The waiting is the hardest part.... (waiting on new blood test results)
Cricket1515
Posts: 153 Member
I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism in April and started on Amrour Thyroid then. After about two months on that, the doctor ordered a new blood test on Saturday. I should get the results today or tomorrow!
I'm hoping the results will support increasing the Armour Thyroid dosage. It feels like it is working, but that there is still room for improvement, you know?
I'm hoping the results will support increasing the Armour Thyroid dosage. It feels like it is working, but that there is still room for improvement, you know?
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I am right there with you. I find I check to see if my tests (from Friday) have posted like once an hour!0
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Good luck! Is this your first set of blood work or do you already have a diagnosis? Since this is only my second time, I'm still learning how to interpret the numbers.0
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I was diagnosed in 2011, I went gluten free back in May and was having hyper symptoms more than not so my doc told me to lay off the meds if I felt hyper. I haven't taken it very often since then and when I did I only took half a pill so I am curious to see where everything is.0
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And the results are (drumroll)......
Pretty good, but the doctor said there was room to increase the dosage so he gave me a new prescription.
Reading all the horror stories about people not having their doctors listen to them really makes me appreciate my naturopathic-leaning GCP. I'm really looking forward to feeling better.0 -
Happy NSV (non-scale victory)! Finding a doctor who listens is huge.0
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That's great, Cricket. Do you take any other supps with your thyroid meds? I found that to make a huge difference personally -- for me, it's primarily vitamin D, magnesium and DHEA as I was deficient in all 3.0
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NSV - I like that! Actually I'm feeling pretty good about SV too. Down 3.5 pounds (started 24 days ago), which might actually be real and not just normal fluctuation. This is my third time trying logging to lose and the first time it seems to be working. Yay for proper diagnosis and treatment!
In addition to the Armour Thyroid, I'm taking the three supplements that my doctor instructed. I posted about them in the Ashwagandha thread.
Rhodiola, when I wake up (boosts energy)
Ashwagandha, with dinner (gets the body ready to think about sleep)
PS100, when going to bed (for the brain fog I think?)
I was low in Vitamin D too, but the doctor prescribed more sunshine.
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3.5 over 24 days sounds more like actual fat loss than fluctuation - especially if you were properly hydrated previously. Nice!
Good on your doc for prescribing sunshine! Far too many HCPs pushing drugs and supplements without considering the ramifications.0 -
I just got my results but still waiting on note from doc. I thought she ordered a full panel but it was just T4 and TSH. My T4 was normal (1.4) and my TSH was pretty darn high (13.4). Why/How does this happen? My values are usually normal for T4 and high for T3 and high for TSH. Seems is TSH was that high T4 and T3 would both be low??? This has never been explained to me.
P.S. OP sorry to hijack, and that is great that you have such a good doc!0 -
It's cool. Hijack away! I wish I could offer insight, but I only have surface-level understanding of thyroid numbers. Will you share what your doc says when you get her note?0
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Cricket1515 wrote: »NSV - I like that! Actually I'm feeling pretty good about SV too. Down 3.5 pounds (started 24 days ago), which might actually be real and not just normal fluctuation. This is my third time trying logging to lose and the first time it seems to be working. Yay for proper diagnosis and treatment!
In addition to the Armour Thyroid, I'm taking the three supplements that my doctor instructed. I posted about them in the Ashwagandha thread.
Rhodiola, when I wake up (boosts energy)
Ashwagandha, with dinner (gets the body ready to think about sleep)
PS100, when going to bed (for the brain fog I think?)
I was low in Vitamin D too, but the doctor prescribed more sunshine.
I hope the sunshine works. I live in California -- plenty of sunshine -- and my levels were still very low. Though, to be fair, I work inside, so my opportunity to get sunshine 5/7 days is rather limited.0 -
My T4 was normal (1.4) and my TSH was pretty darn high (13.4). Why/How does this happen?
TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. It tells the thyroid to produce T4 & T3.
You need more tests to determine what's wrong with your pituitary, thyroid, and/or hypothalamus.
Edited to add that the hypothalamus tells the pituitary to produce TSH.0 -
I just got my results but still waiting on note from doc. I thought she ordered a full panel but it was just T4 and TSH. My T4 was normal (1.4) and my TSH was pretty darn high (13.4). Why/How does this happen? My values are usually normal for T4 and high for T3 and high for TSH. Seems is TSH was that high T4 and T3 would both be low??? This has never been explained to me.
P.S. OP sorry to hijack, and that is great that you have such a good doc!
Assuming this is Free T4 at 1.4?
