Biopsy of Thyroid Nodules

[2bflawless]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Well, I would be asking for a TPO (can't remember if you've had that...known as thyroid peroxidase antibodies, which is the test for Hashimoto's) or that he run the FNB (needle aspiration fluid) for Hashimoto's.

Secondly, I'd want Armour, or Thyroid (available from Canada with Rx. from doc, ask inatic about that), or Naturethroid, or Westhroid or compounded natural porcine thyroid. If the doc will not write Rx. for natural, I'd want to re test FT4 and FT3 (and do that about four hours after you take the first split of 5mcg.) and then go from there.

Pam

Thanks, Maile, what a relief!

Pam, I had the TPO ran before and he said that it showed I did have antibodies - that is why he believed I had Hashi's and he told me to hang on to my T4 meds because he may have to have me take it. I know he plans on running my Free T3 & T4 again at my next appt. I just wish I didnt have to wait that long cause I feel awful. <<sigh>> patience.

Is Westhroid expensive? I do have insurance but wonder if its covered. I'll have to check. I know the new Armour isnt recommended anymore so I'll avoid that.

Ileen: Is Thyroid expensive to get from Canada. I am fairly certain my Doc will write a script if I ask for it. I saw that sticky on TOP about getting Thyroid from Canada. Thanks!

Thanks for the support everyone!!!!!!!

[watcher513]

2b, that's WONDERFUL! Big sigh of relief!

[clarke]

Great news!!! Congrats!!

Just a question, and not to question your needs for thyroid meds because it does sound like you need them, but do you think the way you are feeling lately could be something else too, mono, anemia or something else?? Have you had any other blood work or tests done through a family doc?

[Lisa46]

This is awesome news!

Now, on to finding out WHY you feel so crappy, even with the Cytomel.

[nonstickpam107]

I don't even use my insurance (prescription coverage) for my Westhroid. I get three month's worth (3 grains, but I take 2grain tabs and split one..Creative Pill Cutting 101 yanno) for under 20 bucks.

Pam

[2bflawless]

Watcher, thanks for the support.

Clarke: No mono or anything. I feel terrible even with the medication. I just don't get it. This morning I could barely move, once again feeling like I had the flu. Makes no sense and the Cytomel is not helping with energy. The scale is moving in the right direction but energy...oh gosh NONE!

Lisa46: I am going to call my doc again today. OK no cancer that is awesome but what's going on that I feel like I have the flu.

Pam: That is terrific that the meds cost very little! Now to get properly medicated so I can feel human....

You all are so terrific...I am humbled by your kindness. I honestly do not know what I would do without this support.

((((Kisses & hugs))))

[2bflawless]

I spoke to my doc and explained that even on 10mcg of Cytomel per day I feel like crap. He increased me to 5mcg 3x a day now. Need to do this for two weeks then he wants to run Free Ts again. If this doesnt help then he will try something else.

Question: He suggested taking one in the am, lunch time and then dinner time. What do you all think? I am up by 7:30 am most mornings and lunch is 12 or 1.

Thanks!

[nonstickpam107]

Yeah, I'd do it at wake up, than 12, than 4pm. (Um..have you tried taking it sublingually? Let it dissolve under your tongue?...that speeds it into the body easier). The doc sounds really helpful and is trying to be your 'partner' in your care...good for the doc! (But I'd still want natural thyroid...maybe compounded, SR (slow release) natural porcine thyroid. Call around to find out who the compounding pharms are in your area and ask them if they can do that....that way you are armed and dangerous with the info when you see the doc next

Pam

[2bflawless]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Yeah, I'd do it at wake up, than 12, than 4pm. (Um..have you tried taking it sublingually? Let it dissolve under your tongue?...that speeds it into the body easier). The doc sounds really helpful and is trying to be your 'partner' in your care...good for the doc! (But I'd still want natural thyroid...maybe compounded, SR (slow release) natural porcine thyroid. Call around to find out who the compounding pharms are in your area and ask them if they can do that....that way you are armed and dangerous with the info when you see the doc next

Pam

Thanks, Pam, I will call the compounding pharmacies. So a natural T3? I just assumed all of the natural thyroid had some T4 and T3 in it, didn't think natural T3 was an option. I guess it makes sense. My brain is just not sharp anymore. It's really sad I use to be such a quick thinker! My doc said he preferred natural too so I will do my homework and in two weeks request natural if the now 15mcg does not do the trick! He wants me to have bloodwork then and I won't be going in to see him just get labs and he'll call me. Which is fine by me - saves money!

