Ok Nonstick Pam and other Thyroid Guru's...

[Butterflyk]

Hello Allicat, thanks to you I have found a Thyroid dr about an hour away from where I live - he got great reviews on the Top Dr's listing - I can't thank you enough for pointing me in the right direction. I sincerely appreciate your sentiment of "paying it forward".

One of my favourites is:

"One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is to listen to each other's stories." -Rebecca Falls

You are truly one of those people that Rebecca is talking about. Just sharing what you have, has given me knowledge, insight and the courage to pursue not only the right treatment, but the right dr. and I won't stop until I feel like me again.

Again, many thanks.

If I could just impose one more question for you - I would like to ask you this - when you had the nodules could you feel them. When I feel my throat there is a bump in the front a little to the left, and the left side is slightly larger than the right. But none of this appears visually at least not that I can tell from looking in the mirror.

Well, thank you again.

[AllieCat0817]

YAY that is fantastic. What is his name and what city? I will see what I can find out about him. I promise you all I am doing is sharing what Pam has taught me (and what my further digging has yielded).

About the nodules... in Aug 2002 I started having a lump sensation in my throat, and it was not gradual either... just suddenly one day. I had all kinds of endoscopes, gastro tests, acid reflux tests, swallowing tests, referral to ENT who felt the goiter so we went the thyroid route.

Well after my thyroid surgery I still had the sensation. Still do.

The conclusion was that it is anxiety. Which very well may be true. Although I am not all the way convinced. But who knows. So I found the nodules on accident.

Be blessed on your quest! And what is that dr's name and city?

[Butterflyk]

Hi Alleycat this is the doctor I found. Do you know anything about him? He got really great reviews on the Top Doctor site you suggested. Here's hoping.

Dr. Leonard Direnfeld, M.D., Unit 3, 3600 Ellesmere Road, Toronto ON M1C 4Y8, 416 282-5773.

Thanks again.

[nonstickpam107]

Direnfield is one of the best for adrenals/naturopathy/thyroid and really 'gets the whole picture'. Very thorough. I hear he also takes the form of health care in Canada? If this is wrong, please set us straight Butterflyk. Wonderful choice of healer.

Pam

[AllieCat0817]

YAYY!! I was going to ask Pam to look at that dr, glad she already did. Sounds like you hit the jackpot!

[Butterflyk]

Hi Pam, thanks for your supportive words too. I wasn't sure what you meant by "form", do you mean is he covered by our health care system? If so, yes to an extent he is, but for any natural path testing you have to pay for those. But in comparison to how previous dr's have treated me, everything I hear about this dr is worth any amount. Truly if I have learned nothing else, I have learned these three things - that you can't put a price tag on your health, that you must always listen to your body and follow your instincts and that sharing with others is an important means for all of us to heal. Will keep you posted for sure. Can't thank you and this site enough. Blessings to you all.

[lvgal]

Wow... this is interesting to me for sure.

I hope you dont mind me jumping in here.

A few years ago my bloodwork showed my levels at 4.2 (i think). The doc put me on synthroid, with the very smallest dose and upped it every 6 months.
Now... Im at .125 of levothyroxine.. the doctor prescribed it because it is cheaper than synthroid I guess... anyhow.. last time I did my bloodwork my levels were at 3.3 or so.. and they said that they were fine at that level and didnt up my meds. I dont think I have ever fallen below 3.
I am so frustrated. Ive gained another 40 pds in the last 2 years.
Its NOT NORMAL!!
Im going to a new doctor soon because ive moved.. I hope he is more educated on this issue and willing to up the bar a bit on my meds.
If he doesnt... any advice??

[nonstickpam107]

Well, yeah some advice: find another doctor (and you're doing that)! You've got a TSH only doc there. And your TSH is quite high. Make sure 'new doctor' was picked cuz he does FT's or Total T's thyroid hormone testing and that he gives Armour or adds Cytomel (synthetic T3) to your T4.

