What you're describing is, unfortunately, "normal" with thyroid issues - most especially Hashimoto's. There's no cure for it...there's no way to stem the destruction of the thyroid that I know of. There's lots of pseudo-science stuff out there, but no REAL proof of anything that will stop thyroid destruction from Hashimoto's.

Sure, eating well and exercising will help your overall health that can only help...but again, there's no proof that helps Hashimoto's AT ALL.

Hashi's just keeps destroying thyroid tissue until there's nothing left. When there's nothing left...then you'll probably stop needing an increase.

There's no "Max limit" to reach, really. Only what's max for you (and safe).

I know of several people who "stay on top" of their thyroid health by testing their thyroid levels every four weeks and adjusting what they need to in order to maintain their "optimal". For me, testing every 3 months seems to work ok.

There's no set way to do this - except regular testing/symptom journaling and medication adjustment. That's the ONLY thing that works.

So, while I understand your concern (we're ALL afraid our doctors will freak out and say, "I'm not writing you another prescription" - I'm sure diabetics have the same fear...but in much lower numbers), stay on top of it and move forward. There's life to be lived.

The thing is, I've never tested positive for Hashimotos. I know that doesn't mean I don't have it.
The endocrinologist my husband talked to on my behalf mentioned some people have malabsorption issues. The first thing they test for is Celiac. I never have many gut issues so doubt I have that.
May give up gluten for awhile because it's at least one thing I can control.
I just hate that nobody knows anything about this. My med prescriber warned me last time of heart issues I could have with such a high dose. This is why I worry she may not hear me when i tell her I feel like crap again.

Hey Itecblogger-

Have you have reverse T3 or cortisol levels checked?

Back in December, my reverse T3 was high at 24.3 out of a range of 9.2-24.1.
At some point I had cortisol tested by blood not saliva. It came back within normal range. I have a strong libido so have to think it's not adrenal?

You got me thinking and I read this article about pooling.

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/pooling/

My ratio is 32.9 but with my free T3 as high as it is, I wonder if I have a pooling problem. And the solution according to them it to cut my Armour by half for a week. I can only imagine this making me sick as a dog!!! How could I go to work?! Take care of my kids? I already feel crappy with symptoms returning- I can't imagine how sick it would make me to do what's suggested here. Does anyone have experience with this?

I wonder if stories like this are for real or just to have me buy their book.

http://recoveringwitht3.com/success_story/elles-story

Thing is, if you're on Armour 3x a day, you're already getting alot of T3. But, to know fer sure if you're getting "enough for you" you'll need to tests your Free T3.

This concerns me:
" My med prescriber warned me last time of heart issues I could have with such a high dose."

What drives me crazy about that is this: They NEVER warn you about heart issues with a dosage that's TOO small. And it's VERY real. We can develop high cholesterol, cardio-myopathy, and something called "heart block" with a dosage that's too small. Sure, if you have a super duper high dosage of meds, it can cause an arrhythmia, but guess what? You can also have an arrhythmia with too small a dosage (heart flutters anyone?).

Uneducated doctors drive me nuts! What's she's saying is: "I really don't want to get sued by helping you..."

If I cut my armour by half....I'd be dead.

Hiphappy has had RT3 issues. You could probably private message him. The only way to know how your cortisol levels is by having a saliva test. Sounds more like RT3 to me. Your doctor never said anything?

We met today because she's awesome. She ordered a ton of testing- just to make sure this isn't something else.
I don't have the impression this happens very much- at 75mg lego and 180 mg Armour- it's a big freaking dose already. I'm also a little tired of doing this dance with her every 6 months and having to go up with my prescription. When is it too much? Nobody has much of an answer.

Feeling her out, I think she'd up the prescription a little more but I'd put money on being in her office 6 months from now with the same issues.
I'm reading these articles about the people who went off their meds and thinking I'd be bed-ridden. Stop the Thyroid website says to take 1/2 of your regular Armour. After awhile (1 week according to some, 12 weeks, according to others), you add back small amounts of T3 only.

But my practitioner said she's never done that before- she's taken people down from their amount of med but not taken away T4 all together which it what the reverse t3 treatment is. It looks like they don't prescribe mass amounts of just Cytomel.

I think you were right to consult your doctor. STTP has -some- good info, and some other info that's just not backed up in research (or for that matter, practice).

"When is it too much? Nobody has much of an answer. " It's too much when you slide into a hyper state. It happens. It's happened to me. And when it does happen, you -will- know it. It's not something you can overlook. It will get your attention quick, fast, and in a hurry.

It doesn't -sound- like you're in a hyper state at present, but it's best to pull some tests and find out.

There's no way - I repeat - NO WAY that I'd stop taking my T4 meds. There's no freakin' way.

Keep us posted on what's going on with you. Good luck.

Hiphappy has had RT3 issues. You could probably private message him. The only way to know how your cortisol levels is by having a saliva test. Sounds more like RT3 to me. Your doctor never said anything?

I'd bought a test last year but my med increase started working and I felt better for awhile. Then needed another increase. And then another.
I am actually going to do my test now. Just have to wait until day 19 or so of my cycle.
The only thing that bothered me was it seemed like my practitioner only checks for ferritin. The websites are saying you can have normal ferritin but poor results on the others, indicating a problem that would otherwise be missed by just checking ferritin. Without good iron levels I won't get better.

It's amazing how many pieces this puzzle has! Keep at it. You and your doctor will figure it out!