Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Hi,
I've been on 30mg Armour Thyroid for 3 weeks now and had blood work done a week ago. I don't feel any different. I have an appointment w/my dr next Wed. What should I say to him? I think I need an increase in dosage, but could something else be going on?
Labs 6/28/13
TSH 1.9 (.4-4.5)
Free T4 .9 (.8-1.8)
Free T3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
10/2/13
TSH 1.24 (.4-4.5)
Free T4 1.0 (.8-1.8)
Free T3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
Total T4 5.1 (4.5-12)
Total T3 80 (76-181)
Thanks in advance,
Dawn
I've been on 30mg Armour Thyroid for 3 weeks now and had blood work done a week ago. I don't feel any different. I have an appointment w/my dr next Wed. What should I say to him? I think I need an increase in dosage, but could something else be going on?
Labs 6/28/13
TSH 1.9 (.4-4.5)
Free T4 .9 (.8-1.8)
Free T3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
10/2/13
TSH 1.24 (.4-4.5)
Free T4 1.0 (.8-1.8)
Free T3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)
Total T4 5.1 (4.5-12)
Total T3 80 (76-181)
Thanks in advance,
Dawn
Since thyroid hormone is very potent, we all have to start off slowly and have our doses increased as labs and symptoms dictate.
Complete symptom elimination doesn't happen until *after* our levels are optimized. In the meantime, we can have an improvement in some symptoms, a worsening of others and/or the development of new ones. And, just as you've experienced, there are times where we don't feel any different at all.
Your labs show the need for a dose increase - hope you get one.
Usually, a dose increase results in increases in either/both the FreeT4/T3 level(s).
However, a unique situation can happen when we start thyroid hormone replacement - especially if T3 is involved (such as in Armour or Cytomel).
Our pituitary glands "sense" more T3 in the system and often lower the production of TSH.
Well, less TSH means the thyroid isn't being stimulated as much to produce hormone.
You are fortunate to the extent that your FreeT4/T3 levels didn't decrease after starting meds.....this is all-too-common.
Everything evens out in the end as long as the doctor follows the following type of treatment protocol:
http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/treatment.htm
Other doctors will increase no more than 15mg at a time.
No matter what, slow and steady always wins the race.
Hypothyroidism treatment isn't for the faint-hearted, that's for sure. It's often a two-steps forward, one step back type of deal and it really requires a patient patient.....very hard when one is sick and tired of being sick and tired.