Pam

[Butterflyk]

Hi Alliecat & Pam, thought I would give you an update. I still am waiting to see the dr in Toronto, was suppose to see him this month and they called and rescheduled my appointment for Oct. Yikes!!! In the meantime, I have a new family dr who at least off the get go - listened to me and did the tests I requested. She also did (and the first one who ever has), a proper check of my throat area. She never said anything further about the examination during my visit. She did send me for all the blood tests, which this time came back within that so-called normal range - however if they use the new range then my TSH was slightly higher. Anyway a few days later I received a call from her office and was told to go for a thyroid ultrasound. I did, and two days later (was over the weekend and just this past Monday), the office called me again and said that the ultrasound showed a nodule and that the ultrasound place recomended that I have a biopsy done - suppose that means that fine needle thing. dble YIKES!!! So I am now waiting to see a specialist - they are refering me to one who does ears, nose and throat??? Although he is apparently experienced with the thyroid over the other two areas of his practice. I don't know, he got mixed ratings, but nothing about his knowledge or skils as a surgeon, only his bedside manner. Of course his office is closed now until Monday (holidays) so I have to wait, but my dr's office seems intent on getting me in to have the biopsy done right away. I re-read what Alliecat posted above, so I am trying very hard not to overly concern myself. Well thanks for listening.

[nonstickpam107]

IMHO, I would have the ENT do the biopsy, and wait for results, THEN take those to the new doctor in October. ENT's and surgeons sometimes like to REMOVE thyroids.....but the doctor you will see in Oct. will have other 'treatments'. Don't let anyone schedule you for surgery until you see that doctor, unless you have clear cut lab results of cancer. Most nodules are from having Hashimoto's or hypothyroidism.

Do you have the copy of the tests (with lab ranges)? Did they do a TPO?

Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by lvgal

Wow... this is interesting to me for sure.

I hope you dont mind me jumping in here.

A few years ago my bloodwork showed my levels at 4.2 (i think). The doc put me on synthroid, with the very smallest dose and upped it every 6 months.
Now... Im at .125 of levothyroxine.. the doctor prescribed it because it is cheaper than synthroid I guess... anyhow.. last time I did my bloodwork my levels were at 3.3 or so.. and they said that they were fine at that level and didnt up my meds. I dont think I have ever fallen below 3.
I am so frustrated. Ive gained another 40 pds in the last 2 years.
Its NOT NORMAL!!
Im going to a new doctor soon because ive moved.. I hope he is more educated on this issue and willing to up the bar a bit on my meds.
If he doesnt... any advice??

Well, talk about frustrating!! ACK! And I perused a list of 23 supposedly 'GREAT THYROID DOCS' in Las Vegas and Henderson (have friends there, knew it was close) and guess what? Almost EVERY SINGLE one said "Oh, this doctor is so WONDERFUL!! Actually listened to me for TWO HOURS!!! Oh, how WONDERFUL!!" I happened to be able to track down some of the patients who recommended these doctors to ask how the doctor treated their thyroid disease. Guess what? They didn't. But they listened to them!! (Am I not 'getting it'?? Is there no one with ears in Las Vegas? )

Anyway, here's the name of ONE doctor who 'supposedly' Rx's Armour Thyroid (although I REALLY think if you called the pharmacies around you, ask "Do you carry Armour Thyroid?" if they say "yes", than say "I just moved here and my doctor back in _____ was treating me with Armour and I'm having trouble finding a doc to Rx. it here"..OR you COULD ask YOUR doctor for Cytomel OR you could find a doctor who does combo therapy (both synthetic T4 AND T3):

Carolyn McKelvie, General practice/internist/primary care, 3012 So. Durango, Ste. 1, Las Vegas, NV 89117, 702-366-0640 phone, 702-366-9075 fax

I'd call this doctor's office FIRST and explain how you are being treated NOW, you don't feel well, and you don't want to waste their time or yours...that you are looking for a doctor to give you either Cytomel in addition to your T4 synthetic, OR switch you to Armour Thyroid. Don't beat around the bush.

