternoon, that would be great. My labs are very good at this time but if I can improve my bodies usage of these meds I'm on I'm ready.

I'm hoping to get back on Armour but I know this endo I'm with is not going there. I'm staying with her right now because I also am diabetic. With my thyroid labs being where they need to be and my blood sugars and A1C improving regularly, I'm not ready to rock this boat quite yet.

Thanks for any information on splitting the Cytomel dose.

Carolyn

Carolyn, what IS your Cytomel dosage and what size dosage is it filled in (are you able to get 5mg tabs of it? Most are, and the only problem is that the current PDR is showing there are ONLY 25mg. tabs available, that is NOT correct).

Pam

Pam

nonstickpam107 · 06-24-2008, 10:10 AM

[quote=RavenG;10493156]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmTreeGal

Is it okay if I see the doc in Hershey for thyroid, and have my local PCP handle my day-to-day issues? Since Dr Hoffman's not an endo, it seems like an unusual arrangement, But I can't realistically have a PCP several hours away.QUOTE]

Hi Mandy,

I'm a patient of Dr. Hoffmann's and I see her for my thyroid...she's an hour and a half from my house in PA. I see her for thyroid checkups and she basically allows me to go to any lab that's convenient for me for bloodwork, tests, etc.

I'm in a unique situation since my husband is in the military and I was able to choose her as my personal care manager....I can still go to any base locally and get care if I need it as well.

Thank you Raven for your invaluable info regarding Dr. H.

Pam

carrielyn · 06-24-2008, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Carolyn, what IS your Cytomel dosage and what size dosage is it filled in (are you able to get 5mg tabs of it? Most are, and the only problem is that the current PDR is showing there are ONLY 25mg. tabs available, that is NOT correct).

Pam

Pam

I have to do pill cutting. I'm prescribed the 5mg but take 6.25 mg. At my last lab test my FT3 is at 3/4 range and my FT4 is at half range. I was told I could up the Synthroid to .88 if I wanted to that my TSH would allow for it and I could increase my Cytomel to 7.5 but since I've been feeling pretty good I opted not to.

I've just been noticing I'm a bit more tired but working more hours. If the splitting the dosage through the day might help I'm willing to try.

When I took Armour and tried splitting the dosage it didn't seem to do me good so I stayed taking it once a day, early morning.

nonstickpam107 · 06-24-2008, 01:50 PM

Most on Cytomel are on a starting dosage of 5mg (for about six weeks, retest, go up another 5, etc.). So, MOST women are doing about 5 to 10mg. upon awakening, then another 5 to 10mg. at midday (some another 5mg. late afternoon).

Pam

PalmTreeGal · 06-24-2008, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

You don't want to know why I think your doc is starting that way too high..

Now you've piqued my interest - the only reason I can think of to start that high would be to bring my TSH down ASAP. Is there another reason? I haven't had side effects yet but today is only day 2.

I have read most of the thread but will continue browsing through it. And I will call Dr. Hoffman.

carrielyn · 06-24-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Most on Cytomel are on a starting dosage of 5mg (for about six weeks, retest, go up another 5, etc.). So, MOST women are doing about 5 to 10mg. upon awakening, then another 5 to 10mg. at midday (some another 5mg. late afternoon).

Pam

I'll be re-testing sometime in September. I might up the dosage to the 7.5 mg taking the 5 mg in the morning and the other half midday and see how I feel with that and also see how I test in September with that.

Thanks for your response.

Carolyn

scaulkins · 06-24-2008, 04:12 PM

Pam,
I finally got to see the new doctor. He changed me from Armour to 150 mcg of Levothroid and 5 mcg of Cytomel. I take 1/2 a pill twice a day. He said that the reason I was having so much trouble was that Armour for some reason is not consistent in our area. The only reason I agreed is that the pathologist that did my FNB said his wife had the same issues and switched. That pharmacies get new lots of it and it doesn't have the same amounts of T3 in it. I have been on this new regime for about a week and a half and I have more energy and am not gagging like I did. He said this was the same as what I should have been getting with the 90 mg of Armour. Does this sound right? I go back the 24th of July for a follow up and dosage adjustment.

