In a way, yes.
#148174 - 02/09/05 11:13 AM
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Kandee
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 3206
Loc: USA, Southern California
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The problem being is that most docs don't order lab tests to test "Free T-3" and that is the one component that affects mood, fatigue, weight gain and a whole host of other things. If a doc orders just a normal thyroid panel it will show TSH and T-4 (and a few other things) which may show normal range numbers yet the patient doesn't feel good but can't explain why. Most docs prescribe a synthetic T-4 only medication (like Synthroid or Levoxyl) with the expectation that the body will convert the T-4 to some T-3. It doesn't always, which is the case with Wilson's syndrome. Or, the body will convert some, but not enough. The normal blood range of T-3 is between 200+ and 600+ yet if you're at the low end of the spectrum you still may feel lousy. Often in Fibro a doc can prescribe a low dose T-3 only (Cytomel in the US) even though the Fibro person doesn't have clinical signs of hypothyroidism. It may make the fibro person feel so much better. Docs are reluctant to give it since it is a touchy drug and you need to have frequent blood work to make sure it doesn't throw you into a hyperthyroid state (which, in my estimation is so much worse than being hypo). Also, T-3 has a short half life, so to be of any benefit it needs to be taken twice a day, consistently at the same time of the day.
On a personal note, I was on a natural thyroid replacement drug (Armour) for over 10 years, with fantastic success. I had Hashimotos (goiter) and hypothyroidism. Due to a severe upper respiratory infection it threw me into subaccute thryoiditis, something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. You flip from hypo to hyper and need to go off all med until you go back to hypo and then start all over again with meds, at a very slow rate. Well, I'm on a synthetic T-4 now and still don't feel just right. My next move may be to ask my (good) Doc to do what he wanted a while back, and that is instead of going back on a natural one, go to having a compounding pharmacy mix the T-3 and T-4 in the proper proportions for my blood levels, which BTW, will have to be constantly monitored. I'm hoping it will help the chronic throiditis attacks, plus give me an over all feeling of well being, but who knows..it will be a trial and error situation.
Now, aren't you sorry you asked? LOL
Kandee
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First, I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. My brush with serious thyroid problems was blessedly brief, but even from that I know how scary - and exhausting - it can be.
Second, and I know this is a radical thought, but one thing my doctors discussed with me if I kept flipping back and forth from hypo to hyper was to just ablate my thyroid, making me permanently hypo. I really didn't want to do it and I'm glad since I seem to be mostly settled at normal and low normal, but if I you're still flipping back and forth it might be worth thinking about as a last resort.
Third, I think adding in T-3 might be worth a try. When the doctors were talking about ablating my thyroid I did some research on replacement therapy and found that while most people did well on just T-4 the more natural mix did seem to help some people who just didn't feel well on T-4 alone.
Good luck. I hope your docs get you stablized.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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Thanks Sand
#148293 - 02/09/05 03:25 PM
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Kandee
Reged: 05/22/03
Posts: 3206
Loc: USA, Southern California
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Quote:
First, I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. My brush with serious thyroid problems was blessedly brief, but even from that I know how scary - and exhausting - it can be.
Ahhh, then you know first hand how debilitating it can be! I didn't think I'd ever pull out of it..it took months.
Second, and I know this is a radical thought, but one thing my doctors discussed with me if I kept flipping back and forth from hypo to hyper was to just ablate my thyroid, making me permanently hypo. I really didn't want to do it and I'm glad since I seem to be mostly settled at normal and low normal, but if I you're still flipping back and forth it might be worth thinking about as a last resort.
Well, as of now, I've only gone hyper once..but that once is enough!!! But, for the most part I will always be hypo my entire life, and have a big fat ugly goiter.
Ablation is an option I know. (I went thru that with my husband who had cardiac ablation for his ventricular tachycardia despite having an AICD.) If I ever flip back again it is definitely an option..thanks for bringing it up. One thing I learned is once I stabilized I would get attacks AFTER I'd been to see 2 of my 3 docs...each and every time they would palpate the gland. Guess what? That triggered an attack. Rare, but it does happen. So for now no one better dare play around with my neck..LOL
I am impressed that you took it upon yourself to get smart about this. Thyroid disease is nothing to ignore.
You are lucky that you don't have to be on meds, and wise to have the levels checked frequently. I applaud you.
Third, I think adding in T-3 might be worth a try. When the doctors were talking about ablating my thyroid I did some research on replacement therapy and found that while most people did well on just T-4 the more natural mix did seem to help some people who just didn't feel well on T-4 alone.
When on the natural one that has both T-4 and T-3 I felt best...and I may try to go back on that...or have a synthetic T-3 brought into the mix. The problem with the natural hormone is that it may include a bit to much T-3 for some people. In the meantime my concern is not to get any infections that may induce another episode like I went through before. The biggest risk factor for getting subacute thyroidis is to have had it in the past.
Good luck. I hope your docs get you stablized. Thank you..and thanks for your concern. Kandee
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I just got diagnosed with Hashimoto's as well, thanks to a mess of blood work done by my Fibro doc.
She's putting me on a T3 titration, where I take one dose for 10 days, a slightly higher dose for the next 10 days, a slightly higher dose for 10 days, then a slightly higher dose for 90 days. She's going to check my blood again in 4 months. Any one else just been put on T3?
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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I'm glad the post helped.
As for your type of treatment, I'm on just T4 (Synthroid) and I've heard of treatment with T4 plus T3, but not just with T3. However, my serious research into thyroid problems goes back several years now (3, 4, 5, 6?) and medical knowledge and treatements change very fast. Maybe someone with more up-to-date knowledge will chime in - like Kandee if she's around.
I don't know how helpful this will be - or how good this guy actually is - but I ran across this while searching for info on T3 and T4:
http://www.fibromyalgiasupport.com/Fibromyalgia.cfm/id/5131
Take care. Feel better.
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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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My doctor also diagnosed with my adrenal hormone problems as well, so what he said makes sense.
Working on the feeling better part, the rest of my meds should come in the mail today.
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Melissa
Friendship is thicker than blood. ~Rent
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I actually have hypothyroidism rather than the hyper- but you're symptoms are identical to mine when I don't have my meds. If I'm off them I sleep 10 or 12 hours a day and when I'm awake, I'm droopy and completely exhausted. Find yourself a good Dr. who will run your thyroid levels. Thyroid conditions can change rapidly and the need for meds will change with them. If there is any concern your doctor should be checking you every 6 months. And if they start you on a med they should check after 3 months to make sure the levels are within normal range. If they're the correct dosage you'll feel it by the time they test again. Blood work should be really easy to do for this. It's very common. You shouldn't have to wait at all. In the meantime, get as much sleep as you can and don't overexert yourself.
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If you're not dead, you've still got time.
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It does cause extreme fatigue but it is usually coupled with flu like symtpoms. Oy! - no fun at all.
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