Pam

[Butterflyk]

Hi Pam, A TPO test was done and I tested positive, but my value was only like 43 and the report said that only values of 70 or greater indicated Hashi's and so they literally ruled it out and even wrote this on the report. Thank you for saying to let the ENT do the biopsy and then get the results, that makes good sense. I just hope they schedule and get it done soon. My question is, if they suspect it may be cancer, though most are not, then why are they not doing a TgAb test - isn't that the blood test used to determine if your thyroid is cancerous? Thanks for your reply. Will keep you posted. I just get so confused about which way to turn - sure you can totally relate - I just want to feel well and get on with my life. Thanks Bk.

[nonstickpam107]

TgAb does not denote a cancerous thyroid for sure. Only a biopsy knows for sure. Best of luck to you.

Confusion is the name of the game, I agree with that! Keep reading, and learning and don't back down from what you NEED to be well treated.

Pam

[Butterflyk]

Thanks Pam, you and this site are truly amazing and inspiring. I will continue to get what I "need" to be well. Bk.

[lisabinil]

Pam if meds are not suppressing thyroid nodules and you have a choice of the radiated iodine treatment or removal of the nodules and part of the thyroid which would you choose and why? I have read many stories from women having the radiated iodine and they wish they hadn't done it. I have been researching and one source I read states 85% of women gain weight after the radiated iodine treatment.

[nonstickpam107]

Lisa, most of the stories I've heard 'personally' from women who had RAI and/or removal of a part of the thyroid had it done because of cancer. So...if it's cancer related...removal is your best bet IMHO.

I haven't heard a lot of women (or doctors) who've used RAI for nodules, UNLESS it was a 'hot' nodule and was spitting out hormone here and there.

Almost all of the women I've heard from who've had a thyroid removed for non cancerous reason have done so because the thyroid was so large, it was compromising the windpipe. I have, however, the majority of the removals coming from the Southern States (Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida).

I was given just a teensy bit of RAI to do an 'uptake' when I went quite hyper but just to do the uptake. That little bit actually helped slow me down a bit. I had a couple of nodules that were small, and very indicative of Hashimoto's. I was given a block and replace treatment (not many docs do that!) and a year and a half into it, I got enough T3 in me to shrink my nodules.

T4 has not been proven to shrink nodules. T3 has. So, if a doc is trying to shrink as a first effort, he'll usually use T3. And most with Hashi's who get good treatment will be able to replace as their thyroid's get smaller and more 'shriveled' as the antibody attacks go on.

Pam

[Butterflyk]

Hi Pam, I was just reading your post and the one above. Question, If I tested positive for TPO's (even if lower than their suggested range), and now they have discovered at least one nodule (that I have been told about) - is that enough for a diagnosis of Hashi's? I mean everything I am hearing or rather reading is highly suggestive of that and I have been for the past years going between excessive weight loss (20-25 lbs) and weight gain of the same - with the symptoms either getting worst of almost to a recovery point - more like a yo-yo affect. Is that what you mean about the antibody attacks? Also I had an MRI done that showed some bi-lateral demylenization - not sure what that means am suppose to see a neurologist in December for that. Also my estrogen is low and so is my progesterone. Is it possible that my thyroid is creating all these other things? Bk.

[lisabinil]

I don't have Hashi's Pam and the thyroid nodules are bigger than they were 2 years ago. My endo switched me to Armour and will be doing more tests soon to see if they are shrinking. His concern is that they are getting too big like you said and will interfere with my windpipe and they hot nodules. I am trying to prepare and decide what I will do if they do not shrink.