How long does Armour stay in the blood? The reason I ask is I don't want to have anymore issues and I knew I needed more Armour and no one would up it. This is just so crazy finding good thyroid doctors. BTW, my normal doctor would not up my dosage and looked at me like I was crazy when I told her I was going to split the dosage. I tried to talk to her about the information I had and she absolutely wouldn't listen so I agreed to go to the endo. I truly hope this regime works because I still have not found a good doctor that will listen to me regarding my Hashi's that is taking new patients.

Sandy

PalmTreeGal · 06-24-2008, 04:33 PM

For those of you who are effectively medicated I have a couple questions. How long did it take for the meds to kick in and make you feel better? And what does "better" mean for you? For me I hope for more energy and more "motivation," the way I feel when I've had lots of caffeine or when Wellbutrin was working for me. I am interested in the world around me, I want to start new projects, I don't want to go to bed right after work. I hope this is what a better-managed thyroid will do for me!

nonstickpam107 · 06-24-2008, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmTreeGal

Now you've piqued my interest - the only reason I can think of to start that high would be to bring my TSH down ASAP. Is there another reason? I haven't had side effects yet but today is only day 2.

I have read most of the thread but will continue browsing through it. And I will call Dr. Hoffman.

I've seen people with TSH's as high as 110 (who had NO symptoms) and I've had TSH as low as .002 (which landed me in the hospital with myxedema coma). In other words...why would anyone be interested in doing ANYTHING with your TSH when it's the actual levels of the thyroid hormone you want to bring up (in YOUR case, that would be your FT3 level)?????

T4 ONLY synthetics have a half life of SIX WEEKS. So, that might just sneak up on ya in about four to five weeks and give you the hyPER time of your LIFE. Are you the 'scientific study' for that doc to see what happens in four to six weeks on a dosage that most don't reach for at least four MONTHS of careful titration of synthetic T4? I don't envy you. Took me about two months to tolerate 25mcg., and about five months for .50, and another YEAR to tolerate the dosage you are on.

Pam

nonstickpam107 · 06-24-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaulkins

Pam,
I finally got to see the new doctor. He changed me from Armour to 150 mcg of Levothroid and 5 mcg of Cytomel. I take 1/2 a pill twice a day. He said that the reason I was having so much trouble was that Armour for some reason is not consistent in our area. The only reason I agreed is that the pathologist that did my FNB said his wife had the same issues and switched. That pharmacies get new lots of it and it doesn't have the same amounts of T3 in it. I have been on this new regime for about a week and a half and I have more energy and am not gagging like I did. He said this was the same as what I should have been getting with the 90 mg of Armour. Does this sound right? I go back the 24th of July for a follow up and dosage adjustment.

How long does Armour stay in the blood? The reason I ask is I don't want to have anymore issues and I knew I needed more Armour and no one would up it. This is just so crazy finding good thyroid doctors. BTW, my normal doctor would not up my dosage and looked at me like I was crazy when I told her I was going to split the dosage. I tried to talk to her about the information I had and she absolutely wouldn't listen so I agreed to go to the endo. I truly hope this regime works because I still have not found a good doctor that will listen to me regarding my Hashi's that is taking new patients.

Sandy

No, it's not right at all. I already heard back from the labs that make and distribute Armour..it's never 'changed' potency. No way, and I'm betting they'll want some facts on that.

No, 90mg. of Armour contains: 54mcg. T4 and approximately 14mg. of T3. You were just UNDERDOSED on the Armour. I am hoping that HUGE HUGE HUGE dosage of synthetic T4 they have you on won't send you hyPER in just a few weeks. Hope you feel better, please monitor how you are feeling...hyPER is: hot flashes, heart beating very fast, very weak thigh muscles, weakness, hands shaking when held out in front of you.

ETA: ArmourThyroid website has the conversion tables for synthetics.

Pam

scaulkins · 06-24-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

No, it's not right at all. I already heard back from the labs that make and distribute Armour..it's never 'changed' potency. No way, and I'm betting they'll want some facts on that.

