pam and others...help

[fran54]

I have written before looking for a dr in San Diego. I found two. We are trying one this Wednesday. I have posted my son's(26 yrs. old) labs on here already. But now that we are actually going to the dr. I need some help. This thyroid stuff is very confusing to me.Most recent:
TSH .85 .27-4.20 (ulu/ml)
Free T4 1.45 .93-170 (ng/dl)
Anti-thyroid Peroxidase AB <.3 0.-3.9
Triodothyronine Free 3.2 2.4-4.2 (pg/mL)
Thyroxine (T4) 8.6 4.5-10.9 (mcg/dL)
T3 Total 1.3 .8-2.0 (ng/mL)
He has low D ,sky high triglycerides ,lowHDL, high LDL, major sleep issues , losing hair, bulging eyes, depression...
Taking 150 Levothyroxine for seven months. His TSH used to be16.41 range is .35-5.50(ulU/mL)

[fran54]

I must have hit a wrong button. So to continue my post from above, what do I ask the doctor. His symptoms are still there eventhough his other docs say his numbers are fine.Should he try the cytomel or armour. Which works better? Is armour avaiable now? He needs help because his weight keep climbing eventhough he is doing nothing different.

[fran54]

I must have hit a wrong button. So to continue my post from above, what do I ask the doctor. His symptoms are still there eventhough his other docs say his numbers are fine.Should he try the cytomel or armour. Which works better? Is armour avaiable now? He needs help because his weight keep climbing eventhough he is doing nothing different.
I want to go in well prepared because my knowledge of this is shaky.
I thank you for your help.

[nonstickpam107]

I'd want more info. And I'd want my Free T3 to be higher (he's only taking T4, and a LOT LOT LOT of it...)..so I'd be asking to add 10mcg. Cytomel (5 in am, 5 in afternoon) OR I'd be asking to switch to compounded (would have to find a compounding pharmacist who has natural dessicated thyroid) Thyroid.

Armour is scarce, but compounding pharmacists have plenty of natural dessicated thyroid usually, and many here (keep reading) are getting their 'Thyroid' from Canada with a Rx. (The doc needs to write porcine thyroid on the Rx.). If he switched out...I can't say WHAT his dose should be, but if I were HIM I'd want to switch over to about 2 grains in the morning and one in the early afternoon. If that were 'too much' he could shave some off.

Are you perhaps seeing Dr. Levine in LA? Did you join that California Thyroid Support Group at yahoo.com that I told you about? They know some pretty good doctors.

Pam

[fran54]

Thanks so much for your speedy reply. We are not seeing Dr. Levine. His name never came up in all the searches. Is he well known for thyroid? I will keep his name for future issues if you know him or know of him. Yes, I did all the searches that you told me to do. Ca. boards, Stop the Madness and others. I also called a few Naturopaths, my yoga teacher, etc. A doctor in Encinitas was recommended. She was a regular dr and then got very sick with Graves disease. She had to take time off and when she returned she focused on thyroid. I will let everyone know how it goes. I wanted to be armed with your expertise prior to the appointment. She apparently goes by labs, symptoms, adrenals if necessary, all the T's and prescribes all the meds that I read about here. As my dad says, I am keeping my fingers and eyes crossed.
I cannot thank you and others enough for all your help. There was no way I could try to figure this out myself. It was so comforting to know I could ask everyone for help and know that I would get it. I wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season and will let you know how we do. Thanks again...Fran

[nonstickpam107]

Can I have her name? Perhaps I know who she is...(and if that appointment goes well and your son gets the T3..either Cytomel or switched out to natural...I'll want her name anyway...always a place for a good thyroid doc on my lists).

Best of luck to you and your son Fran...hope everything goes really well at the appointment. If it doesn't...we'll still keep searching for 'Dr. Right' for him (and yes, Ted Levine is one of the best docs in all of Cali...but he's pricey and he's in LA and he's..um...um..quirky...only does appt's schedule by email, etc.).

Pam

[fran54]

Sure, no problem. Her name is Dr. Paula Luber and she is in Encinitas, Ca. I will let you all know and thanks again.

[fran54]

Pam and others. Well we finally saw a doctor that I did not have a stomach knot waiting to argue over what labs, etc. Boom, boom, boom all the tests that I read about here were ordered. My husband and son never got a physical test like this before and the questionaire was almost a book. She listened, was kind, made my son(who is 26yrs. old) not feel like a sick old man or like something he was making up. She swithched my son to Armour 60mg 2x's a day am and pm. So one in the morning and one in the evening. My husband(who has had a major heart attack) is keeping him on the levothyroxine plus cytomel. 5 in the am and 5 in the pm. She wants to bring him up slower due to the heart although her plan is to move him to armour later. Lots of supplements although she is sticking to the minimal right now. She wants them on a celiac disease diet for a month although my son is also on a non cassein diet. She tested their blood for celiac disease and we don't know yet but she said it is worth a try.She is doing many other things; testosterone, cortisol, etc. but not too many that I felt taken. She explained the reasons for everything. Now I just hope it works. They are two peas in a pod and are very medical resistant meaning that their bodies do not react normally to treatment. Her name is Dr Paula Luber in Encinitas, Ca. When I went to thank her she hugged me and I burst into tears. She told me don't worry we will get them both better!

[nonstickpam107]

I'm so glad you found a doctor who 'gets it' Fran! Yay...it's a long slow road with hormones/thyroid, etc. but it looks like this doc will get to the bottom of it! Thanks for the name too...I'll list it for those who ask in that area! Keep us updated from time to time will you please?

Pam

[fran54]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! There is no way on this earth that I could have ever done this without all of you. You all give up your valuable time to help us all. Without your expertise and unfortunate suffering we would be in the dark. I hope this works but what we were doing before was not. But I know where to go if it doesn't thanks to all of you. Have a wonderful holiday season and a healthy, happy and safe New Year!

[nonstickpam107]

Same back atcha!!! Hope things are really different next year at this time for your son and DH....sending good vibes to all of you. You sure do deserve to have great treatment and a comfortable life!

Pam

[watcher513]

"When I went to thank her she hugged me and I burst into tears"

Oh my, be still my heart. You got me on that one. Doing a happy dance after I wipe my tears! (I'm such a sap) Wonderful news.

[inatic]

Originally Posted by fran54

Pam and others. Well we finally saw a doctor that I did not have a stomach knot waiting to argue over what labs, etc. Boom, boom, boom all the tests that I read about here were ordered. My husband and son never got a physical test like this before and the questionaire was almost a book. She listened, was kind, made my son(who is 26yrs. old) not feel like a sick old man or like something he was making up. She swithched my son to Armour 60mg 2x's a day am and pm. So one in the morning and one in the evening. My husband(who has had a major heart attack) is keeping him on the levothyroxine plus cytomel. 5 in the am and 5 in the pm. She wants to bring him up slower due to the heart although her plan is to move him to armour later. Lots of supplements although she is sticking to the minimal right now. She wants them on a celiac disease diet for a month although my son is also on a non cassein diet. She tested their blood for celiac disease and we don't know yet but she said it is worth a try.She is doing many other things; testosterone, cortisol, etc. but not too many that I felt taken. She explained the reasons for everything. Now I just hope it works. They are two peas in a pod and are very medical resistant meaning that their bodies do not react normally to treatment. Her name is Dr Paula Luber in Encinitas, Ca. When I went to thank her she hugged me and I burst into tears. She told me don't worry we will get them both better!

i just caught this!!
how wonderful!!
any more news?