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by Butterflyk

Hi Pam, I was just reading your post and the one above. Question, If I tested positive for TPO's (even if lower than their suggested range), and now they have discovered at least one nodule (that I have been told about) - is that enough for a diagnosis of Hashi's? I mean everything I am hearing or rather reading is highly suggestive of that and I have been for the past years going between excessive weight loss (20-25 lbs) and weight gain of the same - with the symptoms either getting worst of almost to a recovery point - more like a yo-yo affect. Is that what you mean about the antibody attacks? Also I had an MRI done that showed some bi-lateral demylenization - not sure what that means am suppose to see a neurologist in December for that. Also my estrogen is low and so is my progesterone. Is it possible that my thyroid is creating all these other things? Bk.

A confirmed diagnosis of Hashimoto's 'for sure' is to get a biopsy of the thyroid. I had no antibodies that showed at all (my DD JUST went through this!!!) from when I was about 32 till I was 41. All of a sudden, my antibodies were in the hundreds, and then off the range scale! My DD the same, she's 36 now, had NO antibodies on the TPO until last year (did it when she was 22, 30 and now it's in the hundreds). I CAN lay dormant too. So, if you want the definitive test for Hashimoto's, a biopsy will show it.

My thyroid started off chemically altered (perchlorate) and then showed the antibodies. All we can figure is that the chemical wreaked havoc, I just happened to have the antibodies in my body and then they were 'triggered' later by menopause (like many, I went POST meno at 41 with no surgical invention).

I'd love someone to explain to me how that all happens, but we DO see it happening..the antibodies showing up 'later'.

Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by lisabinil

I don't have Hashi's Pam and the thyroid nodules are bigger than they were 2 years ago. My endo switched me to Armour and will be doing more tests soon to see if they are shrinking. His concern is that they are getting too big like you said and will interfere with my windpipe and they hot nodules. I am trying to prepare and decide what I will do if they do not shrink.

See my last post too (cuz I didn't have any Hashimoto's antibodies...I just had a badly chemically altered thyroid!), but you have the type of nodules and profile that beg to keep an eye on (and I know you and your doc are well aware of that). There is a lot of information for doctors about nodules and T3 and all that at the Broda Barnes Foundation too. He was the first doc to actually shrink common cold nodules using T3.

But when they get to the point where they are getting big enough to interfere with breathing (especially lying down..oh, HOW uncomfortable! I had an enlarged thyroiditis episode which started the whole thing...I had gotten 'chemical'd'....and I had to sleep sitting up for about five MONTHS!).

Oh, you're going to be so far ahead though, if they do have to remove it, cuz your doctor gives Armour. Smart woman! The most trouble is to try and get a doc to replace fully when you have no thyroid.

Pam

[Butterflyk]

Hi Pam, no one ever tested me for anything other than TSH when all these syptoms first presented themselves and no one ever suspected a thyroid problem ever, so sadly, like thousads of other women I was told of course everything was in my head. All I've had to go on is what I have pushed for in the past year regarding the thyroid and with so very much information and help from this site (thank you), I have been able to push ahead and now I at least know about the TPO's and that there is a nodule, and that my fT3 is not optimal. I was 35 when all these symptoms started and am now almost 47 - and considered "perimenopause". I have sufffered from debilitating symptoms to like I said almost total wellness for all these years - again very sad, when you consider that proper dx and treatment over a decade ago could have prevented most or all of this. Thankfully I never stopped believing in me - so true when they say "listen to your body" - and getting wonderful insight, information and support from LCF here has been a real lifesaver.

So strange how the antibodies show up later - I know a bio-feedback dr once told me that various childhood diseases can create a series of alternate or mutated antibodies that may or may not be triggered by something in later years. This same bf dr also told me that environmental factors (exteral & internal) have alot to do with developing and/or triggering these so-called mutated antibodies. Maybe somewhere in those thoughts is the connection with autoimmune disease - because the immune system is confused by the signals produced by the mutated antibodies? I don't know, but I do believe there is a cause for everything, otherwise there would be no affects (symptoms).
Will definitely move forward with the biopsy and stay in touch with the results. Thanks again Pam. Bk.