No, I have never tried the sublingual, but I will with my noon dose. So every 4 hours rather than every 6 hours. Thanks for letting me know, Pam!

[inatic]

Lisa, sorry, just seeing this

It's not expensive.. at least not as expensive as some of the stuff being used here to supplement the lack of naturals. you have to watch for price gouging on some sites.

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by 2bflawless

Thanks, Pam, I will call the compounding pharmacies. So a natural T3? I just assumed all of the natural thyroid had some T4 and T3 in it, didn't think natural T3 was an option. I guess it makes sense. My brain is just not sharp anymore. It's really sad I use to be such a quick thinker! My doc said he preferred natural too so I will do my homework and in two weeks request natural if the now 15mcg does not do the trick! He wants me to have bloodwork then and I won't be going in to see him just get labs and he'll call me. Which is fine by me - saves money!

No, I have never tried the sublingual, but I will with my noon dose. So every 4 hours rather than every 6 hours. Thanks for letting me know, Pam!

No, it's not JUST T3 natural, it will be a powdered form of T1, T2, T3, T4 just like every natural porcine thyroid. And I'd go for TWO grains to start, as SLOW RELEASE (SR)....

The Cytomel stays in the body, BUT is 'active' for about four hours, and that's why I'm saying subling every four hours, if that gives you too much of a 'jolt' than go six hours. You're very welcome for any help I can give you.

Pam

[2bflawless]

Thanks Pam and Ileen!

Pam, If this does not do the trick I will insist on the natural. I believe I will benefit more from the slow release especially after my experience today.

I took the 3 tabs yesterday sublingually and felt energetic. Almost like my normal energetic self was up late all chatty with DH too. But this morning I felt awful again, like I had the flu, crabby and it was noon and I was in my PJs and working on my 2nd cup of espresso. I took 4 tabs today just to feel OK. The 4th was out of sheer desperation because I was at Target and felt like falling over and I had taken my 3rd dose 3 hours earlier. I feel OK now not like my old self but I don't feel like I could go to bed either. This is so frustrating. Tomorrow I will be sure to stick to the 3 tabs and make sure I am not out and about late so I dont get worn out. Should I take it before bed or maybe in the middle of the night so that I am able to function in the morning? Any suggestions?

On a side note, I keep meaning to post this but forget. Nothing taste the same. I mean the foods I use to enjoy taste so bland. I have been on Atkins for over 2 years so I know it isnt that. Everything just needs extra everything. If its eggs than more salt and pepper, if its veggies, more butter. Very weird for me because I love food and cooking with different herbs. Now I am just not interested. Anyone else experience this?

Thanks again!

[watcher513]

Don't know but try a little lemon juice to perk some of them up?

[nonstickpam107]

I didn't get the loss of taste thing, but that came when my progesterone and estradiol bottomed out in perimenopause. We're all individual as to symptoms. How about what most people do on 15mg...take the 10mg. split in the am, and 5 after one pm...don't take the 10subling...take the 5 subling. You're gonna have to experiment.

Pam

[2bflawless]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

I didn't get the loss of taste thing, but that came when my progesterone and estradiol bottomed out in perimenopause. We're all individual as to symptoms. How about what most people do on 15mg...take the 10mg. split in the am, and 5 after one pm...don't take the 10subling...take the 5 subling. You're gonna have to experiment.

Pam

Hi, Pam I tried what you suggested, 10 in the am and 5 in the afternoon and I still felt bad. I then switched back to 5 when I wake, lunch and 4 pm, while I still dont feel normal by any stretch of the imagination I no longer feel like I will collapse and haven't fallen asleep on the couch lately. However, when I wake up in the morning I feel as if I have the flu and today I actually felt horrid in the afternoon too and had the "crash". Its like I am up and down, never steady.