No, 90mg. of Armour contains: 54mcg. T4 and approximately 14mg. of T3. You were just UNDERDOSED on the Armour. I am hoping that HUGE HUGE HUGE dosage of synthetic T4 they have you on won't send you hyPER in just a few weeks. Hope you feel better, please monitor how you are feeling...hyPER is: hot flashes, heart beating very fast, very weak thigh muscles, weakness, hands shaking when held out in front of you.

ETA: ArmourThyroid website has the conversion tables for synthetics.

Pam

Thank you Pam. I found a doctor that was not listed before when I looked so will call him tomorrow and pray that he is taking new patients.

I do have the hot flashes that started a day ago and now I know why. Sheesh....Apparently, that doctor doesn't know the dosages of Armour like he said.

Sandy

nonstickpam107 · 06-25-2008, 04:51 AM

He's a major TSH worshipper and likes to dole out synthetics..some will do ANYTHING (even harm the patient) to switch you to synthetics. That's appalling..and you need to call that doctor BACK, you need to write to Forrest Pharms at the website I gave you (yes, there's a place to write to them online) and you need to write what happened and mail it to your local Medical Board (you can get the phone no. and address by calling your local Board of Health).

Don't let him/her do this to another patient!!! AND the pharmacists should have KNOWN better if you were getting your Armour same pharmacy!!! ACKKK!! This takes the 'bad doctor' cake for this year. Do NOT let that doctor get away with that poor and WRONG treatment. He could very well have switched you to synthetics...but not at 3 TIMES the dosage!! And lying about the Armour. And not KNOWING the amount of each hormone in Armour..that's AWFUL..write a letter..send copies, don't JUST call this doctor, make sure someone does something about it! It's a case of overdose.

Pam

PalmTreeGal · 06-25-2008, 01:22 PM

I just called Dr. Barbara Hoffman in Hershey PA and was told she is not taking new patients. I explained I only needed thyroid care and begged them, but all they could do was put me on a waitlist. Pam, do you have any names in Virginia, particularly northern Virginia?

I am going to call the local endo (Dr. James Dicke) and ask him about his thyroid philosophy, but since he's listed as having been removed from the Top Thyroid Doc website I'm not expecting much. Then there is the Sindler guy who sells herbal weight loss crap, I'm torn as to whether to call him. The other thing I plan to do is ask a couple of people at work who might know something about the endos in this area.

06-23-2008, 05:49 AM	#1981
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,665 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	That's also what I've heard. Seems the larger the pharmacy/store, the more they had on hand and ordered. But I've run into two pharmacies (Yep, did my 'civic duty' and called them all) that didn't 'get it' about giving split dosage..and then when they were told that MOST of us split the dosage anyway cuz T3 only has a four hour half life...they were further 'amazed', lol. I love it when I'm subbed Westhroid. But when it's not being the 'generic' for Armour...it's expensive and you run the risk of it not being 'fresh' unless you order and pay for the entire 100-ct. bottle. Pam __________________ So many fireworks. So little time. "The thyroid is nothing to mess with" ... Sunset

06-24-2008, 06:04 AM	#1990
carrielyn Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 119 Gallery: carrielyn Stats: 168/168/140 Start Date: 5/1/04	As I read through the thread I see the information regarding Armour or T3 having a 4-hr time, and it being suggested that one take half in the morning and the other half later in the day. Would this also apply to Cytomel? I take my Synthroid and my Cytomel around 3:30 to 4:00 AM (whenever I happen to wake up) to ensure I don't interfere with it when I get up at 5:45. If splitting the Cytomel dosage would help me to have more energy in the afternoon, that would be great. My labs are very good at this time but if I can improve my bodies usage of these meds I'm on I'm ready. I'm hoping to get back on Armour but I know this endo I'm with is not going there. I'm staying with her right now because I also am diabetic. With my thyroid labs being where they need to be and my blood sugars and A1C improving regularly, I'm not ready to rock this boat quite yet. Thanks for any information on splitting the Cytomel dose. Carolyn __________________ Carrielyn