[lisabinil]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

See my last post too (cuz I didn't have any Hashimoto's antibodies...I just had a badly chemically altered thyroid!), but you have the type of nodules and profile that beg to keep an eye on (and I know you and your doc are well aware of that). There is a lot of information for doctors about nodules and T3 and all that at the Broda Barnes Foundation too. He was the first doc to actually shrink common cold nodules using T3.

But when they get to the point where they are getting big enough to interfere with breathing (especially lying down..oh, HOW uncomfortable! I had an enlarged thyroiditis episode which started the whole thing...I had gotten 'chemical'd'....and I had to sleep sitting up for about five MONTHS!).

Oh, you're going to be so far ahead though, if they do have to remove it, cuz your doctor gives Armour. Smart woman! The most trouble is to try and get a doc to replace fully when you have no thyroid.

Pam

Thanks for that info about Hashis and the biopsy. He suspected Hashis right off the bat and was surprised the tests were negative. I wil be going for a recheck on bloodwork soon and prolly more ultrasounds also. Do you have any experience with the radiated iodine treatment or women who have had it? I am just trying to cover all the bases and get as much info as I can if I do have a choice.

[nonstickpam107]

RAI is used on women who are clearly HYPER or have Graves disease. In Hashi's or in hypothyroidism, a block and replace can be done if the thyroid is in a 'hyper swing'. Remember, it's a 'guessing game' with RAI and it doesn't usually 'just slow' a thyroid down, it 'ablates' it (kills it). Most women with doctors who won't give enough thyroid hormone to replace the thyroid's own after ablation are totally against RAI.

Many doctors have been successful in treating hyperthyroidism with anti thyroid meds. And those in a hyper swing of Hashimoto's can be given beta blockers to slow the heart palps and replace with a small amount of thyroid hormone. Some docs still just take the thyroid out or ablate it right away cuz that's 'easier' for them. Not as easy for the patient though, it's very difficult to get correct thyroid replacement after your thyroid is gone, and your sex hormones are more difficult to balance.

Pam

[Butterflyk]

Hi everyone just popping in to say whats new. Well after my ultrasound they sent me to the ENT. What a lark that was - I get there and he immediately wants to spray some awful anticeptive down my throat to insert some big long camera tube. I said "NO". and asked if he had read my file. So he looks at my file, then looks at me and says, "well your TSH is within normal range". Honestly if I hear "normal range" one more time someone is going to get smacked! Anyway he didn't even have the test results from the ultrasound and so there was nothing he could discuss with me, other than to make me feel like I was wasting his time. First thing the next morning his office calls to say that he has scheduled a "biopsy" for the following week (so about five days later), which was today. They did the procedures at the hospital with an ultrasound. It was not very pleasant even though both the dr and nurse were very kind (different dr than the specialist I had earlier seen). Anyway, my neck is very sore now and they said it will probably have some bruising. The new dr asked me how long I had the nodule, but I never got the chance to reply. It took him two times to get to the sample. he kept saying to the nurse that the tissue around it kept moving - is this normal? Anyway I'm glad that part is done, now the waiting. There is no question that I am now a good way into the euro side of thyroid symptoms. I even went back and got the only 3 TSH tests that were done during the entire year and half I have been so despritely ill.

07/02/08 - 0.5 range 0.5 - 3.0 ND

07/29/08 - 1.7 range 0.5 - 4.5 Hospital

08/13/08 - 2.59 range 0.5 - 4.5 Physician

Seems to me that if they had taken at least one or two more tests prior to July when I was still very ill that my TSH most likely would have shown below their so-called range. What I find interesting is that as I enter into what I now refere to as a remission type phase (because I go back and forth between hyper and hypo), that my TSH increases at the same time, so does my energy levels, and many of the symptoms start to go away. I personally beleive that my thyroid has a problem.