Your TSH is high because it's signalling that you need more T4. If your total T4 came in at 1.4 you're either not producing enough, or there is a competing hormone, usually estrogen.0 -
I just got my results but still waiting on note from doc. I thought she ordered a full panel but it was just T4 and TSH. My T4 was normal (1.4) and my TSH was pretty darn high (13.4). Why/How does this happen? My values are usually normal for T4 and high for T3 and high for TSH. Seems is TSH was that high T4 and T3 would both be low??? This has never been explained to me.
P.S. OP sorry to hijack, and that is great that you have such a good doc!
Assuming this is Free T4 at 1.4?
Your TSH is high because it's signalling that you need more T4. If your total T4 came in at 1.4 you're either not producing enough, or there is a competing hormone, usually estrogen.
If you're Hashi's (which it sounds like you are), antibodies could be binding up your T4 (and T3). So the levels look "normal" in your blood tests, but the effective levels are actually much lower --and you have hypo symptoms. I have the same thing. For me to actually feel well, my levels have to be in the upper third of the "normal" range. Anything lower and I get hypo symptoms. If they're borderline low, I feel AWFUL.
So, if your effective T4 is actually low, your body is going to signal more TSH to create more T4. That may also explain your usually high T3 rates (but the effective level of T3 is lower -- or perhaps a good deal of it is reverse T3).
I'm sure this isn't the only explanation, but one that would fit your test levels. Here's an article that explains it more thoroughly: http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/woliner.htm
Given that you said you feel hyper more often than not, it could be other things that are throwing things off.
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Thanks CSAR and lindsey for your replies. I had to go back and look and it was Free T4 with a range of .82-1.77. Your explanation makes some sense. Still trying to wrap my head around it. So I wonder if my birth control is the competing hormone?? Also, these are results with pretty much no thyroid replacement in my system at all, as I haven't taken my meds in a while because of the hyper symptoms.0
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My free T4 was normal (1.4) and my TSH was pretty darn high (13.4).
These are results with pretty much no thyroid replacement in my system at all, as I haven't taken my meds in a while because of the hyper symptoms.
Wait, what?! Your levels are messed up because you're unmedicated.
If your dosage was too high, the correct response is to talk to your doctor about lowering the dosage—not stop taking your meds.0 -
editorgrrl wrote: »My free T4 was normal (1.4) and my TSH was pretty darn high (13.4).
These are results with pretty much no thyroid replacement in my system at all, as I haven't taken my meds in a while because of the hyper symptoms.
Wait, what?! Your levels are messed up because you're unmedicated.
If your dosage was too high, the correct response is to talk to your doctor about lowering the dosage—not stop taking your meds.
These have been where my levels have been since I was diagnosed in 2011. High TSH, normal T4 and high T3, each and every time I have my panels done. My doc is the one that told me to not take it when I am hyper, (constantly sweating when everyone around me is cold, crying and anxious for no reason, racing heart at all times, etc. Not mild hyper symptoms). This blood panel was done so that my doc can see where we need to adjust to. I am taking Tirosint now so she couldn't just tell me to take half a pill since those are gel caps. And Tirosint is expensive so I can't just keep going and paying for multiple doses.0 -
I assume your doctor (endocrinogist?) told you to skip a dose—not go off your meds entirely. And what you're doing right now obviously isn't working level-wise. (How do you feel?) So it's time to try something else.0
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I feel fine, I actually haven't felt this good in years. Also, the weight has started to just melt off. Yes, she is an endo. And yes, obviously it isn't working, hence the order for lab work for re-adjusting. It isn't like this has been going on for months. I called her, told her I was going crazy, she told me to cut it out when I am feeling crazy, and then we scheduled an appointment for me to get my labs redrawn.0
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@mkwrose - There's a long lag time in thyroid meds, so while you may feel different immediately - that's placebo. It takes at least 48 hours for your body to react and can take up to seven days. Keep this in mind if your symptoms switch from hyper to hypo. I had much of the same and this is how we came up with the idea of alternating my daily dose from 175/200mcgs.0
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I just got my results but still waiting on note from doc. I thought she ordered a full panel but it was just T4 and TSH. My T4 was normal (1.4) and my TSH was pretty darn high (13.4). Why/How does this happen? My values are usually normal for T4 and high for T3 and high for TSH. Seems is TSH was that high T4 and T3 would both be low??? This has never been explained to me.
P.S. OP sorry to hijack, and that is great that you have such a good doc!
Assuming this is Free T4 at 1.4?
Your TSH is high because it's signalling that you need more T4. If your total T4 came in at 1.4 you're either not producing enough, or there is a competing hormone, usually estrogen.Cricket1515 wrote: »It's cool. Hijack away! I wish I could offer insight, but I only have surface-level understanding of thyroid numbers. Will you share what your doc says when you get her note?