I did try doing some step ups without weights at the park and now I ache as if I did heavy squats so that may have contributed to the crash but my gosh its not like I did 50, I did a set of 10 per leg. That being said, I haven't been able to lift for almost a month now. Pathetic but I am just too weak. I was thinking maybe I should try lifting again, a fullbody workout but with lighter weights? I am just scared now because if my body aches this much from a simple step up I can't imagine how I'll feel. I guess, I am wondering if lifting would help me, I use to love it and use to lift 4 days a week and now I just can't.

Also, my toes always hurt, I cant wear my heels anymore. They started hurting when all these symptoms first started. At times it feels like a broken toe but it comes and goes. I always forget to mention that symptom to my doctor cause of all the other stuff after a while you feel like you're complaining too much.

My doc ran my labs yesterday so I should have them back by Monday. I will get a copy so I can post. He is definitely running Ferritin, I saw the slip. Plus he is running a full chem panel and CBC along with my Free T's. His nurse said before he added or changed anything he wanted to see my labs. I plan to ask for natural thyroid replacement. I just have to feel better soon, this brain fog and body aches are the worst. I am tired of being so darn tired, I feel like an old lady...ya know like 90.

Thanks for listening...

[Lisa46]

Good grief, flawless...what a journey you are on! It will be good to get all of those tests done, maybe there IS something other than only thyroid stuff going on.


You are so fortunate to have your doc working with you, you have such a great chance of healing with that kind of partnership. I'm thinking about you, girl...

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by 2bflawless

Hi, Pam I tried what you suggested, 10 in the am and 5 in the afternoon and I still felt bad. I then switched back to 5 when I wake, lunch and 4 pm, while I still dont feel normal by any stretch of the imagination I no longer feel like I will collapse and haven't fallen asleep on the couch lately. However, when I wake up in the morning I feel as if I have the flu and today I actually felt horrid in the afternoon too and had the "crash". Its like I am up and down, never steady.

I did try doing some step ups without weights at the park and now I ache as if I did heavy squats so that may have contributed to the crash but my gosh its not like I did 50, I did a set of 10 per leg. That being said, I haven't been able to lift for almost a month now. Pathetic but I am just too weak. I was thinking maybe I should try lifting again, a fullbody workout but with lighter weights? I am just scared now because if my body aches this much from a simple step up I can't imagine how I'll feel. I guess, I am wondering if lifting would help me, I use to love it and use to lift 4 days a week and now I just can't.

Also, my toes always hurt, I cant wear my heels anymore. They started hurting when all these symptoms first started. At times it feels like a broken toe but it comes and goes. I always forget to mention that symptom to my doctor cause of all the other stuff after a while you feel like you're complaining too much.

My doc ran my labs yesterday so I should have them back by Monday. I will get a copy so I can post. He is definitely running Ferritin, I saw the slip. Plus he is running a full chem panel and CBC along with my Free T's. His nurse said before he added or changed anything he wanted to see my labs. I plan to ask for natural thyroid replacement. I just have to feel better soon, this brain fog and body aches are the worst. I am tired of being so darn tired, I feel like an old lady...ya know like 90.

Thanks for listening...

Most of us are told to stop working out until we are 'stabilized' on thyroid. Why? Cuz you happen to be over working/driving your adrenals...which will result in you not able to tolerate thyroid at all until you have your adrenals adjusted (try finding a doc for THAT! Ha!). So...you need to slow the workouts down until you heal a little and go up in dosage prolly...I was sweating out my FULL dosage of Armour by working out...and had to halt to save my adrenals.

You need a 4x in one day salivary cortisol to see where the adrenals are (without any T3 for a day or two prior to the test...you do this test at home and mail it back to lab...you get it from your doctor who orders it for you).