Am I thinking straight on this? Why would a dr say the tissue around the nodule was moving? What do you think he meant by that? And given the TSH results above, and the fact that as my symptoms start to go away and the level starts to rise, certainly should tell them something is not working right with my thyroid.

Would greatly welcome thoughts and input.

Thanks again for listening. BK.

[fitnessq]

Hi i was on here not to long ago.I have received my new labs and I have been feeling really bad all this time.I have been on westhroid for about 3 months now im up to 3 grains but im totally sick. Bedridden!!. Muscle aches all over headaches migrains fibromyalgia chronic fatigue dizzy faint feelings etc the works. Seems that these pills are not kicking in!
Do i have an adrenal problem that is makeing these pills not work for me.
I asked the doctor to do the 24 hr cortisol saliva test but he said that it is only a half test and that it wnt tell us anything. I think he is just an idiot and can't treat me because he never did the test before. so now i have top go to another docr and get the test done. here are my results as of now

Free t4 0.096 Range is 0.88-1.70
Free t3 3.73 Range is 2.0-4.4
TSH 0.495 Range is 0.270-4.200
Ferritin is 39 range is 10-291 (this actually raised since ive been using iron supplements (Floradex)
so from last time my free t3 raised and my t4 actually raised from .75 to .96 still low Tsh is irrelevaent.
Now can i have an adrenal problem with the symptoms i have described above also frequent urination.
Am i converting to t3 or is it that i am on a high dose that i am flooding my system.I need to find some info to shove in the doctors face.. also i get tremors and sweats like im going to pass out.In my opinion i think i have an adrenal problem and i need to supplement with something can some one help me. I feel like im 90 and im only 39. Doctor tested all my female hormones and the are great.Just i feel so sick.Something has to be stopping these pills from working for me.May be they are not converting properly. doctor wants to send me to a reumy and endo.Did that already and came back with a clean bill of health. wasted my time..Please help thank you all!!

[lisabinil]

Have you been checked for MS? How's your Vitamin D? I had the same symptoms and it was low Vitamin D.

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by Butterflyk

Hi everyone just popping in to say whats new. Well after my ultrasound they sent me to the ENT. What a lark that was - I get there and he immediately wants to spray some awful anticeptive down my throat to insert some big long camera tube. I said "NO". and asked if he had read my file. So he looks at my file, then looks at me and says, "well your TSH is within normal range". Honestly if I hear "normal range" one more time someone is going to get smacked! Anyway he didn't even have the test results from the ultrasound and so there was nothing he could discuss with me, other than to make me feel like I was wasting his time. First thing the next morning his office calls to say that he has scheduled a "biopsy" for the following week (so about five days later), which was today. They did the procedures at the hospital with an ultrasound. It was not very pleasant even though both the dr and nurse were very kind (different dr than the specialist I had earlier seen). Anyway, my neck is very sore now and they said it will probably have some bruising. The new dr asked me how long I had the nodule, but I never got the chance to reply. It took him two times to get to the sample. he kept saying to the nurse that the tissue around it kept moving - is this normal? Anyway I'm glad that part is done, now the waiting. There is no question that I am now a good way into the euro side of thyroid symptoms. I even went back and got the only 3 TSH tests that were done during the entire year and half I have been so despritely ill.

07/02/08 - 0.5 range 0.5 - 3.0 ND

07/29/08 - 1.7 range 0.5 - 4.5 Hospital

08/13/08 - 2.59 range 0.5 - 4.5 Physician

Seems to me that if they had taken at least one or two more tests prior to July when I was still very ill that my TSH most likely would have shown below their so-called range. What I find interesting is that as I enter into what I now refere to as a remission type phase (because I go back and forth between hyper and hypo), that my TSH increases at the same time, so does my energy levels, and many of the symptoms start to go away. I personally beleive that my thyroid has a problem.