06-24-2008, 06:25 AM	#1991
Lilgrnize Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Antonio Posts: 5,996 Gallery: Lilgrnize Start Date: 02/04	Starting on a too high dosage is bad bad bad...it's like taking one step forward, three steps back. You might feel better for a few days, and then it all goes downhill quickly. One of the docs I saw understood the free t's and where they needed to be, but he was quite aggressive with Armour. He increased my armour too fast, and I became hyper. Hyper doesn't mean more energy...it means you have so much nervous energy inside you, you exhaust yourself just by being. I was so nervous I felt like there was a tiger around every corner, and I was gaining weight like crazy because all this nervous energy was making me so hungry I could chew my own arm off. Not to mention, increasing the armour too fast pushed my already compromised adrenals right over the edge. There were other things, like heart beating so hard and fast I couldn't hear, etc. I had to go back to my starting dose of armour and start all over - almost a year into my treatment - talk about frustrating! My current doc (yes, a different one) starts with a conservative dose and only increases every 6 months to 1 year. The previous doc took me from 2 to 4 grains of armour in less than 3 months, this doc took me back down to 2.5 grains and I've increased to 3.5 over a 2 1/2 year span. Others may be able to increase faster (the adrenal issues require me to take it slowly), but starting off with a very high dose is too much of a shock to your system, IMO. And I agree, your ft4 isn't low enough to warrant that much t4. __________________ Niki

06-24-2008, 04:12 PM	#1999
scaulkins Junior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oregon Posts: 36 Gallery: scaulkins Stats: 207/190/140 WOE: Low carb/Protein Power Start Date: 2006 restarted 6/11/2008	Meds switched Pam, I finally got to see the new doctor. He changed me from Armour to 150 mcg of Levothroid and 5 mcg of Cytomel. I take 1/2 a pill twice a day. He said that the reason I was having so much trouble was that Armour for some reason is not consistent in our area. The only reason I agreed is that the pathologist that did my FNB said his wife had the same issues and switched. That pharmacies get new lots of it and it doesn't have the same amounts of T3 in it. I have been on this new regime for about a week and a half and I have more energy and am not gagging like I did. He said this was the same as what I should have been getting with the 90 mg of Armour. Does this sound right? I go back the 24th of July for a follow up and dosage adjustment. How long does Armour stay in the blood? The reason I ask is I don't want to have anymore issues and I knew I needed more Armour and no one would up it. This is just so crazy finding good thyroid doctors. BTW, my normal doctor would not up my dosage and looked at me like I was crazy when I told her I was going to split the dosage. I tried to talk to her about the information I had and she absolutely wouldn't listen so I agreed to go to the endo. I truly hope this regime works because I still have not found a good doctor that will listen to me regarding my Hashi's that is taking new patients. Sandy

06-23-2008, 06:00 AM	#1982
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,665 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	Oh, and thanks Ileen! Pam

06-23-2008, 04:02 PM	#1984
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,665 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	No, going off BCP's doesn't 'fix it'. Yes, that's way too high a dosage to start (but you got THAT dosage cuz he's a TSH worshippin' T4 only doctor'). 25mcg. is a starting dosage. Pam

06-23-2008, 04:03 PM	#1985
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,665 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	Call the doc in Hershey. Pam

06-23-2008, 06:19 PM	#1986
Lilgrnize Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: San Antonio Posts: 5,996 Gallery: Lilgrnize Start Date: 02/04	For iron, you need to get your ferritin checked, which measures your storage iron. But I would suggest having the actual iron levels and the % iron saturation tested, as well. My ferritin looked great (it ran in the 140's to 170's) but my iron and % saturation were in the basement. That means I was storing iron, but my body wasn't utilizing it. The iron levels are falling back into place as I heal, but from just the initial ferritin levels, no other doc realized how anemic I was.

06-23-2008, 10:07 PM	#1988
PalmTreeGal MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MD Posts: 1,642 Gallery: PalmTreeGal Stats: 181/175.6/120 WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: 9/1/08	Is it okay if I see the doc in Hershey for thyroid, and have my local PCP handle my day-to-day issues? Since Dr Hoffman's not an endo, it seems like an unusual arrangement, But I can't realistically have a PCP several hours away. Okay, for labs: I requests serum iron and ferritin? Pam, is my PCP starting me on a high dose of T4 in an effort to knock my TSH down as fast as possible? Why would she start so high?