ETA: I had problems galore with just T4, and I had problems with just T3...with my feet and all...maybe it's lack of T4 for you....but the way you are describing the 'crash'...it sure sounds like you have adrenal problems and no patient should take any thyroid hormone until they see how their adrenals are reacting. I can only say what my doc would do....(first off, he sure wouldn't give T3 ONLY)..and that's take you off the T3 for a couple of days and do a salivary cortisol (and not just am...the 4x...YOUR doc might just do the blood salivary just morning...that's kind of a big 'mistake' if you don't get at least morning AND night, and salivary is the way to go on this test).

Pam

[2bflawless]

Pam: I'll discuss this with my doc. We did discuss adrenals at my initial consult and he did mention the 4x a day test but we never did it and I am not sure why now. My brain is on blah so I can't remember. Yeah my feet ache a lot especially my toes like I said it feels like they're broken but then feel fine later. Weird, I know. I am hoping he does add T4 along with my T3 and see if that does the trick. Adrenal fatigue sounds right to me, btw. How does one treat adrenal fatigue?

Guess I will hold off on the lifting (suckfest) its the one thing I really loved doing. But I can't risk being useless when I have children to care for all day and night.

Thanks, lisa46 we are going to get this under control!

[nonstickpam107]

I think this site would be invaluable to you to explain adrenals and thyroid:

Home Go down to 'popular links'.

Pam

[watcher513]

Oh man, I love the Thyroid Scale Matrix. Definitely a saver.

[nonstickpam107]

Yeah, I first saw that a few years ago. It really hits home, doesn't it? That's a wonderful site...Dr. Rind is great with his patients too.

Pam

[2bflawless]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

I think this site would be invaluable to you to explain adrenals and thyroid:

Home Go down to 'popular links'.

Pam

That's an understatement! Thank you, Pam, you are the best! Clearly I have adrenal fatigue, my TSh was below optimal and both my T3 and T4 were low "so-called" normal range. I will discuss this with my doctor and insist on on natural thyroid supplement. My doc was on the right path with giving me T3 to see how I react, I understand that now. I also understand why he ordered a CBC and Chem panel too. It should be interesting to see my results. I have a lot more reading to do tonight before my conversation with him. Once again I feel hopeful, thanks!

BTW, more energy today, since I am stubborn, I went ahead and did a full body workout with moderate weights. I feel pretty good a lot more "normal". Gosh I hope it lasts and I wil rest one day and lift again tomorrow.

[nonstickpam107]

Originally Posted by 2bflawless

That's an understatement! Thank you, Pam, you are the best! Clearly I have adrenal fatigue, my TSh was below optimal and both my T3 and T4 were low "so-called" normal range. I will discuss this with my doctor and insist on on natural thyroid supplement. My doc was on the right path with giving me T3 to see how I react, I understand that now. I also understand why he ordered a CBC and Chem panel too. It should be interesting to see my results. I have a lot more reading to do tonight before my conversation with him. Once again I feel hopeful, thanks!

BTW, more energy today, since I am stubborn, I went ahead and did a full body workout with moderate weights. I feel pretty good a lot more "normal". Gosh I hope it lasts and I wil rest one day and lift again tomorrow.

Well, that's just 'it'...with adrenal fatigue you need to see exactly 'how' fatigued with the salivary test. If you have adrenal fatigue, you have to treat the adrenals first...not do thyroid first.

I actually thought my adrenals were pretty bad when I first started thyroid hormone because of my reaction to it...but it wasn't my adrenals, it was my very very low progesterone interfering. I stopped taking any thyroid hormone for about three days and did salivary testing. Surprisingly enough, my adrenals were pretty good, considering. But when my progesterone, testosterone, free testosterone and estradiol came back...well, my progesterone was tanked (one point inside bottom range). (This is how perimeno is..the progesterone goes South first..NOT the estrogens...and when the progesterone fades, the thyroid tried to do the job of the missing progesterone, thereby further taxing the adrenals...vicious cycle).

Within about eight days of getting transdermal progesterone (used it at night, got the best night's sleep I'd had in a LONG time) my body 'calmed' and I could actually get benefit from the incoming thyroid hormone (and I woke up refreshed and ready to get on with my day).

Pam

[DebM]

hmmmm......interesting about the feet hurting - I have the same thing and couldn't figure out what the heck I'd done!!!