Am I thinking straight on this? Why would a dr say the tissue around the nodule was moving? What do you think he meant by that? And given the TSH results above, and the fact that as my symptoms start to go away and the level starts to rise, certainly should tell them something is not working right with my thyroid.

Would greatly welcome thoughts and input.

Thanks again for listening. BK.

Well, listening ain't worth it, lol...that's what the docs are doing...listening for a few seconds and then bumbling around. Did I give you the list of good thyroid docs in Canada? I'd be more than happy to.

Most patients in the USA go through about four to five endos and bumblers. Then we started keeping lists. It didn't take all that long for Canada to get their own list, heh heh. So, if you'd like it, pm me. (And if you want to keep going through the 'TSH is the gold standard' , that's up to you..but I warn you...people and doctors will 'listen'...and then do nothing to get you started on treatment. And you should have been already started on treatment. Beware the 'from the golden olden days of taking out thyroids cuz it's easier than listening to the patient and doing the correct testing and treatment'.

Here in the US..doctors are starting to 'notice' that the patients they used to 'just listen to and call them normal' are all of a sudden missing in action...they're down the road at 'Dr. Doesn'tmessaround'.

Pam

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by fitnessq

Hi i was on here not to long ago.I have received my new labs and I have been feeling really bad all this time.I have been on westhroid for about 3 months now im up to 3 grains but im totally sick. Bedridden!!. Muscle aches all over headaches migrains fibromyalgia chronic fatigue dizzy faint feelings etc the works. Seems that these pills are not kicking in!
Do i have an adrenal problem that is makeing these pills not work for me.
I asked the doctor to do the 24 hr cortisol saliva test but he said that it is only a half test and that it wnt tell us anything. I think he is just an idiot and can't treat me because he never did the test before. so now i have top go to another docr and get the test done. here are my results as of now

Free t4 0.096 Range is 0.88-1.70
Free t3 3.73 Range is 2.0-4.4
TSH 0.495 Range is 0.270-4.200
Ferritin is 39 range is 10-291 (this actually raised since ive been using iron supplements (Floradex)
so from last time my free t3 raised and my t4 actually raised from .75 to .96 still low Tsh is irrelevaent.
Now can i have an adrenal problem with the symptoms i have described above also frequent urination.
Am i converting to t3 or is it that i am on a high dose that i am flooding my system.I need to find some info to shove in the doctors face.. also i get tremors and sweats like im going to pass out.In my opinion i think i have an adrenal problem and i need to supplement with something can some one help me. I feel like im 90 and im only 39. Doctor tested all my female hormones and the are great.Just i feel so sick.Something has to be stopping these pills from working for me.May be they are not converting properly. doctor wants to send me to a reumy and endo.Did that already and came back with a clean bill of health. wasted my time..Please help thank you all!!

First of all, you've gone up in dosage WAY TOO FAST!!!!! No matter WHAT the tests say. The usual course of action is to start with 30mg. (you prolly did), then add 30mg. in two weeks, test, then, if warranted, add 30mg....wait a week, add another 30mg. etc., but then when you get to 2 grain (120mg.) you usually hold off, test, then add in a little progesterone, if warranted (and should be at your age level..your doctor is being too aggressive on the Armour, and not balancing, I'd like to see your female hormone results, and they should contain (or you might want to procure on your own): progesterone, estradiol, testosterone and free testosterone, as well as a hoped for DHEA-S and DHEA.

Your ferritin is in the toilet, and you should have an iron test there somewhere also.

You're looking for your FT4 to be higher? Um...ain't gonna happen on Armour. You're looking for zebras there. Armour drops the TSH in the toilet, ups the FT3 (you're perfect there...and you don't know it cuz you went up way too fast in dosage too soon....most have to start all over when that happens), and leaves the FT4 about midway of range, sometimes under.