06-24-2008, 03:58 AM	#1989
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,665 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	You don't want to know why I think your doc is starting that way too high..and I don't want to be you with the side effects (hint hint). Lilgrenize..you want to elaborate how if you start on too high a dosage you may have to back up and start all over again (not to mention that it's pretty lame to put someone on a 75mcg. of T4 who has really GOOD T4 to begin with, and ignore that low T3). I'm not a doctor...I can't tell you what to 'take'..I can only tell you the side effects. Thanks for reading the whole thread..there are quite a few asking about starting dosage and many had recounted what happened. Thanks Niki for your help. Pam

06-24-2008, 06:58 AM	#1992
RavenG Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fayetteville, PA Posts: 80 Gallery: RavenG Stats: 265/174.5/160 WOE: Atkins Start Date: June 2006	[quote=PalmTreeGal;10492312]Is it okay if I see the doc in Hershey for thyroid, and have my local PCP handle my day-to-day issues? Since Dr Hoffman's not an endo, it seems like an unusual arrangement, But I can't realistically have a PCP several hours away.QUOTE] Hi Mandy, I'm a patient of Dr. Hoffmann's and I see her for my thyroid...she's an hour and a half from my house in PA. I see her for thyroid checkups and she basically allows me to go to any lab that's convenient for me for bloodwork, tests, etc. I'm in a unique situation since my husband is in the military and I was able to choose her as my personal care manager....I can still go to any base locally and get care if I need it as well.

06-24-2008, 01:50 PM	#1996
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,665 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	Most on Cytomel are on a starting dosage of 5mg (for about six weeks, retest, go up another 5, etc.). So, MOST women are doing about 5 to 10mg. upon awakening, then another 5 to 10mg. at midday (some another 5mg. late afternoon). Pam

06-24-2008, 04:33 PM	#2000
PalmTreeGal MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MD Posts: 1,642 Gallery: PalmTreeGal Stats: 181/175.6/120 WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: 9/1/08	For those of you who are effectively medicated I have a couple questions. How long did it take for the meds to kick in and make you feel better? And what does "better" mean for you? For me I hope for more energy and more "motivation," the way I feel when I've had lots of caffeine or when Wellbutrin was working for me. I am interested in the world around me, I want to start new projects, I don't want to go to bed right after work. I hope this is what a better-managed thyroid will do for me!

06-25-2008, 04:51 AM	#2004
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,665 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	He's a major TSH worshipper and likes to dole out synthetics..some will do ANYTHING (even harm the patient) to switch you to synthetics. That's appalling..and you need to call that doctor BACK, you need to write to Forrest Pharms at the website I gave you (yes, there's a place to write to them online) and you need to write what happened and mail it to your local Medical Board (you can get the phone no. and address by calling your local Board of Health). Don't let him/her do this to another patient!!! AND the pharmacists should have KNOWN better if you were getting your Armour same pharmacy!!! ACKKK!! This takes the 'bad doctor' cake for this year. Do NOT let that doctor get away with that poor and WRONG treatment. He could very well have switched you to synthetics...but not at 3 TIMES the dosage!! And lying about the Armour. And not KNOWING the amount of each hormone in Armour..that's AWFUL..write a letter..send copies, don't JUST call this doctor, make sure someone does something about it! It's a case of overdose. Pam

06-25-2008, 01:22 PM	#2005
PalmTreeGal MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MD Posts: 1,642 Gallery: PalmTreeGal Stats: 181/175.6/120 WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: 9/1/08	I just called Dr. Barbara Hoffman in Hershey PA and was told she is not taking new patients. I explained I only needed thyroid care and begged them, but all they could do was put me on a waitlist. Pam, do you have any names in Virginia, particularly northern Virginia? I am going to call the local endo (Dr. James Dicke) and ask him about his thyroid philosophy, but since he's listed as having been removed from the Top Thyroid Doc website I'm not expecting much. Then there is the Sindler guy who sells herbal weight loss crap, I'm torn as to whether to call him. The other thing I plan to do is ask a couple of people at work who might know something about the endos in this area.