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I just switched from synthroid to Armour. I was glad to read about supplements. Dr. Just gave me script for prescription vitamin D And estrogen /DHEA/testosterone . I hope this is the ticket0
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[/quote] These have been where my levels have been since I was diagnosed in 2011. High TSH, normal T4 and high T3, each and every time I have my panels done. My doc is the one that told me to not take it when I am hyper, (constantly sweating when everyone around me is cold, crying and anxious for no reason, racing heart at all times, etc. Not mild hyper symptoms). This blood panel was done so that my doc can see where we need to adjust to. I am taking Tirosint now so she couldn't just tell me to take half a pill since those are gel caps. And Tirosint is expensive so I can't just keep going and paying for multiple doses.[/quote]
YMMV, but Tirosint made me feel hyper even at the same TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 levels as while on other T4. I've talked to others who say the same. I lasted only a couple weeks on it - just felt awful. IMHO, someone who feels hyper frequently might really benefit from switching to Synthroid or Levoxyl for their T4.
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These have been where my levels have been since I was diagnosed in 2011. High TSH, normal T4 and high T3, each and every time I have my panels done. My doc is the one that told me to not take it when I am hyper, (constantly sweating when everyone around me is cold, crying and anxious for no reason, racing heart at all times, etc. Not mild hyper symptoms). This blood panel was done so that my doc can see where we need to adjust to. I am taking Tirosint now so she couldn't just tell me to take half a pill since those are gel caps. And Tirosint is expensive so I can't just keep going and paying for multiple doses.[/quote]Can_Do_Gal wrote: »
YMMV, but Tirosint made me feel hyper even at the same TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 levels as while on other T4. I've talked to others who say the same. I lasted only a couple weeks on it - just felt awful. IMHO, someone who feels hyper frequently might really benefit from switching to Synthroid or Levoxyl for their T4.
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Thanks! I have been reading such as well. That since it absorbs so much better than the tablets that usually need a lower dose. My doc did lower my dose but I still have hyper symptoms while taking it so I am going to switch back to my Synthroid that I have on file at the pharmacy and see how that goes. I go back next month to see where I am yet again.
I have been thinking for the past few years that my red, hot, flushed, tingly face was due to bad skin, I now realize that it has been my thyroid meds (doesn't matter the brand for this symptom) all this time. I can take my med, an hour later red face, on the days I don't take it, no red face. I now question my dosage since being diagnosed in 2011.0 -
Since thyroid treatment, my whole head gets hot & sweaty with the least exercise - like grocery shopping. It's disgusting. I'm a bit more hot overall, but it's insane on my head. I've met some other thyroid patients with the same issue. My cancer markers have been so good, my TSH is unmeaurable, and I've had insomnia since my thyroidectomy, so my endo decided to try dropping my T4 dose a couple years early. (Standard thyroid cancer treatment is TSH suppression for 5 years.) My T4 is down to .9 something, my TSH has yet to respond, and my head is still a sweaty mess. I am sleeping better, though. My endo, who really does care, just shrugs & says science just doesn't truly understand fully how all this works, & he has no idea what to do. Anyway, it might not be your dose. It might be an unlucky side effect.0
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@Can_Do_Gal Sounds like you have an excellent doc and they are keeping you cancer free. This was not the case a decade ago and TSH suppression was only a theory used by some of the cutting edge endos. How much water are you drinking and does drinking more help?
The problem is that science has been focused on isolation and examination, this is not how hormones behave in vivo - they are constantly interacting with other hormones and other interactive receptors. Unfortunately this foundation is required to build upon the next phase - syntrophy. So what we know is based on how these behave in a lab, but have not achieved the next great leap to gain understanding on how hormones behave in the body. Many theories and suspicions, but nothing solid and most of the data we have is amazingly biased towards incident demographics (female, ages 40-70).0 -
CSARdiver, I agree. Btw, what you said is pretty much what my endo said. He's my 4th in these 3 years, and since I found him, that Alice in Wonderland feeling is going away, since he doesn't deny my reality.
My natural habit is to drink more water than most. I'm concentrating on upping my intake now (128 oz yesterday) , and I haven't noticed any difference. Increasing water intake might help excessive sweating?0 -
@Can_Do_Gal Awesome news about the new endo. So many bad docs out there who don't stay current.
I'm not going off any scientific evidence on the water intake, but from personal observation. I found that once I upped my intake to ~120oz/day a lot of my symptoms went away, the temperature intolerance and excessive sweating in particular.0 -
I have heat intolerance, yet drink 3 liters of water per day. Ice water, this time of year.0
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Well....talk about motivation to make sure to drink water! Gosh it would be nice not to be a sweaty beet. Thanks for the tip, I'll try it. (Crossed fingers.)
I do feel lucky to have this endo. Too bad they all aren't like him.0
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