So, dig out the female hormone tests (and if that doc did just an FSH and total estrogen, you're in trouble....and should look for a doc who does BHRT OR look for a pharmacy that has a compounding pharmacist and talk to that person about getting BHRT (particularly progesterone at your age...that's what drops first, leading to thyroid failure).

If you look through the posts about thyroid and starting too fast on dosage of Armour (or any thyroid hormone) and having a crisis (emotional and physical) about three months later, you'll find that those folks had to start over. I had to have a 'block and replace' type of treatment...was blocked with beta blockers, while adding small increases of dosage with first compounded Armour, then regular while balancing my progesterone (I was a little younger than you)...then a few years later, adding estradiol.

What state are you in? (Please forgive me, I've had a lot of emails/questions/listseekers recently and I'm on a 'working vacation' right now...remodeling another side of my house).

So, your symptoms are too much Armour too soon (not that the dosasge will be too much for you LATER....)...and I'd be cutting down to 2 grains, and SPLIT it (one grain am, one grain early afternoon), and be getting/seeing progesterone and estradiol (estriol too if ya have it) and all that, and I'd be googling "Great Smokies Labs...salivary cortisol test" (they changed their dang name...) cuz you can get that yourself. You can also get the hormone panels for half the cost of the doc's lab, etc. at Online Lab Tests: blood work, blood testing and laboratory tests and give coupon code: 12345 at checkout for any thyroid tests...hmmm...OH, and get an iron test if they didn't do it with the ferritin.

Someday...maybe in six months to a year...you'll really be on 3 grains (or a little more), and your hormones will be balanced and you'll feel great...you're just not there yet, and I'm SHOCKED that you or the doctor thinks that 3 grains that fast is ok. SHOCKED...after all I've written about that, lol.

Pam

[Butterflyk]

Hi Pam, and yes I did get that list of dr's here in Canada. I was suppose to see Dr. D in Toronto, but the first appointment got postponed, and the second one I move into October because of the biopsy. His office agreed that it was best to get these results and then see him.

Speaking of which, I meant to ask, how much do they normally take out when doing a thyroid biopsy. I thought it was only a small amount, like enough to put on a slide, but what I saw was 3/4 of a urine sample jar full. It just seemed like an awful lot??? Also the dr. who did the proceedure asked me how long I have known about the nodule and before I could ask, he then quickly said for me not to speak. That seemed a little odd to me, not trying to be paranoid of course while waiting for the results. I had the procedure done last Thursday afternoon. How long should I wait for results? I meant to ask but seemed to be whisked in and out type thing. Thanks so much again. Bk.

[fitnessq]

Hi pam Thanks Ill get some more tests done.i live in ny so i cant do the mail away saliva test due to restrictions. I already dropped down my medicine 2 days ago on my own .My doctor seems to think i am imagining my symptoms not really imagining but since I have alot of anxiety he thinks it is accelerating the problem in my head.I have real pain no joke. Could i have low adrenals? Im going to see one of my old doctors and get the cortisol test. done hopefully this week coming up.The only reason the westhroid actually naturthroid was because of my pain in my chest costrochonstritis (spelled wrong) and over all muscle pains throughout my back legs arms etc.also 2 aches right over the adrenals .This is why I think I have an adrenal problem.I had radioactive iodine roughly 12 years ago and ever since then never was right.If i new it would be like this today i would have never did that ! Who Knew The web was fairly new and not to much info back then..Doctor said that all i would have tpo do is take 1 pill everyday no problem Yea right. He should have been sued. He actually gave me to much of it.. any way i hope to get that cortiosl teast and i will have the doctor give me the hormone tests that you had said. when i get them back i will post. Thanks alot for your expertise pam I really apreciate it.Also i am making an appointment with 2 natural doctors in my area .They have high praises from numerous people and the wellness store that i purchase from ..Thanks again. don't mind the spelling errors. sticky keyboard..